I just wanted to start this thread to ask if any insiders or users such as yourselves have any new information regarding wimax expansion, LTE deployment or any other type of rumors that point to us getting better services in the future. Any timelines on deployment or hints at them are appreciated.
Update: All will be revealed October 7, God willing
Update 2: It looks like Sprint might be upgrading the existing EVDO Rev A network to Rev B. also a new video on network vision
Korey says the rev b upgrade is bs.
What I have heard:
Network Vision:
A new program to replace all existing cell sites with all new hardware which is backed by fiber optics (yes!!! no more 150k 3g) and works with all technologies on all frequencies possible (CDMA 800/1900), (Wimax 2500) and (LTE 800/1900/2500(Clear)/1600(lightsquared?))
EDIT: New image
Credit: Evan702
Credit: Korey_Nicholson
Light Squared LTE partnership:
Sprint is rumored to be negotiating with light squared to piggyback their network on sprint's towers further increasing the quality of sprint's lte network.
Edit: The deal is either done or close to complete. source
Credit: boliviano3
Edit 2: It looks like lightsquared has vacated the spectrum which interfered with GPS in favor of some other spectrum. They claim the GPS interference is no longer an issue. If it's true we could see 1400/1600mhz lte in 2013.
LightSquared announces 'solution' for GPS issue, says LTE network will roll out on schedule
It's also worth noting that this network will operate in the 1600mhz spectrum and due to GPS providers illegal use of this spectrum, the lte network will interfere with vital high precision GPS used in agriculture.
Basically, John Deere is squatting on LightSquared's spectrum but there is nothing we can do about it because we need their products for food production.
Clear Moving to LTE:
It's a done deal the question is when. It's still using that nasty 2500mhz spectrum so I'm not all that interested.
What it all means:
The network vision upgrade should result in a dramatic increase in network speed because the back haul to the new towers is fiber optics meaning they won't be choked for bandwidth under the load of heavy smartphone use.
Vision should also lead to much better coverage in building and out because of the use of the old iDen (nextel) 800mhz frequency. 800mhz is why Verizon and US Cellular have the coverage they do. One 800mhz tower can serve the same coverage area three 1900mhz towers do. Sprint intends to switch all towers to use this frequency as well as 1900mhz when the 800mhz network is at capacity.
The light squared deal is a win-win for Sprint despite the controversy surrounding the interference Lightsquared causes with GPS. Unlike the situation they face with Clear today, Lightsqared will actually be paying Sprint to use their network. This could expedite the deployment of LTE for Sprint with the financial incentives Lightsquared will provide.
TL;DR
If the rumors are true Sprints network will be by far the best in the country. If you know something please tell us. I tire of Sprint's silence on their future plans (I want 1500kbps 3g/10mbps wimax nao!).
Even owners of Wimax devices (us) will see an improvement in overall coverage and speed as Sprint converts all towers to use Wimax and 800 mhz cdma (as well as lte).
Update: All will be revealed October 7, God willing
Update 2: It looks like Sprint might be upgrading the existing EVDO Rev A network to Rev B. also a new video on network vision
Korey says the rev b upgrade is bs.
What I have heard:
Network Vision:
A new program to replace all existing cell sites with all new hardware which is backed by fiber optics (yes!!! no more 150k 3g) and works with all technologies on all frequencies possible (CDMA 800/1900), (Wimax 2500) and (LTE 800/1900/2500(Clear)/1600(lightsquared?))
EDIT: New image
Credit: Evan702
Credit: Korey_Nicholson
Light Squared LTE partnership:
Sprint is rumored to be negotiating with light squared to piggyback their network on sprint's towers further increasing the quality of sprint's lte network.
Edit: The deal is either done or close to complete. source
Credit: boliviano3
Edit 2: It looks like lightsquared has vacated the spectrum which interfered with GPS in favor of some other spectrum. They claim the GPS interference is no longer an issue. If it's true we could see 1400/1600mhz lte in 2013.
LightSquared announces 'solution' for GPS issue, says LTE network will roll out on schedule
Bloomberg said:
It's also worth noting that this network will operate in the 1600mhz spectrum and due to GPS providers illegal use of this spectrum, the lte network will interfere with vital high precision GPS used in agriculture.
Basically, John Deere is squatting on LightSquared's spectrum but there is nothing we can do about it because we need their products for food production.
Clear Moving to LTE:
It's a done deal the question is when. It's still using that nasty 2500mhz spectrum so I'm not all that interested.
What it all means:
The network vision upgrade should result in a dramatic increase in network speed because the back haul to the new towers is fiber optics meaning they won't be choked for bandwidth under the load of heavy smartphone use.
Vision should also lead to much better coverage in building and out because of the use of the old iDen (nextel) 800mhz frequency. 800mhz is why Verizon and US Cellular have the coverage they do. One 800mhz tower can serve the same coverage area three 1900mhz towers do. Sprint intends to switch all towers to use this frequency as well as 1900mhz when the 800mhz network is at capacity.
The light squared deal is a win-win for Sprint despite the controversy surrounding the interference Lightsquared causes with GPS. Unlike the situation they face with Clear today, Lightsqared will actually be paying Sprint to use their network. This could expedite the deployment of LTE for Sprint with the financial incentives Lightsquared will provide.
TL;DR
If the rumors are true Sprints network will be by far the best in the country. If you know something please tell us. I tire of Sprint's silence on their future plans (I want 1500kbps 3g/10mbps wimax nao!).
Even owners of Wimax devices (us) will see an improvement in overall coverage and speed as Sprint converts all towers to use Wimax and 800 mhz cdma (as well as lte).
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