The wireless broadband pioneer last month completed its merger with Sprint Nextel's former WiMax network business in a new company, which continues the Clearwire name. The venture, which has investment from Google and several cable operators, wants to offer an economical alternative to cable and DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) that can also serve subscribers on the road.

Portland-area residents have been able to sign up for service since early last month, according to Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer Scott Richardson, but Clearwire will use its Tuesday morning event to kick off a local marketing campaign that will mark the debut of the brand, which eventually will extend to all of the venture's cities.

There are more options for subscribers to choose from on the Portland network than in Baltimore, ranging from a US$20-per-month service similar to basic DSL to one with mobile service for two devices, priced at $80 per month. Clearwire is also offering a package that combines home and mobile service for $60 per month.

The $20-per-month home plan delivers 768Kb per second downstream and 128Kbps upstream. The least expensive home plan in Baltimore costs $25 per month now, a limited-time discount from the regular rate of $35 per month. At the Baltimore launch, Sprint said its network would deliver between 2Mbps and 4Mbps. Both of these plans are unlimited in the amount of data users can download in a month, according to the company.

Now that Clearwire and Sprint's Xohm WiMax business have merged, service plans will be harmonized, Richardson said. The company will study consumer response to the services in the two cities to help figure out how those plans will look, he said. Clearwire will also offer a way for subscribers of the service originally launched by Sprint to roam onto Clearwire networks, Richardson said.