how-to block ads
|
»next review in page
Review by xearon 
UPDATED: 3.8 years ago
member for 9 years, 613 visits, last login: 15 days ago
 Jacksonville,Duval,FL
 $25 per month (24 month contract)
 about 1 days
 "Excellent Customer Service"
 "You need the newest modem or it wont work"
 "It is a better choice than low speed DSL, for the same money"
| Pre Sales Information:
Install process:
Connection reliability:
Tech Support:
Services:
Value for money:
(ratings above consensus)
|
UPDATE:
My clearwire connection began degrading and I experienced a lot of disconnections and my connection stayed at about 2 to 3 bars. A Clearwire tech came to the house and I learned some important things.
1) There is a new Clearwire modem that handles RF interferance better.
2) There are new Clearplugs that keep a connection better. They are not impacted as badly by power surges or other electric use in the house.
3) The RF signal Clearwire uses is NOT line of sight, so sometimes pointing away from the tower actually improves your signal
4) The RF signal is greatly impacted by metal so metal mesh screens and window frames cause problems. Try putting the modem in the window on top of the lower pane.
After getting the new modem, I got 5 bars and my speed increased as follows
del 2006-02-12 07:00:37 Speed test @ dslreports-west1.speakeas 677/136 kbps
del 2006-02-10 17:19:31 Line quality 0% loss latency 62.9ms View..
del 2006-02-10 17:08:19 Speed test @ dslreports-west1.speakeas 709/198 kbps
del 2006-02-09 16:56:49 Speed test @ dslreports-west1.speakeas 587/158 kbps
I must say first that I had the best customer service and install experience ever when I got Clearwire. I have had dialup since I last got frustrated with BellSouth DSL. I finally had to upgrade and I called Clearwire. The account executive was at my house the same day setting up Clearwire and he spent over an hour at the house, looking for the best place to place the modem/antenna.
I couldnt put the antenna where I wanted it because it is a directional antenna and must be pointed straight at the correct cell phone tower and I didnt have a router yet. Again customer service was great and the account executive gave me (free) equipment.
Clearwire does not give the speed of cable, so if you are willing to pay for Comcast, Clearwire is not for you. If you want an economy priced highspeed internet, then Clearwire is the same price of economy Bellsouth but it is faster; the economy plan is 512/128. It is a good deal if you only want to pay $24/month and twice the speed of the comparable Bellsouth DSL plan.
My recent speeds have been:
446/71 kbps
415/56 kbps
426/66 kbps
419/79 kbps
403/53 kbps
371/77 kbps
367/73 kbps
370/54 kbps
351/68 kbps
242/114 kbps
Followup comments: | Forums » comments on review of Clearwire Wireless |
 | »next review in page (previous review)
Review by VectorPrime
UPDATED: 3.9 years ago
member for 4.3 years, 49 visits, last login: 3.9 years ago
Odessa,Ector,TX
$42 per month (12 month contract)
"Great Speed, Reliable, Cheaper than Cable"
"VOiP is blocked, File Trading Ports are blocked"
"Great Speed, Reliable, Cheaper than Cable"
| Pre Sales Information:
Install process:
Connection reliability:
Tech Support:
Services:
Value for money:
(ratings above consensus)
|
I got Clearwire, wanting to avoid having to get cable, I do not qualify for DSL. I have absolutely no problems with Clearwire.
I have not had to contact support so I cannot comment on that.
I have read many reviews of several people complaining about clearwire blockin kazaa, winmx, etc sharing ports, well there are ways around that, such as port forwarding.
You have to rent the modems for the time being, but the sales rep informed me that is because the modes are going to drastically change here in the near future to allow the Voip.
The signal strenght is not weather dpendent at least not where I am at, The cell Tower is right across the street.. Had a severe strorm go through the other night and I maintained full strength(5 bars) and great speed throguh the entire thing.
I am constantly gett 1600 on the speed tests. It works great with my wireless router(Us Robotics 8054).
I have noticed that they are using an SBC backbone in my area and the IP address is even registered as an SBC IP
Update 12/26/04
After having for 4 months, I found out 2 big things. The service is Great if alls you want to do is browse and read email, but it majorly sucks for MMORPG games. I just got SW Galaxies for x-mas and I am getting any thing between 400ms and 6000ms pings. I will be switching to cable when my contract runs out.
