Roll-out, roll-out!
Clearwire's WiMAX service, Clear 4G, should be the first fourth generation mobile broadband service available, if the firm can get its act together before the coming nationwide launch of rival technology LTE by Verizon Wireless.
Perhaps even more indicative of Google's loss of faith in its erstwhile WiMAX partner is the fact the firm has recently also teamed up with Verizon, which has started flogging Google Android-based handsets, most notably, the Droid.
But in a statement Monday, Google spokesman Andrew Pederson said his firm would "continue to add value through continued product and strategic cooperation."
Clearwire's CEO, Bill Morrow, who was recently caught sitting on the LTE fence, said the renewed investment showed "further validation of the importance of our 4G network." He added "We all benefit from this robust, all-IP, high-bandwidth network."
A week ago, Clearwire did show off some fruits of its expensive labour, notably a 1,000-square-mile 4G service area around Philadelphia which apparently delivers "average mobile download speeds of 3 to 6 mbps with bursts over 10 mbps."
Now if the firm could only get on with rolling out the rest of its network, it might keep its remaining investors a little bit happier.