Good and EVO

Sprint 4G LTE round-up: Unofficial roll out updates

4g lte small - for some reason we don't have an alt tag hereThose of you with an HTC EVO 4G LTE, a Sprint Samsung Galaxy Nexus, or an LG Viper 4G LTE are probably very curious to know what the status is on Sprint’s 4G LTE roll out. And while Sprint hasn’t really officially announced anything new, we are definitely getting closer to the official network launch.

Here are some unofficial updates for a few areas that are expected to be among the first to get access to 4G LTE:

  • Atlanta and Athens, GA: This market has over 150 sites currently broadcasting an LTE signal. This market should launch before the end of June, with between 35-40% of Network Vision sites completed at this time, broadcasting both LTE and enhanced 3G.
  • San Antonio, TX: This market has about 30 sites broadcasting LTE, and the market will probably launch before the end of June, as well. Initial 4G LTE coverage is expected to be spotty until more coverage gaps are filled in throughout the rest of this year.
  • Houston, TX: About 60 sites are currently broadcasting LTE, and the official launch is expected to be sometime in mid-July, with around 30-35% of Network Vision sites completed at launch.
  • Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX: About 40 sites are currently broadcasting LTE all around the market, from Sherman to Waxahatchie. Like Houston, it’s probable that this market will officially launch in mid-July, with around 30-35% of Network Vision sites completed by then.
  • Kansas: About 30 sites are broadcasting LTE throughout the state, mainly in Kansas City, St. Joseph, and Sedalia, MO. Current speculation pegs the official launch in mid-July, as well, with only 25-30% of Network Vision sites completed.
  • Baltimore, MD: About 55 sites have completed Network Vision 3G enhancements, but they are not broadcasting LTE. This was supposed to have been completed by May, but it seems as if there may be a problem with the additional backhaul that’s required. An LTE/Network Vision launch is still expected in mid-July, with 25-30% of the Network Vision sites completed by then.
  • Austin, TX: Sprint’s Network Vision partner, Ericsson, established Waco, TX as a 4G LTE test ground. There are around 20 sites live in the Waco area now, and work has recently started in the rest of the Austin market. A launch is expected around the beginning of August, with about 30-40% of the network complete. 4G LTE will probably be noticeably spotty at first, but coverage will improve as gaps are filled in.
  • Boston, MA: 8 sites are currently broadcasting LTE, which is exciting because this market hasn’t been officially announced at all yet. As more sites go up and further Network Vision work is completed, it is expected that the market will officially launch towards the end of August.
  • Washington, DC: There are around 50 Network Vision sites live right now, on both the Maryland and Virginia side. This market is also unannounced, although it’s expected to launch towards the end of August with 30-40% of sites completed.

Please keep in mind the following points:

  1. This information is unofficial; it should be considered an unconfirmed leak. However, the source has historically been very reliable (see the links below). So take that as you will.
  2. Sprint is known to be actively blocking LTE sites until the official launch time, so even if LTE is broadcasting in your neighborhood, you might not see it yet on your device.
  3. These markets do not represent everything Sprint is doing right now. Work for Network Vision and the LTE roll out is being done in lots more places, so don’t get too disappointed if your area isn’t mentioned here. Remember, Sprint’s goal is still to finish the LTE rollout by the end of 2013.
[S4GRU: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10]
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John F

John was the editor-in-chief at Pocketables. His articles generally focus on all things Google, including Chrome and Android, although his love of new gadgets and technology doesn't stop there. His current arsenal includes the Nexus 6 by Motorola, the 2013 Nexus 7 by ASUS, the Nexus 9 by HTC, the LG G Watch, and the Chromebook Pixel, among others.

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