Followup comments: | Forums » comments on review of Clearwire Wireless |
| »next review in page (previous review)
Review by BigTexan
Posted: 3.9 years ago
member for 6.2 years, 1629 visits, last login: a few minutes ago
Burkburnett,Wichita,TX
$36 per month (24 month contract)
about 1 days
"everything"
"none"
"it works for me"
| Pre Sales Information:
Install process:
Connection reliability:
Tech Support:
Services:
Value for money:
(ratings above consensus)
|
Found out about clearwire from the local radio station.Knew they had a local store around here but decided to look on line.Checked my address and found out we could get it order online right then.Figured it would take atleast a week for the hardware to come in.But the next day cpe arrived hooked it up and bam pulled a ip and we where up and running.So turn around was 1 day believe it or not.Tested the speeds and we got 1.8d and 200u.We have the 1.5d and 256u package with 5emails,10megs of webspace for i think 36.95 a month.we got $22.00 off the first 3mths plus no activation fee and no shipping fee.then 1 week later recieved a gift visa card with 25.00 on it.So all in all Im very happy so happy infact we our company became clearwire re-sellers.
If any one has question please fill free to ask.One more thing the weather has not hurt the service one bit.In fact we woke up this morning and had fog(12-21-005)and rain visiblity 0 less then a 1/8 mile.We had 5 bars! most of the time we have just 3 so yes im very happy.The cpe is a nextnet modem with dhcp setup no software to install.I am very happy as a customer and am glad to now be selling the service.
Followup comments: | Forums » comments on review of Clearwire Wireless |
| »next review in page (previous review)
Review by BigTexan
Posted: 3.9 years ago
member for 6.2 years, 1629 visits, last login: a few minutes ago
Burkburnett,Wichita,TX
$36 per month (24 month contract)
about 1 days
"Everthing"
"none"
"Great"
| Pre Sales Information:
Install process:
Connection reliability:
Tech Support:
Services:
Value for money:
(ratings above consensus)
|
Found out about clearwire from the local radio station.Knew they had a local store around here but decided to look on line.Checked my address and found out we could get it order online right then.Figured it would take atleast a week for the hardware to come in.But the next day cpe arrived hooked it up and bam pulled a ip and we where up and running.So turn around was 1 day believe it or not.Tested the speeds and we got 1.8d and 200u.We have the 1.5d and 256u package with 5emails,10megs of webspace for i think 36.95 a month.we got $22.00 off the first 3mths plus no activation fee and no shipping fee.then 1 week later recieved a gift visa card with 25.00 on it.So all in all Im very happy so happy infact we our company became clearwire re-sellers.
If any one has question please fill free to ask.One more thing the weather has not hurt the service one bit.In fact we woke up this morning and had fog(12-21-005)and rain visiblity 0 less then a 1/8 mile.We had 5 bars! most of the time we have just 3 so yes im very happy.The cpe is a nextnet modem with dhcp setup no software to install.I am very happy as a customer and am glad to now be selling the service.
Followup comments: | Forums » comments on review of Clearwire Wireless |
| »next review in page (previous review)
Review by scortch
Posted: 3.9 years ago
member for 3.9 years, 2 visits, last login: 3.6 years ago
Brainerd,Crow Wing,MN
Contract price not specified.
"Sales"
"Equipment availability, Customer Service"
"Just couldn't get"
| Pre Sales Information:
Install process:
Tech Support:
(ratings match consensus)
|
I ordered Clearwire service on November 1st and was told that I needed an external modem and that it would take 3-4 weeks to receive it. It is now 7 weeks later and I have not received anything but receipts from payments automatically deducted from my checking account. Several phone calls to the local office in St. Cloud MN to cancel the account have not resulted in the account being closed. The main customer service only refers me to my local office. I'm not in a position to wait 7+ weeks for a replacement should the modem fail, and from why I see, the customer service at this local office is pretty dismal. They don't return phone calls and there is no communication once the sale is made.
Followup comments: | Forums » comments on review of Clearwire Wireless |
| »next review in page (previous review)
Review by ricep5
UPDATED: 4 years ago
member for 9.3 years, 1361 visits, last login: a few hours ago
Jacksonville,Duval,FL
$36 per month (12 month contract)
about 1 days
"Easiest Install by far"
"Service starting to degrade"
"Future Use in doubt"
| Pre Sales Information:
Install process:
Connection reliability:
Tech Support:
Services:
Value for money:
(ratings match consensus)
|
Recently relocated to Jacksonville. Already have Comcast HSI with AT&T CallVantage and wanted a secondary broadband connection. Tried to acquire AT&T DSL, but they require a pre-existing active BellSouth account, so I am checking out Clearwire.
Acquired at a authorized reseller (Coastal Wireless) and the pre-sales activity only took 15 minutes as he entered the required information into the sales kiosk.
