As expected, the Clear WiMAX network launched in Portland, Oregon today. The 4th generation mobile broadband network will provide high-speed internet access to mobile phones and laptops.
Although Portland is the second city after Baltimore, Maryland to roll out WiMAX officially, it’s the first since Clearwire merged its broadband spectrum with Sprint last month.
Clearwire has 46 pre-WiMAX networks across the United States but the financial crisis has set back the mobile standard’s emergence. It was recently reported that Chicago’s WiMAX launch could be pushed back to the end of 2009. There is also a pending lawsuit that is throwing some of Sprint’s and Clearwire’s WiMAX patents into question that hasn’t been resolved.
What about prices?
Mobile internet plans range from $30/month for 200 MB to $50/month for unlimited usage. There is also a 24 hour pass for $10 coming soon.
Home pricing ranges between $20/month for 786 Kbps to $40/month for 6 Mbps.
Business pricing is in line with our previous report.
(Image Credit: StuSeeger)
