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Clearwire branding true 4G WiMAX rollouts 'CLEAR,' upgrading pre-WiMAX areas nationwide
Clearwire's far too young of a company to be dealing with a mid-life crisis, but just a year or so after it really began rolling out its Clear WiMAX services in select portions of America, it appears that the outfit is changing names. Confusingly enough, the company (currently Clearwire) will be renaming itself as the service (currently Clear), leaving us to wonder what exactly CLEAR (the rebranded company) will call its WiMAX offerings. There's no indication on the company's website as to when it plans to make the rebranding official, but a customer in Charlotte, North Carolina has informed us that the change is already underway in the Queen City. According to him, his equipment was recently swapped out, with the new modem boasting a Motorola logo and a "CLEAR" logo instead of the "Clearwire" emblem as before. Interestingly, he also claims that his download speed received a (gratis) bump from 1.6Mbps to 5Mbps, which resulted in a "huge improvement in speed." So, any other users out there getting their modems swapped out? Call us crazy, but we're guessing it's just a matter of time.[Thanks, Rick]Update: Clearwire pinged us with a few clarifications here. Ready? Good. Clearwire, as a company, is not changing its name. So far as the SEC knows, the corporate entity will remain "Clearwire." The new "CLEAR" branding is a push to market its true 4G WiMAX services (as opposed to "pre-WiMAX service"), which are rolling out to over 40 existing Clearwire markets around the country. Seems that explains the speed boost Mr. Rick experienced, huh?%Gallery-73894%
Nokia's RD-3 modem boldly boasts LTE, and no, you can't have one
Nokia makes out its just-announced RD-3 data modem to be the dream of every road warrior: global GSM / EDGE, global HSPA, global LTE -- a twenty-plus year heritage of technologies in the GSM family tree compressed into a single device, powerful enough to get you service from a dusty GPRS cell site in some of the world's harshest landscapes or Verizon's LTE trials in Boston and Seattle just the same. The only problem is that you can't have it. The RD-3 is instead being reserved for carriers and infrastructure firms building out LTE networks around the globe as they march toward commercial availability in 2010, at which point Nokia (and others) will presumably have newer, better modems available for us lay folk to enjoy. In the meanwhile, though, it's alright: go ahead and drool.
Verizon beefs up global modem line with UMW190
Verizon's really starting to buy into this global 3G data thing, offering modems that do EV-DO domestically and HSPA abroad; problem is, ZTE's AD3700 that's on the market currently is... shall we say, a little too "in-your-face" for some folks. For those individuals, we might recommend the more buttoned-up UMW190 from PCD, which offers triband HSPA to go along with the EV-DO Rev. A that you'll enjoy domestically. Those with pockets deep enough to withstand the heavy-hitting roaming bills can grab the UMW190 now online (later this month in stores) for $49.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate.
Samsung boasts of first commercial LTE modem for cellphones
We can't say that we're absolutely certain that Samsung's not fibbing a little with its latest claim, particularly since NXP rolled out a multi-mode LTE / HSPA / etc. cellular modem way back in June of last year. Whatever the case, we're just stoked to see yet another big player drinking the LTE Kool-Aid, with Sammy developing what it calls the "first LTE modem that complies with the latest standards of the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP)." The modem, which is being labeled the Kalmia for now, supports download rates of up to 100Mbps and upload speeds around 50Mbps within the 20MHz frequency band. In other words, if your future handset is equipped with this chipset, you could theoretically stream four HD movies with no buffering. Now, if only Samsung would announce a new mobile to go along with this, we'd really have reason to carouse.
Verizon announces AD3700 global modem from ZTE
So here's some interesting insight into the wild, rough-and-tumble world of wireless product launches: Verizon announced ZTE's AD3700 USB modem today, a product that gained FCC approval over five months ago, which means it's probably been getting a trial by fire on Verizon's test labs since then. You've gotta figure that ZTE was working on the prototype for many months before FCC approval, so all told, this launch is probably a culmination of a solid year of work, cash, blood, sweat, and tears. Don't you feel obligated to buy it now? Anyhow, the modem runs $79.99 after a $50 rebate when it launches on the 14th, which is actually a really solid deal considering that it'll do EV-DO in the States and HSPA around the world for 3G service no matter where your job or your whimsical vacation travel habits might take you.
PSA: tethering your iPhone on Rogers doesn't cost extra
Hey, AT&T, Rogers stole your extended subsidy idea, so why not return the favor and copy some of this when you roll out iPhone tethering later this year? Canada's GSM giant is charging precisely nil for the pleasure of connecting your iPhone to a computer and using it as a modem, instead merely deducting bytes from your data bucket just as though you were consuming them on the iPhone itself -- as long as you have at least 1GB of data in your plan, otherwise tethering's not available. That works especially well in concert with those who have Rogers' sweet 6GB-for-$30 data add-on, but otherwise, many users (especially those with meager 1GB accounts) will have to be careful not to overrun their monthly limits. At any rate, the takeaway here is that if AT&T comes out with a $50-plus tethering add-on with a 5GB bucket at this point, there'll be riots, bloodied bodies, overturned cars, the whole nine yards.[Thanks, Rod]Update: Michael Bettiol points out that Rogers is ominously saying this pricing structure is good through December 31st, so it's anyone's guess what happens after that. Odds are Rogers is giving itself an out in case data usage is totally off the chain.
