Boston Gets 4 x 4G Networks
Mobile phone users in Boston are getting ready to become the most 4G city in the US so far.
Starting next month, Boston will be see 4G phone coverage from four networks – two using WiMAX technology (Clearwire & Sprint) and two using LTE technology (MetroPCS & Verizon). Sprint and Clearwire share the same WiMAX network. Sprint CEO Dan Hasse confirmed last month the Boston launch would be “sometime in September”. Sprint is already selling the HTC EVO 4G phone and is launching the second of its 4G phones, the Samsung Epic 4G any day now.
Clearwire is set to offer data plans for modems starting form $30 a month. Verizon will also offer data services rather than phones, while MetroPCS is set to launch with another Samsung 4G phone, named the Craft.
Clear iSpot – 4G Router for iPod & iPad
Clear have launched an unusual router for their 4G phone network.
Called the Clear iSpot it’s a router designed to work only with Apple WiFi enabled devices – specifically the iPod and iPad. That means if you’re within the Clear 4G network coverage you can share that super speedy mobile internet connection with your Apple devices.
The Clear iSpot is now on sale for $24.95 with no contract. The only other cost is the normal Clear 4G data plan.
Best Buy Connect Offers 4G Data Plans
Phone and electronics retailer Best Buy is to start selling 4G phone services under the Best Buy Connect service.
The 4G network services will be provided by the Clearwire mobile network and will start in 2011.
Best Buy Connect current monthly mobile data plans range from $29.99 for 250MB per month without a contract through to $59.99 monthly for up to 5GB a month.
Clearwire 4G Launches in New York, California, Oregon
Clearwire has extended its 4G phone network to areas of New York, California and Oregon – meaning 44 markets can now access its 4G network.
The newly activated markets are: Rochester and Syracuse, New York, Merced and Visalia California and Eugene, Oregon.
Clearwire says a number of major markets are due for a 4G network launch later this year, including New York City.
Best Buy 4G Mobile Broadband Laptops Now Available
Clearwire has teamed up with Best Buy to offer laptops embedded with 4G mobile broadband technology.
The 4G technology will be embedded into many laptops, notebooks and netbooks including popular models like the Dell Inspiron 14, Dell Inspiron 15, Dell Mini 10 and Toshiba Satellite M645. The 4G mobile broadband services will be available in areas where CLEAR 4G is available.
CLEAR 4G data plans start from $40 a month – but there also saving, deals and offers on many of the 4G mobile broadband devices on sale at Best Buy.
New Clear 4G Modems for Mac & PC
Clearwire has added three new devices to its range of 4G USB data modems and wireless cards, including a new Mac 4G modem.
The CLEARSpot 4G is a personal mobile hotspot for sharing 4G network access with up to eight WiFi devices like notebooks, smartphones and gaming devices.
Users on the move will find the CLEARSpot 4G+ lets them stay connected across the US by automatically switching from the Clearwire 3G network to Clear 4G service when available. Users can also share their 4G connection with up to five other WiFi devices.
Finally, the CLEAR 4G+ Mobile USB (Series S) device is a new dual 3G / 4G modem for Mac users. The 4G+ Mobile USB is compatible with MacBook and MacBook Pro laptops running Mac OS X Versions 10.5.x and 10.6.x. It can also be used on Windows 7, Vista and XP.
All the new Clearwire 4G modems will be available in July and can be pre-ordered now.
4G New York, LA and San Francisco
Looks like the promised expansion of the Sprint and Clearwire 4G phone networks to New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco is starting to get underway.
A number of mobile phone users with a Sprint EVO 4G are reporting notifications on their handsets that a “4G network is available”.
It’s still early days – and we’ve yet to hear of anyone able to actually make use of the new LA, San Francisco or New York 4G network – but the technology boys and girls at Sprint & Clearwire are obviously working on it.
Clear 4G Baltimore – New & Improved
Clearwire has upgraded and improved its Clear 4G phone network for Baltimore.
The Clear 4G Baltimore coverage area now covers 725 square miles and around 1.7 million people in the Baltimore metro area.
The updated 4G network now extends as far as Bel Air, Annapolis, Columbia, Owings Mills, Dundalk and Essex.
