With the help of Tim Finnerty, we posted a prediction here in November that we might see some wireless services on the offer from Clearwire in the Twin Cities. Well according to the Star Tribune that’s happening.
Brooklyn Park has been approached by Clearwire to provide WiMAX around Brooklyn Park with no investment required from the city. Residents will have to pay for the service, but Clearwire would offer another alternative to existing providers and possible help cover some gaps.
Clearwire needs to get a permit from the city but is sounds as if that will happen. For Clearwire this would be a way to start providing WiMax service in the Twin Cities.
The Star Tribune gives a quick look at what that might mean for broadband pricing in Brooklyn Park:
Clearwire’s 3 megabit download service for $30 a month compares with CenturyLink’s $50 for 3 megabits and Qwest’s $50 for 1.5 megabits. Comcast’s least expensive package for stand-alone Internet service is $60 a month for 12 megabits. The prices don’t include the cost of a modem.
Brooklyn Park is not alone in dealing with Clearwire. My city, Mahtomedi, approved the Clearwire application to locate on the city’s water tower a couple weeks ago. I also know that Clearwire has been active in talking with Dakota County communities about co-location on city water towers. Seems like a metro-wide roll-out.
Stillwater’s City Council also approved site locations in December.
Comcast’s least expensive cable modem service is only $24.95/mo bundled with Cable TV (or 39.95/mo without Cable TV) for 1mbps “Economy Internet”.