It’ll be a little while before AT&T’s LTE rollout is in full swing — but if you’re the kind of individual that enjoys some margin of future-proofing, you’ll want to take a close look at the just-announced USBConnect Adrenaline modem for AT&T, an LG-sourced unit that becomes the carrier’s very first device to tout LTE upgradeability in 2011. In the meantime, you get HSPA, a microSD slot with support for up to 32GB, and GPS; it runs $49.99 on contract. Next up, Sierra Wireless’ USBConnect Shockwave is AT&T’s first HSPA+ modem, meaning it’ll work nicely on AT&T’s upcoming HSPA+ upgrade — an upgrade that’ll have a more immediate impact in some areas than LTE will; this one goes for a nice, fat zilch on contract. Finally, the Huawei USBConnect 900 is AT&T’s first Huawei device (notice a lot of firsts here?), and it’ll be “compatible” with AT&T’s prepaid DataConnect Pass plans of $15, $30, and $50 for 100MB, 300MB and 1GB, respectively. Look for the Adrenaline and 900 in stores on October 17; the Shockwave hasn’t been dated just yet. Follow the break for AT&T’s full press release.
Remember that cute-as-a-button 3G / 4G dual-mode WWAN stick that Clearwire outed a few days back? That little guy just made its way over to the Sprint side of things, giving folks yet another option when it comes time to pull the trigger on a device to get you onto the WiMAX superhighway. The Sierra Wireless-built 250U is available now through Business Direct and Business Solutions Partners followed by full channel availability by mid-July, with this bugger being the first in Sprint’s arsenal to offer native dual-mode support in OS X as well as twin antenna ports. Naturally, Windows machines are also compatible, and the minuscule design sure makes it more attractive than those prone-to-snapping alternatives. It’s available for precisely nothing so long as you sign a two-year data plan.
US WiMAX provider Clearwire has outed its latest 4G modems and personal wireless hotspots, promising broadband-like speeds in areas with suitable 4G service. The new CLEAR 4G and CLEAR 4G+ personal WiFi hotspots (the latter being a rebadge of the Sprint Overdrive) each pull in a WiMAX signal and share it with up to eight nearby devices (the 4G+ also works with 3G connections). Meanwhile there’s a new dual-mode 3G/4G USB modem for Mac and Windows users.
That modem, the CLEAR 4G+ Mobile USB (Series S), can automatically switch between 3G and 4G connections as available. Clearwire have had Mac-compatible USB modems before, but until now they’ve been WiMAX-only without being able to fall back onto 3G networks.
The CLEAR 4G+ Mobile USB is available to buy for $114.99 plus tax, while the CLEAR 4G and CLEAR 4G+ are leased at $44.99 per month and $60.99 per month (again, plus tax) including Clearwire’s basic CLEAR Internet plan. The two hotspots are available from July 7th 2010.
Press Release:
Clearwire Offers More Ways to Connect to CLEAR 4G Service with Three New Devices; Adds 4G/3G Modem for Macs and PCs
• New CLEAR 4G and 4G+ Personal Wi-Fi Hotspots plus 4G/3G Mobile USB Extend Unlimited 4G Data Plans to More Mobile Devices
• New USB Modem Brings National 4G/3G Service to Apple Laptops and PCs
• CLEAR’s Uncapped Mobile Broadband Experience Available For Netbooks, Notebooks, Gaming, Entertainment, Social Media and Numerous Other Devices and Services
KIRKLAND, Wash. – June 16, 2010 – Clearwire Corporation (NASDAQ: CLWR), a leading provider of wireless broadband services, today announced the upcoming availability of three new products that will extend the potential for super fast speeds and unlimited 4G usage plans to the millions of mobile devices available today.
The latest suite of devices, the CLEAR SpotTM 4G, CLEAR Spot 4G+, and the CLEAR 4G+ Mobile USB bring new 4G connectivity possibilities to a wide range of Wi-Fi enabled laptops, netbooks, smartphones, and other connected devices – without the worries or hassles of tiered or capped usage plans.
The CLEAR Spot 4G offers the speed and flexibility of a personal Wi-Fi hotspot simultaneously connecting multiple Wi-Fi devices at 4G speeds, while the CLEAR Spot 4G+ adds the option of allowing users to easily and securely use nationwide 3G coverage when outside the 4G coverage area. In addition, the CLEAR 4G+ Mobile USB modem is the first dual-mode mobile USB from CLEAR to deliver 4G and nationwide 3G Internet coverage to the MacBook and MacBook Pro along with other non-Mac devices.
