Comments on: The Clear Dilemma

By: Clearwire Amps Up Retail Presence – GigaOM

Clearwire Amps Up Retail Presence – GigaOM — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 16:00:36 +0000

[...] a Mac-compatible modem), but it’s not exactly a hub for hot gadgets yet. Maybe that’s because the goal here is to sell broadband service instead of [...]

By: Video: Austin WiMAX Launch Event

Video: Austin WiMAX Launch Event — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:33:18 +0000

[...] Given the paucity of devices on display for mobile use and the lackluster network quality so far, I’m still thinking the bet that Clearwire (which is powering the 4G part of the Sprint network) and Sprint made on WiMAX is a bad one, but [...]

By: James S

James S — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 03:25:19 +0000

Clear is already live in Austin and San Antonio….and they are expanding daily. Why not try it out and let us know what you think Stacey

By: Stacey Higginbotham

Stacey Higginbotham — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 02:22:37 +0000

Right now, there is no dual-mode WiMAX handset. Although there’s also no dual-mode LTE handset until 2011 at the earliest. Both LTE and WiMAx are primarily about data rather than voice, but a cool device would go a long way toward proving me wrong. As for the technical merits, one can argue both sides.

By: Stacey Higginbotham

Stacey Higginbotham — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 02:17:20 +0000

The CEO has said the equipment they are putting in can be upgraded to LTE, but what that upgrade entails is unclear.

By: Stacey Higginbotham

Stacey Higginbotham — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 02:16:10 +0000

Fair enough guys, although I’m arguing that Clear won’t gain mass consumer adoption, because the network won’t be differentiated enough for the average Joe and the devices so far aren’t compelling enough. But I am more than willing to be proven wrong. I can’t wait to try WiMAX out.

By: Funtomas

Funtomas — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 20:46:37 +0000

That’s exactly what I mean. To build LTE network won’t happen overnight, so Clear has advantage. However I’m not sure the switch will be accomplished by mere SW change.

By: TimB

TimB — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 20:46:06 +0000

Other than being the apparent “dream standard” — is LTE clearly (no pun intended) better than Wimax technically? Most articles seems to come from the perspective of “it’s too late and Wimax is inferior to LTE”.

Using Stacey’s dates above – it looks like Clear has just as much chance as Verizon is lighting up some major cities within the next 12 months. A hybrid 3G/4G smartphone from the likes of Sprint seems like a pretty compelling option.

By: aaron

aaron — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 20:36:39 +0000

I agree, Stacy your off in your comfort zone and are missing what a network like this can do NOW.

By: OhhJohnny

OhhJohnny — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:41:15 +0000

Unless they’re full of it, which very may well be the case, I believe Clearwire’s CEO said they can switch over to LTE with a software upgrade if needed. If this is truly the case, they’re just rolling out the infrastructure as quickly as possible

By: Matt Liotta

Matt Liotta — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:22:14 +0000

Clear’s target market is really just those users who want mobile broadband for their laptops and don’t need nationwide coverage. In other words, a very small subset of current 3G users. For those users, they will find Clear’s offering compelling and the service to be superior to that of 3G.

If Clear wants to go anywhere they are going to need devices that people actually want. For now, that continues to be a phone.

By: Alan Wilensky

Alan Wilensky — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:30:55 +0000

I could not disagree more with the author’s analysis. CLWR is going to market early with a solid workable solution at a price point that makes sense. The device independence alone will keep them in the running, while LTE is molded into another monopolistic Frankenstein.

I have been keeping a running total and informal survey of professional IT industry colleagues using Clear, and they are very happy with the service, and are almost evangelical about it.

Just because a technology that is later in the life cycle is technically better or a little faster, carried by the wire-line utilities, etc., does not make Clearwire a loser. They will gain a share of the market with a relaible and affordable solution. Having Intel in the court is a very strong endorsement, not just positioning wise, but as the prime enabler of the terminal equipment.

I think you have this one wrong, Stacy.