US WiMAX operator Clearwire continues to launch the technology across the country, opening new retail stores and promising WiMAX smartphones by the end of next year. Following a number of market launch announcements yesterday, Unstrung notes that Clearwire’s mobile WiMAX service is now available in 27 markets across the US, potentially covering over 30 million people and meeting its deployment targets for 2009. In addition, CEO Bill Morrow is also reported this week to have addressed one of the biggest challenges facing the company; a lack of compelling devices. Although the operator is currently focused on laptops and datacards, Morrow said WiMAX-capable smartphones will be available by Christmas 2010.
Recently funded with new investment totaling almost US$2.3 billion, Clearwire is now looking to grow its subscriber base. Shares in the company rose 8 percent yesterday to US$6.11 after UBS analyst John Hodulik upgraded the stock to ‘Neutral’ from ‘Sell’ and raised his forecast for net new subscribers to 80,000 from 57,000 in the fourth quarter, and to 1.3 million from 1.1 million for next year. However, a more aggressive expansion will increase costs as well, causing Hodulik to raise his loss projections for 2009, 2010 and 2011.
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