Set up the NextNet Wireless transceiver this morning and will admit it was the easiest ISP set up I have ever done. Signal strength is at the maximum no matter which way I turn the device. On 2nd floor and not near any windows, so obviously I am very, very close to a tower.
After some tests on BBR and some downloads I am seeing around 1.58Mbps download speeds. The BBR speed test shows 1.38Mbps download and 178Kbps upload. (I signed up for premium service)
It appears they are using Williams Communications (formerly WilTel) for their bulk bandwidth and IP services. Currently running some latency tests, more to come on that. Corporate VPN connectivity is excellent. No issues.
I am using a Xincom Dual WAN router to manage bandwidth between Comcast & Clearwire. Will also pass along results on that config in the BBR equipment forum. At a later time I will test the VoIP (AT&T CallVantage) TA on the Clearwire service and see if it passes that test since it tends to be more latency sensitive.
Of note, I did not need to use tech support (no rating). I have only had the service active for several hours, so no atmospheric or interference reports as of yet. The "modem" is rented to you at $3/mo. Since there are no other Clearwire authorized modem suppliers today, this break out seems silly. Perhaps Clearwire has a plan to provide alternate suppliers.
I have not taken advantage of the other services that Clearwire provides, including mail services, web pages, etc. More to come on that.
In Summary: Just as easy as cable to setup.
Only Beef: (and minor I must say) the bundled ethernet cable with the transceiver is thinner than most single pair phone wire. Might be subject the RF interference.
Additional Note: Monthly cost includes expected taxes and modem rental. When I get an invoice I will update. Also, if you choose a 1 year contract, there is a $50 setup fee.
Update 4/17/05
OK, have had the service now for several months. I found a couple of minor issues over the long term. For a few months I tried using 2 models of Netgear routers on the Clearwire transceiver (WGT624/WGU604) and the service was spotty, poor latency and outright bad. I was about to give up until I updated the Netgear with 5.07 release of firmware and voila! it works beautifully now. The error fix list for the release doesn't show anything specific, but the performance is much better now and consistent.
There were some DNS outages in Feb. 05, but I recv'd an apology letter from Clearwire Operations after they fixed it. I did call tech support on it and they were quick to respond and told me exactly what the issue was. They said it would be fixed in about 2 hours and it was.
I have used the transceiver over at my girlfriends house with no issues. This makes it very easy to take your broadband with you, so to speak. Once in awhile the signal strength will drop to 4, but it normally stays at the maximum (5) all day and all night.
The online support experience is pretty spartan. I don't really need stuff like that anyway, but they shouldn't promote it if they aren't going to do something real with it.
Update 10/5/05
Interesting Update. VoIP has worked just fine since I got this service almost a year ago. Clearwire recently has been sending weird press releases on how VoIP providers will need to 'register' to function properly on their network. Coincidence would have it, I made a few posts that said I didn't agree with that philosophy and might vote with my wallet as my contract is up soon. Guess what happened? 3 days after I posted on BBR, my VoIP service (ATT-CV) started degrading. For awhile just simple stuff like inbound voice clipping. Now it has reached the choppy state where people can't understand me. Thats unacceptable in my book. I switched it back to Comcast and the clipping and chopping are completly gone. Coincidence? Perhaps. Clearwire has either oversubscribed or they have put packet shapers on their network (probably both). My contract is up in 3 weeks. I have lowered the Reliability score down a notch due to this. DSL is getting cheaper, if it wasn't for the taxes and fees. this would be a no brainer.
Update 11/30/05
I officially dropped Clearwire today. I spoke with Customer Support last night and they just said to take the 'modem' to the nearest office and make sure you include the PWS. I returned the transceiver back to the regional office and there were no hassles. I was quizzed by the receptionist on why I stopped the service as she filled out an exit sheet.
I told her the service has degraded continuously since I got it last year. It was no longer supporting IP calls. I also told her that statements by Clearwire management had given me the clear indication that they were going to modify the service w/o my knowledge and that I needed unadulterated and unimpeded service if they wanted me to keep it. She asked me if my signal was good during the problems, and I told her, "yes, 5 bars". No response, no begging to stay. She took the response to the back office, made a photocopy of my 'modem' return sheet and said "thanks, have a nice day, your account will be closed today".
Now I am waiting for the post-exit call, "Why did you leave?".
I lowered the ratings on reliability and Services appropriately.
