Comcast is the first Clearwire partner to offer a piggyback service on the mobile WiMax network in Portland

Dan Jones, Mobile Editor

June 29, 2009

2 Min Read
Comcast Maxes Out in Portland

Cable company Comcast Corp. (Nasdaq: CMCSA, CMCSK) has become the first of Clearwire LLC (Nasdaq: CLWR)'s partners to launch a service piggybacking on the carrier's mobile WiMax platform in Portland, Ore.

Comcast today unveiled its first "High-Speed 2go" market, saying that it kicks off the nationwide launch of the offering, which will offer a choice of broadband wired or wireless connectivity to potential customers. (See Comcast Boots Up 'High-Speed 2go'.)

The bundled package is what the cableco can offer above and beyond the standard Clearwire WiMax offering. The MSO has a $49.99 "Fast Pack Metro," which includes Comcast’s 12-Mbit/s home Internet service, a free WiFi router for the home, and the WiMax service. For $20 more per month, Comcast is also offering access to Sprint Corp. (NYSE: S)'s 3G network nationwide.

The plan comes with a free WiMax modem for customers that sign a one-year commitment, or they can buy their own card for $99. A dual-mode 3G and WiMax modem costs $50 with a one-year commitment, or $230 without. The service provider is expected to add WiMax femtocells to the mix in 2009 or 2010. (See WiMax Femtos: The Comcast Question and Comcast Goes for WiMax Femtocells.)

Comcast is the first of Clearwire's partners to launch a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) service on top of one of Clearwire's own WiMax markets. In Baltimore, Sprint Corp. (NYSE: S) has its own WiMax network, which will be relaunched under the "Clear" brand later this year, but Sprint isn't yet offering dual-mode 3G and WiMax services in any of the other Clearwire markets. (See Sprint: How Soon Is '4G Now'?)

Clearwire has switched on WiMax service in Atlanta, Portland, and Las Vegas so far. It is expected to have nine markets online by the end of 2009. (See Clearwire Goes Live in Atlanta.)

Comcast says it will follow Clearwire's lead in deploying markets. "You can assume where they go, so will we," a spokesperson says. Comcast plans to launch in a couple more cities this year.

Other cable MSOs partnered up with Clearwire include Time Warner Cable Inc. (NYSE: TWC) and Bright House Networks . (See Cable Plays Clearwire Card.)

– Dan Jones, Site Editor, Unstrung

About the Author(s)

Dan Jones

Mobile Editor

Dan is to hats what Will.I.Am is to ridiculous eyewear. Fedora, trilby, tam-o-shanter -- all have graced the Jones pate during his career as the go-to purveyor of mobile essentials.

But hey, Dan is so much more than 4G maps and state-of-the-art headgear. Before joining the Light Reading team in 2002 he was an award-winning cult hit on Broadway (with four 'Toni' awards, two 'Emma' gongs and a 'Brian' to his name) with his one-man show, "Dan Sings the Show Tunes."

His perfectly crafted blogs, falling under the "Jonestown" banner, have been compared to the works of Chekhov. But only by Dan.

He lives in Brooklyn with cats.

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