“In today’s on-the-go world, everyone deserves fast speeds and the usage they want at a fair price – without constantly checking their usage or worrying about their end of month bill,” said Dow Draper, vice president of product development for Clearwire. “These new devices offer today’s mobile user, and the millions of Wi-Fi products in use across the country, even greater access to CLEAR’s fast and affordable 4G service.”
With CLEAR® super fast mobile Internet service users can experience average mobile download speeds of 3 to 6 mbps with bursts over 10 mbps*, using Clearwire’s 4G network. Unlike service plans from traditional wireless carriers which cap data usage, CLEAR offers unlimited 4G usage plans that do not require long-term service contracts. In most markets unlimited 4G coverage from CLEAR starts at $30 for the home while unlimited mobile plans start as low as $40. Bundled services such as Home and On-The-Go and Home and Voice plans start at $55 per month. CLEAR service is currently available in dozens of cities, in areas of the United States where approximately 51 million people live. A detailed map of service availability can be found at www.clear.com/coverage.
The New CLEAR Mobile Hotspots and USB
CLEAR Spot 4G
The CLEAR Spot 4G is a personal mobile hotspot allowing users to easily and securely share unlimited super fast Internet access anywhere CLEAR has coverage simultaneously with up to eight Wi-Fi-enabled devices including laptops, smartphones, and portable gaming devices. The CLEAR Spot 4G is manufactured by InfoMark and will be available for purchase at $99.99 or for a $4.99 monthly lease. It can be preordered today at www.clear.com/spot and will available nationwide at CLEAR stores and authorized dealers in July.
CLEAR Spot 4G+
The CLEAR Spot 4G+ allows power users and road warriors alike to stay connected across the U.S. by automatically switching from 4G and connecting to Sprint’s 3G nationwide network outside the 4G coverage area. The CLEAR Spot 4G+ enables users to securely share the connection with up to five Wi-Fi-enabled devices all at the same time. The CLEAR Spot 4G+ is manufactured by Sierra Wireless and will be available to purchase for $224.99 or to lease for $5.99 per month. It can be preordered today at www.clear.com/spot and will be available nationwide at CLEAR stores and authorized dealers in July.
CLEAR 4G+ Mobile USB (Series S)
Clearwire already offers two 4G-only USB modems for Mac users, but today introduced the company’s first dual-mode 4G/3G modem available for Mac users, the CLEAR 4G+ Mobile USB. When not in the 4G coverage area, the modem will automatically switch to the Sprint 3G network to provide more ubiquitous data connectivity around the country. The 4G+ Mobile USB is compatible with MacBook and MacBook Pro laptops using Mac OS X Versions 10.5.x and 10.6.x. The new USB also supports netbooks and notebooks running Windows XP SP2, Vista and Windows 7, all in 32 and 64 bit versions. The new 4G+ Mobile USB is manufactured by Sierra Wireless.
The 4G+ USB can be purchased for $114.99 or leased monthly for $5.99. It is available today at www.clear.com/4Gplus-usb and in stores in Atlanta, Dallas, Hawaii, Harrisburg, Lancaster, Reading and York, PA. The CLEAR 4G+ Mobile USB will be available in all 4G markets beginning July 1st.
For more information about CLEAR, visit www.clear.com. Company information about Clearwire is available at www.clearwire.com.
For press and broadcast: Product images, video footage and company logos can be downloaded from the Clearwire online media gallery. To subscribe to Clearwire’s RSS news feed, click here.
About Clearwire
Clearwire Corporation (NASDAQ: CLWR), through its operating subsidiaries, is a leading provider of mobile broadband services. Our 4G network is currently available in areas of the United States where approximately 51 million people live and the company plans to continue to expand its 4G coverage. Clearwire’s open all-IP network, combined with significant spectrum holdings, provides an unprecedented combination of speed and mobility to deliver next generation broadband access. The company markets its service through its own brand called CLEAR® as well as through its wholesale relationships with Sprint, Comcast and Time Warner Cable. Strategic investors include Intel Capital, Comcast, Sprint, Google, Time Warner Cable, and Bright House Networks. Clearwire is headquartered in Kirkland, Wash. Additional information is available at www.clearwire.com.
*Speed claims based on download speeds only. Actual performance may vary and is not guaranteed. CLEAR performance claim is based on average download user speeds achieved during tests performed on the CLEAR commercial network by CLEAR. Other carrier performance based on their advertised claims.
