WiMAX vs. LTE

This week, my big project for Telecommunications is a paper on WiMAX vs. LTE, with a nod to future expectations.  I have the research compiled, and it's just sitting on my desk waiting for the write up. Rajesh Pazhyannur has written part 1 of what promises to be a great series on the debate, but I've contacted him to see if subsequent parts will be available soon and no answer is forthcoming.  So, I'll read it later for my own enjoyment, but it won't be available for use in my paper.  Other research I'm using (either citing it formally, or it's been helpful as a starting point):

LTE vs WiMAX: A Little 4G Sibling Rivalry by Stacey Higginbotham (who wins the Most Humorous Quote contest with "If WiMax is the hippie, grass-roots parents on “Family Ties,” LTE is closer to Alex P. Keaton.")
LTE & WiMAX Myths & Realities
Why LTE Vs. WiMax Isn't Your Typical Standards Battle by Paul Kapustka
LTE vs. WiMAX - A Contest or Not? by Craig Mathias
The Future of 4G: LTE vs. WiMAX by Gerry Blackwell
LTE vs. WiMAX: The 4G Wireless War by Afzal Bajwa

In short, the more I read, the more I see LTE as the clearly superior technology...but as we all know, sometimes that's not enough to win marketshare.  I also find it interesting to see how many authors are referring the topic as a Betamax vs. VHS type "battle", which seems like a gross oversimplification.  Then again, time will tell.

This isn't the first time this semester I've delved into WiMAX; I also presented this topic during my Information Systems for Management class.  My research was just to describe the basic technologies involved, and only superficially mentioned LTE.  Since so much advertising is hitting us (for some reason, the greater Waco area has been chosen as a test market for Clear), it's been something we've all been curious about, so I wanted personally to find out what it involved.  After my presentation was over, I was asked during the Q and A if I would sign up for a WiMAX service myself, and frankly, I'm not sure.  Clear is on record as saying customers can expect the following:

Compare CLEAR^TM Mobile Plans

Plan Name	Unlimited Mobile Internet	2GB Mobile	4G+ Mobile Internet	Mondi 2GB Promo	Mondi Unlimited Promo
Monthly Rate	$30.00 for the first 6 months $45.00	$35.00	$70.00	$25.00 for the first 6 months $35.00	$35.00 for the first 6 months $45.00
Download speeds up to*	6.0 Mbps	6.0 Mbps	Unlimited	4.0 Mbps	Unlimited
Upload speeds up to*	1.0 Mbps	1.0 Mbps	1.0 Mbps	1.0 Mbps	1.0 Mbps
Monthly usage limits	Unlimited	2GB	Unlimited	2GB	Unlimited
Overage charge	None	$10 per 1GB	None	$10 per 1GB	None
Activation Fee	free**	free**	free**	free**	free**

*Typical download speeds are 3-6 Mbps with bursts over 10 Mbps. Actual performance may vary and is not guaranteed. Performance claim based on tests performed on the CLEAR commercial network by CLEAR.
**Free with 2 year sign up

Compare CLEAR^TM Home Plans

Plan Name	Basic Home	Fast Home	Faster Home
Monthly Rate	$25.00	$30.00	$45.00
Download speeds up to*	1.0 Mbps	3.0 Mbps	6 Mbps
Upload speeds up to*	500 Kbps	1.0 Mbps	1 Mbps
Activation Fee	free**	free**	free**

*Typical download speeds are 3-6 Mbps with bursts over 10 Mbps. Actual performance may vary and is not guaranteed. Performance claim based on tests performed on the CLEAR commercial network by CLEAR.
**Free with 2 year sign up

Now, at home we're on the Roadrunner basic service, which says I can expect 5 Mbps download and 384 Kbps, for $34 a month.  For $5 more a month, they'd give us 7 Mbps down and 512 up.  I ran some speed tests on my current service, and on average I'm seeing 2.8 Mb/s download and .47 Mb/s upload.  So that's taking speed and cost into account, but what about the technology?  I'm not sure if Clear includes the WiMAX receiver; let's say they don't, and I have to make that investment on my own.  Now, factor in that Clear wants me to sign a 2 year agreement...in 2 years will LTE be the winner and I'm facing yet another switch?

Quite honestly, I'm not as concerned about speed as I am about price.  With 3 kids, 1 income, and grad school expenses, we're on a razor thin budget, so I'm looking to get the most bang for my buck.  I'll most likely stick with Roadrunner for now, just because I'm about as far from an "early adopter" as you can get, and we've bundled our service with our cable and phone so it seems like a small hassle.  From what I hear in other markets, Clear really isn't living up to its promises, so at the very least, I'm guessing that my family will wait to switch over, if at all.  Plus, if they're asking me to make an initial investment in their technology, I'd rather wait a year or two and see if something better comes along.