Is Sprint looking to build an LTE network?
From the looks of things, Sprint might be thinking about hedging its bet on WiMax by building an LTE network. Kevin Packingham, Sprint V.P. of product and technology development said, "There's nothing that prevents us from... moving to LTE," said the executive, "We're doing a technology evaluation and making a decision on our core network and how we want to evolve that going forward." The pin-dropping network feels that building out WiMax doesn't stop it from working on an alternative network. "We don't see WiMax and LTE as being mutually exclusive,"said Packingham. The carrier also issued a request for proposal (RFP) from 4G equipment manufacturers as it decides how to upgrade from the current CDMA network it runs in the 800MHz and 1900MHz bands. If Sprint does decide to build an LTE pipeline, it will join Verizon, AT&T and MeroPCS as LTE carriers in the U.S. The operator says that it has no set time-frame when it will make a decision, but says that the public's response to the WiMax enabled EVO 4G handset-to be launched June 4th-will play a part in the decision. Besides all of this 4G talk, there is also speculation that Sprint will upgrade its 3G network to EV-DO rev.B.
HTC EVO 4G Specifications | Hands-on
source: LIGHTREADINGMOBILE via Phonescoop
HTC EVO 4G Specifications | Hands-on
source: LIGHTREADINGMOBILE via Phonescoop
FCC OKs Cingular\'s purchase of AT&T Wireless
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