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I’m trying to process the information coming out of the newswire and blogosphere regarding the ClearWire/Sprint story.  For those unaware, an interesting batch of companies is coming out of the woodwork to contribute to the new company and in effect help build a wireless network.  As Om points out, Google and Intel have contributed $1 Billion, $500 million came from Time/Warner and Comcast, and $100 million has been put out by Bright House Networks.

Speaking to VoipWatch’s Andy Abramson earlier today, we briefly discussed the interesting mix of companies coming together for this venture.  I can see why Intel has jumped in as they have a large amount of capital invested into WiMax so they’ll do just about anything to see the technology prosper and be profitable.

However, considering ClearWire’s product is a fixed wireless alternative to other Internet service providers such as DSL and cable modems, what is Comcast and Time Warner’s interest in the deal?  Why would these players want to present another option to their broadband Internet services?  The only play I can think of is to be able offer a type of Internet service where their government-sponsored monopolies don’t exist.  Or perhaps to offer cell phone service that is re-badged, like a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO)?

With WiMAX’s new resurgence, it’s definitely as a player in the 4G space as an alternative to cell phone carrier’s upcoming LTE network.  In the US, Verizon and AT&T have said LTE will be the technology of choice for their 4G networks.  How will WiMAX shake things up?

So I’ve been blogging over at Download Squad for 3 or so weeks now and I’m really enjoying it.  Over the last week, I’ve had 3 of my posts make it on the front page of Digg.com!  For those of you who are unaware of digg, it’s a page where people vote for and discuss web articles, and getting on the front page is a big deal.  It means you have written a popular article and it also means you’re getting a lot of readers because digg is like a spotlight of web attention.

In fact, yesterday I had two articles get on the front page of Digg.  Both were on the subject of net neutrality, one about Comcast and one about AT&T.  Pretty cool, eh? 

Now I just have to get one of my posts from techcraver.com onto digg!

(image courtesy of Flickr user Victor Ngo)

A 75-year old woman, who merely wanted to get some cable service from Comcast, was driven nuts by the company’s lack of customer service.  So nuts, in fact, she decided to take a hammer to a customer service agents keyboard and computer.  Mona Shaw, of Virginia, tried to get Comcast’s Triple Play installed at her home.  For those of you who don’t know, Comcast triple play is their combined cable/internet/phone service package.

After the installer didn’t show up, she tried to go down to her local comcast (I call ‘em Comcrap) office to complain and asked for a manager.  She was told she’d have to wait and she did. for two hours!  After being told that manager had gone home for the day she went home steaming.  The next day, she came back, with a hammer.

Ms. Shaw was given a $345 fine, three-month suspended sentence, and a year-long restraining order keeping her away from the Comcast office.

I’ve felt mad enough to do the same thing, I think it’s funny someone finally did it to Comcast.  They have *terrible* customer service, some of the worst in the tech industry.

Washington Post Article