Huawei's E583X wireless modem turns 3G to WiFi, beautiful lights
The smallest USB 3G modems look like grossly over-sized thumb drives, while the biggest ones sport hinges or fold-out antennas that serve as tripwires for absent-minded businessmen with venti frappuccinos walking by your tiny little coffee shop table. Huawei's E583X detaches all that bother, acquiring a 3G wireless signal and then beaming it out again as WiFi, meaning you can leave it in your pocket and get a double-dose of microwaves. It sports a 1,500mAh battery, giving it five hours of independent living, and in emergencies it can act as a tethered modem as well. Sadly this first version will only accept a single WiFi connection, but future ones will allow four others to mooch your data plan. That it also blinks randomly like a prop out of Star Trek's utopian future is just an added bonus. It's set to light up Europe next month -- likely with some hideous contracts attached.
Verizon rolls out global laptop data with USB1000 stick
The promise of global data is finally becoming a reality for modem users on Verizon today with the release of its Novatel-sourced USB1000, a USB stick (hence the "USB" in the name, we're willing to bet) that features EV-DO Rev. A for domestic use plus triband HSPA when you're roaming around the globe. The stick itself runs $149.99 on contract after a $50 rebate, while monthly global data plans run from $129.99 for 100MB of data in 31 countries to $219.99 for 200MB; both plans include 5GB for use in the US and Canada. It'll be available online starting tomorrow.[Via Phone Scoop]
Motorola debuts world's first retail DOCSIS 3.0 cable modems
You'll still need the love and support of your dear cable provider, but if you're within range of DOCSIS 3.0 service, you can bypass at least one aspect of dealing with your local monopoly ISP. Starting this week, Motorola is launching the planet's first retail DOCSIS 3.0 cable modems, which enable speeds up to four times faster than DOCSIS 2.0. The SURFboard SB6120 DOCSIS 3.0 eXtreme cable modem will soon be cluttering up shelves at Fry's Electronics, presumably just beside the incredibly deceiving Monster Cable demonstration area. There's no word on price just yet, but don't expect such a luxury item to run you cheap, okay?
Video: 45 year old modem used to dial into web, view Wikipedia, correct the entry on Klaus Nomi
We've just been hepped to a video by someone named Phreakmonkey, wherein he gets his hands on a Model A Acoustic Coupler Modem and puts it through its ever lovin' paces. Manufactured by Livermore Data Systems ca. 1964, the 300 baud device uses an analog signal powered by the computer's serial port. Of course, getting this thing up and running required scrounging up cables, adapters, and a twenty year old telephone -- but the result? Pure geek goodness. What're you waiting for? Squeeze past the break to watch this dude dial into a server, fire up Lynx, and visit Wikipedia, old school.[Via Hack-A-Day]
FCC filing foretells ExpressCard data modem for T-Mobile subs?
It's great that T-Mobile's actively selling its 3G data network -- which still has that new-network smell, may we add -- to laptop users, but it won't be maximally useful until they've got both USB and ExpressCard options on the shelf. They've got the USB bit out of the way -- so turning our attention to the ExpressCard side, it seem that Option's GlobeTrotter Express 442 might be in the works (the 441 is pictured here, but the 442 is identical in appearance). This versatile piece covers fully four different WCDMA bands with up to 7.2Mbps HSDPA on the downlink and 5.76Mbps on the up, making it very, very useful no matter what country you might take the card to (of course, roaming charges are another matter altogether). No word on whether T-Mobile is actually planning on stocking the 442, but we're encouraged to see it pass the FCC's testing with AWS on board, so we'd venture to say it's a strong possibility. [Via Cell Phone Signal]
Verizon MiFi 2200 review
We've been following Novatel's MiFi with bated breath since its December announcement, and the totally pocketable 3G / WiFi router has finally graced a US carrier. Though it'll ultimately come in a variety of physical designs, bands, and radio technologies for different carriers and parts of the world, the MiFi 2200 for Verizon naturally packs CDMA with EV-DO Rev. A, which means uplink speeds should be reasonably speedy to go along with your 1Mbps-plus downloads. Obviously, the concept of a credit card-shaped object connecting up to five WiFi-enabled devices to high-speed internet from wherever the road takes you is an incredibly intoxicating one -- but does the MiFi 2200 deliver? Let's have a look.
Public Service Announcement: WIM's modem sounds are a joke
We're going to cover all the April Fools jokes from around the WoW community tomorrow (after they're over so we're sure we don't miss too many), but I wanted to take a moment to give a PSA about the WoW Instant Messenger add-on.When you log into the game today, and if you're updated to the latest version, you'll hear a modem sound ring across your speakers. This is a joke, this is only a joke, and you have no need to be alarmed. We've gotten many tips in about this, mainly people thinking that it's the Confiker virus which was supposed to start today. Well, it's not. And from the look of things Confiker is bust too (at least for now). So you're safe and okay, and can be angry that you've been had by an add-on author. Or just laugh about it, which is what I've done.The author has even come out and said this is a joke, and is offering an apology to anyone upset by this.
