Monica Paolini of Senza Fili Consulting performed one of the more comprehensive Mobile user tests of Clear’s Mobile WiMAX service in Portland, Oregon.
On the day of the Clear launch in Portland, she tested the network with a laptop. She writes:
My tests were clearly not systematic or very detailed, but I decided to share the results as they may be of interest to those who have not yet been able to test commercial WiMAX networks.The performance of the Clear network was consistently good, with throughput typically over 3 mbps in the downlink and between 350 and 400 kbps in the uplink.
Internet browsing was fast, so I decided to spend most time checking video applications (YouTube, New York Times, and even a full screen movie from Hulu) and video-conferencing with Skype. All worked reliably well in areas with good coverage. The major limitation of the network were a few areas without sufficient coverage-which I visited twice during the day-, but this is to be expected in a new network still being optimized.
The connection manager was very simple to configure and use. On the downside, it did not provide detailed information on network availability, so when the laptop could not establish a connection, no explanation was given as to what was the cause. Establishing or re-establishing the connection was fast, and the connection manager client has an option to allow the laptop to automatically connect to Clear when coverage is available.
As the stationary throughput was quite good and consistent where I checked it, I decided to test in more detail the performance of the network in indoor locations and in a mobility scenario-environments where all wireless networks face a challenge. The results of the tests are available on Google maps.
I actually tested more locations than reported on the map, but found very similar throughput levels across the buildings. In the public library, I had to find a remote location where I could make a phone call without disturbing library patrons, and that was in an area where cellular voice connectivity was available, but WiMAX coverage was not. It was in the most central part of the building by the elevator. The library Wi-Fi network also had some trouble covering this spot-the downlink speed was only about 600 kbps.
As I got for dinner to Ken’s Artisan Pizza, coverage was not sufficient to establish a connection (although the laptop could detect the presence of the Clear network). Too bad, but at least I was able to enjoy one of the best pizzas in the US without being distracted by work!
Tests were done with laptops mostly inside buses/steetcar, and indoor locations. Outdoor tests had better data rates, as it should be expected. These tests were done to see how WiMAX performs in a mobile and indoor environment, which is where all wireless technologies face most challenges.
Marc Wallis in Portland also tested the Mobile WiMAX system and mapped the coverage around Hillsboro.
People from Wilsonville to Vancouver, Washington, can expect door-hangers, billboards, direct mailings and TV commercials — like this one showing a cup cake in a bakery with just a few sprinkles on it, reports Kristian Foden-Vencil of Oregon Public Radio
I have been using the residential Clear modem from Motorola in my downtown apartment, a stone’s throw from the Amtrak station clock tower. It’s been working reliably for me, mostly delivering advertised speed, although speed and signal strength will drop if I shut my window.
I hoped to test coverage around the city with my Samsung Express Card (right), which I ordered direct from Xohm in Baltimore about three months ago.
Unfortunately, before it will work in my laptop, Clear must upgrade their backend software to recognize it. Currently a Motorola USB dongle is used to provide mobile WiMAX services around the city.
Related Dailywireless articles include; Clearwire’s Launch Party, Clearwire Portland Launch: Jan 6th, Clearwire in Portland, Clearwire: Let’s be “Clear”, Green Light for New Clearwire, iPCS Withdraws Injuction Against Sprint WiMAX, Clearwire: Show Us the Money, Xohm Marks the Spot, Chicago Xohmed Next?, WiMAX Doomed? Not., Mobile WiMAX: Fast, Cheap and Out of Control?, Mobile WiMAX Cooking- But Still in the Kitchen, WiMAX Roundup, Australia Unwired, Australian Blowup, BT’s European WiMAX Plan, Backhaul Delays Xohm Rollout, Hesse on WiMAX, Sprint’s WiMAX Rollout?, Sprint-Clearwire Deal Dead, Sprint Considering WiMAX Spinoff?, Sprint Forces Forsee Out, WiMAX Demoed on Chicago River, The Launch, ICO Wants Its Mobile TV – via DVB-SH, Google Apps for Clearwire, Sprint WiMAX: It’s Called “Xohm”, Xohm “Partners”?, Death to WiMAX?, Verizon: It’s LTE, and Sprint: It’s WiMAX!
