Information AboutClearwire |
| CATEGORIES ABOUT CLEARWIRE | |
| internet service providers | |
| internet service providers of the united states | |
| companies based in washington | |
| companies established in 2003 | |
Clearwire is a Wireless Broadband Internet Service Provider (ISP) headquartered in Kirkland, Washington . Clearwire was founded by Cellular Phone pioneer Craig McCaw in October 2003. At present Clearwire offers service in 38 United States markets, covering 9.1 million people in more than 400 municipalities in 12 states1. They also service international markets in the Republic Of Ireland , Belgium , Denmark (with Danske Telecom) and Mexico (via MVSNet). Clearwire uses WiMAX wireless technology transmitted from Mobile Phone Towers over licensed spectrum of 2.5-2.6 GHz in the U.S. and 3.5 GHz in Europe. SERVICES In the U.S. Clearwire offers plans with downlink speeds of 768 Kb , 1.5 Mb , and 2.0 Mb , with an uplink speed of 256Kb; 1Mb or 2Mb download / 256Kb upload in Ireland. Clearwire also offers its own Voice Over IP service in some areas for an additional monthly fee. As with any ISP, the listed Transfer Rate s are under ideal conditions; actual results vary greatly depending on factors such as service load, distance, and obstacles between the transmitter and receiver. Another factor is that available bandwidth is shared between users in a given radio sector, so if there are many active users in a single sector, each will get reduced bandwidth. STRATEGY In an attempt to break the traditional broadband Duopoly of Cable Modem s provided by Cable Television companies and DSL Modems provided by Phone Companies , Clearwire is a publicly traded company. Like the Voice Over IP (VoIP) Internet telephone company Vonage , Clearwire has run rigorous Advertising campaigns in an attempt to promote its service. Promotions have included Airline tickets and low introductory rates offered to new customers with contract agreement. GROWTH Clearwire has grown from 1,000 customers in September of 2004 to more than 200,000 customers across its markets, as of March 2007.2 Clearwire claims as of September of 2006 that 20% of its markets have more than 10% penetration of households covered. Clearwire took a $900 million infusion of capital from Intel and Motorola in July of 2006, shortly after pulling its IPO .3 Clearwire's equipment manufacturer Nextnet Wireless was sold to Motorola as part of the exchange.4 This investment by the two industry giants has been reported as an attempt to accelerate the development and deployment of WiMAX networks worldwide. AT&T is selling Clearwire a slice of 2.5 GHz spectrum for about $300 million. The spectrum covers markets in the southeast of the U.S. and used to belong to BellSouth. The spectrum solidifies Clearwire's position as the second largest holder of 2.5GHz spectrum after Sprint Nextel . AT&T had to sell the spectrum as a condition of its merger with BellSouth. Clearwire and Sprint Nextel announced a partnership in July of 2007 to accelerate deployment of WiMAX technology across the US.5 The deal includes a swap of spectrum and markets between the two companies, as well as providing roaming capabilities for customers traveling between the companies' networks. IPO Clearwire, which filed for its Initial Public Offering with the Securities and Exchange Commission in May 2006, went public Thursday, March 8, 2007. The company's underwriters included Merrill Lynch, Morgan Stanley and JPMorgan Chase. Trading began March 8, 2007 under the ticker symbol "CLWR" on the Nasdaq. Clearwire offered 24 million shares at $25 a share, and raised approximately US$600 million.6 Craig McCaw is the largest shareholder with 65.4 percent of the company's Class B stock and he will have 24.8 percent of the Class A stock after the IPO. A class B share has 10 times the voting rights of a Class A share. Class A is the designation for the common shares traded publicly on the Nasdaq. CRITICISM Clearwire's road to ISP-hood has not been without its potholes. Some critics find fault with Clearwire's use of private, licensed radio frequencies for the transmission of data.7 SEE ALSO REFERENCES EXTERNAL LINKS
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