Newly-dubbed "Clear" WiMAX service hits Portland, Oregon
It just been a few short days since it finally closed the deal with Sprint, but Clearwire is already out there busily rebranding its newly-acquired WiMAX assets, with Portland, Oregon first to get the new "Clear" WiMAX service, which the company humbly describes as "like lightning, but faster." To get in on that, you'll have to fork over between $30 and $50 a month (for unlimited service), or ten bucks for a 24 hour pass, with Clear's own USB modem setting you back an extra $50 (a desktop modem is also available for $5 a month). Somewhat interestingly, the company is also promising to offer WiMAX-ready laptops "soon," but it unfortunately isn't providing any further details on those just yet. Hit up the link below to check the exact availability of the service, and look for it to hit Las Vegas, Atlanta, and Grand Rapids, Michigan in the not too distant future.
[Thanks, Stephen K.]
[Thanks, Stephen K.]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
philr @ Dec 3rd 2008 6:48PM
Any word on when Xohm will be rebranded? I guess the Clear prices will reflect future Xohm pricing, too.
Gib @ Dec 3rd 2008 8:42PM
Why Portland, OR??
jrk @ Dec 3rd 2008 10:33PM
just got clear and loaded up here at home... it is definitely fast, better than my wi-fi connection i've been using. and signal strength is at 5 bars, sometimes dipping down to 4. so far so good, i'm digging it!
crispeto @ Dec 3rd 2008 10:58PM
Why not Portland? It's got a metro area of 2.1 million. It's as good as start as any other city. Besides, they have no pro football team - they gotta have something:)
Gib @ Dec 3rd 2008 11:18PM
Haha good point.
Fuego @ Dec 4th 2008 12:25AM
Intel is a very large backer of WiMax. Intel has a very strong presence in Oregon. I'd imagine this has a lot to do with Portland being one of the first cities to get WiMax. Otherwise, the Seattle area would probably have been a more logical choice with so many tech firms based around there.
Gib @ Dec 3rd 2008 11:34PM
A much better name for the service, instead of Clear or WiMAX, would have been to just do the obvious:
CliMAX
parrott84 @ Dec 4th 2008 10:10AM
@philr clear is the rebranded version of xohm. Also don't expect wimax in Grand Rapids anytime soon, I know that since the begging Sprint and Clearwire have focused on Grand Rapids but with the lawsuits going on Sprint is ok selling 'Clear' as long as it isn't in iPCS areas, of which Grand Rapis is. iPCS has said they wouldn't block the merger as long as no 'Clear' in iPCS markets. Don't be suprised to see Grand Rapids put off instead of forcing another issue in the courts. I know the merger has now gone through, but iPCS has had a good track record in the courts against Sprint lately.
PhilR8 @ Dec 4th 2008 11:19AM
Right, Clear is rebranded WiMax, but I live in Baltimore and it's still called Xohm here. I assume it's going to change to Clear sometime soon, was just wondering if anyone knew when.
Michael S @ Dec 10th 2008 8:51PM
Because that's where the Little People live and you know how they like their Wimax!
Ripe @ Dec 15th 2008 6:23PM
Got the Clear USB card. Very disappointed in speed at my Pearl District office. Clearly not as advertised. 80Kbps up and 175Kbps down.
silverstar @ Jan 22nd 2009 8:32PM
Anyone wanting to see a clear demo were in, Oh ya Vancouver is in the servicable area as well. 3311 ne 44th st vancouver washington 98663 1-877-576-7100
Angry Jew @ Feb 16th 2009 10:16PM
Just a quick question. A kid showed up at my door trying to sell me clear to replace my Comcast Broadband. He let me hook it up to my computer and it pinged at 3819/kbs down and 498 up. By comparison, my cable pinged at 27069 down and 4990 up.
Why would i want to buy this again?