Clearwire has repeatedly stated they want to leave the option open to migrate to LTE should they see that the Mobile WiMax future isn't particularly bright, something that's a very real possibility given significant, global incumbent support for the LTE platform. So it wasn't too surprising to hear them state recently that they'd be conducting LTE trials in Phoenix this fall, the results of which Clearwire Chief Commercial Officer Mike Sievert says have been promising:

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Sievert said in Phoenix Clearwire is testing a WiMAX network alongside LTE network technology running in both 10x10 MHz and 20x20 MHz network configurations via equipment from Samsung and Huawei. He said Clearwire recorded download speeds of 50 Mbps in the 10x10 configuration, and 90 Mbps downloads (and around 30 Mbps uploads) in the 20x20 configuration.

Sievert, speaking here at the 4G World trade show, noted that the speeds were recorded in a real-world driving scenario, though clearly in a test network unburdened by actual customers.

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As we've been covering, Clearwire Mobile WiMax networks "burdened by actual customers" have resulted in a growing number of consumer complaints about unclear and inconsistent throttling practices as the company struggles to keep towers fed with adequate backhaul bandwidth.