Question about 4g network

[RickR]

I don't know much about the new Sprint 4g network, but when it comes, will all Sprint phones be compatable or will you need to buy a new phone?

[phone-a-holic]

looks like you will need to get a 4g phone

[MidwestDrummer]

You'll eventually need a new phone for sure. CDMA and WiMax are two completely different technologies. Dan Hesse confirmed that Sprint will be releasing dual mode (CMDA/WiMax) phones by the end of the year, but CDMA is a dying technology, and that network will eventually be retired. Both networks are going to run simultaneously for quite some time, because the WiMax network isn't going to be built overnight. Eventually though, there's going to be a transition, similar the the digital TV switch, that is going to be made. One day Sprint's CDMA network, like all other CDMA networks, will be no more, and your CDMA handset will cease to function.

[Dan]

I dont see CDMA going away any time soon. Even Verizon, with the switch to LTE for their 4G network would have massive hurdles to overcome to have the entire network covered with 4G.

This is what I suspect will happen. You will get a new 4G device and probably get some special calling plan while on the 4G (data) network. The device will probably do its calls over a VoIP type service when you are on that network. Then, in rural areas (hell analog was still being used some places a year ago) you will revert back to the 2.5 / 3G network for voice and data and probably get far less minutes than the 4G data network gives you with VoIP.

With the additional towers it will take to blanket an area with 4G, it just seems too large a cost for many areas of the country. Hell, look at how slowly 3G has come to certain carriers, or areas as an example of the large costs involved!

[Eclipsi]

It's going to take quite some time for CDMA to completely go away. But yes, it will be phased out eventually. Eventually, cellphone calls will all be VoIP whether they're on LTE or WiMax. I know the next "phase" for WiMax in Clearwire's system is to run a VoIP system and not just data.

[carcarx]

Ybut CDMA is a dying technology, and that network will eventually be retired.

A "single carrier" cdma will retire in perhaps 8-10 years in some parts of the country.
A multi-carrier cdma will come in the era of 5G, in which each OFDM (WiMax and LTE) carrier will be cdma.

That's the only way to overcome multi-path which I've commented causes problem with digital TV (ATSC).