After the research I did about 4G pricing, I bought an aftermarket Clear USB Modem today.  I had previously tried clear when signal strength was considered weak in my area a couple of years ago back when Micro Center was still selling it.  This time, the signal still appeared weak unless I sat underneath a skylight or was near a window.  When I tried to activate the device however, that’s when some trouble began.  The Clear self activation page refused to take the MAC address of my Clear device.  Using ipconfig –all, the Clear rep. knew what to do to get a MAC address…however he decided to use the MAC address not of my WiMax device, but that of my WiFi card!  He said that the MAC address validated.

tjchan:  Which mac should I try again?
Martin:  00-21-00-8C-FF-A3
tjchan:  But that’s my wifi card and not the clear device.
Martin:  That is how it is working out for me.
tjchan:  Because if I just type something random and stupid for a mac address it seems to take it.
Martin:  It shouldn’t
tjchan:  Try it… DEADBEEFCAFE
Martin:  Lol I will try
tjchan:  It says that is actually validated.
tjchan:  Which doesn’t make any sense.
Martin:  Wow, your right.

As funny as it sounds, Clear’s lack of webpage MAC validation isn’t really a big deal as there are many Clear devices out there and they simply care about the bottom-line….he who has the adapter and is willing to pay for service gets service.  So their check only makes sure that the MAC address is a possible one rather than an actual one of their own devices.  After signing up with sales, a quick call to a technician in the Philippines got me up and running within 10 minutes.  Both people I spoke with were kind and courteous.  I’m excited to give Clear a test drive.  Online Trading Academy here in Dallas uses Clear as a backup internet service so that alone speaks well for this service.  Only more testing will tell whether Clear is a good choice for me  – and whether or not I’ll be using it past my 15 day trial.

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