The WiMAX Forum says that WiMAX will expand coverage to potentially serve a billion people by the end of this year. Last year, the strongest growing areas included the United States (with Clearwire), Japan, Korea, Malaysia and the Philippines.

Ron Resnick, president and chairman of the WiMAX Forum, said that, “WiMAX networks continued to grow at a steady pace, despite a slow global economic recovery and competitive technologies starting to enter the market.” He went on to say that, “In 2010, the WiMAX Forum and the worldwide ecosystem continued its diligent work to deliver an evolutionary path from WiMAX Release 1 to WiMAX Release 2.”

Currently, Asia is leading the pack with more than 322 million potential customer, followed by Europe with 135 million and North America with 127 million (up from 47 million the year before).

With all the access and growth of WiMax recently, the only question we have is: how soon before we can have it?

“And when will it receive the title?” I hear you ask.

“Why, December 19th!” I reply!

There is apparently a live signal there already, so if you’re over that way, and in reach of a WiMAX device, let us know in the comments if it’s working for you or not. I’m curious.

[via BGR]

It’s a red-letter day, folks: Gateway just release a $700 NV laptop with WiMAX built-in, namely the Intel 6250 Wi-Fi/WiMax card. Otherwise this is pretty bog-standard for a laptop although it does seem to mirror HP’s sexy styling on their own Envy line.

WiMax connectivity comes from carriers across the country and isn’t included in the package.

Press release after the jump.

Lenovo company chief Yang Yuanqing said that soon the majority of Lenovo products would run on the mobile web, meaning a cross of 3G and 4G technologies. Most of their current line comes with 3G built in and their ThinkPad line is just screaming out for mobile web simply because it is aimed at the on-the-go professional.

What think I on this topic? I think Lenovo is uniquely placed to take advantage of the mobile web, along with Dell and HP. All three are seen as “business” notebook manufacturers, for better or worse, and that’s a low margin business. By adding 3G capabilities out of the box they presumably get a cut from the carriers as they sell more units.

WiMax (or some other 4G technology) will, without a doubt, be the next add-on technology. However, I’m not quite sure we can give WiFi the boot just yet. With new 3G-to-hotspot technologies, it may be easier to start up a dongle in your pocket than pay a dedicated service contract on every device you own. This, I think, is why the 3G iPad will be a weak seller.

Regardless, at least Lenovo is thinking about the future.

Sprint, Comcast, Time Warner Cable, and Bright House Networks (to name a few) continue to bet big on Clearwire’s WiMAX nationwide wireless network. The foursome have just pumped an additional $1.494 billion into Clearwire’s coffer, with another $50 million coming from Intel and $20 million from Eagle River Holdings. CHA-CHING.

More specifically, Sprint, which owns 51 percent of Clearwire, invested $1.176 billion, Comcast Corp. put in $196 million, Time Warner Cable Inc. dropped another $103 million, and Bright House Networks contributed a cool $19 million.

According to Christopher King, an analyst at Stifel Nicolaus, the new influx increased Clearwire’s cash stockpile to a whopping $1.8 billion and will help to mitigate the “funding gap” for its nationwide WiMAX network build-out to $3 billion. The new funds will purportedly allow Clearwire to hold off on raising more dough until at least the end of 2011.

[via Y! News]

Yesterday, Clearwire announced the expansion of its CLEAR 4G WiMAX Internet Service to 10 new markets, bringing the total number of markets served up to 14 with coverage for over 10 million users.

This is good news for all the WiMAX fanboys and girls out there, and especially for those who reside in the Lone Star state. The newly serviced areas include: Boise, Idaho; Bellingham, Wash.; and eight Texas markets, including Abilene, Amarillo, Corpus Christi, Killeen/Temple, Lubbock, Midland/Odessa, Waco and Wichita Falls.

