Technology geeks in Silicon Valley today will be getting a new wireless "sandbox" to play in thanks to an offering from Kirkland-based Clearwire. The wireless broadband provider today introduced its Clear 4G WiMax Innovation Network, a 20-square mile test network that covers Santa Clara, Mountain View and parts of Palo Alto.

As CNET points out, the new network will cover the campuses of Google and Intel, which just happen to be two of the financial backers of Clearwire.

“We see tremendous potential for true, mobile broadband to act as the catalyst for new and compelling Internet applications that leverage our 4G bandwidth, free of the confines associated with wired connections,” said John Saw, chief technology officer of Clearwire in a statement. “Our goal is to harness the concentration of developer talent in Silicon Valley and accelerate the pace at which these disruptive services are being developed.”

Developers who are interested in getting on the network must register with Clearwire and submit ideas they want to pursue. They also must purchase a $49.99 WiMax modem.

Clearwire plans to launch full service in the San Francisco area next year.

Meanwhile, in other Clearwire news, CEO William Morrow told Dow Jones that they could easily switch from WiMax to a competing technology known as long term evolution or LTE.

"We're the only carrier that can do this," he said. "We'll do what's right for the business. Whether it's LTE, WiMax, future technology X, it doesn't matter to me."