Sprint To Launch 4G in 2007
Aug 8, 2006, 12:47 PM by (staff)
Sprint today announced they will roll out their 4G wireless broadband network beginning in the fourth quarter of 2007. Though it tested many options, the carrier chose to use the 802.16e mobile WiMax standard. They believe this choice will provide the carrier and subscribers with the maximum number of compatible devices at the lowest cost. Both Motorola and Samsung will partner with Sprint to provide dual-mode CDMA / WiMax devices and the two manufacturers in addition to Intel have all committed to providing WiMax devices and chipsets. After trials, Sprint believes it can offer users real world speeds of 2-4 Mbps download and speedy upload at a price competitive with wireline broadband. The carrier will use its existing cell sites and 2.5 GHz spectrum to eventually cover 80% of the population. The launch will begin in late 2007 in cities with highest demand for mobile broadband services and will later be expanded according to demand. As part of the merger approval, the FCC required Sprint Nextel to launch wireless broadband in 16 cities on its 2.5 GHz spectrum by 2009.
source: Sprint Nextel
Comments
From Sprint-Nextel conference on 4G
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Studied long and hard on which technology to do.
Selected mobile Wimax for 4g network.
First nationwide 4g mobile broadband network.
Use 2.5GHz holdings in portfolio
Fourth quarter of 2007 start to deploy in select markets. 100 million people targeted by 2008.
Use of a lot of devices such as laptops, camcorders and other electronic devices.
Capex ex= $1B in 2007 and $1.5-2B in 2008.
Single and multimode devices.
More than a dozen trials outside the USA.
Low cost high-speed network.
Down link 2.4mb/s. high performance uplink.
All IP technology; WIMAX.
Looked at Flarion’s OFDM. Only on 1.25mhz though. It is FDD Sprint has more of TDD...
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Use of a lot of devices such as laptops, camcorders and other electronic devices.
Meaning?
nextel18 said:
Looked at Flarion’s OFDM. Only on 1.25mhz though. It is FDD Sprint has more of TDD. Didn’t fit needs.
So much for Flarion. I guess I win that argument.
Interesting!
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Ludio said:
If vzw doesn't followsuit we will have one less cdma provider.
You're drastically underestimating Verizon's prominence and resources.
Right now, there will be single devices with that MMDS spectrum, but later on going forward there will be dual CDMA/WIMAX devices. That CDMA wo...
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...and how long has 3G been deployed in the States for?