According to Clearwire:

“CLEAR combines two of the most exciting technological advances of our generation ─ mobile communications and the Internet ─ in order to free our customers to take their rich home or office broadband experience with them anywhere around town or on the go,” said Mike Sievert, Chief Commercial Officer for Clearwire. “Our 4G WiMAX network provides a valuable new category of Internet service designed to make people’s lives more enjoyable and more productive by giving them access to the connections, information and resources that matter most, wherever they happen to be.”

As far as pricing is concerned:

CLEAR’s mobile and residential plans can be purchased by the day or by the month, with several no-service-contract options available. Home Internet service plans start at $25 per month; while mobile Internet plans start at $35 per month, or customers can purchase a convenient mobile day pass for $10. For a limited time, customers can also choose the Pick 1 Unlimited plan option; offering an unlimited home or mobile Internet for $22.50 for the first 3 months and $45 per month thereafter. Customers can find full details about pricing options, business plans and purchase the service online at www.clear.com, or by visiting numerous retail locations throughout these markets, or other authorized CLEAR dealers.

Like any new “life-altering” technology, WiMAX’s promise of ubiquitous Internet coverage sounds amazing in theory, but has yet to prove itself in practice. Sure, Clearwire has now expanded to a whopping 14 markets, but until the entire country is blanketed with “the stuff,” the jury is definitely still out on CLEAR’s ability to provide broadband speeds anywhere and at anytime.

This is a document that purports to show new Sprint WiMAX-having cities. It’s terribly exciting.

Some cities are bigger than others—San Antonio vs. Salem, for example—while Baltimore is actually do for an update. (All roads lead to Baltimore when it comes WiMAX.) Also, this are merely projections through the remainder of the year. It’ll still be a little while before other, bigger cities like New York and San Francisco get in on the WiMAX action.

Oh, and WiMAX, for you people who are blissfully unaware of its existence, is a wireless broadband technology. It’s still in the early stages of deployment around the U.S.

I find it interesting that Comcast says they’ll be offering the service, when really they’re doing no such thing. They’re offering Clearwire’s service and splitting the bill. At any rate, if you have Clearwire in your area, chances are you’ll soon be able to get it through Comcast and bundle it with your TV and stuff for a better price. Portland will be the first to see the service, so you Oregonians can do your little victory dance. I’ll wait.

The service, called “Comcast High-Speed 2go Metro” because someone thought that was a good idea, will run you $73 a month, but call now and you can get it for $50, a savings of $23(RIP Billy Mays)! You can also throw down an extra $20 to get access to Sprint’s 3G network. Not my style, though. For a blogger, the internet is his leash, and if you’re carrying it around with you, you’re never off. That’s assuming we’re ever really even on.

The first thought that popped into my head after reading the headline “Kabul Goes Wimax” was, “Wow, Kabul has Wimax, and my T-Mobile BlackBerry can’t even get EDGE.” (Note: I’m about an hour north of New York City, also known as “upstate.”) The embedded video has all you need to know.

The great thing about this is, it shows the Internet being used for what it should always have been used for: spreading knowledge and ideas for he betterment of society. Sure, tweeting what you had for breakfast is fun and all, but you can’t help but feel that it is such a misuse of the technology.

But what do I know; I’m a noted cynic.

Photo: Wikipedia

Chances are that most users will not take advantage of the option for a while, but Sprint is slowly rolling out the fast wireless Internet access across the Nation to more subscribers. Besides WiMax though, Dell is also considering implementing LTE access to its notebooks, which makes all of us AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile subs a bit happier.

What else would he do? It’s his stuff. You didn’t expect him to talk about Sprint’s major woes and how the wireless carrier is losing subs left and right? Hells no. WiMAX for life, playa!

Judging by the vague press release, Samsung might have even loaded their own skin on top of the Windows Mobile 6.1 core. Apparently there are widgets – cause everything must have widgets these days – that users can drag and drop on the 4.3-inch touch screen. So far pricing and availability hasn’t been released, but chances are the price will be higher than you’re willing to pay. Expect to find the Mondi into the hands of corporate Jack Bauer types anyway.