Followup comments: | Forums » comments on review of Clearwire Wireless |
| »next review in page (previous review)
Review by countryboymo
Posted: 4 years ago
member for 4 years, 213 visits, last login: 77 days ago
Amoret,Bates,MO
Contract price not specified.
"Great speeds until you figure in the latency"
"Tech Support is not 24/7 and is far from being top notch"
"GO WildBlue or any other alternative, I will have WB by 06'"
| Pre Sales Information:
Install process:
Connection reliability:
Tech Support:
Services:
Value for money:
(ratings match consensus)
|
I don't mean to sound like an echo in here, but when Starband was first installed it was amazingly fast with high but tolerable latency (4yrs ago averaged over 1000kb down and 70KB up on T7 cluster 50) to speeds currently in the 350 to 450KB down and 50KB up with a latency that is borderline intolerable. Let me define intolerable.. some webpages timeout because the latency is so bad,I am talking about loading yahoo or google even. My modem got tired 3 months ago and cost me 100.00 for a replacement unit and a week down time after the modem arrived to get a tech support guru (ok that was sarcastic) that was competent enough to remove the old modem out of the database and add the new one. I think the new modem should have been set up in the database if the unit at the residence was not working before it was shipped, but what do I know. After T7 satellite went dead and then was found in space and electronically jump started or whatever was done to make it useable again, the speeds and latency just have not been the same. There was a time when Starband was the best bang for the buck for people living in the country who yearned for something faster than dial up, that time has passed and Wildblue seems to be taking the initiative to provide faster service for better prices with better equipment.
Followup comments: | Forums » comments on review of Clearwire Wireless |
| »next review in page (previous review)
Review by piith
UPDATED: 4 years ago
member for 7.8 years, 390 visits, last login: 59 days ago
Medford,Jackson,OR
$42 per month (12 month contract)
"easy set up"
"4 weeks of great service then it's like "what service" once locked in contract your screwed"
"Do not get it, not worth the problems"
| Pre Sales Information:
Install process:
Connection reliability:
Tech Support:
Services:
Value for money:
(ratings match consensus)
|
Update 20 Nov., 2005
been gone for a month, came back was happy to be back, then to log in and find speeds no longer there, went and checked the my account, and I do not even have a account any more. That or the user id and/or Password has been changed. So it seems the first month is great, then it goes to crap after that.
Because my userID and Password does not exsist in their data . . I can not even get answers to the problem, My upload is faster then my download, my up is as advertised
23 Sept. 2005
For the past couple days I have been searching for something better then Dial up, with no luck, I just moved to Medford, and no phone yet, so was looking for wireless, according to all the wireless Co's here there was no service where I am currently staying. While looking for a cell phone to buy, I saw a clear wire store, I did a 180 and went inside gave my speach I really need this, but before I could finish the sales person was already searching if I could get service, I told him according to their lil map .. I am right next to it, but the web site said no service . . he said no problem, we'll test it this way . . gave me a modem to take home, with some verbal instructions .. so home I went, wel the locations I really wanted to place it . well that was a no go . . but Ironically in the middle of the living room floor I got 5 bars. Well we all know that would not work . so with a lil bit here and a lil bit there fond a spot .. only 3-4 bars, but outa the way.
hmm what am I to do now .. see this was my very first time going wireless . . just for my own entertainment I pluged in the lap top . . Bam . . Im online . . oh that was sweet, did a quick speed test 900dn 200up . . hmm not bad .. wel waited till the next day ad went down and said I'll take it .. so my day to order to success is kinda a negitive number, because I kinda didnt order it yet, just test. So you may say I had success before I ordered it.
my speed vary when testing between 1000-1100down, and 170-210 up . . so it is very close to what I am paying for and can not complain at all since I supposally out of their service area.
you can not purchase the modem . .you have to rent it . . I really did not like that part, and you also have to do at least a 1 year contract. for the moment those are my bad points about ClearWire.
Can not judge there tech, not till they are needed, hopefully never needed.
connection was as fast as it takes to find a good spot to place the modem, and pluging in the computer. in my case the time it took me to drive home after shopping, find a good spot, so it was about 2 hours after I left the clear wire store. would have been sooner if I didn't have to finish shopping 
Followup comments: | Forums » comments on review of Clearwire Wireless |
| »next review in page (previous review)
Review by necovx300
Posted: 4 years ago
member for 4 years, 1 visits, last login: 4 years ago
Roseburg,Douglas,OR
$34 per month (24 month contract)
about 20 days
"Remote locations along major Hwys/Interstates"
"Speed is affected by distance from cell towers"
"Pretty good for those with dial up who can also use a cell phone from home"
| |
Service: Clearwire (Up to) 512 Kbps down/ 128 Kbps Up.
