Clearwire today unveiled their pay-as-you-go 4G mobile broadband service. Branded Rover, it is available in all of Clearwire’s 49 4G markets across the U.S. at rover.com.
The flagship device is Rover Puck, which lets 8 users share the WiFi connection. The Rover Puck is available today for $149.99. It features Wi-Fi b/g/n and can simultaneously run 2 SSIDs—but it does not offer 3G connectivity.
The Rover Stick, a dongle, is not a WiFi sharing device, but provides WiMax access on a pre-paid plan.
The Rover Stick costs $99. It looks similar to Clear’s $79 dongle.
Rover prepaid plans cost $5/day, $20/week, or $50/month for unlimited 4G internet usage. Depending on the retail channel, customers will be able to purchase a Rover Re-Up PIN code or physical Rover Re-Up card in $20 or $50 denominations. Rover is also available at CLEAR stores, Best Buy stores and select independent wireless dealers in Houston and St. Louis. It will work anywhere in Clear’s 4G network.
Rover’s initial communications will target the 18-24 year old market with their www.evology.com campaign.
No official announcement with their wholesale customers, but Clearwire executives hinted that wholesale customers will likely follow with similar service. No word on LTE or follow-on products for Clearwire’s Arizonia LTE test.
Other Clear Spots don’t offer the pre-paid plan. The Rover however, only uses Sprint’s 4G network – no 3G fallback like Clear’s $224 Clear Spot 4G+.
Sprint subsidiary Virgin Mobile USA has announced an all-you-can-eat 3G data plan for $40 per month. Virgin Mobile says the plan will replace existing $20, $40 and $60 monthly offerings.
The $10 for 100MB over 10 days plan will still stay, but the earlier choices are being phased out. Of course “unlimited” probably means 5GB/month. The plans go into effect on August 24th. It works with their MiFi 2200 mobile WiFi hotspot and a USB dongle.
Meanwhile, Comcast announced it is launching a 4G wireless Internet service in Jacksonville and Orlando starting Tuesday. The service, called High-Speed 2go, uses WiMax. Comcast is offering the service bundled with one or more of its Internet, phone and cable television products. The combination of cable modem and WiMAX service runs around $55/month (with lots of asterisks).