Lookin’ for yet another avenue to hop on the 4G superhighway? Fret not, as Clearwire has just doled out a trio of new products intended to help you do just that. Prior to today, you had only a smattering of options to actually tap into Clear’s WiMAX network, but the Clear Spot 4G (WiMAX only), Clear Spot 4G+ (dual-mode with 3G / 4G support) and Clear 4G+ Mobile USB stick have all arrived to give choosy moms more choices. The prior two are simply mobile broadband hotspots (think MiFi, but for 4G), with the 4G+ offering support for Sprint’s 3G network if you happen to leave one of those few WiMAX zones already lit. The USB stick is particularly interesting, as it’s the first dual-mode device hawked by Clear that’s fully compatible with Apple OS X. The Clear Spot 4G will be made by InfoMark and available to purchase for $99.99 next month; those who hate committing can also lease one for $4.99 per month. The Sierra Wireless-built Spot 4G+ (a rebadged Overdrive; shown left) demands a hefty premium for that 3G support, with an MSRP of $224.99 (or least for $5.99 per month) and a similar July ship date. The 4G+ Mobile USB stick (shown right) will support OS X 10.5.x and 10.6.x (along with Windows, of course), and can be snapped up today for $114.99 or leased monthly for $5.99. Head on past the break if you’re thirsty for more.
Talk about being flexible. Sierra Wireless‘ newest 7.2Mbps-capable AirCard (the 890, if you’re curious) obviously isn’t content with fitting into just one slot. Rather than forcing users to choose between compatibility with PCMCIA (PC Card) or ExpressCard, this particular WWAN card actually fits into both… but not at the same time, naturally. It’s the first DataConnect card on AT&T’s network to boast a 2-in-1 form factor, and moreover, it touts integrated GPS functionality for use with location-based services. ‘Course, you won’t be using one of these with your shiny new 15-inch MacBook Pro (smart move on that SD-for-ExpressCard swap, Steve-o), but everyone else can procure one starting May 5th for $49.99 after mail-in rebate and a new two-year DataConnect contract of at least $35 a month.
Your existing iPhone (yeah, even the original) can surf the information superhighway at 4G speeds. Today. Who knew, right? Sprint’s Overdrive — which creates a WiFi hotspot that enables nearby devices to cruise on Clear’s 4G (or 3G, if you’re not in a 4G locale) network — can theoretically enable any WiFi-capable phone to surf on WiMAX, but Sprint’s taking a pretty bold approach by actually touting the feature in a new spot. Befuddled? Hop on past the break and mash play. Too bad this is about as close the iPhone will ever get to Sprint’s shelves…
If you were worried that packing WiMAX into a MiFi-like device would end up bloating it by a thousand percent, we’re very happy to report that you’d be wrong. The Overdrive’s only marginally bigger than a MiFi and takes on a diamond-cut square shape (as opposed to the MiFi’s rectangle) while adding a monochrome LCD up front that can be triggered on by touching (but not pressing) the power button. Other than that, you’ve got a micro-USB port, a microSD slot… and, well, that’s about it. For something designed to slide into your pocket, we’d have it no other way.
Sprint have announced their latest 4G WiMAX modem, the Sierra Wireless Overdrive, and it’s basically a MiFi on steroids. Like the MiFi, the Overdrive can connect to up to five WiFi clients simultaneously; unlike it, though, it’s sharing out a high-speed WiMAX connection that’s theoretically 10 times faster than regular 3G speeds.
Of course, when you’re outside of 4G coverage the Overdrive drops back to 3G itself, using Sprint’s EVDO Rev.A network. An LCD display gives status updates, including network type and signal strength, together with battery life; no word from Sierra Wireless on exactly how long you can expect the Overdrive’s battery to last, however. Finally there’s a microSD card slot (content with up to 16GB cards) the contents of which can be shared with all connected WiFi clients.
The Sprint Overdrive will arrive on January 10th at Sprint stores and select Best Buy stores, priced at $99.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate. That’s assuming you sign up to a two-year agreement, mind, which start from $59.99 per month.
