Sprint Nextel has today provided additional details regarding its plans to broaden the reach of its 4G network in 2010.
Expanding to Boston, Denver, Kansas City, Houston, Minneapolis, New York, San Francisco and Washington D.C., with additional markets to be announced at a later date, Sprint will expand its coverage from 30 million people in 27 markets, to more than 130 million in over 35 markets by year end.
The company’s 4G network is based on an Intel technology called WiMax, which Sprint provides through a partnership with Clearwire. The Sprint-Clearwire 4G network promises speeds of 300-600KBps, or up to ten times faster than the average 3G speed of of just 60-170KBps. The company has also received notoriety for offering truly unlimited bandwidth on its 4G network, whereas 3G phones and broadband cards from all US carriers have a monthly soft cap of just 5GB.
“If you use a computer, a smart phone, a gaming device, a DVD player or any Wi-Fi enabled device, your online life will change for the better when you experience the Sprint 4G difference. And the value of 4G makes using Sprint 3G/4G to enhance all of your wireless devices a no-brainer,” said Matt Carter, president of 4G. “While other national wireless carriers are just talking about 4G, the Sprint Now Network already offers the reality of 4G now in a large number of markets across the country, with many more to follow this year.”
Though Sprint’s rollout plans are ambitious, the company has a tough road ahead as rival firms Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile have pledged support for a rival technology known as LTE. Sprint CEO Dan Hesse is optimistic, though, and called 2010 the year of 4G, and has previously told investors that the technology will be coming to all manner of devices in the new year.
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