CTIA: Clearwire Kickstarts WiMAX Apps

In keeping with the app-happy spirit of the times, Clearwire Corp. is courting developers to create applications for its open all-IP mobile broadband network. It’s creating the Innovation Network in Silicon Valley, a live WiMAX network that qualified developers can use to design, create and test applications.

Google Inc. and Intel Corp. are initial participants.

The idea is to encourage a range of creative and useful applications that can make use of the 4G promise of delivering full broadband Internet anytime, anywhere. The announcement comes amid a rash of mobile application store announcements at CTIA and Verizon Wireless’s plan to open its network to developers this summer.

The Innovation Network, based on Cisco Systems Inc. gear, will cover more than 20 square miles to bring 4G wireless service to campuses of technology innovators. Service is expected to be available to developers by late summer of this year giving them a head start on commercial service launching in the Bay Area in 2010.

Service will be provided free to a limited number of qualified developers for one year, to whom Clearwire will provide WiMAX USB Modems for $49.99. To qualify, developers can register for Clearwire's developer program and describe the products or business ideas they wish to pursue.

Also at CTIA, Clearwire introduced the Clear Spot, an accessory that creates a portable Wi-Fi hotspot for the CLEAR 4G WiMAX service, and Samsung introduced the Mondi, a WiMAX-enabled mobile Internet device.

Clearwire expects to cover up to 120 million people in more than 80 cities with its CLEAR 4G mobile Internet service in 2010, and this year will bring service to Atlanta, Las Vegas, Baltimore, Chicago, Charlotte, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Honolulu, Philadelphia and Seattle.