Clearwire today officially transformed Portland into the fastest unwired city in the West, and home to one of the first 4G WiMAX wireless broadband services in the world, called Clear’. With Clear, consumers and businesses can access the Internet wirelessly, at true broadband speeds ‘ at home, in the office, around the Portland metro area, and on the go.

‘Today is a historic day for the evolution of mobile computing and communications services in Portland, and the U.S.,’ said Benjamin G. Wolff, chief executive officer of Clearwire. ‘Clearwire is reinventing wireless by delivering an unmatched combination of Internet speed and mobility. We’re providing a valuable service designed to improve our customers’ productivity and make their lives more enjoyable, wherever they happen to be in our coverage area.’

‘WiMAX is a new wireless technology that raises the bar on a truly mobile and affordable Internet experience for consumers,’ said Sean Maloney, executive vice president and chief sales and marketing officer at Intel Corporation. ‘Intel, along with Clearwire and its partners, are proud to bring U.S. customers a next-generation world-leading broadband solution that redefines how, when and where consumers interact with the Internet.’

A Clear Difference 
The true value of Clear is the ability to get more out of the day from anywhere in the Clear coverage area. One simple service, at one low price, can meet our customer’s needs at home, in the office, or on the go. Whether it’s a busy parent catching up while waiting to pick up a child from practice, a small business owner staying productive at the office and out with a client, or a college student looking for broadband on a budget, Clear offers customers more for less.
Clear’s simple and innovative pricing gives customers ultimate flexibility. Clear’s mobile, residential and business plans can be purchased by the day or by the month, and do not require long term service contracts. Home Internet service plans start at $20 per month, while mobile Internet plans start at $30 per month, or customers can purchase a convenient day pass for $10. Additional savings are available for customers that purchase both home and mobile Internet services or that sign up for a two-year service agreement. Full details about pricing options are available at www.clear.com.
Unlike other wireless services, Clear delivers a ‘True Broadband’ experience, with up to 6 Mbps download speeds with the Clear residential modem, while mobile Internet customers can expect to receive up to 4 Mbps download speeds.

Simply Plug-In and Go
Clear is making it easy for customers by offering several simple choices for broadband connectivity. Mobile users simply plug-in Clear’s compact, mobile WiMAX-enabled USB modem into their laptop to get online. The USB modem, from Motorola, is available for only $49.99. Customers can purchase the modem from a store or online, and activate service at their convenience, anywhere in Clear’s coverage area.

For residential service, Clear offers customers a wireless high-speed modem that is about the size of a small book. Customers simply plug the modem into a power outlet anywhere in their home or office and connect the modem to their PC. This enables consumers and businesses to install high-speed Internet service without the need to schedule an appointment, drill holes in their walls, or otherwise disrupt their day. The Clear residential modem, from Motorola, can be leased for just $4.99 monthly.

Leading PC OEMs including Acer, Asus, Dell, Fujitsu, Lenovo, Panasonic, Samsung and Toshiba have announced plans to deliver Intel Centrino 2 processor technology-powered notebook computers with embedded WiMAX technology that will be compatible with the Clear network in the first half of this year. Several OEMs also plan to offer Intel Atom’-based netbook models with embedded WiMAX that will also support the Clear network.

Grand Opening Events at Clear Retail Stores 
Clearwire will hold grand opening events at its three Portland retail stores from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Jan. 10th. The stores are located at: 15th and Broadway, 92nd and Sunnyside (Clackamas Promenade), and Burnside and 23rd Place. In addition, Clear will offer chances to win netbook computers, Blazers tickets and gift certificates from local area retailers.

Let’s Be Clear’
Clearwire also launched a series of marketing and advertising initiatives this week introducing the company’s ‘Let’s be Clear’ campaign in Portland. Customers now have several ways to purchase service, including: new Clear store locations throughout Portland, other area dealers and retailers, or directly via the Web at www.clear.com, which also provides a convenient store locator.

Additional Markets 
As part of a multi-year network build-out plan, Clearwire’s 4G network will be available in major metropolitan areas across the U.S. It is currently available in Baltimore, Maryland, and Portland, Oregon. The Baltimore market currently operates under the XOHM’ brand, but it will be re-branded with the Clear brand in the coming months. Clearwire currently offers pre-WiMAX Internet services in 46 markets throughout the United States. The company will announce roll-out plans for future markets and upgrade plans for existing pre-WiMAX markets early this year.
For more information about Clear, visit www.clear.com. Detailed company information about Clearwire is available at www.clearwire.com.

About Clearwire

Clearwire offers a robust suite of advanced high-speed Internet services to consumers and businesses. The company is building the first, nationwide 4G mobile Internet wireless network, bringing together an unprecedented combination of speed and mobility. Clearwire’s open all-IP network, combined with significant spectrum holdings, provides unmatched network capacity to deliver next generation broadband access. Strategic investors include Intel Capital, Comcast, Sprint, Google, Time Warner Cable, and Bright House Networks. Clearwire currently provides mobile WiMAX-based service, to be branded Clear’, in Baltimore and Portland, and provides pre-WiMAX communications services in 50 markets across the U.S. and Europe. Headquartered in Kirkland, Wash., additional information about Clearwire is available at www.clearwire.com.
   

