Clearwire hates Intel & WiMAX
In Clearwire’s recent 10-Q filing (SEC), Clearwire is locked down into using WiMAX. Barred from deploying LTE until late 2011 under its terms its negotiated with Intel. The contract which was outlined in the 10-Q filing restricts it from offering any non-WiMAX technology until Nov 28, 2011 
Another major hurdle in this is that even after Clearwire deploys WiMAX, it will still incur siginficant costs if it decided to deploy additional wireless technologies even if it’s “technologically superior or more cost effective” than WiMAX (ouch).
But I don’t think LTE will have any market well into 2012 and possibly later when devices and manufacturers come into play. These suppliers will only enter when a market is available and this is the short time Clearwire might need to see traction from now until then.
Broadband, LTE, WiMax
MetroPCS & LTE Combine
Wall Street reports fourth quarter earnings of MetroPCS in 2008 to be the highest ever in company history. When it came to increasing subscriber numbers, MetroPCS hit it out of the park with its $50 unlimited non-contract price to entice those savvy consumers out there worried about the economy and budget. Right now, MetroPCS has a total of 5.4 million subscribers, 5th place in the world of mobile operators. T-Mobile with 32.8 million subscribers, Sprint with 49.3 million, AT&T with 77 million, and Verizon with 72.1 million.
In other news, MetroPCS might be the first mobile operator to offer LTE…Wait what? Without a smartphone in the market, how can it even utilize this huge pipe? My guess is that the company will be releasing some new phones this Q3 from a secret Canadian company to offer a smartphone and pc card. Expect MetroPCS to start advertising in 2010
Oh no! I never even tried WiMax…sad
Broadband, LTE, MetroPCS, Mobile Carriers at&t, LTE, MetroPCS, smartphone, sprint, subscribers, unlimited plan, verizon, wimax