Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Clearwire Adopts LTE

Kirkland, Washington-based Clearwire, the 4G wireless broadband network operator, said Wednesday afternoon that it will adopt LTE technology to its 4G network. The move is a significant one for the company, which was built on the competing, WiMax standard. Clearwire said it will implement LTE in densely populated, urban areas of Clearwire's existing 4G market, giving its customers download speeds exceeding 120 Mbps. The company said it believes it can leverage its current, IP infrastructure to add LTE support in those areas, providing "significant capital cost savings". Despite the LTE support, Clearwire restated that it it has a "commitment to its existing 4G WiMax network". WiMax and LTE have long been seen as directly competing wireless standards.