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Guide to adding Clearwire 4g service to an EVO 4g. This could also work for other 4g enabled devices using android, but an Evo is all I have to do testing with. A similar 4g htc device should use this same technique without any issues. Also, there is a way to get 3g to work as well, but given the cost of the plan from clear, it doesnt really make sense to do it. You could just get it on cricket or metro PCS (and some others).
First thing is first. A little background on the experience. I got a hold of an Evo with a bad ESN number. Rendering it basically useless. If you have a bad esn with Sprint, you are out of luck. They will not and cannot add the phone to your account. It used to be possible to basically beg them to do it, but as of today at least, they have put in measures to not allow this is any way.
After I learned that Clearwire (Clear) and sprint were using the SAME exact towers for their 4g service, it dawned on me that it just might be possible to get this device into that system. I already had clearwire and knew the only way they “track” a device is by its wimax mac address. So, I dug around and found the one for my phone. It is on the box if you need it but it is also easy to find it in the phone. I just hoped it wasn’t linked in the same system to the bad esn.
So, here is what you need to do. It doesn’t matter if you have service or are signing up for it. Be honest when speaking to clearwire about that, because you don’t want to setup 2 accounts, you can just add the device to your plan.
You will need to root your phone. Given the constant changes in the firmwares and devices, you will need to find an up to date method for doing this. I used the site unrevoked to do this. It is also easier to do this on a mac, so if you can, try it there. It doesn’t require and driver installs or other downloads.
Once you root your phone and confirm everything is on the up and up with that, go ahead and run up to best buy and buy any clearwire modem or usb modem, it doesn’t matter. The cheapest one will work, you can take it back in a day or 2. Make sure to get the receipt its important! Now go home and get on clear.com and open a chat. Choose sales, and wait for someone to enter chat with you. Tell them you are either adding a device to your plan, or have a device and want to sign up for service. They may transfer you, and they may not, it just depends but doesn’t matter either way. Be sure to tell the person your finally talking to that you have the devices MAC address.* IMPORTANT* This is the trick to adding the mac of your device. You need to tell them you talked to someone before about adding your device, and they told you that you needed to find the original receipt for your device. Tell them you found it and are ready to add your device or start a new plan, whichever path your on. They will then need you to fax that info in. What you do is get your service ticket # from them and the fax number. They will talk to you about this and give you all that information. If the conversation goes a little out of bounds, just try to lead to these simple steps. You want new service with this device, you need to fax the receipt and add the device. That’s the direction you ultimately need to lead the conversation. Overall we want to avoid them asking what device it is. If they do ask, just say it’s a usb device and your not sure what model. Just tell them your at work and had written down the MAC but the device is at home. Doesn’t really matter.
Now, go fax the receipt. On the cover letter put the Attn: “persons name you were talking to at clear” and add in your email, any account names / numbers and MAKE SURE to put your phone number used with clear and the ticket / service # they gave you. Fax that page, then tape the receipt to the back and fax that through as well. 2 pages is all you need to send them.
Do not call them, or answer the phone when they call you, just let them deal with it. It could take 24-48 hours, but during some point, you will get an email confirming your new service.
While your waiting for the email, you need to setup your phone to use the new clear network. You will not be able to get any further without doing these next steps. Clear will not just magically connect once your plan is active. You will need to find your MSL code. You can call sprint and ask, but if your like me with a bad esn, calling is not an option. So go to the app store and download “MSL Reader”. Go through the install and granting permissions and then run it to find your MSL number. It is 6 digits for me and probably the same for you as well. Write that # down.
Go to your phone and dial in ##3282# and click “Edit mode”. It will ask you for the password, that is the number you just wrote down. Once entered click OK then go down and click “WiMax”. Now go down to “realm” and change it from Sprint.com to Clearwire-wmx.net and click ok. Now press the main menu button and choose to “Commit Modifications”. Your phone will reboot.
Once you have done this, your phone is ready to accept Clears 4g service. Once your plan is active, turn off wifi or anything else and only enable 4g. Then try to get on the net. You will be taken to a clear.com website asking you for your secret password and other info and make you confirm you understand the agreements. Do that, click submit, and your ready to go. You now have clear 4g on your Evo.
Apps to get: (search in app store)
Wireless Tether For Root Users
Speedtest.net Speed Test
After testing speeds I get these numbers:
9.19 mbps and 1.07 mbps upload (0n 4g)
and before was
3.03 mbps and 0.97 mbps upload (wifi home network)
When tethering to a laptop, I get much faster speeds that if I connect to my home network. Which oddly enough is on clear as well. But is significantly slower than the Evo 4g. I had concernes the signal strength nad speed of the Evo would be bad, but after all tests it averages out to aound 3 times the performance. I am really impressed with it.