With the launch, Comcast becomes the first cable MVNO (mobile virtual network
operator) in the US offering high-speed WiMAX services. Although no
further announcements have been made, Comcast will likely launch additional
markets in the coming months as its WiMAX wholesale partner Clearwire rolls out
additional cities.
The new service will be marketed as "Comcast High-Speed 2go" and will provide
mobile data to laptops, netbooks and other mobile devices over wireless networks
with download speeds of up to 4 megabits per second. Existing 3G wireless
networks typically offer download speeds between 1 and 1.5 megabits a second or
less.
Comcast will leverage its existing install base of customers, offering mobile
broadband as a bundle to its existing internet service. Comcast will offer
two different devices and service plans: The Metro data card, which is typically
installed into a laptop to allow wireless internet access, will cost $50/month
when bundled with home internet service and will only work within the WiMAX
coverage areas. A nationwide version for $70/month will allow subscribers
to get online via Sprint Nextel Corp’s 3G network where the 4G network is not
available.
Last year Comcast became one of the major investors in Clearwire, providing more
than $1 billion of the $3.2 billion Clearwire received from Google, Intel, Time
Warner and others.
Putting the weight of the Comcast brand and sales channel should be a nice boost
to WiMAX efforts in the US. Mobile WiMAX will complement nicely with
Comcast’s current internet offerings – providing a bundle of one of the best
fixed internet services with the best commercially available mobile broadband
service. Partnering with Sprint and offering a dual-mode 3g/WiMAX option
gives them access to a nation-wide 3G footprint while WiMAX networks continue to
be built-out.
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