T-Mobile webConnect available today, carrier's first 3G modem
"T-Mobile USA" and "3G modem" aren't two things you frequently heard uttered in the same sentence -- but now that the number four carrier's got a budding HSPA network that's all dressed up with no place to go, it's time to start rolling out some serious hardware (G1 aside) to take advantage. On that note, T-Mobile's finally getting serious about laptop data, launching its rumored webConnect USB stick today with an integrated microSDHC slot, HSDPA 1900 / 2100 / AWS for compatibility in the US and abroad, and triband EDGE for those times -- and there will be many at first -- when you're out of 3G coverage. The webConnect launches today for $49.99 on a two-year contract after rebate or $249.99 contract-free.
Telstra's Turbo 21 HSPA modem reviewed: not 21Mbps but still the world's fastest
Telstra loves to brag about being the "world's fastest national mobile broadband network." And they should after a recent 21Mbps (theoretical) upgrade to its Next G network in Australia's major cities. Of course real-world performance won't come close to that but the PC-only, Telstra Turbo 21 USB modem likely smokes any over the air setup you've been using. ZDNET tested the Turbo 21 in Sydney and found performance landing on "the right side of excellent." Performance peaked at about 6Mbps but this was variable at best. Still it was the fastest modem that ZDNET's seen in their testing. Yours, or more likely your company's, for AU$499 or AU$299 when bundled with a data pack. Read -- Turbo 21 press release Read -- Turbo 21 review
Verizon's global 3G modem from ZTE spotted in FCC
We've known for some time that Verizon is fixated on dominating the global roaming market in the US -- or, at the very least, catching up to AT&T -- and to do that, they're going to need hardware capable of taking advantage of the very best speeds that those wild and majestic foreign lands have to offer. In other words, no EV-DO-only modem is going to cut it, and an EV-DO modem with a sprinkling of EDGE on the side is a consolation prize that's going to get frequent world travelers irked after a little while. To that end, we just witnessed this brick of a USB modem pass through the FCC bearing Verizon branding, the A3700 from ZTE. Name a frequency or wireless technology, the A3700 probably has it; in addition to EV-DO, it's got GSM / EDGE and HSPA, so your bases are pretty well covered wherever you happen to be (hell, it even has North America-friendly HSPA 850 / 1900 in there, though Verizon wouldn't dream of letting you stray from its own airwaves when you're stateside). Enticing, yes -- but considering that this is one of the ugliest modems we've seen in recent memory, you'd better really need that roaming capability when it gets around to launching.
T-Mobile's webConnect USB modem launching March 25?
By all accounts, it looks like T-Mobile USA will be offering the Huawei-sourced webConnect USB Laptop Stick, starting March 25 -- but there's a catch: according to some internal documentation, it'll only be available to existing customers. In other words, go ahead and get ready to sign up for a T-Mobile phone if you want T-Mobile data, because it looks like they're trying to scam two lines of service out of anyone wanting in on the action. Perhaps more notable is the fact that service will run $59.99 monthly, which will give you the same 5GB AT&T and Verizon give you for the same price. You get HotSpot access for that rate, but still, T-Mobile's historically been known for undercutting the big guys -- wouldn't it have been great to see this go for $49.99 instead?[Thanks, anonymous tipster]
Option's GlobeSurfer X1 turns USB modems into WiFi hotspots
You can definitely feel the oncoming rush or portable WiFi hotspots now that we've got products like Novatel's insanely slick MiFi on the way to market, and now Option's stepped up with its own flavor. While the end result is the same as Novatel's offering, to get the GlobeSurfer X·1 surfing any kind of 3G data network, you'll need to add a USB 3G modem of your own. Designed as a home of office connectivity device to enable printer sharing, local network sharing, and access to back up services that leverage an existing USB 3G card -- or at least we assume. We'll get more on this as soon as we can find one
Huawei announces i-Mo 3G modem with WiFi
Here's a peek at a tiny modem making its debut at MWC next week. The Huawei i-Mo HSPA modem is, indeed very small -- the company says about the size of a key chain -- and it boasts both an HSDPA / HSUPA USB modem as well as WiFi, plus it's got a MicroSD slot for storage. We don't know about pricing or availability for this little guy yet, but it will probably be offered through carriers, and should show up sometime in the fourth quarter of 2009. Hooray!
Sprint and Sierra Wireless give you the 598U data card
Data cards, while not as completely thrilling as new handsets -- or as pretty -- are quickly becoming true workhorses for the mobile-connected masses. Sierra's 598U on Sprint's is no exception -- or slouch -- with EV-DO connectivity, an SD Slot to add up to 32GB of storage, GPS, and even the ability to install the drivers for both Windows and Macintosh without having to carry a CD. Top shelf bit of kit and the pricing is as good starting at $free on a 2-year deal after "instant savings" of -$199.99 and a "web special" -$50 discount.[Via Slashphone]
