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Philly Has Options For 4G Wireless
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Clearwire Corp.'s "Clear" brand 4G wireless.
Fourth generation "4G" internet connectivity is coming to Philadelphia, and in a big way. Sprint recently announced its 4G coverage in Philadelphia. Their announcement is in close quarters with similar roll-outs from Philadelphia-based Comcast Corp. and Clearwire Corp. 4G internet connectivity essentially offers access to a city-wide WiFi network (also known as WiMAX), much like the ones many people use in their homes. The fourth-generation technology allows for stronger signals and faster upload and download speeds in areas served by the coverage.
4G is rolling out in Center City and the closest suburbs. Sprint and Comcast are offering similar pricing plans, while Clearwire seems to offer the lowest price and most customizable plans. It will be interesting to look back in 6 months or so and see how many customers each one has, which plans those customers are using, and what the customers are saying about each provider.
Until the recent emergence of these 4G options, Comcast was the primary provider of residential internet connectivity in the area. Their cable modems allow users to connect their own router hardware to the internet, which they can then use to make their own in-home wireless networks. Alternative providers have been few and far between, and their quality is often spotty. Of course, there are those who would argue that Comcast service - even the hard-wired cable connection - is also spotty.
4G internet also lets users take their connection with them, and at faster speeds than ever before. USB sticks and special cards for use with PCs or laptops allow users with the right plan to access the internet anywhere throughout the city, and are a convenient way to untether yourself from the standard home internet connection.
That is exactly what these companies hope to provide Philadelphia with: liberation from the cables and wires we are used to, and the ability to take the net with us, anywhere in the city, inside and outdoors.
And the competition between Comcast, Sprint, and Clearwire means that, hopefully, the customers will win.
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