Comcast Begins Bundling Clearwire WiMax Service

Comcast's new High-Speed 2Go offering bundles WiMax mobile broadband services with its TV, Internet, and voice services...starting in Portland.

Cable operator Comcast has announced its new High-Speed 2go service offering, in which it is combined WiMax mobile broadband service with its existing cable TV, Internet, or telephone services. The service is initially available in the Portland, Oregon area, but the company expects to bring Atlanta, Chicago, Philadelphia, and other markets online before the end of 2009.

“With Comcast’s wideband Internet, we already offer one of the fastest wired connections available today. Now with the launch of High-Speed 2go, we also deliver the nation’s fastest wireless Internet,” said Comcast’s senior VP and general manager for wireless and voice services Cathy Avgiris, in a statement.

Since Comcast already offering broadband residential service, its partnership with Clearwire focuses solely on roaming broadband capabilities rather than broadband to the home. Two service plans will be available: a “Metro” service with WiMax only data card that provides 4G service in WiMax-enabled areas around the country, and a “Nationwide” service that combined WiMax with Sprint’s existing nationwide 3G network when customers aren’t in a WiMax service area. Introductory pricing varies, but starts at $49.99 when bundled with one Comcast service, or as low as $30 a month for “Triple Play” customers. Clearwire charges $50/month for unlimited roaming, although they offer several business packages designed to let customers share bandwidth among multiple accounts.