Clear is the 4G service launched in the Portland, OR metro area on Tuesday. And it was clear from the start that USB sticks and home routers would be the primary means of access. But the company is putting a twist on the expected end product by offering a portable router, thereby encouraging the sharing of your mobile broadband.

As Sidecut Reports points out, iPhone 3G (and other 3G device) owners seeking true broadband connections may find the router a god-send. The photo below doesn't represent the final product, which should be about the size of a hockey puck and cost around $125, according to a Clearwire rep and tester.

Per-use accounts are likely to turn up in book stores, coffeehouses and the like, but friendly neighbors and generous pals might make broadband browsing a heck of a lot cheaper. Bring on the UMA phones!

Via Gizmodo