AOL, Clearwire venture brings new service

May 5, 2006

America Online and Clearwire Corporation announced an agreement Thursday to offer consumers "AOL High Speed -- Powered by Clearwire."

As an effort to bring customers into the broadband era as well as remain attractive to consumers, the new service will allow customers within the Clearwire coverage area to connect with the AOL service with wireless broadband access for about $25.90 per month.

However, it currently is only available to consumers in Daytona Beach and Jacksonville, Fla., and Stockton and Modesto, Calif.

"Clearwire's wireless high-speed service brings a differentiated offering to AOL members moving to broadband," said Joe Redling, president of AOL's Access Business. "This innovative approach to broadband access offers consumers additional levels of freedom and flexibility in how and where they experience AOL's content and services -- and stands to be a promising feature for new consumer segments."

Key features include high-speed wireless, 24-hour customer service, original AOL content, streaming video and music, and unlimited e-mail and picture storage.

"This truly complementary relationship offers customers access to AOL's premium safety and security features and content with a simple, fast wireless connection," said Ben Wolff, Clearwire's co-president and chief strategy officer. "Clearwire's reliable wireless broadband service combined with AOL's wide array of content and services presents an appealing option for online users to leverage the power of the Internet."

Copyright 2006 by United Press International