WiMax San Antonio TX

Clearwire Corporation today unveiled Rover(TM): the nation’s first pay-as-you-go 4G mobile broadband service for tech-savvy Gen Y customers. The Rover brand is designed for digitally addicted youth who refuse to settle for long-term contracts, overpriced internet service, or speeds slower than what they’ve become accustomed to at home.

Visit www.ROVER.com for coverage area map and more details about this product. Initial sales will be limited to on-line and at select retail stores in Houston Texas and St. Louis Missouri,  such as the Best Buy and CLEAR corporate stores.

CLEAR has some new commercials that will be showing on the Internet soon. CLEAR has repackaged their 4G hotspot in a new shape designed to attract this age group, and their 4G modem as well. The hotspot is a disc shaped device.

Pricing will be for Unlimited Usage for Just $5/day, $20/week, $50/month

Rover’s flagship device is the Rover Puck: an ergonomically designed portable Wi-Fi hotspot that lets you share broadband access, or “Puck”, with up to eight devices at home, out on the town or nearly anywhere the feeling strikes you. The Rover Puck can easily slip into a purse or backpack and serve as an on-the-go broadband access point for devices such as laptops, netbooks, the iPad(TM), the iPod touch(R), smartphones, PSP(R) systems, game consoles, and Wi-Fi enabled digital cameras, among others. Users have the option to connect up to eight Wi-Fi enabled devices simultaneously.

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Inside the packaging we find the CLEAR 4G+ Hotspot & CLEAR's instructions

One of our clients recently ordered (from us) and just received their CLEAR 4G+ Hotspot today. Gary was kind enough to let us be the one to open the new box, photograph it for this website, and then show him how to set it up.

This device is tiny!  Smaller than we had expected, based upon the size of the other CLEAR 4G Hotspot that only does 4G.  We’ll do a photo review of that one next.    About 3 inches square, and 1/2 inch thick.  Looks like a Hocky Puck in all shiny black (that attracts lots of finger prints, and makes it hard to photograph with flash).

This CLEAR 4G+ Hotspot runs on both the 4G and 3G network.   When first activated on the 4G side, it may take up to 2 hours before the 3G activation takes place, because CLEAR’s computer has to tell Sprint’s computer to activate it, and that takes a while.  It MUST be activated inside a 4G service area the first time, or it won’t activate at all.   Please do not frustrate yourself, us and CLEAR Customer Care by failing to follow  those simple steps as we indicate in our photos below.

The USB Charging cable is the same as the one used for the Sprint EVO, the micro USB cable, very flat thin connector (see photo later).   The CLEAR 4G+ comes with a 3 foot long USB cable and AC adapter that you plug the USB cable into. You can also buy (not included) a car USB charger adapter from Walmart, etc, that will let you charge up to 2 USB devices at a time, etc. for under $15.  You might even already have some if you are using Smart Phones that use USB charging method.  We bought a spare 10 foot cord from local Altex Electronics store for about $9 plus tax.  if you do go buy a spare / longer cable, take your original with you to verify the new cable has the right connector on it.

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Effective August 1st, for a limited time,CLEAR’s “Back to School” promotion has lowered the pricing for their line of 4G+ dual band modems (4G/3G combo), including their personal hotspot line of products.  4G pricing remains the same, only the 4G+ versions were affected.  How long will this sale last?  We don’t know, but do know you are good thru the end of August at this rate, and once locked into a rate, CLEAR normally won’t raise it and risk losing a customer.

Get any 4G+ device from CLEAR and save $60/year on service fees.  Pricing has been lowered from $55/month to only $50 a month for this promotion period.  Now is the time to get one of the 4G+ plus mobile devices and save.

We’re a bit lucky in the San Antonio / Austin markets, as our pricing hasn’t gone up for monthly fees like some of the prices on the CLEAR website indicate.  We just visited their site and found $60.99/month for 4G+ USB Modem service, $43.99 for the 4G only USB or Home service.  We’re only $50/month for 4G+ and $40/month for 4G service.  Oh, and remember our $55/month 4G combo of Home & USB modem?  Clear’s website wants $63.99/month now for that combo service plan.    When will these increased prices reach us in Texas?  We don’t know, but you ought to sign up this month to get all the lower price deals and not get caught short holding a higher price tag for delaying.

