Could Sprint be waiting for LTE advanced?

tomtom2234 · Jun 17, 2011

I know there have been A LOT of rumors going around about sprint switching to LTE and all other sorts of rumors. I started to do so research and found out about LTE advanced. I also read how sprint is getting ready to start something called project leapfrog that will supposedly put them technologically ahead of everybody else. Could it be that they are planning on switching to LTE advanced instead of LTE? Am i just way over thinking things? anyone with an opinion please share

EDIT: I feel like an idiot, I totally ruled out WiMax 2 without even noticing. WiMax 2 would actually be easier for Sprint. It is backwards compatible with original WiMax and an actual 4G technology.

FreakyLocz14 · Jun 17, 2011

Likewise, LTE Advanced is backwards compatible with LTE. I hope WiMax 2 fixes the building penetration and tower handoff problems of WiMax.

tomtom2234 · Jun 17, 2011

FreakyLocz14 said:
Likewise, LTE Advanced is backwards compatible with LTE. I hope WiMax 2 fixes the building penetration and tower handoff problems of WiMax.

Which do you think they would go with? With LTE advanced they would have to build new towers completely right? With WiMax2 they could just upgrade their current towers and any future towers would still support WiMax so older phones would work. Then if you look at the wall penetration problem LTE does seem like a better option in the long run if WiMax2 doesn't fix current WiMax problems.

sikclown · Jun 17, 2011

tomtom2234 said:
Which do you think they would go with? With LTE advanced they would have to build new towers completely right? With WiMax2 they could just upgrade their current towers and any future towers would still support WiMax so older phones would work. Then if you look at the wall penetration problem LTE does seem like a better option in the long run if WiMax2 doesn't fix current WiMax problems.

Without knowing the ins and outs of LTE Advanced I do know that for Sprint and Clearwire to upgrade their WiMax installs to LTE would require swapping out a card at each station and a software upgrade. Not sure about what switching to Advanced would require. Not sure if you read it but Clearwire (Sprint is the major owner) will be testing it's LTE network in Phoenix shortly.

TheBlackAngel · Jun 17, 2011

i could be wrong here so take it worth a grain of salt, but from what i understand all these comments about "wimax building penetration sucks!!11!!1!!1 they should switch to LTE to fix the building penetration!1!!!!11!1!" comments aren't really valid because building penetration is dependent on the frequency they are running at, not the technology being used. so if you ran LTE at 2.5Ghz it would be just as bad and if you ran wimax at 700-800mhz it would be better.

again someone correct me if i'm wrong......

sikclown · Jun 17, 2011

Two articles worth reading:
Sprint Gets Lien on LightSquared Spectrum: Will Anybody Need It?
Falcone?s LightSquared in Deal With Sprint - Bloomberg

BenChase7 · Jun 17, 2011

sikclown said:
Two articles worth reading:
Sprint Gets Lien on LightSquared Spectrum: Will Anybody Need It?
Falcone?s LightSquared in Deal With Sprint - Bloomberg

I think this (along with the Network Vision upgrade) definitely implies significant changes/advancement in Sprint's network. In addition the new radio's found in Sprints upcoming phones, such a the EVO 3D.

sikclown · Jun 20, 2011

LightSquared announces 'solution' for GPS issue, says LTE network will roll out on schedule -- Engadget

catpowrd · Aug 5, 2011

Clearwire has announced their intent to add "LTE Advanced-ready" technology to their existing 4G WiMAX network. Their LTE-Advanced 4G technology will offer speeds over 120Mbps, which is a dramatic leap from the 3-6Mbps with bursts over 10Mbps, that customers have grown used to with their existing WiMAX network.

Now if they would just expand their network.

eieio · Aug 5, 2011

the only thing Clear did was pee on themselves up wind in a storm..

simcha · Aug 8, 2011

Something needs to be done. 4g is useless in its current form. It cuts in and out without warning. Streaming doesn't work when the 4g isn't consistent.

Sprint might have been first to roll out 4g, but it sure has the most crappy 4g network ever.

evolution3d · Aug 9, 2011

BenChase7 said:
I think this (along with the Network Vision upgrade) definitely implies significant changes/advancement in Sprint's network. In addition the new radio's found in Sprints upcoming phones, such a the EVO 3D.

What is different about the EVO 3D's radio??

In regards to the rest of the thread, I think 4G altogether (as in with any carrier) has been rather disappointing. If switching to LTE would mean capped data plans like with Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T, then I'd prefer to stick with WiMax or 3G. Having the speeds of LTE is utterly useless if I can't use more than 2GB of data per month. On top of that battery usage on 4G sucks.

BenChase7 · Aug 9, 2011

^^

To my understanding, the EVO 3D (and other upcoming Sprint phones) will have access to 800MHZ (I think it is), which is the frequency that Nextel uses and will become freed up for Sprints use... part of Sprints Network Vision upgrade.

RiverOfIce · Aug 10, 2011

EVOlution3 said:
Having the speeds of LTE is utterly useless if

You will not get the speeds either. Wimax is not the problem, the build out is the problem. If they build out with lte it will be the same towers and system, with a new software.

Take a 10 year old pc, install windows 7 on it and pretend it will work like a brand new system. That is what lte will do to wimax. Wimax is just software, the hardware is the problem.

OutofDate1980 · Aug 10, 2011

RiverOfIce said:
You will not get the speeds either. Wimax is not the problem, the build out is the problem. If they build out with lte it will be the same towers and system, with a new software.

Take a 10 year old pc, install windows 7 on it and pretend it will work like a brand new system. That is what lte will do to wimax. Wimax is just software, the hardware is the problem.

