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Clearwire Poised To Change Mobile Broadband With Pay Per Use Service

by Jerry1973 on August 31, 2010

Clearwire will reportedly release pay-per-use mobile internet service on August 30. This move could be important not only for the company, but also for the wireless internet industry as a whole. It creates great potential for the company to gain a large number of new customers. If it is not successful, permanent changes to the 4G playing field could result.

The high-speed mobile broadband service offered by the company is called 4G or WiMAX. Currently, the company charges per month for its plans and offers both mobile and home Internet service. The mobile Internet plans cost between $25 and $55.

Some experts have predicted what the new pay-as-you-go options may include. Users may be able to pay per day or megabyte of service. This is similar to the way individuals access paid Wi-Fi hotspots. Larger service options may include a weekly package or one that includes 500 megabytes. The plans will let people try the company’s service without much cost or risk. This may make customers out of individuals who have been considering Clearwire but have not yet taken the plunge.

Clearwire already established itself as the first company to provide the U.S. with 4G service. MetroPCS and Verizon Wireless are expected to offer their LTE networks, rivaling 4G speeds, as early as next month. This added competition creates an urgency for Clearwire to immediately sign on new mobile laptop broadband customers.

The ability for Clearwire to make these pay-as-you-go plans successful may determine the company’s future. Some analysts think that Clearwire does not have adequate funding to create a nationwide network. The company claims that existing funds will allow it to meet a 2010 coverage goal of 120 million people. Clearwire will need a large customer base to help it raise money to fund further expansion and offering prepaid plans, if successful, will help get it there.