For home or remote wireless broadband, Clear satisfies

Let me be perfectly clear: Clear is an excellent option for providing broadband Internet service at home or away from home.

I first wrote about Clear several weeks ago and many readers have since asked for my opinion of the service.

Clear is one of two companies in Las Vegas offering fourth-generation wireless broadband service, also known as 4G. The other is Sprint, which has invested in Clear. Sprint partners with Clear to get access to Clear's 4G network. Sprint also shares access to its own 3G network with Clear.

In addition to Las Vegas, Clear is available in Portland, Ore.; Atlanta; Boise, Idaho; Bellingham, Wash.; and the Texas cities of Abiline, Amarillo, Corpus Christi, Killeen, Lubbock, Midland/Odessa, Waco and Wichita Falls. The company plans to expand soon to many more markets.

I'm using the home version of the Clear modem as I write this, and have been very happy with the quality of the service and extreme ease of setup. The device is Motorola CPEi 150 series modem. It stands 9 inches tall, is 6 inches wide and is 1 inch thick.

Setting it up takes less than a minute. You attach the power cord and plug it into an outlet and then connect an ethernet cable between the modem and either your computer or router. The company advises placing the modem near a window or outside wall, and to adjust signal reception by turning the device, which has a built-in antenna.

The modem sells for $49.99 from Clear; it can be leased for $4.99 a month if you don't want to buy. Unlimited monthly service is $70, which covers both a home and mobile modem. Light users can pay as little as $20 a month for one delivery option. Special offers may be available at clear.com or from a Clear sales office.

I test-drove the mobile technology earlier in the month, using the Clear Spot Personal Hotspot. This portable device creates a personal Wi-Fi network for up to eight Wi-Fi enabled devices. The Clear Modem plugs into the device's universal serial bus port and the Wi-Fi is ready to go.

A unique password is affixed to the bottom of the device, helping secure the network from interlopers. The rechargeable battery worked for about four hours, although I usually kept it plugged in.

It sells for $139.99.

I used the mobile connection in several locations across the Las Vegas Valley, including an area in the farthest southeast corner. The signal was consistently strong, with speeds at 4 megabits per second and higher. I watched online video and uploaded pictures to photo sharing sites easily.

Clear's ease of use, excellent Web site (including clear360.com, the company's news and information portal), and solid customer support will keep you on board.

Share your Internet story with me at agibes@reviewjournal.com.