Stats
Mobile Broadband Growth in the US expected to double over the next two years.
- 11 M – 2009
- 19 M – 2010
- 28 M – 2011
2.5 GHz Spectrum in U.S., averaging 120 MHZ in major markets
540 Mbps per cell site vs. 45 190 Mbps from the competition
Launch dates
- launch to existing customers November 1. all existing customers will be swapped out at no cost for new Clear antenna.
- Launch to new customers December 1. Change branding from Clearwire to Clear.
Pricing
- 4Mbps down speed capped/1 Mbps up $40/month business
- unlimited speed down/1 Mpbs up $50/month business
- dual mode EVDO/WiMax unlimited speed $70/month business
- Said that individual plans would be less.
- fixed version: $55 4Mbps down/1Mbps up, $75 unlimited speed down/1Mbps
- no limit on amount of data transferred.
- assumes that it requires 2 year commitment
- would not give firm pricing on hardware. Would have to expect to be same as current launch on mainland.
Coverage
- Oahu and Maui – Clear showed coverage map that was from an RF modeling program. It stayed at high-level, whole island view. No coverage in North Shore Oahu but pretty complete in the downtown Honolulu core.
- Neighbor islands have no coverage at this time due to lack of licenses there.
- Clear showed 17 sites installed from Diamond Head through downtown Honolulu.
- No discussion of expansion to other areas, but installations continue within the coverage area.
Hardware
- WiMax USB modem somewhat bulky.
- dual mode WiMax/EVDO USB modem is also a bit bulky
- optional Clear-branded CradlePoint PHS350 WiFi router that the USB modem plugs into
Speed
- Live testing using Speedtest.net compared Clear to Verizon and Mobi PCS.
- Clear USB modem = 6mbps down/2 up, Clear fixed antenna = 8Mbps down, Verizon .6 down/.3 up, Mobi .7 down/.3 up
- For this presentation Clear had powered up a nearby site carrying no other traffic during the presentation. In other words, Your Mileage May Vary.
Functionality
- Plan for mobile voice in 2010.
- Partnership with a security company that installs traffic and security cameras
- Partnership with a VoIP service provider
- Static IP addresses, 24/7 customer care, Service Agreements, Security
- Future: PBX systems, collaboration and messaging applications
- fully mobile – can hold connection while moving between cell sites
Channels
- The presentation was heavily pointed towards supplying a solution to businesses
- No discussion of either Direct or Indirect distribution channel plans
- RoadRunner will sell “Roadrunner Mobile” as an option to the fixed Roadrunner broadband service
- Sprint will sell as a bundle with their voice cellular service
Clear Strengths
- Great speed at a priced competitively with other mobile broadband offerings
- Mainland use and future international roaming
- Able to claim far wider coverage area with dual band connect on Sprint EVDO
- Huge $$ backing, capable of a significant marketing Launch
Clear Weaknesses
- There are many holes in their coverage
- WiMax speed degrades significantly as the network gets loaded with subscribers.
- WiMax requires more sites to cover the same area as EVDO so filling coverage holes is problematic.
Thanks to Gary Barton.
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