CLEAR 4G Review (Clearwire 4G WiMax)

We’ve been waiting for WiMax for a long, long time. It’s a technology that has been talked about being rolled out for quite a few years. Originally, WiMax was hailed as being a way to bring affordable highspeed wireless internet access to the masses at speeds faster than 3G. When Clearwire finally launched 4G WiMax in several cities around the country, we were jealous and couldn’t wait till WiMax showed up on our doorsteps too. Why would you prefer 4G over 3G? Because it theoretically should offer faster speeds than 3G, plus 4G WiMax data plans are truly unlimited, unlike most cellular carrier’s 3G plans which have 5GB caps. In particular we reviewed the Clear 4G+ Mobile USB Series S that is both Mac and PC compatible. It is a modem that is also able to switch between 4G and 3G networks.

You can find out if you have Clear 4G service in your area via clear.com/coverage or by downloading the “Got Clear?” iPhone or Android app. Currently, there are still lots of empty coverage pockets around NYC where there is no 4G WiMax Coverage, although the majority of the city does have coverage. That said, if you plan on using CLEAR a lot while traveling in your car, then you’ll want to stick with 3G as it has proved to be a more stable connection while driving around because it offers better coverage. To that effect, if you’re someone who travels a lot in general, than getting a CLEAR modem which has the ability to switch to 3G is essential.

Monthly service costs $55.00 a month for the Clear 4G+ Mobile USB Series S. Alternatively you can opt for a 4G only modem and service will cost just $45 a month.   However, today CLEAR is having a special Thanksgiving sale that offers 80% off on their hardware. Apple device users can take advantage of the iSpot mobile hotspot device and its on-the-go plan which costs just $25 a month and is designed to work with the iPad, iPod Touch and iPhone. Besides for their mobile internet plans, CLEAR also offers several Home Internet & Home Phone (VOIP) Plans that cost as low as $35.00 a month for internet with a 1.5Mbps cap, to a $60 a month plan that has no cap and also comes with voice. After spending time with the CLEAR 4G+ Mobile USB Series S we don’t think that this is a viable replacement for your home’s highspeed DSL or cable internet connection. That said, CLEAR does offer several non portable modems that are specifically designed for home use, so we wonder if those are more powerful and if these devices are powerful enough to truly replace someone’s DSL or cable connection.