Press Release:
Overdrive(TM) 3G/4G Mobile Hotspot by Sierra Wireless Can Bring Sprint’s 4G Speeds to More Than 400 Million Wi-Fi-Enabled Devices
Available Jan. 10 exclusively from Sprint, Overdrive is the nation’s first 3G/4G Mobile Hotspot, allowing multiple Wi-Fi-enabled devices to share a connection to Sprint’s 4G network
OVERLAND PARK, Kan., Jan 06, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) — Sprint (NYSE:S) announced today the upcoming availability of Overdrive(TM) 3G/4G Mobile Hotspot by Sierra Wireless. Overdrive allows you to connect up to five Wi-Fi-enabled devices simultaneously–including laptops, gaming devices, cameras and even smartphones from other carriers–through a single connection (via Wi-Fi), to a network that is up to 10 times faster than today’s 3G speeds from any national wireless carrier.1 There’s no need to wait for 4G devices to enjoy the benefits of 4G: Overdrive creates a connection between the Sprint 4G network and virtually all of the hundreds of millions of Wi-Fi-enabled electronics devices owned by or available to customers today.
“This device delivers the connected lifestyle to our customers in overdrive,” said Dan Hesse, Sprint CEO. “The fact that it connects up to five Wi-Fi-enabled devices is especially meaningful because at 4G speeds, customers can download and upload more data–gigabytes, not megabytes–in a matter of seconds. The Overdrive on the 4G network is made for the multitude of bandwidth-hungry applications customers want to access wirelessly, like video streaming. 4G beats 3G for speed and for value.”
Overdrive 3G/4G Mobile Hotspot will benefit customers today
In the home:
Through a single connection, you can bypass your cable provider and stream HD movies from content distribution providers (such as Netflix, Amazon and Blockbuster) right to your TV; connect your Xbox 360 and game real-time with someone located across the globe; move pictures wirelessly from your camera to a digital picture frame and surf the Web on your laptop while streaming Pandora.
In the dorm:
Connect virtually anywhere on a campus with 4G coverage at 4G speeds: Turn your iPod Touch with Skype into a voice phone and make a call, or stream a live movie from Hulu or Netflix to your laptop.
On-the-go:
Whether you’re on a long trip or running a busy day of errands, use Overdrive to keep passengers entertained in the car.2 Stream your favorite TV show from Hulu to your Netbook; use a PSP gaming device to access multiple games and content; download music to your Zune HD; and turn your 3G iPhone into a 4G device. It’s all very simple with Overdrive.
Mobile office:
Join a video conference, download large files, conduct a virtual home tour and stay in constant contact with your office via unified communications.
Move Overdrive 3G/4G Mobile Hotspot to the workplace and the benefits are even greater with enhanced Wi-Fi performance, increased productivity and improved cost savings. Set up and redeploy easily and quickly for a small workgroup; back-up or replace costly wireline connections to small branches, retail locations or home offices; cost-effectively share one connection on one plan when mobile with other employees and customers; use as excellent “power up and go” mobile solution to maintain connectivity for business/emergency continuity; and easily perform multiple functions with constant connectivity and real-time access to corporate data.
“At Best Buy, we see an amazing amount of new devices and products from mobile phones to televisions to gaming consoles that are designed to connect and interact with each other. This kind of connectivity is very exciting, but it can also be complicated to maximize unless you actually see it and understand it,” said Brian Dunn, Best Buy CEO. “In combination with Best Buy’s skilled and passionate associates, the Sprint Overdrive will allow us to showcase our in-store experience by demonstrating how various Wi-Fi- enabled products work and connect together, whether in the home, on-the-go or both.”
As the first dual-mode device of its kind, Overdrive 3G/4G Mobile Hotspot can be used on both the Sprint 4G network and Sprint’s Mobile Broadband Network, America’s most dependable 3G network.3 This flexibility allows customers to enjoy 4G performance in any Sprint 4G market or to use Sprint’s reliable 3G mobile broadband network when outside a 4G area. Sprint 4G is already available in 27 markets and continues to expand to new cities, bringing wireless speeds up to 10 times faster than today’s 3G from any other national wireless carrier.
“Sierra Wireless places a high priority on making our products simple to use, and we have put considerable time and effort into ensuring that Overdrive3G/4G Mobile Hotspotdelivers the easiest user experience of any mobile hotspot on the market,” said Jason Cohenour, CEO of Sierra Wireless. “Its simplicity, combined with its compact portability, and security, makes Overdrive3G/4G Mobile Hotspotideal for both personal and business use in a variety of situations.”