Samsung Mobile Launches First WiMAX-Enabled Mobile Internet Device
Samsung Mondi™ Provides Full Broadband Speeds, HTML Web Experience
and Mobile WiMAX/WiFi Access in Compact Touch Screen Device

LAS VEGAS – March 31, 2008 – Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung Mobile) today announced the upcoming availability of the Samsung Mondi™, the most advanced mobile WiMAX enabled handheld device in the U.S. The touch screen Mondi, which takes its name from the Latin word for “world”, is designed for use with the Clear™ mobile WiMAX service from Clearwire.

The Mondi carries many of the powerful features and uses of a laptop computer or netbook, but its compact slider form factor easily fits into the hand or pocket. GPS Navigation provided by Route 66 adds to the Mondi’s versatility. Available in a solid black finish, this device extends horizontally to reveal a full QWERTY keyboard and optical mouse. The Mondi™ is packed with multimedia features that offer instant access to E-mail, Internet, video content and business applications.

Mondi packs a full -featured web browser, powered by Opera 9.5, which takes full advantage of the device’s 4.3-inch touch screen. To keep connected while on-the-go, Mondi offers best-in-class location based services and instant access to social networking websites. It also supports various services including Fring™, Gypsii™, and MS Live Messenger.

The Mondi is completely customizable, thanks to a set of widgets that can be dragged and dropped anywhere on the display screen for easy viewing and use. Mondi is also an excellent device for work or for play. WiFi connectivity offers the business user fast and simple connections to Outlook Email / Calendars, Microsoft Office and many other vertical business applications outside the Clear service area. For the multimedia user, this device offers the ability to download and watch movies, listen to music or play games.

The Samsung Mondi includes the following features:

Windows Mobile 6.1
Microsoft Outlook and Windows Mobile Office
WiMAX Mobile Internet Access
WiFi Access (BTv2.1+EDR)
GPS: Route 66 Navigation with Preloaded Maps
4GB of Internal Memory
Direct Push/Mobile Email (POP3, IMAP, SMTP)
Supports Instant Messaging and MMS
3.0 Megapixel Camera and Camcorder
Bluetooth ® 2.0
Opera 9.5 Web Browser
HDMI TV Out
Supports Multiple Video and Audio Player Formats
“The Samsung Mondi is an important step toward our goal of bringing 4G network speeds and connectivity to people across the U.S.,” said Bill Ogle, Chief Marketing Officer for Samsung Mobile. “The Mondi™ is a great match for people who want immediate access to the Web without having to sacrifice download speed and portability.”

“The mobile broadband experience that the Mondi offers to Clear customers places the power of the open Internet in the palm of the hand,” said Atish Gude, Chief Marketing Officer for Clearwire. “As our network grows across the US, we will continue to work with innovative device manufacturers to expand the mobile WiMAX device ecosystem and leverage the value that a 4G wireless Internet connection delivers.”

Samsung is the global leader in delivering mobile WiMAX technologies and offers an end-to-end solution including chipsets, infrastructure, mobile devices and consumer electronics, including devices capable of accessing both mobile WiMAX and other wireless technologies. UQ Communications in Japan and Scartel LLC., in Russia are examples of other Mondi ™ing operators preparing for significant commercial deployment of national-wide service using Samsung’s mobile WiMAX total solution.

The Samsung SWD-M100 Mondi is the first Wimax device in the U.S. and hopes to pick up where Nokia’s Wimax tablet, now discontinued in the U.S., left off.

The new device has a full QWERTY keyboard, a directional pad, and a touchscreen. Not much else is known about this wee fellow and who knows if it’s even hitting stores this year especially considering the slow roll-out of Wimax to major markets.

The device – called the U300 – is made by Franklin wireless and will cost $149 with a two-year contract and after a $50 mail-in-rebate. It’ll also be available in Baltimore-area Best Buy stores early next year. Customers will be able to purchase a $79.99 per month data plan that includes both 3G and 4G access – 4G, of course, only being available in Baltimore at the moment.

