Clearwire launches service in Jacksonville

Clearwire Technologies has launched high-speed Internet service to businesses and residents in Jacksonville, Fla., using IPWireless’ non-line-of-sight broadband fixed wireless technology in licensed 2.5 GHz Instructional Television Fixed Service [ITFS] spectrum.

Clearwire is aiming at the 20% of residential customers and 50% of local businesses that have no access to high-speed Internet service in the Jacksonville market, the company said. By using IPWireless’ technology, including pocket-sized wireless modems, Clearwire will be able to offer its subscribers portability between residential and commercial sites throughout the market.

Clearwire is licensing the 2.5 GHz spectrums from the Hispanic Information and Telecommunications Network [HTN] and the Duval County public school system, which will also take advantage of the wireless network for educational applications, the company said.—Jim Barthold, senior editor