» AOL Agrees to Resell Clearwire’s Wireless Broadband ServiceTelecommunications Industry News

Telecom News Editorials Reports Glossary

AOL Agrees to Resell Clearwire’s Wireless Broadband Service

8:00 am on May 6, 2006 | Category: Business, Internet, WiMAX, Wireless Technology

Wireless broadband provider, Clearwire, announced last Thursday that it has created a partnership with Time Warner, allowing Americaâ€™s largest ISP, AOL to resell Clearwireâ€™s WiMAX like broadband offering.

This is yet another high-profile partnership for Clearwire, an increasingly successful wireless ISP venture founded by technology entrepreneur, Craig McCaw, in 2003.

The service, which rivals DSL and cable internet operators, will be marketed as “AOL High Speed â€“ Powered by Clearwire,” when it launches in the initial markets of Daytona Beach and Jacksonville, Florida, as well as Stockton and Modesto, California.

Clearwire already sells its service through its own retail and online stores, and via Best Buy retail outlets, in serviced markets. AOL represents yet another major distribution channel for this highly innovative broadband internet provider.

If AOL eventually chooses to expand the agreement, Clearwire will get a chance to sign up some of the ISP giantâ€™s 18.6 million existing subscribers, many of which still use dialup, and are being transitioned to high-speed service.

“Clearwire’s wireless high-speed service brings a differentiated offering to AOL members moving to broadband,” said AOLâ€™s Access Business president, Joe Redling. “This innovative approach to broadband access offers consumers additional levels of freedom and flexibility.”

AOL plans to market the wireless broadband service both online, and through direct mail, with prices starting at a very reasonable $25.90 per month.

Telecommunications Industry News