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Can anyone explain what Clearwire is?

we have clearwire in seattle... had had it for about 6 months with a 2 year commitment. it was relatively easy to set up and has been pretty reliable.

I've heard mixed reviews... some hated it and some liked it.

dslreports.com might have some reviews in your area worth checking out.

Also of note is that Speakeasy(.net) can often provide DSL without requiring a land line if you're in the right area. That's what I have, and it's quite good.

We've had Clearwire for almost a year now. It was a lifesaver when we moved into our improperly wired new townhome in Rainier Valley (Seattle) and couldn't get cable or DSL. It's not as fast as cable, but that's OK with us. The customer support, when we have had to call, has been great.

A friend of ours has Clearwire and lives on Capitol Hill in Seattle. Her connection is terrible and she hates it.

I too was thinking of switching to Clearwire and after some research I found the contract terms and technology to be way too sketchy. Your speeds are based on where you are in relation in to their tower AND the number of other Clearwire customers in your area (with whom you'll be sharing bandwidth).

I thought that bandwidth might be fine for places where few have the service (and don't use the internet as often) but shoddy at best in denser areas where more people have signed up, (like Capitol Hill in Seattle). Even if your connection is awful, you'd still be locked into a 2 year contract with no way out except a (I think) $280 cancellation fee. Ditto if you decide to move somewhere Clearwire service doesn't cover within those 2 years.

I'd recommend researching it thoroughly and reading the contract terms before you buy in.

Thanks for the comments. After reading everything I could find from these links and more, I decided it's not worth the risk. I signed up for AT&T's standalone DSL - no phone line necessary. Thanks again everyone!