Clearwire (NSDQ: CLWR) launched WiMax in Atlanta today, getting the Kirkland-based company one step closer to its goal of reaching 120 million Americans by the end of 2010. The Atlanta network covers nearly three million people across 1,200 square miles, making it the largest market yet. Clearwire also offers WiMax in Portland, Ore., Baltimore, which Sprint (NYSE: S) launched before merging with Clearwire, and Las Vegas, which will officially launch this summer.
Cleawire still has a long way to go with plans to roll out in seven more cities this year, and four more in 2010. Clearwire’s service, which it calls “CLEAR,” offers download speeds of 4 to 6 Mbps with peaks exceeding 15 Mbps. In a release, it drives home who it believes the competition is — the 3G wireless carriers. The company bragged that the speeds will far surpass “even the peak theoretical speeds of 7.2 Mbps in upcoming 3G upgrades.” It also pointed out that it will allow users to watch TV using Hulu, which would be a typical high-bandwidth application blocked by a cellular network. The plans start at $10 for a day pass, $20 a month in the home, and $40 a month for on the go. Users will also have to buy a modem.

Comments have been disabled for this post