December 14, 2010: CLEAR ISP

CLEAR ISP: An Alternative for You

With Keith Alshire

Special Note: This month's meeting will be held at (see map below):

Eden Prairie Library
565 Prairie Center Drive
Eden Prairie, MN 55344

Are there any Internet choices between Comcast cable Internet and Qwest DSL service? The next general meeting of the Twin Cities PC Users Group will discuss the CLEAR Internet service on Tuesday, December 14, at 7 pm.

Keith Aleshire, president of Strike Twice Computers, is an authorized retailer of CLEAR Internet service. CLEAR came to the Twin Cities on October 1^st and is in over 60 cities around the country. CLEAR Internet service is financially backed by Google, Intel, Sprint, Comcast and other companies.

CLEAR uses WiMax, which is like a long-range wireless Internet service that uses “cell phone” towers throughout the Twin Cities and throughout the country. CLEAR uses both 3G and 4G wireless technologies. CLEAR is an alternative to Qwest DSL, Comcast cable service or the Internet service available through your cell phone provider.

Within most of the Twin Cities, the faster 4G service is available at speeds of 3-6 MBps. (Aleshire has seen speeds of 9-12 MBps in real tests around the city.) Outside the Twin Cities and across the country, CLEAR uses Sprint’s 3G network for speeds of about 1.5 MBps.

“CLEAR is not for everyone,” says Aleshire. “It is slower than Comcast but it also is less expensive and mobile. You may not even notice the speed difference.”

CLEAR is as fast or faster than Qwest DSL and faster than cell phone Internet services.

“I have sold CLEAR to ‘snow birds’ who spend half the year south and don’t want to maintain two Internet services,” he says. “In some cases, high-speed Internet is not available where they winter so this is an ideal solution to take their Internet service with them.”

CLEAR has several devices and services to choose from. There is an AC-powered 4G-only fixed modem that connects to a single computer or to wireless router to feed Internet to multiple computers. You must be within CLEAR’s 4G (not 3G) coverage area to use this device. Service is just $45 per month.

Optionally, for $15 per month, a voice adapter box plugs into the fixed modem to provide unlimited local and long-distance phone service. There are deluxe phone features such as voicemail sent to your e-mail, Do Not Disturb, Call Blocking, etc. Unlike other Internet-based phone services, you can use it to fax or do credit card transactions. You even can transfer your existing phone number.

“This phone adapter acts like a real phone,” says Aleshire. “You don’t have to plug in anything into the computer (unlike MagicJack). It’s quite simple.”

For mobile users, a rechargeable wireless router-like “hockey puck” feeds Internet within a 100-foot range to multiple computers. It acts like a combination cable/DSL modem and wireless router that you can take in the car, between locations, or on trips. It comes in both 4G-only and 4G/3G (4G+ dual-mode) models. There also are USB modems that plug into your desktop or laptop.

There are discounts to having multiple CLEAR services, such as home and mobile service or two mobile devices for a couple’s laptops. Unlike phone and other Internet services, there are no taxes or fees on CLEAR service. There is only tax on the lease of the equipment. There are no early termination fees either; just a $40 equipment restocking fee if you cancel the two-year contract.

“CLEAR is ideal for someone who travels around the Twin Cities or country and wants to take it with them,” says Aleshire. “I used it all the way to Duluth on a recent vacation. CLEAR is also ideal for someone who want to save money over Comcast or want faster service than their Qwest DSL or mobile Internet service.”

CLEAR is available pretty much within the 494/694 loop and some areas north and south of that, from Anoka to Prior Lake. When in rural outlying areas and nationwide, the service uses the slower 3G service.

Strike Twice Computers can set up CLEAR service within minutes. They carry inventory of most CLEAR devices and can check if you are in their coverage area.

“About 2.1 million Twin Cities residents can get CLEAR service,” says Aleshire. “About 150 towers were put up around the metro area with more being added in the future.”

To see if you can get the CLEAR service where you are, go to www.clear.comand pick “Check Coverage.” You can contact Strike Twice at 952-939-0174 to check coverage for you or recommendations on the best service for you.

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