Nov. 2--After a few false starts, WiMax broadband service arrives in Chicago this week, giving residents access to a technology that promises superfast Internet speeds from any location.

WiMax is a fourth-generation, or 4G, wireless technology designed to trump the speed, strength and reliability of existing 3G networks or Wi-Fi. WiMax also is meant to be ultramobile, meaning consumers with a 4G-equipped device such as a phone or laptop can get residential broadbandlike speeds, even if they're sitting in a park or riding a bus.

Clearwire Corp. started selling its services Sunday at its retail stores, as well as Best Buy and RadioShack. Sprint Nextel Corp. is expected to announce Monday that it has launched 4G in the Chicago area. The network stretches from Gary to Rockford, although service initially won't be available everywhere.

"The speed, performance and productivity that 4G gives you are so incredible," said Todd Rowley, Sprint's vice president for 4G. "We're 10 times faster than 3G speeds. That's like going from dial-up to broadband."

Chicago has long-awaited the launch of a WiMax network. In 2007, Clearwire and Sprint agreed jointly to build a nationwide network, with Chicago getting the service as early as 2008. The Clearwire-Sprint deal fell apart at the end of 2007, but the two companies merged their wireless broadband units into a new entity in 2008. The new company kept the Clearwire name and counts Comcast Corp. and Google Inc. among its investors.

Jeannie Weaver, Clearwire's general manager for Chicago, said the operator will offer USB dongles that plug into a laptop, with basic service starting around $35 a month.

"The real game changer is going to be on mobility devices," Weaver said.

Clearwire also will offer a desktop modem, which is designed to be portable and easy to set up.

"When the customer takes the modem home, they plug it in and they're online," said Carlos Lopez, president of CAL Communications, a Buffalo Grove-based company that is a distributor of Clearwire service. "They don't have to wait for a technician to come install it and run cables all over the house."

Sprint uses Clearwire's WiMax network but sells services under its own name. Sprint will offer a laptop card that is equipped for both 3G and 4G speeds, as well as a "personal hot spot" gadget that allows any device with Wi-Fi to tap into the faster 4G network. Desktop modems will be available by year-end. Monthly service for the 3G/4G laptop card will be $59.99.

Rowley said Sprint is working with Intel Corp. to embed 4G technology in laptops and netbooks that will start hitting the market next year. Smart phones and other gadgets with 4G capability aren't far behind.

"You will see manufacturers and consumer electronics companies really want to embed WiMax and 4G into their devices," Rowley said. "And customers will be able to take it home and fire it up, and it will work on our network."

Comcast will roll out its 4G services, which also use Clearwire's network, later this fall, company spokeswoman Angelynne Amores said in an e-mail. The company will offer a wireless data card and bundle mobile broadband with its existing triple-play options.

AT&T and Verizon Wireless also are building 4G networks, although those carriers are using a different technology called Long Term Evolution. Verizon Wireless plans to deploy its LTE technology next year, while AT&T will start trials in 2010 and launch its network a year later.

wawong@tribune.com

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