If you were the WiMax/LTE King/Queen how would you do the build out or correct the existing build out, if possible.

evolution3d · Aug 10, 2011

BenChase7 said:
^^

To my understanding, the EVO 3D (and other upcoming Sprint phones) will have access to 800MHZ (I think it is), which is the frequency that Nextel uses and will become freed up for Sprints use... part of Sprints Network Vision upgrade.

You are correct about the bands:

800MHz = Nextel (to be phased out over next couple years, possible LTE band?)

1900MHz = Sprint CDMA, 3G

2500MHz = WiMax

As far as the phones go though, even the original EVO 4G has 800, 1900, and 2500MHz radio. This has been the standard on Sprint phones for awhile. I don't know if that means they would be compatible with LTE on any of those spectrum though...

ROI would know better than I.

eieio · Aug 10, 2011

RiverOfIce said:
You will not get the speeds either. Wimax is not the problem, the build out is the problem. If they build out with lte it will be the same towers and system, with a new software.

Take a 10 year old pc, install windows 7 on it and pretend it will work like a brand new system. That is what lte will do to wimax. Wimax is just software, the hardware is the problem.

I agree on the premise but disagree with the final verdict. The current version of wimax used by clear was revised to included mobile devices, while it worked ok and had potential to grow into a better tech, it has issues..

LTE does not have the hand off issues and is a better mobile technology, Wimax 2 is comparable..

BenChase7 · Aug 11, 2011

i dont know what to believe anymore. Sooo many posts that sound plausible here, but nothing to back it up. hummm

simcha · Aug 11, 2011

I'm still dissatisfied with Wimax as it is. No matter where I am in Oakland, CA, Wimax cuts in and out constantly making it useless here. Sprint hasn't done anything to improve the network here to the point that 4g is worth anything more than a marketing gimmick. I hate that I pay $10 extra per month for a phone with 4g access when 4g as it is on the Sprint network is absolutely worthless.

evolution3d · Aug 12, 2011

simcha said:
I'm still dissatisfied with Wimax as it is. No matter where I am in Oakland, CA, Wimax cuts in and out constantly making it useless here. Sprint hasn't done anything to improve the network here to the point that 4g is worth anything more than a marketing gimmick. I hate that I pay $10 extra per month for a phone with 4g access when 4g as it is on the Sprint network is absolutely worthless.

The $10 premium data charge has nothing to do with 4G.

simcha · Aug 13, 2011

EVOlution3 said:
The $10 premium data charge has nothing to do with 4G.

Yes, it does. It's for the "premium data experience" on smart phones. That experience includes 4g. Only smart phones have 4g access on Sprint. Only smart phones must have plans that include this fee.

Oh yes, I know the official response from Sprint about the $10 fee. They can put whatever language they want on this. The fact is that the only phones that must have the $10 fee per month are smart phones and only smart phones have 4g access. They can claim that it's because smart phones have all kinds of capabilities. One of those capabilities exclusive to smart phones on the Sprint network is 4g access.

evolution3d · Aug 13, 2011

simcha said:
Yes, it does. It's for the "premium data experience" on smart phones. That experience includes 4g. Only smart phones have 4g access on Sprint. Only smart phones must have plans that include this fee.

Oh yes, I know the official response from Sprint about the $10 fee. They can put whatever language they want on this. The fact is that the only phones that must have the $10 fee per month are smart phones and only smart phones have 4g access. They can claim that it's because smart phones have all kinds of capabilities. One of those capabilities exclusive to smart phones on the Sprint network is 4g access.

Then explain to me why Sprint smartphones that DO NOT have 4G (Blackberries, LG Optimus, Samsung Replenish, etc.) require the $10 premium data fee as well?

Shiboboo · Aug 14, 2011

EVOlution3 said:
Then explain to me why Sprint smartphones that DO NOT have 4G (Blackberries, LG Optimus, Samsung Replenish, etc.) require the $10 premium data fee as well?

A. To get more money.
B. To attempt to avoid some of the outrage of charging more for 4G phones when the 4G service isn't even usable for most.

Rigmaster · Aug 15, 2011

Who knows what Sprint's doing long-term because they've been very on-the-fence about what they will do. Technology aside, the key will be in cost and ability to execute. My guess is that Sprint will simply choose the 4G technology that costs less to build out and best utilizes it's existing infrastructure. Sprint doesn't have the $ to do otherwise.

Wimax has been spotty in execution. However for some - it's been pretty strong. I'm in the Philly-NYC corridor. Where Wimax is available, the signal is fast and reliable. Where it's not, it's simply not. I don't see many connection issues once I'm connected.

IF Wimax2 is even an option, I hope Wimax2 is easier and cheaper to rollout and compatible with Sprint's capabilities. And I hope Wimax2 and Sprint can be a good alternative to LTE. But those will just be hopes until Sprint makes it clear where they're going and how they're going to get there.

Sprint stock could use a boost too - they're killing me!

evolution3d · Aug 16, 2011

Shiboboo said:
A. To get more money.
B. To attempt to avoid some of the outrage of charging more for 4G phones when the 4G service isn't even usable for most.

Incorrect. The real reason is because of streaming movies and music with apps like Pandora and Netflix. As these apps have emerged and become more popular there has been more and more network congestion. The difference in congestion caused by the speed of 4G is negligible compared to the type of data being used these days. Smartphones are no longer just for email and basic web browsing.

I think that Sprint charging $10 for this increased demand is very reasonable compared to what other companies are doing.

Could Sprint be waiting for LTE advanced?

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