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Clearwire, the US broadband provider, completes the merger with Sprint Nextel in order to construct a new wireless data network. The new firm will stick to the name Clearwire and will create a WiMAX-based network covering almost 140Mn potential customers. Sprint Nextel’s WiMAX network in the Baltimore region will come under the new merger along with the spectrum of the wireless and broadband operator. After the merger Sprint will hold 51% of the new venture, while Clearwire will take a 22% stake and the remainding stake of the company will be owned by investors which include Comcast, Intel, Time Warner and Google.

   

FCC, the US telecom regulator, said it will be completing the review of two major telcos tie-ups before before year end. FCC, is presently, studying Verizon’s proposed USD28 billion acquisition of Alltel and is also looking at the planned WiMAX joint venture between Sprint Nextel and Clearwire. If it recives the approval, the Verizon-Alltel deal will create the nation’s largest cellular operator, with nearly 82 million subscribers by June-end.
On the other hand, print and Clearwire are deploying separate mobile WiMAX networks in major cities but plan to create an umbrella company which will be able to provide a nationwide wireless broadband service.

   

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Sprint has come up with a new mobile Web browser, which will make it easier for users to get the content they want while surfing the Internet from a mobile handset.

Sprint Web, the new browser, has an adaptive homepage that can deliver content based on the customer’s previous usage. For example, if the customer frequently visits sports sites, the user will be greeted with sports stories on their home page.

Additionally, Sprint Web has a Google search bar on the home page to lets customers get fast Internet results. As part of the larger Clearwire deal, the search giant became Sprint’s default provider of Web and local search services.

The new browser is now available on more than 40 Sprint-powered handsets, including the Palm Centro smartphone, and the LG Rumor. Sprint customers with compatible handsets automatically have access to Sprint Web with no additional actions.

   

AT&T has asked the Federal Communication Commission to deny the merger request from Sprint Nextel and Clearwire. A merger that was announced last month, to facilitate a national wireless internet network that  would operate on a block of airwaves partly reserved for schools, cities and other nonprofits. (more…)

US wireless broadband provider Clearwire says it has entered the Spanish market for the first time launching its instant internet service in Seville. The Andalusian city’s 850,000-plus residents now have the option of accessing internet using Clearwire technology, through the service Instanet, said the company’s general manger for Spain, Gilberto Sanchez. Clearwire connects customers using non-line-of-sight technology. Radio signals using a secure or licensed spectrum are transmitted from a tower to a small, wireless modem which connects a user’s computer to the internet.

   

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Clearwire Espana has announced its entry into the Spanish market with the launch of its WiMAX network in Seville. The Andalucian capital is the first market in Spain to launch Clearwire’s wireless Internet service, dubbed Instanet, which provides an alternative to the traditional fixed ADSL and cable-based networks. Instanet offers users a reliable and fast internet connection, with the added ability to take it anywhere in Clearwire’s coverage area whether it is at home, the office or the local coffee house. Clearwire’s network in Seville covers more than 300,000 households. ‘We continue to successfully expand our global footprint and are excited to offer our simple to use, instant, reliable and portable wireless broadband service in Spain,’ said Perry Satterlee, Clearwire chief operating officer and president. ‘Spain is the third country where we have launched service in Europe and together with our networks in Ireland and Belgium, Clearwire now covers more than 2.2 million people,’ he said.

   

 

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US satellite communications company ICO Global Communications and US-based wireless ISP Clearwire have entered into a joint agreement to collaborate on a mobile video trial. The collaboration focuses on two-way wireless broadband and satellite connectivity and aims to deliver an advanced interactive mobile video service to consumers. In addition to testing mobile video broadcast, the trial will also examine the feasibility of utilising Clearwire’s 2.5 GHz spectrum and ICO’s 2.0 GHz spectrum more efficiently. For the trial, ICO will integrate its mobile interactive media (MIM) suite of services with the Clearwire broadband network. For the trial, ICO MIM will provide multiple channels of high-quality mobile video to large-screen user devices. Alcatel-Lucent has been chosen to supply the system architecture and design based on mobile multimedia DVB-SH open standard. Hughes Network Systems will provide the device and interactive elements based upon the GMR standard. The ICO trial with Clearwire is expected to begin in early 2008 in Raleigh, North Carolina. ICO is also planning a similar trial in Las Vegas, Nevada.

   

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Losses widen at Clearwire

The US wireless ISP Clearwire has seen net losses widen in the second quarter, despite an increase in revenues. Sales increased from USD26.79 million to USD35.48 million year-on-year in the three months to end-June, but an increase in expenses saw net loss rise from USD76.81 million to USD118.1 million. Clearwire currently offers wireless internet services in more than 30 US markets, but has signed up just 299,000 customers. The firm is investing heavily in a nationwide WiMAX wireless broadband rollout, with services to be marketed under a recently partnership with cellular operator Sprint Nextel.

   

 

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Clearwire Corp announced yesterday the signing of distribution deals with satellite TV companies DirecTV Group Inc and EchoStar Communications. Under the deal, DirecTV and EchoStar will be able to offer Clearwire’s high speed internet access service to their customers. In return, Clearwire will be able to provide satellite video services from either of the providers to its customers.

In a separate story, Sprint Nextel and Clearwire are reported to be exploring ways to cooperate together in the nascent WiMAX market, in a bid to speed up the deployment of the high speed broadband technology. According to report in the Wall Street Journal, the two companies have discussed the possibility of creating a partnership or joint venture to push the rollout of WiMAX. Sprint has been testing the service in Chicago and Washington while Clearwire is delivering WiMAX service to 258,000 customers in several markets scattered around the United States. Financing issues are said to be behind the talks.

   

 
 

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