Sprint Launches 4G Service in more Markets
Sprint officially released 4G to our pockets in the following new markets: Los Angeles, Miami, Washington D.C., Cleveland, Cincinnati and Columbus, Ohio. Customers in these regions will be able to take full advantage of Spring 4G and be able to browse up to 10 times faster than 3G service. With the addition of these six markets, Sprint 4G is now available in 68 markets[i] across the country, including Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Houston and New York City. Additionally, the wireless carrier announced that it expects to launch the San Francisco market – home to Silicon Valley and thousands of tech enthusiasts – on Dec. 28.
Since launching their first 4G service in Baltimore in September 2008, Sprint has made large improvements in it’s coverage but still lack sufficient coverage in Los Angeles where we tested this in West Los Angeles and parts of Brentwood. Coverage has been spotty but nevertheless, downtown and other geographic areas where there’s a clear line of sight work just fine.
Sprint is delivering the power of 4G as the majority shareholder of Clearwire, the independent company that is building the WiMAX network.
Broadband, Mobile Carriers, Sprint, WiMax 3g, 4g, clearwire, Los Angeles, sprint
Clearwire hates Intel & WiMAX
In Clearwire’s recent 10-Q filing (SEC), Clearwire is locked down into using WiMAX. Barred from deploying LTE until late 2011 under its terms its negotiated with Intel. The contract which was outlined in the 10-Q filing restricts it from offering any non-WiMAX technology until Nov 28, 2011 
Another major hurdle in this is that even after Clearwire deploys WiMAX, it will still incur siginficant costs if it decided to deploy additional wireless technologies even if it’s “technologically superior or more cost effective” than WiMAX (ouch).
But I don’t think LTE will have any market well into 2012 and possibly later when devices and manufacturers come into play. These suppliers will only enter when a market is available and this is the short time Clearwire might need to see traction from now until then.
Broadband, LTE, WiMax
Dell sells WiMax addon
While making a point to assert it’s looking into LTE as well, Dell has for now jumped on the WiMAX bandwagon by announcing it’ll offer the technology as an option on its Studio 15, Studio 17, and Studio XPS 16 laptops. US customers can pick the Intel 5150 WiMAX / Wireless-N combo card for $60 under the wireless card tab when customizing. Right now, we’d wager a few people living in Portland, Atlanta, or pockets of Baltimore just got mighty happy.
Broadband, Dell, Devices, WiMax Dell, wimax