Price: 34.98/month (19.99/month first 3 months)
Sign up/order at Wireless storefront
Equipment: Modem (DHCP by provider not equipment)
This review is relevant to those who are in remote locations (like me) who only have access to dial-up. Although all are privy to the info for reference.
Location: Small town Oregon with limited access to high speed. I am near Interstate 5 with only dial up available(in the past) . Clear wire recently came to the area.
My home is older with old copper lines to the telco so dial up suffers. I was getting speeds less than 24.4 if it would stay connected long enough. I decided to try ClearWire. It worked so here are the Hifg/low points.
High points:
Price OK at 34.98/month
Stability: I read other reviews stating that rain affected it, I have not seen that yet and it rains here in Oregon.
Compatibility: Works fine with a direct PC to modem connection (PC set to obtain network info of course...DHCP), However I have two router/firewalls (D-link and Linksys) and only the Linksys will obtain an IP from their server. I am a Network Admin with over 4 years exp in the field and could not get the D-link to obtain an IP.
Speeds: I get no lower than 74Kbps and as much as 226Kbps (DL) of the "Up to 512 Kbps" advertised at a range of ~5 miles from the tower. Speed is all dependant on the distance from the actual Cell towers. I found this out by going around town with an adapter and the modem/laptop setup. If you are more than about 2.5 miles from a tower (As a crow flys) your speeds will suffer, but the connection is rarely lost if you are within 5 miles line of sight.
Low Points:
Speed could be considered bad compared to DSL or Broad Band if you can get it in your area.
Cost is comparable to cheap DSL/Cable if you have access to them
Compatibility with certain Routers (D-link)
Stability: Is dependant on limited obstruction between tower and based location as well as distance (not very usefull beyond 5 miles).
Other notes to consider:
A previous review states that file trading ports are blocked. **Hint** do a little research to learn how to file share or FTP on other ports!
Hope this review helps those of you in BFE!
Neil C
Followup comments: | Forums » comments on review of Clearwire Wireless |
| »next page (previous review)
Review by commando14
Posted: 4 years ago
member for 4 years, 7 visits, last login: 4 years ago
Kennewick,Benton,WA
$42 per month (24 month contract)
about 1 days
"Fast connection and instant setup"
"Have to sign a two year contract to avoid the $50 activation fee"
"Clearwire provides excellent internet connectivity"
| Pre Sales Information:
Install process:
Connection reliability:
Services:
Value for money:
(ratings above consensus)
|
I had been a suscriber to Charter cable internet for the last few years. I was generally pleased with the service except for the cost. They raised it $10 up to $57, then about a month later they send me a letter saying if I sign up for cable tv they would knock off $10 from my internet service!
I wanted to switch to DSL but it's not available on my street. So I started looking into wireless options because I know it is available in my area. Several local companies offer wireless but at steep prices, until I came across Clearwire.
I was concerned about not getting a good signal at my house, so I called them up and was told that they could send someone out and we could make sure it gets a good signal before I sign up. I was also worried about the port blocking that I've read about, so I asked them about it and I was assured that no ports are blocked. The salesman showed up right on time (unlike Charter's people), he plugged in the modem, I had 5 bars of service and was on the internet in seconds. He was very nice and answered all my questions, so I signed up right there. Cost was $25 for the first three months, and $42 a month after that.
They give you 5 days to cancel your subscription with no questions asked. So I used it heavily in those 5 days making sure all my P2P programs, FTP, and games worked ok and they all worked just fine.
The only gripes I have so far with Clearwire is you have to sign a two year contract to avoid the $50 activation fee. I don't anticipate any problems, but I still hate signing long contracts and I don't like paying a $50 fee. Also when my account was setup with Clearwire, they charge the first month fee and also a $100 holding fee to my debit card. I was told the fee would clear in a few days and it did.
I can't comment on their Tech Support because I have not had any problems yet and don't anticipate to. But both the salesman I talked to were very nice and informative.
So far I am very impressed with Clearwire. I like the mobility of the modem, I can easily move it anywhere in my house. Also all you need is a dc adapter and you can plug in the modem in your car with a laptop and have internet access anywhere you can get a signal. Also bad rain and wind have not affected the signal strength. I currently have the 1.5mbps plan which is their fastest speed, but I hope that in the near future they up the speed to 3mbps or better. The salesman said their modems are capable of 10mbps.
Followup comments: | Forums » comments on review of Clearwire Wireless |
|
|
Clearwire Wireless
(15)
·
·
·