Clearwire launches first pre-WiMAX notebook card
updated 11:35 am EDT, Wed October 17, 2007
Clearwire WiMAX PC Card
Long-range wireless provider Clearwire today released its first mobile pre-WiMAX card, providing customers of the company's 4G-level Internet access with more freedom than has been available with a full-size modem. The adapter fits into a PC Card slot and provides nearly the same connection speeds as the more stationary device: in most coverage areas, the card can match the same 1.5Mbps downstream speeds as one of Clearwire's fixed connections and is still several times faster than dial-up on the fringe of access, running at a minimum 256Kbps.
The card officially requires a Windows XP or Vista system with a free PC Card slot and should be available starting today. Service requires a $60 monthly PC Card plan as well as a $7 rental fee for the card itself. No indication has been made of an ExpressCard or USB adapter as well as support for Mac or Linux systems.
