Clearwire Dealers Say Credit Rules Dropped to Draw Customers

Clearwire Corp. distributors lowered credit standards to attract thousands of new customers and inflate subscriber numbers starting in 2009, according to three former dealers.

Clearwire employees told distributors to sign up customers with credit scores below the company’s standard or bypass credit checks altogether, according to dealers including Joe Cruz and AK Kurji. Though the practice pulled in new customers, many soon left Clearwire, often without paying a bill, they said. In e-mails obtained by Bloomberg News, one former Clearwire salesman offered to override any failed credit checks to add customers.