Clearwire Lights Up WiMAX in Portland

Clearwire has launched its WiMAX mobile broadband network in Portland, Oregon, making it the second U.S. city with WiMAX 4G mobile broadband.

Newly re-hatched Sprint partnership Clearwire has lit up its 4G WiMAX broadband network in Portland, Oregon. Previously, Sprint brought up WiMAX in Baltimore, Maryland; Portland is the second U.S. city to get WiMAX mobile broadband capability. Clearwire—now the name in front of the WiMAX network in a complex deal with Sprint and other financial backers—plans to roll out a nationwide WiMAX network…although those long-simmering plans have been delayed by Sprint’s finances.

“Today is a historic day for the evolution of mobile computing and communications services in Portland, and the U.S.,” said Clearwire CEO Benjamin G. Wolff, in a statement. “We’re providing a valuable service designed to improve our customers’ productivity and make their lives more enjoyable, wherever they happen to be in our coverage area.”

WiMAX technology offers mobile broadband speeds of up to 6 Mpbs downstream (home users) and 4 Mbps downstream (mobile). A growing number of WiMAX devices are becoming available, including USB modems; a number of OEMs have pledged support for WiMAX technology as the service rolls out to a wider coverage area.

Home WiMAX service starts at $20 per month, while mobile plans start at $30 per month; day passes are also available for $10.