Whatever route they plan to go, Wimax, LTE or a combo of both they will need to be able to get it deployed quickly. Verizon has a timetable with complete 4G in two years or so. Wimax seems to be rolling out at a snails pace and will take 10 more years just to get the bigger cities done.
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Sprint gives midyear timetable for LTE decision
- Thread starter twospirits
- Start date
busted bones
Android Enthusiast
Alright guys, I think this could lead to an interesting discussion. This article adds more to the recent speculation that Sprint may have to change 4G providers. Ive never heard of Light Squared, so I cant comment there but I'll admit I wont be happy if worst comes to worst and Sprint has to switch to LTE. What are your guys opinion on the matter, and do you think will happen if Sprint does have to change networks?
ndh777
Android Expert
The things I care most about for 4G are:
1. Remove the $10 fee. It's ridiculous especially when 4G isn't always available or not working in your area officially.
2. Widen the range. I receive 4G at full bars in some places, then move like 2 inches to my left and completely lose the signal.
3. Actually make it fast. If my bar was hidden and I didn't know if 4G or 3G were on, I probably couldn't really tell the difference.
4. Allow current 4G phones to be compatible with the new one. May be hard, but they should've thought of that before going with WiMax or whatever they did.
Knowing Sprint, doubt any of that will come to past...
Dreamliner
Android Enthusiast
^you realize that 'WiMax' is basically a wide area wifi, right? Thats why service is centered around large cities and spotty, at best.
Sprint made the wrong move, they need to go to LTE. Not some stupid LTE and WiMax thing, just LTE.
Stop selling WiMax devices, announce a wimax cut off date like 2014 or something, and only sell LTE devices.
Sprint is becoming a mess of incompatible technologies:
CDMA
IDEN
WIMAX
LTE
LTE is scalable for an entire nation, wimax isn't.
Sprint made the wrong move, they need to go to LTE. Not some stupid LTE and WiMax thing, just LTE.
Stop selling WiMax devices, announce a wimax cut off date like 2014 or something, and only sell LTE devices.
Sprint is becoming a mess of incompatible technologies:
CDMA
IDEN
WIMAX
LTE
LTE is scalable for an entire nation, wimax isn't.
Dreamliner
Android Enthusiast
Correct, Sprints current 4G (wimax) is not compatible with LTE.
busted bones
Android Enthusiast
I definitely agree with number 1. Number 2 is going to be a must if sprint wants to keep its customers. With 3, it really depends. I was in best buy one day using my 4G and it was hauling ass downloading videos and getting stuff done. Number 4 cant happen. Which is why I would be pissed that my EVO 4G just became a nice 3G phone. I do use the 4G(when Im in service) and it has been useful for finding songs on youtube when I dont feel like listening to my playlist.
If Sprint does decide to go LTE I expect they will keep Clear Wimax on lease for at least 3-5 more years while LTE is being deployed to all their towers. Also, this will ensure all current Wimax phones like the Evo have time to age gracefully.
I doubt most Evo owners will still have the same phone 3 years from now, so lets not pretend this is a big deal if Wimax get's shut off in 2014. Anyone expecting welfare from Sprint a few years from now just because they got an Evo in 2010 or 2011 will be in for a rude awakening.
At the same time Sprint would be smart to set a drop dead time where they will discontinue all Wimax devices, because it would be unethical to sell Wimax right up until the day it gets shut off.
Edit: On a side note, this whole CDMA, IDEN, Wimax and LTE mess has really shattered my confidence in Sprint. They clearly don't know what the hell they are doing and have very confused management. I am very tempted to ride out the remainder of my contract and switch to T-mobile instead if I don't see a dramatic shift in Sprint's business decisions.
I doubt most Evo owners will still have the same phone 3 years from now, so lets not pretend this is a big deal if Wimax get's shut off in 2014. Anyone expecting welfare from Sprint a few years from now just because they got an Evo in 2010 or 2011 will be in for a rude awakening.
At the same time Sprint would be smart to set a drop dead time where they will discontinue all Wimax devices, because it would be unethical to sell Wimax right up until the day it gets shut off.