Seems like it might not be a bad idea to roll this thing out in markets OTHER than just Baltimore so that people signing up for a 3G data plan don’t blow a fuse once 4G rolls out in their city and they have to go buy yet another device.

Remember, though, this new Sprint WiMax initiative is contract-less so if you’re planning to go 4G-only, you might want to just wait until it’s fully available in your area since adding 3G to the mix requires a two-year contract.

Full press release:

Sprint Extends 4G Leadership with Nation’s First 3G/4G Dual-Mode Mobile Broadband Service

The ultimate wireless broadband device delivers both 3G and 4G, revolutionizing mobile broadband and giving customers the best of both worlds

OVERLAND PARK, Kan.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Dec. 17, 2008–Sprint (NYSE: S) is about to make wireless history again by bringing the mobile broadband future to its customers now. The 4G leader announced it will make the first 3G/4G dual-mode device, which operates on both the Sprint 3G and 4G networks, available in retail stores Dec. 21.

The Sprint 3G/4G USB Modem U300 delivers the power of the Now Network(TM), the nation’s largest and most dependable mobile broadband 3G network*, while also harnessing the turbocharged speeds of WiMAX on the new Sprint 4G network. Sprint launched 4G in Baltimore in September and plans to launch in other markets across the country throughout 2009. This versatile device will enable customers to experience blazing fast Internet access, greater productivity and enhanced multimedia quality throughout 4G markets, and offer access to the dependable Sprint 3G network virtually everywhere else. The 3G/4G USB modem represents another major development in truly un-tethered broadband access.

"Sprint intends to be the leader in 4G and bring the wireless Internet to life," said Dan Hesse, Sprint CEO. "This first-of-its-kind device allows our customers to take the Internet with them essentially wherever they go by gaining enhanced speed and capability in 4G markets and the nationwide coverage of our 3G network across the rest of the country."

Sprint 4G represents a shift in the way people will use mobile broadband. Businesses, consumers and governments will be able to extend their Internet experience beyond home or office use. For the business customer, a typical user experience might be the ability to participate in a video conference from anywhere within the coverage area in a Sprint 4G city while sharing and retrieving large data files in just seconds. For consumers, it might be the ability to download a song in several seconds or a movie in significantly less than an hour while in the park or moving through the city, three to five times faster than 3G networks. The Sprint 3G/4G USB modem will access mobile multimedia applications at average downlink speeds of 2-4 Mbps within Baltimore Sprint 4G service areas. Where Sprint 4G service has yet to launch, the dual-mode device will operate on the Nationwide Sprint Mobile Broadband 3G Network at average downlink speeds of 600 Kbps – 1.4 Mbps.

The Sprint 3G/4G USB Modem U300, manufactured by Franklin Wireless, is a sleek, easy-to-use data card which connects to a standard USB port. The device is priced at $149.99 with a two-year subscriber agreement, after a $50 mail-in-rebate. Beginning Dec. 21, customers can purchase the USB data card via the Sprint direct business sales force, at most Baltimore-area Sprint stores and at select Baltimore-area retailers. Starting in January, the device will also be available in Baltimore-area Best Buy stores. With the Sprint 3G/4G USB Modem, customers living in and traveling to Baltimore will be able to work even faster while on-the-go. For $79.99 – just a $20 premium on any mobile broadband connection plan – customers will have simple-to-use access to the best possible mobile broadband connection: 3G or 4G. The Sprint Connection Manager recognizes and connects to the fastest connection available. For more information, visit www.sprint.com/4g

"The availability of this first dual-mode mobile broadband device further demonstrates Sprint’s leadership in 3G and 4G services," said Todd Rowley, vice president of Sprint 4G. "Our future device portfolio of single-mode 4G devices, embedded 4G laptops and dual- mode 3G/4G devices will continue to demonstrate our commitment to WiMAX."

