Clearwire set for more WiMAX expansion

With LTE networks set for commercial launches in the coming months, Clearwire Corp. is ramping up the launches of its commercial mobile WiMAX services.
Clearwire said it was set to launch its network in 11 new markets by the end of the year. The network expansion will serve both Clearwire’s Clear customers, Sprint Nextel Corp.’s 4G customers and in a limited number of markets Comcast Corp.’s High-Speed 2Go customers.
The new markets serving all three companies will include Philadelphia, which is set to launch in the coming weeks, Chicago beginning in November and Seattle/Tacoma in December.
Clearwire and Sprint Nextel will also begin offering service in Charlotte, Greensboro and Raleigh, N.C.; Austin, Dallas/Fort Worth and San Antonio, Texas in November; and Maui and Honolulu, Hawaii in December.
Clearwire’s WiMAX network is on schedule to cover more than 30 million potential customers in 25 markets by the end of the year.
Verizon Wireless has said it plans to have pre-commercial LTE networks up and running in Seattle and Boston by the end of the year on its way to covering 25 markets by the end of 2010 and nationwide coverage by the end of 2013.