4G Handset Coming... larger WiMAX rollout... Android!!

[sopasesos]

*hearsay-speculation-rumor alert*

more recent buzz about:

-an expanded WiMAX (4G) rollout, including cities not previously announced

-a 4G-enabled handset coming soon

-Android platform may finally make it's way to Sprint on said WiMAX handset


let's hope the sources are accurate and we get some WiMAX and Android action coming down the pipes sooner than later!

unstrung (http://www.unstrung.com/document.asp?doc_id=174189&piddl_msgid=184153) via fierce (http://www.fiercewireless.com/story/sprint-offer-tri-mode-phone-may-expand-4g-markets/2009-05-29) via smartrend (http://www.mysmartrend.com/briefs.asp?nwdate=20090601&story=26) via bgr (http://tinyurl.com/kj2ats)


The operator now says it will offer "several new devices" in 2009 and 2010, including "a single-mode 4G data card, embedded laptops, a small-office-home-office broadband modem and a tri-mode phone..."

...the new phone will support WiMax, EV-DO, and WiFi...

... the Sprint spokeswoman does say that Sprint may launch more [4G] markets than it is currently talking about so far. "The list in the release isn't necessarily inclusive of everything for 2009 and 2010,"

Previous reports have hinted that this tri-mode phone may use Google's Android platform, but that has never been confirmed by Sprint.

[Forever92]

:Crosses fingers for Silicon Valley: Although expecting a similar FAIL to the current one just released via portable wifi hotspot.

[Z24Dawg89]

This would be awesome!

[GrEeN gOBlIn]

why am i not that stoked about this? sprint is the only one going WiMax, the entire world chose LTE right? plus the first sprint android is WiMax? that means i have to wait, and i didn't even see Los Angeles on the list.Also that means LTE signal is going to be fantastic because of towers every where. Im trying to be patient, and be loyal to sprint but there going to have a lot to prove.

[PokerFace23]

the entire world is not going LTE. at all.

[sopasesos]

why am i not that stoked about this? sprint is the only one going WiMax, the entire world chose LTE right? plus the first sprint android is WiMax? that means i have to wait, and i didn't even see Los Angeles on the list.Also that means LTE signal is going to be fantastic because of towers every where. Im trying to be patient, and be loyal to sprint but there going to have a lot to prove.

well let's not declare "game over" just yet. sure, the big 2 (and others) have announced their move to LTE. but just like with current networks we'll have to evaluate coverage as it rolls out and according to our individual circumstances. there's many factors that will determine coverage for any network - LTE or WiMAX: frequency used, amount of licensed spectrum, layout of "mesh" in any given market, etc. also see http://www.wimaxforum.org for relevant info on deployments around the world.

as for a rollout in Los Angeles, the above links mention deployments in markets that have not been announced. there were reports out in october of last year about Clearwire looking to hire a Director of Network Deployment and a Network Deployment Project Manager for the Los Angeles region. see unstrung (http://www.unstrung.com/document.asp?doc_id=166602)via broadbandreports (http://www.broadbandreports.com/shownews/Clearwire-Eyes-Los-Angeles-Mobile-WiMax-98653). Of course this was all before the Clearwire/Xohm merger and before new Clearwire CEO Bill Morrow was in place, so who knows what's up their sleeves now. We do know that San Francisco Bay Area has been announced, SoCal may be next?:fingers:

and finally Android... i'm sure we've all seen reports of Android on Sprint by the end of the year... if this device is also WiMAX enabled do you think they'll limit it's sale to only those markets where 4G is active? it would make sense (to me anyway) that it be sold to the general customer base, with the disclaimer that 4G is available only in certain markets, etc... everyone else would be able to use it on the existing CDMA-EVDO network.

[monkeyboy]

why am i not that stoked about this? sprint is the only one going WiMax, the entire world chose LTE right?you're getting worked up about something that is YEARS away... Almost anything could happen in that time frame... Sprint could enjoy huge success, the whole world embraces WiMAX, LTE proven not to work (it isn't even standardized yet), LTE and WiMax merge, Sprint gets bought, Sprint and Verizon merge, Intel buys Sprint and pushes WiMAX hard, Comcast buys Sprint, Google becomes 2nd largest carrier in the US, etc, etc... the whole landscape could change...

Sprint had to deploy WiMAX because of the promises it made to the FCC. It is executing its promise. It is not clearly a bad decision. It does not exclude LTE. Even Verizon's LTE is not clearly going to be compatible with GSM for data+voice. Nothing is settled... so just enjoy what is here now...

[sopasesos]

http://www.phonenews.com/exclusive-sprint-hero-samsung-wimaxcdma-android-device-8288/

Exclusive: Sprint to Go Android with HTC Hero & Samsung WiMAX/CDMA Device

* Written by Humberto Saabedra on June 24, 2009
* HTC, Samsung, Sprint

Sources speaking to PhoneNews.com have confirmed that Sprint is internally testing the HTC Hero currently slated for release at the end of the year.

The biggest news however, has to do with Samsung and its device currently in testing which is a CDMA/WiMax device running Android according to preliminary details.

Sprint has previously confirmed plans to release a tri-mode CDMA/WiMax device between this year and 2010, which would place internal testing of the Samsung device inline with the aforementioned timeframe.

[menmyPro]

you're getting worked up about something that is YEARS away... Almost anything could happen in that time frame... Sprint could enjoy huge success, the whole world embraces WiMAX, LTE proven not to work (it isn't even standardized yet), LTE and WiMax merge, Sprint gets bought, Sprint and Verizon merge, Intel buys Sprint and pushes WiMAX hard, Comcast buys Sprint, Google becomes 2nd largest carrier in the US, etc, etc... the whole landscape could change...

Sprint had to deploy WiMAX because of the promises it made to the FCC. It is executing its promise. It is not clearly a bad decision. It does not exclude LTE. Even Verizon's LTE is not clearly going to be compatible with GSM for data+voice. Nothing is settled... so just enjoy what is here now...

:werd::good: