This summer, Sprint will finally make a decision on whether or not it'll jump from WiMAX to LTE for its 4G needs. If they do decide to go with LTE, Sprint would be able to get the new network up and running quickly, explains exec Steve Elfman, with LTE devices arriving in 2012. Elfman, Sprint's president of network operations, went on to say that his carrier could have nationwide LTE coverage by the end of 2013. As for the current CDMA network, Elfman reiterated that Sprint will be using the 800MHz band to enhance indoor coverage once it begins phasing out iDEN in 2013.

Everyone seems to be split on whether or not Sprint switching to LTE would be a good decision, with most of the detractors worried that a change would render their WiMAX phones obsolete. One solution could be to run both LTE and WiMAX networks concurrently, at least until the majority of WiMAXers had switched to an LTE-capable device. With Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile eventually hopping aboard the LTE train, a 4G switch certainly doesn't seem like a completely terrible idea for Sprint, but we'll have to wait a few months to find out what they'll end up doing. Stay tuned!

Via FierceWireless