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Starting this month (August), CLEAR has apparently started to restrict the sale of fixed location Home Modems (4G only) and even some 4G USB or Personal Hotspots, depending upon your service address.  The following is just an opinion / conjecture on our part, based partially on factual statements made by CLEAR to us dealers,  conversation with other CLEAR Account Reps and Dealers in both San Antonio and Austin markets, and our actual hands on experiences this past week while trying to sell CLEAR in these two markets.

Sometimes growth causes growing pains.  Remember when Cell Phones first came to town?  Some areas were better covered than others, some areas you got “network busy” messages on frequent basis.  Over time, the cell phone companies expanded their systems, to the extent that now we have two of the major carriers (AT&T and Verizon) poking fingers at each other, claiming to have the best 3G Coverage.   Well, CLEAR has the best 4G coverage, in fact the only 4G coverage, and they are spending literally billions of dollars to expand and promote their network. In fact, in a recent release statement, parent company Clearwire execs reported they have reached 1.7 million actual subscribers already in the USA, and their expansion plans call to double the number of markets (cities) by the end of 2010.

First of all, we think part of the “problem” as we  perceive it, is that CLEAR has been such an over whelming success, that they’ve simply over sold in some areas of their market.  Too many  CLEAR customers on too few towers.  You might remember that I mentioned a while back, that CLEAR in San Antonio alone, had reached their 2010 December sales goal by the end of May 2010.   They started a major expansion effort in San Antonio, building new towers where they couldn’t find an existing tower to piggy back, and adding more receivers to existing towers where they need to support more clients.   All in all, we were told to expect about 120 new towers or enhanced tower sites around San Antonio using construction funds reserved for the last 6 months of 2010.   

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Those of you who have been regular subscribers to our website, were already aware that we’ve been working with a Texas based radio engineering firm to develop a “solution” regarding current CLEAR home modems that can’t accept a connection to an external antenna.

That status just changed for the better.  We’ve moved from theory, to proof of concept, to actual units in the field for testing, as of Sunday, July 11th.

We now have a solution for an external antenna / modem arrangement that is undergoing limited beta testing in San Antonio at select CLEAR customer sites, where their signal is less than to be desired, due to terrain and distance from the nearest CLEAR tower site.  We can’t create a signal out of thin air where there isn’t one, but we can enhance the receive signal where the signal is weak, in many cases, with our better antenna design and ability to mount it where can get a better signal.   If you are already getting 4 or 5 bars, or even just 3, on your home CLEAR 4G modem, you probably won’t be interested in what we’ve done.

Our solution won’t be the perfect one for everybody, but we think most of those who cough up the money for the conversion will be happy with the results. 

Our solution uses the same MAC address registered with CLEAR, and remains within the specs of the original FCC Type Acception.  We did not alter the existing specs regarding effective power output or range of temperature operation.  We’ve tested it up to 56 degrees Celsius (about133 degrees Fahrenheit), which is hotter than the original specs, and the modem kept on working, within FCC & manufacturer specs. 

We use some very expensive, sophisticated electronics radio gear to measure, test and adjust the built-in radio that is the modem, just to keep in specs and enhance performance. Every  conversion is tested by a certified radio engineer, prior to shipping or delivery back to the paying customer.  We only use, or convert, authorized CLEAR issued Motorola 4G WiMax modems, not a third party solution.  We provide before & after printed reports FROM THE M OTOROLA MODEM ITSELF, to let you compare the improvement in reception abilities after we have done our part.

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We announced that CLEAR was increasing coverage in the San Antonio metro area last month, but we learned yesterday, that they are currently concentrating on improving coverage within the city area by doubling up existing 4G Wimax receiver sites in the areas where coverage was heavily subscribed or there were weak signal areas.  Already customers have been reporting to us that they were used to getting perhaps 3 signal bars on their home modems, but as of this past week, they are getting 5 bars on a regular basis.  Way to go, CLEAR!

Obviously, it’s more cost effective for CLEAR to ramp up their existing tower sites, rather than paying for new ones to be installed, but we’ve been told that “eventually” CLEAR will start expanding outward from the current coverage area.   CLEAR’s coverage maps on their website don’t keep up with all the fast changes happening, so contact WiMax San Antonio for updated information.

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Thanks to CLEAR coming out with new, more compact and easier to use 4G and 4G/3G personal hotspot devices, even folks who chose to limit themselves to the iPhone 4 can now experience the speed and thrill of CLEAR’s 4G network here in  San Antonio and other markets in Texas.  And now you can easily share your 4G signal, unlimited use on the 4G side, with your friends, or even just with your own smart phone if you don’t own an EVO already.

