Clearwire Launches Business Partner Program

By Khali Henderson

Clearwire Communications LLC (Booth #1633 at the Channel Partners Conference & Expo) formed a business partner channel, effective Feb. 1., to sell its “professional class” CLEAR 4G fixed wireless services for business customers, which were launched in December 2009.

John Martin, director of alternate channels, has been named to oversee the new channel. Previously, he held the same title but also ran the consumer reseller program. He reports to Kevin Hopwood, director of national channels.

“Professional-class” service is available for office and mobile Internet and includes dedicated 24/7 help, business SLAs, planned maintenance and access to volume discounts and sales engineering support. Office Internet also includes one static IP address and port security. The service is targeted to companies with 10 employees as primary Internet, but larger businesses are buying it for backup services, Martin said.

Clearwire currently provides 4G service utilizing mobile WiMAX technology in 27 markets throughout the United States. It also provides pre-WiMAX communications services in 30 markets. In 2010 the plan is for the company to provide services in 80 major markets.

The partner program will be two-tier, relying on several master agents to offer ready nationwide coverage for the planned expansion. Already, Martin said the company has signed agreements with World Telecom Group, Telecom Agency, TCS, Telesource and Vodaplex Inc.. Martin said Clearwire intends to add three to four more.

CLEAR’s indirect sales partners are compensated with their choice of an upfront bounty of three times the monthly recurring charge, plus monthly spiffs and a 3 percent residual or Solution Provider program with a 10-40 percent residual based on volume.

The program has four national channel managers and 10 local managers. As the program rolls out to more markets, additional channel support will be added, Martin said.