Clearwire sells the network as an installed package and doesn't want to be in the transmission reselling business. And perhaps best of all, the network doesn't require competitive local exchange carrier status. Last month, Clearwire was officially spun off from its parent, defense contractor Sierra Technologies. Sierra builds specialized wireless networks for the U.S. Navy, and it developed spread-spectrum systems robust enougho withstand heavy radar interference. Clearwire's wireless protocol uses a combination of Time, Code and Frequency Division Multiple Access technologies.
Most wireless companies use only one.
In summer 1998, the company set up a beta test network in Buffalo, N.Y., with 27 end users located from a half-mile to more than 19 miles from the base station tower. After some initial technical problems, several test sites lauded the system. Joseph Rosati Jr., information technology manager at The Campos Group, says the network was very easy to hook up to his local area network. Internet providers will need cash, however. Haskins says Clearwire has designed the platform to be profitable once it is serving 40 to 50 customers.