The city council in Grand Rapid, MI unanimously approved a bid from Clearwire to build a muni-WiMAX network, the company's first foray into municipal contracts. Clearwire beat out nine other proposals from companies such as AT&T/IBM, EarthLink, NeoReach and Pronto Networks. Clearwire will own and operate the broadband network and will include hybrid WiFi hotspot locations. In an odd twist, Clearwire plans to reimburse the city for its costs associated with choosing a vendor because the city promised to offer broadband coverage at no expense to taxpayers.

For more about Clearwire's plans to roll out WiMAX in Grand Rapids:
- check out this article from RCR Wireless News