4G wireless is the next generation of mobility, and it is finally here in the form of WiMAX. As the first and only 4G technology available today, WiMAX is allowing for a new type of flexible mobile Internet freedom. Delivered through a company called Clearwire, its “Clear” service blankets an entire city, allowing users to experience wireless broadband Internet capabilities anytime, anywhere. Think of it much like a giant wireless hot spot over an entire city.

WiMAX is very exciting, delivering rich data experiences like video streaming, Internet applications use and content download on-the-go. With more individuals telecommuting and multi-tasking, people need to be able to stay connected and make the most of their travel time. While WiFi hotspots have become popular worldwide, they lack the broad coverage and capability to deliver true always-on connectivity for today’s demanding mobile users,

Today, WiMAX is available in Portland, Ore. and Baltimore with eight more cities on tap to “go Clear” this year, including Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Honolulu, Las Vegas, Philadelphia and Seattle. The network will continue to grow, reaching up to 120 million people in 80 U.S. markets in 2010 with Boston, Houston, New York, the San Francisco Bay Area and Washington, D.C. leading the charge.

In preparation, leading PC makers — including Acer, Asus, Lenovo, Samsung and Toshiba are now delivering Intel® Atom® processor-based netbooks and Intel® Centrino®2 processor technology-powered laptop computers with WiMAX technology built right inside the computer that is compatible with the Clear network, allowing for instant WiMAX access.

This summer the Silicon Valley will get a taste of what WiMAX has to offer through the WiMAX Innovation Network. A version of the Clear WiMAX network centered in the heart of the high-tech industry, the network will cover a broad area of the Silicon Valley, including locations such as Cupertino, Mountain View, Palo Alto, Santa Clara and Sunnyvale to bring 4G wireless service to the corporate and university campuses of some of the world’s leading technology innovators.