Clearwire Changes Agreement Terms with Intel, Opens Door for Transition to LTE

Clearwire has announced during its first quarter results conference call that its previous agreement with intel requiring the ISP to remain with WiMax until November 28th of 2011 has been amended to allow either party to exit the arrangement with just 30 days notice, effective immediately.

With this change in place, it would allow either Clearwire or intel to transition from WiMax support to LTE with no legal issues or penalties, although this confirmation does come soon after this morning’s confirmation of further market expansion for Clear and Sprint 4G service this summer.

Clearwire has also reported better than expected financial results, with generous gross profit margins of 47% in its three oldest markets, an 18 month timeframe from launch to profitability in a new market, 971,000 total subscribers with 283,000 added in the first quarter alone and now covers 50 million people.

Clearwire has also announced future smart devices from HTC and Samsung (not counting the underpromoted and discontinued Mondi) by the end of the year.