Could Sprint be getting ready to acquire the remaining portion of Clearwire that it doesn't already own? According to several inside sources, this could be a distinct possibility. If it pans out, the deal would include a joint investment from cable companies such as Cox and Cablevision, which would provide the ailing Clearwire with the money it so desperately needs to continue building out and supporting its existing 4G WiMAX network. If true, this would also definitely be cause for celebration for current HTC EVO users across the US, who are worried about the slowed build-out of Sprint's 4G WiMAX network and Sprint's new commitment to 4G LTE.
While Clearwire has already announced plans to deploy an LTE Advanced network in the coming months and years, both Sprint and Clearwire have tried to squash fears that current WiMAX users would be left behind.
In my opinion, an infusion of cash from cable operators that support this acquisistion would only keep the pressure on Sprint to continue maintaining WiMAX for years to come. Indeed, most cable operators already rely on Clearwire's WiMAX network to deliver 4G service to their own customers, so I'm sure they wouldn't want to see that network turned off.
Perhaps this acquisition is also part of Sprint's big 4G announcement that we can expect later this fall. I will admit: all of this Sprint-Clearwire-LightSquared-WiMAX-LTE mumbo-jumbo is starting to make my head spin, but I'm sure Dan Hesse knows exactly what he's doing. Big things are certainly in store for Sprint and HTC EVO users.
That sounds like good news, but hopefully they can make marked improvements on their current Wimax coverage before my and many other people’s contracts end. I certainly won’t be staying with Sprint if that isn’t the case.
Agreed Sprint is taking the right steps to improve there future network but most importantly they need to step up their 3g coverage and speeds stat. It’s just crazy having such an amazing phone that works on dial up speeds a lot of the time. I’ve also noticed that my 3d picks up open wi-fi networks with good signal strength but won’t connect. The only wi-fi I have been able to get on is the one at my house and its encrypted. I know this is off topic but any help would be appreciated.
The problem with WiMax, in my experience, is poor signal strength inside and outside, even though i live in a supposed 4G city. Haven’t used 4G on my phone in at least 6 months, due to spotty coverage and even worse battery life. Right now, 3G is getting the job done.
I sat in a meeting a few months back with the consulting firm that is working with sprint to deploy this new network. The problems (then) that they were being faced with were: geographical/demographic related problems, freq. that could interfer with other current freq. in certain areas, there was a question of using existing towers and its costs, employing worthy construction companies, some other crazy costs and some legal battles. Also long before this whole Wimax vs LTE came about I remember when Sprint acquired the 49%-51% of clearwire, they were faced with a legal technicality of a competitor owning the competition; which of course leads to a possible monopoly. Sorry I cant tell you the name of the consulting firm due to legal mumbo jumbo. But it is based out of Overland Park, Ks less than 3 miles from Sprint’s World HQ.