We've heard Sprint say that they were planning to phase out their iDEN network a couple of times in the past, but the company wants you to know that they really, really mean it. Today Sprint announced that it'll be getting rid of its iDEN network in 2013 as part of a $4 billion to $5 billion project called "Network Vision." Those users currently using the iDEN network will be moved over to Sprint's CDMA coverage in 2011 as the carrier and it's selected vendors will begin improving the current 1900MHz 3G network while also snatching up some 800MHz, 1900MHz, and 2100MHz spectrum for the future. Interestingly, this all means that should Sprint change their minds and opt to go with LTE for their 4G needs at some point later on, they'll be able to do so simply by adding a baseband card to its stations and issuing a software update. I've included the full press release down below for your perusal.
All of this probably doesn't mean much to most of you unless you're really into iDEN, but the good news is that Sprint after upgrading their current 3G network, Sprint users should (hopefully) see better building penetration. It's interesting that Sprint is making sure that they're able to switch to LTE if necessary; I'm not sure that it'd be an entirely terrible idea for them to go through with the change. After all, AT&T and Verizon are both moving to LTE in the future. If Sprint switched, too, their customers could end up seeing a better selection of 4G handsets come to their network. We're still waiting to see if a T-Mobile-Clearwire funding deal goes through, but if it doesn't, Sprint could make the move to LTE. After seeing the results from Clearwire's LTE testing, I wouldn't blame them.
Sprint Announces Network Vision - A Cutting-Edge Network Evolution Plan With Partners Alcatel-Lucent, Ericsson and Samsung
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (BUSINESS WIRE), December 06, 2010 - Sprint (NYSE: S) today unveiled its Network Vision blueprint to deploy a cost-effective, innovative network plan to further enhance voice quality and data speeds for customers across the United States. Sprint's Network Vision is expected to consolidate multiple network technologies into one, seamless network.
Sprint has awarded contracts to Alcatel-Lucent, Ericsson and Samsung to bring Network Vision to life by implementing multimode technology to enhance service - coverage, quality and speed - create network flexibility, reduce operating costs and improve environmental sustainability. The scope of the arrangement between Sprint and these best-in-class vendors includes purchases of hardware, software and services. The awarded suppliers will deploy state-of-the-art technology expected to bring Sprint customers an overall enhanced network experience and deliver financial value to Sprint.
"Improving the customer experience - business and consumer - is the motivating force behind these network improvements," said Dan Hesse, Sprint CEO. "We are very pleased with the results of our process which selected these three world-class partners. Each company realized the network proposal process was highly competitive, and each responded with innovative, cost-effective solutions.
"Network Vision builds on our legacy of wireless innovation and represents the next step in the evolution of our networks to best meet unprecedented growth in mobility services. We are well-positioned to take advantage of new technology, chipsets, devices and applications. Working with these three partners, we expect to deliver to our customers the most cutting-edge network capabilities available today and in the future."
Today, Sprint uses separate equipment to deploy services on 800MHz spectrum, 1.9GHz spectrum and, through its relationship with Clearwire, 2.5GHz spectrum. Under the terms of the new contracts, Alcatel-Lucent, Ericsson and Samsung will install new network equipment and software that brings together multiple spectrum bands, or airwaves, on a single, multimode base station. (See ‘Current vs. New cell site' at the Sprint Network Vision Information Center.)
The base stations will allow for the flexibility to offer new technologies using any of the 800MHz, 1.9GHz or 2.5GHz bands, as well as other spectrum bands. Sprint and the three companies expect to finalize the implementation schedule and begin the first stages of deployment in 2011. Completion of Network Vision across the Sprint network is expected to take from three to five years.
The implementation of multimode technology throughout the Sprint network is designed to:
Enhance service - Improve quality and data speed; improve in-building coverage and coverage within the network footprint
Create network flexibility - Ensure the most effective expansion of 4G
Reduce operating costs by delivering capital efficiency, lease reductions, roaming savings and backhaul efficiencies
Improve environmental sustainability by reducing carbon footprint and energy consumption needs
In addition to implementing multimode base stations, the Sprint Network Vision plan encompasses next-generation push-to-talk (PTT) with broadband capabilities and the integration of multimode chipsets into smartphones, tablets and other broadband devices, including machine-to-machine (M2M) capabilities.
