Let’s take a look at WiMax from Clear and Comcast as well as Aircell’s Wifi available on more than 647 commercial aircrafts across the country.

For those of us in the Philadelphia market, 4G WiMax wireless Internet is here. The first to bring it live in this area is a company called Clear Wireless, LLC.

What they are offering is a wireless Internet connection similar to what you would see from your cell phone provider, but significantly faster. You would need a device capable of connecting to the 4G signal, such as a USB modem that would plug into the side of your laptop or desktop.

The modem will give you a connection speed of between 3 to 6 MB with bursts up to 10 MB in certain areas. This tops cell phone data products that average around 1.7 MB throughout the majority of the country. The connection speeds for 4G WiMax are realistic and I have test driven them. It is also possible to network a 4G WiMax connection as a wireless connection like you would do at home or work with a wireless router.

Comcast is also on the 4G bandwagon. Comcast has labeled its product High-Speed 2Go, which has a few caveats. Yes, they have a similar offering as Clear does with the home and business options. However, they have thought past the limitation of the 4G network.

The WiMax networks have limited area coverage. So if you manage to travel outside the radius of the signal coverage, you will be out of luck. Comcast is offering packages that allow you to take advantage of 4G and when you travel outside of your 4G signal coverage you can then piggy back onto a 3G wireless signal in order to continue using an Internet connection instead of being dead in the water.

Then there is Aircell’s GoGo Wireless Internet connection, available on several airlines such as US Airways, American Airlines, United, Airtran, Delta, Virgin America and Air Canada to start.

Aircell has developed a system that is installed on a commercial airplane. While in flight, a high-end antenna connects to several cell phone towers 30,000 feet below. You can then take your WiFi-enabled laptop, Smartphone or PDA and get online for as low as $12.95. I recently used this product myself on an Airtran flight and it does work.

The price may be a little steep for some, but the $12.95 is good for 24 hours of Internet connection. You can also purchase monthly passes if you are a frequent flier for around $25.

As the need for being “connected” is becoming a must for many travelers, companies are stepping up to fill the need.

I am sure as time goes by speeds for these two products will increase and will allow you to handle bigger file transfer speeds and faster browsing.

George Bardissi is president of Bardissi Enterprises in Hatfield. Bardissi Enterprises welcomes your questions or comments. Questions you would like answered or topics you would like discussed should be sent to Andino R. Ward at award@bardissi.net. You can also visit www.bardissi.net, or call (215) 853-2266.

http://www.thereporteronline.com/articles/2009/12/09/business/srv0000007029856.txt

Clearwire announced that it has executed a definitive agreement to raise $1.564 billion in new investment capital from Sprint Nextel, Comcast, Time Warner Cable Inc., Intel, Eagle River Holdings and Bright House Networks in exchange for newly issued shares priced at $7.33 per share.

“This additional level of strategic funding marks another important milestone in the progress of Clearwire, and will enable us to maintain our leadership and aggressive 4G WiMAX network build plans,” said Bill Morrow, CEO of Clearwire. “Today’s news is also further validation of the importance of our 4G network to our strategic investors. We all benefit from this robust, all-IP, high-bandwidth network that delivers an unmatched combination of Internet speed and mobility.”

Morrow said, “While we are very pleased to have every one of our investors, we are particularly pleased and honored that Sprint Nextel, Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Intel, Eagle River and Bright House Networks have decided to provide this additional round of strategic financing. Together, we share a common vision of providing consumers and businesses with a new category of Internet service capable of meeting the growing demand for mobile data.”

Participants in the new round of equity financing include Sprint Nextel for $1.176 billion, Comcast for $196 million, Time Warner Cable for $103 million, Intel for $50 million, Eagle River for $20 million and Bright House Networks for $19 million. Closing of the equity financing is subject to certain closing conditions, including, with respect to a portion of the financing, the lapsing of the time period required under applicable law for the effectiveness of the stockholder written consent approving the transactions, which has been executed. Clearwire will receive approximately $1.057 billion in cash from the equity financing within five business days, $440 million in cash will be funded at a closing which is targeted to be completed by year end 2009, and the remaining $66 million will be funded at a closing which is targeted to be completed during first quarter 2010.

The investors in the financing round will receive newly issued Class B Units/Class B Shares, which will maintain pass through tax treatment for their investments. Newly issued Class B Units/Class B Shares will have the same economic and voting rights as existing Class B Units/Class B Shares and equivalent voting rights as existing Class A Common Stock.

Clearwire also announced plans to launch an offering for a minimum of $1.45 billion in new Senior Secured Notes with net proceeds to be used to pay off the company’s existing $1.40 billion credit facility. The Senior Secured Notes will be offered to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and to non-U.S. persons in accordance with Regulation S under the Securities Act.

Sprint Nextel and Comcast, which are debt investors under Clearwire’s existing facility, have agreed to receive replacement debt on the same terms as the new offering, effectively allowing Clearwire to raise an additional $240 million in capital assuming the new notes offering is fully subscribed. Although specific terms are still to be finalized, the new debt offering is intended to better several of the Company’s existing credit terms by extending maturity and establishing a fixed interest rate. In addition, with an improved capital structure the Company expects to expand its future borrowing capacity. 

S+Clearwire+to+Raise+Funds+to+Extend+Expansion+of+4G+Mobile+Internet+Services.

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