Clear - WiMAX (Atlanta: lease, month-to-month, to buy)

[DuchessOfKvetch]

I haven't confirmed this yet, but folks keep telling me land speed will always be "one step ahead" of wireless - aka, 12mpbs for the highest comcast package now, vs 6 for Clear.

However, who actually GETS their max potential speed anyway, when downloading?

[rcsteiner]

Originally Posted by DuchessOfKvetch

I haven't confirmed this yet, but folks keep telling me land speed will always be "one step ahead" of wireless - aka, 12mpbs for the highest comcast package now, vs 6 for Clear.

However, who actually GETS their max potential speed anyway, when downloading?

Ya just gotta connect to multiple sites at once. But you're right ... single site bandwidth limitations are usually much lower.

[ok2go]

on the Clear WiMax "home" connection now and while the speed is about as expected, the connection is marginal and sometimes cuts out. Their signal strength as indicated by the number of lights on their WiMax modem is only 1 or 2 bars out of 5. This is in midtown near GT.

Lets hope they are still expanding their coverage because even a 95% up-time is unacceptable.

[neil0311]

Originally Posted by DuchessOfKvetch

I haven't confirmed this yet, but folks keep telling me land speed will always be "one step ahead" of wireless - aka, 12mpbs for the highest comcast package now, vs 6 for Clear.

However, who actually GETS their max potential speed anyway, when downloading?

Comcast's highest download in the Atlanta area is 50 Mbps not 12 Mbps. I subscribe to the 22 Mbps package and I get every bit of it and then some with powerboost and the fact that there is usually excess capacity.

WiMAX is a great alternative but it's still a bit limited and quite expensive.

[Mishap]

Originally Posted by neil0311

Comcast's highest download in the Atlanta area is 50 Mbps not 12 Mbps. I subscribe to the 22 Mbps package and I get every bit of it and then some with powerboost and the fact that there is usually excess capacity.

WiMAX is a great alternative but it's still a bit limited and quite expensive.

Comcast 50Mb/s is $140/mon + required cable tv which is hardly affordable either. Comcast is an investor in Clear by the way...no escaping the monopolies I guess.

So happy I get bundled internet w/ my building and so much more bandwidth.

[brownhornet]

Tried it and returned it... signal was horrible in my apartment. Had to sit by my patio door just to get any connection at all.

[xavier132487]

I'm getting 2 Gbps on campus right now, so this won't be much help for me...

[neil0311]

Originally Posted by Mishap

Comcast 50Mb/s is $140/mon + required cable tv which is hardly affordable either. Comcast is an investor in Clear by the way...no escaping the monopolies I guess.

So happy I get bundled internet w/ my building and so much more bandwidth.

Not $140...$99.95 without any other service or bundle. It costs even less bundled with TV and/or phone. Not everyone needs that kind of bandwidth. I was just clarifying the factual error.

BTW...I have the top end triple play bundle, which includes the Ultra 22 Mbps down and 5 Mbps up package, and the entire bundle for all 3 services costs me $179.99/mo (I get every channel offered. It can cost less with fewer TV channels). The Ultra 22 down/5 up Mbps package (actual bandwidth, not including powerboost) on its own with no other service or bundle is $62.95/mo.

Now contrast that with the Clear services...$65/mo for 6 Mbps down/500 Kbps up. Even with no TV or phone, Comcast will sell you the 22/5 plan for less than the Clear package. Now people may not like Comcast and all that stuff, but you cannot factually say it's more expensive than Clear. WiMax may be a good solution for some people, but let's be honest and clear about what it is and how much it costs (and the limited coverage).

[Go Blue 99]

Question on Clear- if I am understanding it correctly, being a customer gives you internet access all over Atlanta (at least the city). If I get this product, would I be able to connect my ITouch to the Clear network, and basically use it as a phone when I'm driving around the city (using the Skype ITouch app)?

[noah]

According to their website Clear's home internet starts at $20/month. Granted its not the fastest plan but not everyone needs super fast.

Originally Posted by neil0311

Not $140...$99.95 without any other service or bundle. It costs even less bundled with TV and/or phone. Not everyone needs that kind of bandwidth. I was just clarifying the factual error.

BTW...I have the top end triple play bundle, which includes the Ultra 22 Mbps down and 5 Mbps up package, and the entire bundle for all 3 services costs me $179.99/mo (I get every channel offered. It can cost less with fewer TV channels). The Ultra 22 down/5 up Mbps package (actual bandwidth, not including powerboost) on its own with no other service or bundle is $62.95/mo.

Now contrast that with the Clear services...$65/mo for 6 Mbps down/500 Kbps up. Even with no TV or phone, Comcast will sell you the 22/5 plan for less than the Clear package. Now people may not like Comcast and all that stuff, but you cannot factually say it's more expensive than Clear. WiMax may be a good solution for some people, but let's be honest and clear about what it is and how much it costs (and the limited coverage).