Through spectrum efficiencies associated with Network Vision, Sprint intends to repurpose some of its 800MHz spectrum for CDMA service, thereby enhancing coverage, particularly the in-building experience for customers. Augmenting its 1.9GHz footprint with 800MHz, Sprint expects its CDMA coverage density will increase throughout the country. More density generally equates to fewer dropped calls and a more seamless network experience for customers. According to a 2010 PCWorld 13-city, 3G drive test, Sprint had the most reliable network. The Network Vision plan expects to enhance that competitive position.
"This is a very bold move," said Berge Ayvazian, senior consultant, Heavy Reading. "Sprint was first with an all-digital wireless network; the first to upgrade to EVDO; and, more recently, the first to broadly offer 4G services. Sprint is once again first to deploy a common converged mobile network that will strengthen its 3G services; enhance its 4G technology options; and continue delivering the industry's leading push-to-talk offering."
Future of push-to-talk
During the nationwide implementation of Network Vision, PTT customers will continue to receive a superior customer experience on the iDEN network, currently performing at best-ever levels. As the Network Vision transformation unfolds, Sprint expects to launch the next-generation of PTT services in 2011 on the CDMA network, offering customers sub-second call setup time along with robust data capabilities.
Over time, a shift is likely to occur whereby customers demand more data-centric applications with PTT usage. According to recent industry research, U.S. wireless data traffic exceeds voice traffic for the first time in history. The industry's mobile data revenue is up 27 percent this year*. (See ‘Wireless data growth trends' at the Sprint Network Vision Information Center.)
As the shifting to more broadband-centric PTT applications on the CDMA network occurs, it is expected that iDEN cell sites will be phased out. This phase out is expected to begin in 2013.
"We're seeing an increasing need from our push-to-talk customers for high-speed data capabilities, said Steve Elfman, president-Network Operations & Wholesale, Sprint. "Marrying the industry's only sub-second PTT call setup with broadband data directly supports our customers' needs and creates an unmatched offering in the market. Additionally, we fully expect a competitively priced lineup of rugged handsets and smartphones on the CDMA network."
Greater efficiency benefits environmental sustainability
Across the country, as Network Vision is implemented, the size and power required to operate cell sites used by Sprint is expected to be reduced. Where an entire site can be decommissioned, Sprint intends to reduce its carbon footprint and energy costs. This network transformation will further Sprint's lead in environmental sustainability and social responsibility. As Newsweek's #6 ranked U.S. company in its recent "Green" rankings, Sprint will continue to aggressively identify ways to protect the environment. (See more at the Sprint Sustainability Information Center.)
Financial benefit to Sprint
Sprint expects the Network Vision plan to bring financial benefit to the company, not only by reducing operating costs, but also by avoiding future expenses as wireless data traffic continues to grow. The total estimated incremental cost of the Network Vision program during the deployment period is between $4 billion and $5 billion. Sprint estimates the total net financial benefit for a seven-year period to be between $10 billion and $11 billion. Cost savings are expected to come from capital efficiencies, reducing energy costs, lowering roaming expenses, backhaul savings and the eventual reduction in total cell sites. As Network Vision gives Sprint a more efficient network, and wireless data demand continues to increase, the per-unit cost efficiencies of serving Sprint customers should improve.
Network Vision implementation
The nation's geography will be divided among Alcatel-Lucent, Ericsson and Samsung on a market-by-market basis. Several of the markets for each company:
Alcatel-Lucent: New York City, Philadelphia, Boston, Washington, D.C./Baltimore and Los Angeles
Ericsson: Atlanta, Miami, Houston, Kansas City and Dallas
Samsung: Chicago, Denver, Pittsburgh, San Francisco and Seattle
* Research support: "New Cisco Visual Networking Index Forecasts Global IP Traffic to Increase Fivefold by 2013" - June 9, 2009
About Sprint Nextel
Sprint Nextel offers a comprehensive range of wireless and wireline communications services bringing the freedom of mobility to consumers, businesses and government users. Sprint Nextel served more than 48.8 million customers at the end of the third quarter of 2010 and is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying innovative technologies, including the first wireless 4G service from a national carrier in the United States; offering industry-leading mobile data services, leading prepaid brands including Virgin Mobile USA, Boost Mobile, Common Cents Mobile and Assurance Wireless; instant national and international push-to-talk capabilities; and a global Tier 1 Internet backbone. Newsweek ranked Sprint #6 in its 2010 Green Rankings, listing it as one of the nation's greenest companies, the highest of any telecommunications company. You can learn more and visit Sprint at www.sprint.com or www.facebook.com/sprint and www.twitter.com/sprint.
Via Engadget, FierceWireless