Edit: On a side note, this whole CDMA, IDEN, Wimax and LTE mess has really shattered my confidence in Sprint. They clearly don't know what the hell they are doing and have very confused management. I am very tempted to ride out the remainder of my contract and switch to T-mobile instead if I don't see a dramatic shift in Sprint's business decisions.
busted bones
Android Enthusiast
I've only had horrible service with T-Mobile but they do have some impressive numbers. Honestly I don't see myself wanting more than what my evo will offer me. I'm happy enough with its speed and capabilities and it does everything i ask it to. The only thing is I would want less lag on the OS part. So I could see myself keeping her for a few years.Hell, both of my last phones lasted 3 and 4 years each.
RoboMonkey
Android Expert
LTE and can manage WiMax phones with software, so no exclusion of ETF for you.
Thats what I thought, too. Thanks. Also, I don't see WiMax going away too fast, even if Sprint does makes the switch to LTE. In fact, Sprint/Clear WiMax 4G is expanding daily.
When you say affect us what do you mean? Sprint will add LTE that is a given..
Sprint's decision to roll out Wimax was an absolutely brilliant move when you look at what it has done for them and the entire wireless industry.
Sprint forced everyone to step up their game ahead of schedule.
As far as how it affects me, it doesn't I will continue to use Wimax and will add Sprints LTE service as well when its deployed.
Sprint's decision to roll out Wimax was an absolutely brilliant move when you look at what it has done for them and the entire wireless industry.
Sprint forced everyone to step up their game ahead of schedule.
As far as how it affects me, it doesn't I will continue to use Wimax and will add Sprints LTE service as well when its deployed.
lafester
Android Enthusiast
busted bones
Android Enthusiast
Not what Ive been reading either, it seems like the antenna would be different. kinda like GSM versus CDMA antennas on the two different iPhones.
Sprint will keep Wimax up and running for quite a while. I'd expect it to be at least 2013 before they're LTE-ready nationwide. That said, dropping iDen will help. 3G will be around for a long time too.
The only thing that worries me about Sprint with LTE is how they pay to play. LTE = Tiered Data. That's not something I want Sprint to rush into.
The only thing that worries me about Sprint with LTE is how they pay to play. LTE = Tiered Data. That's not something I want Sprint to rush into.
I have to ask, why would they go with lte? Just a warning, research your answers very carefully, because I fully understand what will happen if they do.
Dreamliner
Android Enthusiast
Care to share with the rest of the class?
2strokenut
Well-Known Member
I saw your name and thought I was on thumpertalk lol.
Switching to Lte means that they will have control over anything we do on the network. I don't understand why some say LTE is better when there are no LTE phones even out yet to judge how well it really works. If you read up on the differences you will understand why Verizon chose LTE and its because it fits with their philosophy of controlling what you do and paying up the nose for it.
I hope Sprint sits back and rethinks this and continues with WImax.
Care to share with the rest of the class?
I have, dozens, if not hundreds of times. But no one seems to listen. So I am asking you? Why in the world would sprint think about going to lte? Why?
RoboMonkey
Android Expert
link please
this is not what i have read.
Now you've read it.
>WiMAX-LTE Combo Base Station - Syed Masum Billah
There is one really simple problem. At 2.5ghz, you can have base stations sitting on top of each other, with every little problems. At 700mhz, you cant have wireless areas cross more then 400 feet with out getting interference. You need to build out the towers between the two very differently, unless you are using the small foot print towers. 2.5ghz spectrum needs to be up high and point across the landscape, the 700mhz spectrum needs to be lower and pointed down at the landscape. In simple terms, 2.5ghz needs to be like a light house, 700mhz needs to be like a street lamp. If you where going to build just one tower for both uses, you would really have to build it on either 2.5ghz or 700mhz, not both. If you are going to do that, then use 2.5ghz for wimax and 700mhz for lte. Wimax for city areas where 2.5ghz shines. 700mhz lte for rural areas, where it shines. For one phone. Of course, they would have to do what is best for the user.
RoboMonkey
Android Expert
One more thing. All sprint has to do is stop selling Wimax4g phones and wait until most of the users are past their ETF date and then shut it down. So a few lucky people could end up getting out of their ETF.
What would they have to gain? Please answer the question, why would sprint brother to go to LTE?