First cluster of Sprint LTE cell sites goes live, Sprint marks major Network Vision milestone
In case you were doubtful that Sprint would be able to get an LTE network up and running in any reasonable amount of time, Sprint just announced that it finally has its first cluster of LTE cell sites up and running in Kankakee, IL, a suburb of Chicago. Sprint says that it's still on track to have the majority of its 4G LTE network deployed by the end of 2013, and it still plans on releasing its first round of LTE-capable phones, tablets, and mobile broadband devices in mid-2012.
Additionally, some other Network Vision milestones that Sprint wants to brag about include:
- Completed development and integration of back-office systems to support the new base stations to ensure a seamless rollout
- Finished lab testing of all components of the Network Vision platform, eliminating most technical risks of the program and validating rapid LTE deployment schedule
- Launched Sprint Direct Connect® on CDMA and introduced three devices, allowing our iDEN customers to move to a truly mobile data experience with a comparable platinum push-to-talk experience
- Launched first multi-modal base station in Branchburg, N.J., and validated improved 3G data performance metrics, such as voice quality, drops and blocks and data speeds
Even though Sprint claims that it is already noticing massive improvements in data speeds and network capacity nationwide, it will accelerate their network improvements in 2012. In addition, Sprint expects to make additional announcements about the timing of more LTE markets and devices in early 2012.
So what are your opinions on this most recent network announcement from Sprint?
[Sprint]
Gotta start somewhere. Although, I wouldn’t consider it a suburb of Chicago considering it’s 60 miles away.
I’m just glad that they are slightly ahead of schedule. This is definitely a step in the right direction. Hopefully, the Network Vision rollout goes as smooth as planned. Makes me kinda happy to be a Sprint customer to see some progress.
True – although Joliet is considered a suburb and it’s about 45 miles away. Kankakee is only 15 more miles! :-)
I waited for 4G and it never came to Kentucky. But since I am due for one last upgrade come June before I have to wait 22 months and if a newer LTE EVO comes out I’ll upgrade. But I am not counting on getting this LTE anytime soon. I think Verizon has it here already but I’ve been happy with Sprint.
So the end of 2013 is basically saying 2014 and that means I could leave sprint and come back and they might have a decent network. This is too little too late.
well im due for an upgrade in October hopefully their latest LTE flagship phone will be out by then & hopefully its an evo. im just hoping lte connectivity will be automatic as oppose to how you currently have to turn it on and scan for it
You can keep track of the Sprint 4G deployment updates on our website http://s4gru.spruz.com, or our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sprint-4G-Rollout-Updates/257896107561168 or our Twitter page at http://twitter.com/Sprint4Grollout
Robert Herron
Can you please post a web link that works. The Facebook and Twitter links work but not the webpage.
the clickthrough link works, just has an extra comma in the address bar.. Click and then just erase the comma and… voila you’ll get to the website http://s4gru.spruz.com/
Thanks didn’t see that.
Just remove the coma from the link.
Didn’t see this was already addressed. Sorry.
Won’t be upgrading my Evo until Sprint LTE is up and running and a successor to my phone arrives.
WTF! I live in a little suburb called long island ny. Sprint is like dial up service. Verizon is 10 times faster and I’m about to bow out after almost 20 years. Slow is an understatement
All I want to know is, when they say mid-2012 are they talking about June when my beloved EVO 4G reached the maturity level where I can do the upgrade for $300 to the EVO LTE? Any signs of this maybe for the tradeshow? Hints? Anything?
anyone know if the Sprint LTE is as messed up as Verizon’s? They’re down nationwide again evidently.
Then you might lose your unlimited data because there’s rumors that there data network are going to be capped like there competitions unless you’re a active customer, you’d get grandfathered into there truly unlimited data network.