CLEAR has released two new devices, the CLEAR Spot 4G and the CLEAR Spot 4G+, this month.  Don’t confuse these with the older model called a “Clearspot” made by Cradlepoint (PHS300).  You don’t need to plug in a separate USB modem to these new devices, it’s all built in!   Each also has an internal battery so you can slip either one into your shirt or pants pocket, or for the ladies, their purse. 

We recently attended a training session in San Antonio where we got to touch and feel one of the Clear Spot 4G units.  It’s so tiny!  Only about 2.5″ wide and 4″ long, about  4 or 5 ounces in weight (with battery installed).  Simple to operate with LED lights to tell you what’s happening.  And if you forgot what color LED light means what, the instructions are written on the bottom of the device.  Talk about simple!

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We just returned from a CLEAR Wimax Dealer’s briefing on the new 4G+ USB modem (4G/3G combo) that will be available in the San Antonio, Austin and nationwide markets effective July 1st.  We learned about the new modem that is Mac Compatible!  Yay!  My wife will be very happy as soon as she gets one of these, cause, as our readers are aware, my wife is a Mac Consultant  (www.MacAnswers.com).

This disc shaped USB modem can swivel 180 degrees, making it easier to fit more computer’s USB port configurations.   The swivel is metal, not plastic, which should help in both durablity and heat disipation.  But see that little cover on the right edge of this photo?  That’s for an external antenna connection. 

Yep, you can connect an external antenna for about $20 (according to Sierra Wireless Rep)  to increase your signal by about 50%.  

The Sierra Wireless Rep showed how she  velcroed her external antenna to the upper lid of her laptop, so when it was opened, the antenna would be sticking up in the air more.  One might even assume that you could connect to a really external antenna, stuck up higher in the air, over in a nearby window, or some other place where you can pull down a better / stronger signal.  At this time, we don’t know if the CLEAR dealers can sell those antennas with the modem, or if you will need to visit www.SierraWireless.com to purchase direct from them.

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Nothing ever stays the same in the tech world, especially pricing.  But it was announced by CLEAR earlier this month that  CLEAR customers wanting to buy their own equipment from CLEAR, rather than leasing it under a 2 year contract, can now expect to pay higher prices.   CLEAR has reduced the subsidy amount they had been applying in the form of discounts at the time of purchase.  Of course if you go on contract, the up front cost is much much less.

Home modems are now running $84.95, while USB modems (depending on model) are running $59.99 – $69.99 each. 4G  Combo modems (i.e. 4G/3G USB modems) are running $224.99 (same price), but the new Mac compatible 4G+ modem is only $112.99 (available starting July 1st).

CLEAR slashed the price of their current CLEARSpot router (aka Cradlepoint’s PHS300 router) from $139.99 to only $49.99 (no lease or contract required), but you still need a CLEAR USB modem of  some sort to make it work on the 4G or 3G network.  We’ve used ours (paid a lot more for it) with both the 4G and 4G+ modem in the past few months.

CLEAR has announced some other changes also, so watch for more postings by us on this topic also.

We are now selling CLEAR services in the San Antonio and Austin Texas markets, including New Braunfels and San Marcos along the IH-35 corridor between the two cities.  Contact us if you are interested in getting CLEAR and we’ll bring it to your door!  Call us at 210-771-7075 or email us at lee@wimaxsatx.com with any questions.

We had lunch the other day with the San Antonio Indirect Sales Manager for CLEAR.  He said that subscriptions for CLEAR have been double the expected levels as of this point in time, with 40,000 wimax devices currently active in the San Antonio, Texas, metro area.  That number also includes devices sold by Sprint or Time Warner on the 4G network also, but it was mostly CLEAR customers who are using these devices.  

The rapid growth resulted in the San Antonio market winning multiple awards from CLEAR awards six months in a row, over all other CLEAR markets.  But it also resulted in a heavier use load on their system locally.

So they have embarked on an earlier than planned expansion of their network in San Antonio, increasing the number of receiver sites by about 50% over the next  60 days.  Some sites will be used to fill in holes where coverage is spotty, and areas where usage is higher than expected.  But some will be used to expand coverage further out from the city, perhaps catching some of those folks outside 1604 who currently can’t yet get reliable 4G coverage.

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