Today Sprint held its Strategy Update event that we first learned about at the tail end of August and, just as suspected, the carrier announced that it will be launching its own 4G LTE network. Sprint has promised a "rapid" LTE rollout, with the first markets going live in mid-2012 and a full rollout covering 250 million Americans expected by 2013. The new LTE network will use 1900MHz band initially with 800MHz support to follow, and Sprint LTE will also eventually use the 1600MHz band thanks to the carrier's partnership with LightSquared.
Speaking about LTE-enabled devices, Sprint says that it plans to release around 15 CDMA/LTE-enabled products next year that will cover the entire low-end to high-end range and will include handsets, tablets, and data cards. The initial LTE produces will run on Sprint's 1900MHz band. There will also be CDMA/WiMAX/LTE mobile hotspot devices available, but don't expect to see any phones sporting all three wireless technologies.
What about WiMAX, you ask? Sprint has said that WiMAX devices will continue to be sold through 2012. Outside of that tidbit of information, Sprint doesn't seem to be saying much about WiMAX or Clearwire.
Considering how often we've heard rumblings and rumors about Sprint making the jump to LTE, it's exciting to see the move finally, finally made official. Obviously there are still a lot of questions up in the air, like which markets will see Sprint LTE first and what the carrier's plans are for WiMAX beyond 2012, but we should be hearing more about this whole situation in the coming months. In the mean time, we've got Sprint's press release ready for your perusal down below.
UPDATE: Sprint has posted some more details on its Network Vision project and LTE rollout on its community forums. It mentions a lot of the same information given above, like that it expects its LTE network to cover 250 million people by the end of 2013 and that the first LTE-enabled devices are expected to begin arriving by mid 2012. The Network Vision project will also have a positive impact on Sprint's 3G network, including expanded coverage, improved network reliability and voice quality, and faster 3G data speeds. A video touching a bit more on Network Vision is embedded below:
Sprint Accelerates Deployment of Network Vision and Announces National Rollout of 4G LTE
LTE deployment expected to reach 250 million people by 2013
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (BUSINESS WIRE), October 07, 2011 - At its 4G Strategy/Network Vision Update event today in New York, Sprint Nextel (NYSE: S) updated the financial community on its plans to accelerate deployment of Network Vision and its plans to roll out 4G LTE on its licensed spectrum. Network Vision, originally announced in December 2010, is Sprint’s plan to consolidate multiple network technologies into one seamless network with the goal of increasing efficiency and enhancing network coverage, call quality and data speeds for customers across the United States.
Dan Hesse, Sprint CEO, said, “Our progress deploying Network Vision enables Sprint to extend and evolve our 4G leadership and to improve the experience for 3G customers. Our next-generation network and cutting-edge device lineup, combined with the industry’s best pricing plans, give Sprint customers the best experience in wireless.”
The company's presentation today, which featured Hesse; Steve Elfman, president-Network Operations and Wholesale; Bob Azzi, senior vice president-Network; Fared Adib, vice president-Product Development; and Joseph Euteneuer, chief financial officer, highlighted the following:
Sprint making significant progress on Network Vision deployment. Sprint reviewed progress to date in deploying Network Vision, including the rollout and successful testing and trialing of multimode technology, the launch of Sprint® Direct Connect® on the CDMA network and the new devices launching in the fourth quarter. As a result of the success and the progress made so far, the company is now targeting completion of Network Vision deployment by the end of 2013 – two years sooner than originally scheduled.
Sprint will begin a rapid national rollout of LTE on its 1900MHz spectrum. Sprint plans to launch 4G LTE on its 1900MHz spectrum by midyear 2012 and complete the network build-out by the end of 2013. By the conclusion of 2013, Sprint’s 4G coverage footprint is expected to cover more than 250 million people.
Sprint expects to launch CDMA-LTE devices by mid-2012, with approximately 15 devices coming throughout the year – including handsets, tablets and data cards. Additionally, CDMA-WiMAX 4G devices, like the award-winning HTC EVOTM 4G, Samsung EpicTM 4G Touch and Nexus STM 4G, will continue to be sold throughout 2012.
Sprint introduces spectrum-hosting business. Management described Sprint’s unique ability to host third-party spectrum and how it’s made possible through the Network Vision multimode base stations. The spectrum-hosting opportunity capitalizes on Sprint’s Network Vision platform and uses its flexible, open technology architecture. Spectrum hosting is a new revenue opportunity for Sprint and a cost-effective way to gain additional network capacity to better serve Sprint customers.
Network Vision provides significant economic benefit to Sprint. Sprint reaffirmed the economic benefits associated with Network Vision. As declared last December, Network Vision is expected to cost an incremental $4 billion to $5 billion and deliver $10 billion to $11 billion in net economic value to the company between 2011 and 2017. Operating Income Before Depreciation and Amortization (OIBDA) margin is expected to improve 400 to 600 basis points or about 4 percent to 6 percent from current levels by 2014. The primary components of value come from a broader footprint (reduced roaming costs), cell-site reduction, the elimination of dual networks, backhaul efficiencies, reduced churn, more efficient use of capital and energy cost savings.
In parallel to the Network Vision initiative, Sprint also stated that it is pursuing improvements in its core operations that could result in an additional 400 to 600 basis points or about 4 percent to 6 percent of OIBDA margin improvement by 2014.
Euteneuer said, “Network Vision creates a platform for growth and competitive advantage and delivers significant profitability upside potential. Over the long term, continued execution on Network Vision as well as other improvements to our core operations are expected to result in overall margin expansion, improved return on invested capital, and, ultimately, increased value for our shareholders.”
Sprint Nextel Webcast Information
A replay of the webcast may be accessed at www.sprint.com/investors.
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 52 million customers at the end of 2Q 2011 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, and Assurance Wireless; instant national and international push-to-talk capabilities; and a global Tier 1 Internet backbone. Newsweek ranked Sprint No. 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 This is my next, Sprint
