WiMax has paper-launched each year for more than 5 years. Originally touted as "last-mile service" with 30-mile ranges, the current coverage is embarrasing. Even in the relatively flat urban area around the Hillsboro Oregon area, range only appears to be about 1 mile (according to their own map).

Why would anyone spend that much money for coverage-limited wireless internet when Cable, DSL, FiOS, WiFi, Satellite, and 3G are all available for less?

It appears WiMax is will be dead before it even starts. Does HD-DVD and RAMBUS ring a bell?

Clearwire just launched their first Wimax network with Portland sir. Before 6 weeks ago they were using PreWimax technology that quite simply was not up to par.

The "Clear" service is completely different from what you've used before. It's like saying "ATi's video cards aren't up to snuff...I used to have an ATi Rage MAXX and it crashed all the time." Not the same as their current offerings and technology!

I had a clearwire connection in Ireland. They're only advantage over the fixed wired offerings was almost instant setup and no land line required. Disadvantes were traffic shapeing - skyping was impossible, they blocked p2p and as far as I know online gaming wasn't great either. They were not even that cheap. Another issue with the wimax modem is that the signal could not get through the argon filled double glazed windows of my appartment - had to put the modem in a box outside on the balcony.