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Comcast Bringing Metropolitan WiMAX To Subscribers

Posted by timothy on from the let-a-thousand-flowers-bloom dept.

RickRussellTX writes "Comcast plans to offer 4 megabits/sec WiMAX services to customers in Portland, Oregon starting tomorrow. Branded as 'Comcast High-Speed 2go' and '4G,' the service will require a $44.99 per month subscription in addition to existing Comcast home service. For $69.99 they will offer a dual-mode card with access to both Comcast WiMAX and Sprint's national 3G wireless network. Future rollouts are planned for Chicago, Philadelphia, and Atlanta. Say what you will about Comcast (and I know many Slashdot readers have plenty to say about Comcast), this is a daring attempt to bypass entrenched cell phone companies with a direct-to-consumer wireless service."

4 of 71 comments (clear)

  1. Clear aleady has service... by Zeelan · · Score: 4, Interesting

    When I read this and see the location I just have to think that they are trying to do something as an answer to clear. Portland, OR, has had WiMAX service in the form of Clear now for a few months, without the need to tie it to a home account.

  2. I'll stick with Quest, thanks. by leftie · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Cheaper, better service, no threats of filters, uploading caps, and they're the only major US telecom to say no to Bush wiretaps.

    1. Re:I'll stick with Quest, thanks. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

      And the new WiMax company Clear has also deployed in Portland. You don't have to be an "existing customer of Comcast" (what a load of bollocks bundling) AND their service is completely straightforward with no hidden crap.

  3. Interesting by Miros · · Score: 2, Interesting

    This kind of makes sense. For Sprint, it's probably a great way to sell nationwide data services plans through bundling which are usually highly profitable. For Comcast, it's a competitive advantage (wireless metro internet service) that's hard for the other traditional more "hard-wired" ISPs to match. It will be interesting to see how they market it on TV, and what types of non-techie people buy it and why