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