Is there any way to inrease my ClearWire speed?

So I have ClearWire, yes I know slowest high speed internet you can get. But I use it because I am constantly having to move around town. Well that time came again, and I had to move. The place I am at does not have the greatest connection area. Is there a way, like some crazy tin foil set up I can do to increase the speed here. I only get 1-2 bars here?

 

Possibly, http://www.h-online.com/features/Build-a-Wi-Fi-radio-relay-using-household-materials--/110278, in this article they increased connection speed from zero to 2.3Mbit/s by using one homebrew antenna. They did have clear line of sight to the originating signal though, something that's rarely possible in urban areas.

 

ClearWire is tough to get truly fast speeds. Not only due to signal strength, but due to limited bandwidth in the ClearWire network. They share bandwidth with many other wireless 'signals', so even if you have excellent signal strength, you will probably rarely get truly FAST connections. My experience with CW is that it is OK for basic web stuff like email, searches, etc. But if being used for online gaming or media streaming, you will not be happy. Most of these so-called 'hi-speed' wireless connections are the same whether it's ClearWire, Verizon, Sprint, etc. Due to the fact that you have no choice but to use their 'antenna', you can't really boost your signal with a homebrewed rig. If you're using one of the CW "shark fin" type of modem/receivers, I suppose you could open it up and see if there is a way to 'modify' the antenna in the housing, but this is probably totally against the ClearWire rules and if you damage/break the unit, you'd be hard pressed to explain to CW why you need a new unit, so I'm not really recommending this as a course of action, so don't blame me if things go horribly wrong.

Good luck!

(have you considered switching to a land-based internet provider like through your cable company or phone company? DSL through ATT is under $30/month and is way better than ClearWire)

 

To understand my use of ClesrWire, you need to know that in the past 2 years I have moved 4 times. It's my lifestyle right now, and until I can find something consistant I don't want to risk being stuck in a contract. I wonder though, do land base servers care if you move around town, does that stuff make you pay a termination fee for moving locations?

 

I think it probably varies with the provider, but I use Charter cable for my broadband connection and they do not charge to move the service from one location to the next. Personally, I haven't moved but a friend of mine uses Charter also (they're one of 3 main providers in my area) and he has moved 3 times in the past 2 years and they have never charged him a disconnect/reconnect fee. It would be best if you called the local providers in your area and ask them about the policies, and remember that these policies are not necessarily etched in stone and if you get the right person on the phone, they may be able to 'work around' some of the less friendly policies....
Good Luck!