Key features of Overdrive 3G/4G Mobile Hotspot include a LCD that provides important information such as battery life and internet connection status, as well as an easy-to-use web interface for customizing settings. Overdrive 3G/4G Mobile Hotspot also includes built-in GPS capability (on 3G), MicroSD slot for up to 16 GB memory cards creating shared storage with up to five connected devices, and an extended Wi-Fi range of up to 150 feet.
Beginning on Jan. 10, customers will be able to purchase Overdrive 3G/4G Mobile Hotspot exclusively from Sprint for $99.99 (excluding taxes) after a $50 mail-in-rebate with a two-year service agreement. Customers can purchase the device and sign up for 3G/4G plans at select Sprint retail stores and select Best Buy stores; available through business sales, Web (www.sprint.com) and Telesales (1-800-SPRINT1) in coming weeks. Also beginning Jan. 10, Sprint will offer simplified 3G/4G data plans for consumers and businesses at $59.99 monthly (price plans exclude surcharges and taxes).4
Sprint continues to blaze trails with 4G
Sprint is the first national wireless carrier to test, launch and market 4G technology. (View 4G coverage at www.sprint.com/4G)
Sprint made history by launching 4G in Baltimore in September 2008. Sprint currently offers 4G service in 27 markets, including Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Las Vegas, Philadelphia, Portland, Ore., San Antonio and Seattle. Sprint 4G is also offered in Abilene, Texas; Amarillo, Texas; Austin, Texas; Bellingham, Wash.; Boise, Idaho; Charlotte, N.C.; Corpus Christi, Texas; Greensboro, N.C. (along with High Point and Winston-Salem); Honolulu; Killeen/Temple, Texas; Lubbock, Texas; Maui, Hawaii; Midland/Odessa, Texas; Milledgeville, Ga.; Raleigh, N.C. (along with Cary, Chapel Hill and Durham); Salem, Ore.; Waco, Texas and Wichita Falls, Texas.
In 2010, Sprint expects to launch service in multiple markets, including Boston, Houston, New York, San Francisco and Washington, D.C.
Sprint is harnessing the power of 4G as the majority shareholder of Clearwire, the independent company that is building the WiMAX network.
About Sprint Nextel
Sprint Nextel offers a comprehensive range of wireless and wireline communications services bringing the freedom of mobility to consumers, businesses and government users. Sprint Nextel is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying innovative technologies, including two wireless networks serving more than 48 million customers at the end of the third quarter of 2009 and the first and only 4G service from a national carrier in the United States; industry-leading mobile data services; instant national and international push-to-talk capabilities; and a global Tier 1 Internet backbone. The company’s customer-focused strategy has led to improved first call resolution and customer care satisfaction scores. For more information, visit www.sprint.com.
For images, visit the Image Gallery in Sprint’s Newsroom site – www.sprint.com/newsroom.
1 “Up to 10x faster” based on download speed comparison of 3G’s 600 kbps vs. 4G’s 6 Mbps. Typical published 3G avg. speeds (600 kbps-1.7 Mbps); 4G avg. speeds (3-6 Mbps). Actual speeds may vary. 4G currently available in select areas /devices; check Sprint.com/4G for Sprint 4G coverage/device info.
2 Sprint encourages all wireless users to drive responsibly and avoid distractions.
3 “Dependable” based on independent, third-party drive tests for 3G data connection success, session reliability, and signal strength for the top 50 most populous US markets (including PR) from January 2008 to August 2009. Not all services available on 3G and coverage may default to separate network when 3G unavailable.
4 Sprint reserves the right, at our sole discretion to deny, terminate, modify, disconnect or suspend service if customer exceeds the off-network roaming threshold (300MB/mo.) or engages in the following prohibited uses: server devices or host computer applications, including, but not limited to, disproportionate Web camera posts or broadcasts, automatic data feeds, automated machine-to-machine connections, peer-to-peer (P2P) file-sharing applications broadcast to multiple servers or recipients such that they could enable “bots” or similar routines, or for any other reason that, in our sole discretion harms our network.
We saw the Sprint Overdrive 3G / 4G mobile hotspot leak out last week, and now it’s official — Sprint just announced it here at CES. It’s pretty much what you’d expect: the Sierra Wireless-built box connects to Sprint’s WiMAX network and shares that connection with up to five devices over WiFi — and if the 4G connection drops, it’ll seamlessly switch to EVDO. You’re looking at $99 after a $50 rebate with a two year $59/mo service agreement when it goes on sale January 10 at Best Buy and Sprint stores. Looks like the MiFi just got shown up, eh?
