| 4G wireless broadband is the latest innovation in | | | | the country under the Clear brand. Clearwire has |
| the communications industry and is expected to | | | | already made WiMax available to 41 million people |
| revolutionize not only how we connect to the | | | | in the country and plans to expand its coverage |
| Internet, but also how we connect to our landline, | | | | to 79 million more people by the end of 2010. |
| mobile phone, and TV as well. Its impact can be | | | | Clearwire has partnered with around 1800 local |
| compared to how the first generation analog | | | | mobile phone and cable TV operators to offer the |
| cellular, second generation digital, and third | | | | WiMax service in their areas. Expansion is |
| generation multi-media has changed the | | | | aggressive, and an authorized reseller is expected |
| communication landscape. The two competing 4G | | | | to be able to easily convince 3G subscribers to |
| wireless broadband technologies are WiMax | | | | 4G due to the advantages of 4G over the |
| (Worldwide Interoperability Microwave Access) | | | | current 3G technology that is more widely in use. |
| and LTE (Long Term Evolution). WiMax is a | | | | WiMax is offered at almost the same rates as |
| standard pushed by the WiMax Forum, an | | | | the 3G WiFi connection with the advantage of |
| organization made up of industry giants such as | | | | higher speeds, wider coverage, and easy |
| Motorola, Samsung, Fujitsu, Nokia, and Intel, just | | | | installation. Unlike WiFi that has a much shorter |
| to name a few. The forum conducts tests and | | | | range (a WiFi hotspot covers an area of around |
| certifications for products and devices to be | | | | 100 yards from the router), WiMax covers a |
| considered WiMax certified, making it compatible | | | | range of up to 6 miles with just one base station. |
| with other WiMax certified products made by | | | | This means that traveling within the range would |
| other manufacturers. | | | | not make you lose your connection unlike with |
| WiMax is offered in the country by Clearwire | | | | WiFi where you have to stay within the same |
| Corporation, which is made up of different | | | | hotspot like a coffeshop, airport, house to |
| companies whose majority shareholder is Sprint | | | | maintain your connection to the Internet. |
| Nextel. Clearwire also operates in some areas of | | | | |