In a sure sign that broadband service is becoming commoditized, Multichannel News reports today that Best Buy will start selling retail 4G broadband services in 2011. Specifically, Best Buy will become a reseller of Clearwire WiMAX service, making it the first reseller outside of the network company’s cable operator investors.
Clearwire has had a pretty big presence in Best Buy stores to date, but with its own branding on prominent display. The new venture will be branded under Best Buy Connect – the same way Best Buy sells 3G service today.
The good news is, that if Best Buy is getting on board with the Clear WiMAX network, it means they have confidence in Clearwire’s projections for covering up to 120 million people in the biggest US markets by the end of this year. That’s a decent amount of geographic coverage for consumers who want high-speed mobile broadband.