WiMAX set to kick on with Laptop card approved in US

Stan Beer
Thursday, 03 May 2007 13:50

Business IT - Networking

A long awaited wireless broadband standard is set to take off in the US with leading WiMAX service provider Clearwire gaining Federal Communications Commission approval for its WiMAX-class laptop card.

WiMAX is a long distance wireless technology enabling the delivery of broadband access as an alternative to cable and DSL, as well as mobile broadband connectivity. Clearwire is the largest WiMAX service provider in the US with nearly 200,000 subscribers, a relatively modest subscriber base which the company hopes to expand with its new product.

"The FCC's approval of our laptop card is a significant milestone in bringing to market a 'true broadband' wireless service with a device that facilitates even greater portability than our existing modem permits," said Perry Satterlee, Clearwire president and chief operating officer. "We expect the new laptop card to broaden our potential customer base with more opportunities for customers to access and experience our fast, simple, portable, reliable and affordable wireless broadband services."

Mobile carrier Sprint is investing US$3 billion in building a nation-wide WiMAX network which is due for completion by the end of 2008 and is expected to give the wireless technology boost in the US.