Clearwire: An Internet Service Provider that's Not for Everyone

Clearwire is a relatively new company on the Internet Service Provider scene that has focused on creating a good all-around customer experience. Unlike cable or DSL connections, Clearwire broadcasts the Internet to you wirelessly to a modem they provide. Packages are generally reasonably priced, so it's tempting to just go and sign up at a mall kiosk. Before you do that though, there are some thing you'll want to know.

The Advantages

Easy, easy setup. The wireless modem is super easy to use...just plug it in, tweak the location so you're getting good signal strength, and plug it into the LAN port on your computer. It probably took me less than 15 minutes to unbox my modem, plug it in and get online! Plug and play technology makes the installation so easy my grandmother could do it.

Mobility within service area. Usually your entire city will be covered with Clearwire service, so you can go anywhere within the service area and get online. Since the modem is reasonably portable, this has come in handy for me on a couple of occasions. Once, I was serving as the DJ for a local club function, and I was able to bring my modem and connect outdoor. When people requested a song I didn't have, I could just download it, and presto! Happy customers.

Slowest speed is still much better than dialup connections. The slowest speed they offer (for about $35/mo including modem leasing fees) is still several times faster than dialup. It wouldn't qualify as blazing by any means, but it's very adequate for most people's browsing needs.

The Disadvantages

The service signal can vary. Since Clearwire technology is wireless, like a cell phone, the signal strength can vary depending on weather conditions, how your building is constructed, and the like. When I started by service they had 30 day guarantee that stated you could receive a refund if you were unable to receive a signal at your home address. Still that's something to consider. I was in the middle of an important interview via Skype (a voice over the Internet solution) this past winter, and a snow storm caused by signal to drop dramatically, cutting my communications off several times. Talk about frustrating! Luckily those experiences have be rare.

A contract is required. Like most wireless solutions, you must sign a 1 year or 2 year service agreement. I went with just the one year, and now I'm still a customer! However, a contract can be annoying if you find a better offer for Internet service in your area and you'd like to switch.

The Bottom Line

I've enjoyed my service with Clearwire due to the ease of use and reasonable speeds. However, it's not for everyone. A contract may not be what you're looking for, and you'll definitely want to confirm the consistency of the service signal in your area.