WiMAX 4G wireless internet coming to Shoreview and Twin Cities market
Posted on 23. Nov, 2009 by Chris Dohman in Technology
The groundwork is being laid for Shoreview and the Twin Cities metro area to get WiMAX 4G wireless internet service which is being rolled out in U.S. markets by Clearwire Legacy LLC and Clear Wireless, LLC under their Clear brand.
According to applications filed with the City of Shoreview, Clearwire Legacy LLC is seeking three Wireless Telecommunications Facility (WTF) permits to collocate antenna arrays and associated ground equipment on existing towers in the city. Clearwire Legacy LLC has also submitted an application for a WTF permit to install a 60 foot monopole and antennae in Shoreview’s Bucher Park.
WiMAX internet service is similar to the WiFi service many have at home or use in the local coffee shop in that it provides wireless internet service. The key difference for consumers is that WiMAX has a wider radius or range of service. Your WiFi at home can give you a wireless internet connection in your back yard or even at your neighbors and it’s radius of service is measured in feet. WiMAX on the other hand has a radius of service measured in miles and a connection can transparently pass from one node to another as you drive across a city allowing people to use their laptops like their mobile phones and 3G service.
How fast is WiMAX?
WiMAX is touted as the next mobile broadband, a noticeable step up from a typical 3G network many have now through their mobile phone carrier, and similar to a home cable or DSL broadband service. Clear advertises their 4G WiMAX service at 3 to 6 Megabits per second and bursts over 10 Mbps when tested by Clear. Don’t get your hopes up for 10Mbps though, you are more likely going to get 4 to 5 Mbps. But that is still a big jump up from the sub 1 to 2 Mbps 3G currently provides. The majority of home cable broadband users are getting in the 8 to 15 Mbps range. If you would like to test your current connection you can do that at SpeedTest.net.
When will service be available?
It takes up to two years to roll out WiMAX in a market but Clearwire may start paying leases on their Shoreview locations in June of 2010 or earlier if they have building permits ready to go before that. Determining coverage areas completing zoning, permiting and lease agreements is the most time consuming part of a roll out.
“Up here i think they’re fairly far along,” said Rob Warwick, Shoreview Senior Planner . “They’ve committed both here, I know up in New Brighton,… Blaine, Mounds View, Arden Hills has had some contact, White Bear Township, White Bear City.”
With the Shoreview and the surrounding areas well into the process, a 2010 launch of WiMAX service seems likely but it will also depend on how this process is doing around the rest of the Metro area. Clearwire will need a large enough area of coverage in place in order to roll out a marketable product.
How much will it cost?
A recent launch in Portland Oregon by Clear has a promotional Unlimited Mobile service at $30 per month. Bundled services combining both a home and mobile unlimited service are selling at $50 per month. They also offer a 4G+ service for $70 per month where you can pick up 3G coverage if happen to be in a location where you are not able to pick up the 4G n.
Who will sell the service?
It is most likely that Clearwire will sell the service directly under their Clear brand. It is also possible other companies such as Comcast, Sprint, Time Warner or other Clearwire partners will resell the WiMAX service branded as their own.
At this point Clearwire does not have any official word on the time of a rollout in the Twin Cities market.