Sprint is the first and only national wireless carrier to offer customers its 4G network and 3G network on one device. As 4G service continues to roll out in other cities, Sprint customers with dual-mode devices will be ready to take advantage of its super-fast speeds and will ultimately experience new forms of interactive communications, high- speed mobile Internet browsing, social-networking tools, local and location-centric products and services and city-wide broadband access to multimedia services including music, video, mobile TV and on-demand products.

[via eCoustics]

Perhaps it’s a little bit insensitive to post this; We already know the US isn’t getting the Touch HD, so chances are we’ll also be missing out on its WiMax enabled big brother, the Max 4G. It’s like rubbing salt on a fresh wound – but when said salt sports a 3.8″ WVGA screen and WiMax, we just can’t help ourselves.

You’ll have to tough it through Google’s often creative translations, but Mobile.mail.ru has gone from top to bottom of this pretty little piece to return with a laundry list of pros and cons. The biggest flaw? The WiMax network in Russia, currently only rolled out in Moscow and St. Petersburg, just isn’t sufficient. With US WiMax currently limited to a handful of major cities, it’d be the same story over here. Beyond the lack of WiMax coverage and a few hardware shortcomings (no 3.5mm headset jack, and a somewhat dismal camera), it looks like the Max 4G is pretty droolworthy. Check out the full (translated) review here.

[via WMPowerUser]

Wireless provider Korean Telecom reportedly signed a “memorandum of understanding” with Apple to combine “WiBro, a third generation-based communications technology, with Apple’s hit products such as the MacBook laptops and iPod media players,” according to Unwired View.

WiBro is similar to the WiMax and LTE technologies currently being deployed here in the US except that WiBro has been available to consumers in Korea since mid-2006 and many mobile devices contain WiBro-capable chipsets already. So it’s not huge news that Apple Korea would want to add WiBro connections to the products it sells there.

What is interesting, though, is Unwired View’s theory that Apple might be using the WiBro standard as a test market for later deploying its devices on, say, WiMax or LTE networks later.

“[T]ake a closer look at what kind of technology WiBro actually is. It’s an early version 802.16e standard, which today stands for a thing called Mobile WiMax. Yes, the very thing that Sprint and hundreds of companies around the world are busy deploying right now. Many of them are not wireless carriers and have  big plans to compete with them. Including the voice services via VoIP.

But while a lot of Mobile WiMax deployments are coming around the world, the things will take time to ramp up. WiMax carriers need to build out their networks and services, get the devices for them, educate markets and make users comfortable with new offerings. Sure, in a few years we might have millions of WiMAx subscribers. But not now and not next year.

Meanwhile we already have one, and only one, market in the world with developed Mobile Wimax infrastructure, services, and hundreds of thousands and soon millions of users. Korea. And the biggest WiBro carrier there is KT.

So what better place to test and try new products for a new emerging standard? E.g. just put a Wimax chipset into an iPod touch, add a microphone and speaker, plus VoiP client software – and you’ve got all the iPhone functionality for Mobile Wimax. I’m not even talking  about MacBooks, where Intel already has hybrid Mobile Wimax/Wi-Fi chipsets on sale.”

Now it’d be foolish for Apple to not eventually offer WiMax/LTE devices here in the US in 3-5 years once widespread adoption has taken place. The VoIP angle, though, is of particular interest. If these wide-area networks become ubiquitous enough, what would Apple need AT&T for? It may still offer some sort of iPhone for people in areas without WiMAX or LTE coverage, but it may be that we eventually witness the iPhone and iPod Touch slowly merge together into one device – either literally or figuratively.

It seems like Apple would rather go it alone anyway. Sure, it currently needs AT&T as a wireless partner in order for the iPhone to be successful but if we had inexpensive, near-ubiquitous broadband connections (what WiMAX and LTE promise) and the iPod Touch could do VoIP, how many iPhones do you think would be sold at $70 per month?

Right now you can really only hit up the WiMax in Baltimore, but Sprint is working on dropping another $5bn into the rollout of a nation-wide network. Deep pockets! Maybe Sprint can help with the national debt.

Boy, with all these laptops sucking up the signal, they might want to put those WiMAX points on higher ground!