Clearwire Rover Service Gives 4G Speed for $5/day
Prepaid wireless data isn't nearly as popular as prepaid cell phone plans, but that hasn't stopped Clearwire from extending its 4G network to those who like pay-as-you-go programs.
Clearwire Rover is a service that provides an unlimited 4G connection for $5 per day. For those who don't want to pay on a day-by-day basis, there are also plans for $20 per week and $50 per month.
The advantage here is being able to pay for only the times when you need a connection, instead of signing up for multiple-year data contracts.
"The opportunity for pay-as-you-go mobile broadband should not be underestimated," said Carrie MacGillvray, program manager and wireless analyst at IDC, in a Clearwire statement. "Prepaid or pay-as-you-go data provides an option for consumers to experiment with the power of mobile broadband without being saddled with a two-year commitment. A prepaid mobile broadband service can offer consumers the ability to access and share Internet service, at home or on the go, in an affordable way."
There are some drawbacks, though. The required hardware is quite expensive: $150 for the Rover Puck WiFi hotspot or $100 for the USB stick. And the service is only available in 4G coverage areas , so only those in cities with WiMAX can use Rover.
