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Sprint Marketing Updates 4G LTE City List where work is under way and adds 9 more communities


S4GRU

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by Robert Herron
Sprint 4G Rollout Updates
Tuesday, November 12, 2012 - 12:39 AM MDT

 

In the latest news from Sprint, they have added another nine additional communities that they anticipate having at least a prelaunch amount of service available to use by its LTE customers in the next few months. Based on a source, these are expected to have usable service by the end of January, barring any unforseen conditions.

 

What's exciting in this list, is it includes not only areas where Sprint is already working (like Oakland/East Bay, Michigan City/LaPorte, Bloomington and Key West), but it also includes some starts in new markets like Minnesota, Oklahoma, Arkansas and South Texas. We have already had S4GRU members seeing activity in the Minnesota market recently. S4GRU has announcedg that work would begin in the Oklahoma market this Winter several months ago. However, the work in Arkansas and South Texas markets represent a move up in the schedule. This is welcome news.

 

It is no accident that Sprint outlines that the LTE signals that are discovered in these areas are "prelaunch." Sprint is trying to set expectations that these are advance LTE signals that will be usable to customers. It's great that Sprint will allow these sites to be usable pretty quickly after they are complete. But as we have seen around our forums and our social media pages, there is a pretty vocal part of their customer base who expects to have wall to wall coverage immediately upon receiving their first LTE signal. It is important that these people understand that they are getting to use their LTE sites really early, before the whole network is ready. And this is a good thing.

 

Most markets will take a long time from prelaunch phase until they have ubiquitous coverage over the whole area. A few months to a year, depending on the market. See the city list below and their corresponding markets:

  • Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN (Minnesota market)
  • Fort Smith, AR (Arkansas market)
  • Ardmore, OK (Oklahoma market)
  • Oakland/Fremont/Hayward, CA (SF Bay market)
  • Michigan City/La Porte, IN (Chicago market)
  • McAllen/Edinburg/Mission, TX (South Texas market)
  • Key West, FL (Miami/West Palm market)
  • Bloomington, IN (Indianapolis market)
  • Eau Claire, WI (Minnesota market)

 

 

Quote
Sprint Nextel Corporation has posted the following release to its Newsroom website:

 

Sprint Adding 4G LTE to Nine Additional Cities in Coming Months

 

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (BUSINESS WIRE), November 13, 2012 - Continuing its aggressive push to deliver an enhanced top-tier network experience for customers, Sprint (NYSE:S) announced today that its 4G LTE network build is progressing in nine additional cities within its nationwide 3G footprint.

 

Work has begun on the 4G LTE Network in the following additional areas:

 

- Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minn.

- Fort Smith, Ark.

- Ardmore, Okla.

- Oakland/Fremont/Hayward, Calif.

- Michigan City/La Porte, Ind.

- McAllen/Edinburg/Mission, Texas

- Key West, Fla.

- Bloomington, Ind.

- Eau Claire, Wis.

 

“We’re committed to providing improved 3G and 4G LTE as quickly as possible, and keeping our customers informed as to when and where they can experience the new network’s superior performance and speed,” said Bob Azzi, senior vice president-Network, Sprint. “Our customers depend on their mobile devices as their primary source of communication, business connectivity and entertainment. We’re delivering all of that functionality at a very competitive price.”

 

During the pre-launch phase, Sprint customers with capable devices may begin to see 4G LTE coverage in these areas and are welcome to use the network even before it officially launches. Sprint plans to announce commercial availability of 4G LTE in these cities in the coming months, followed by continued enhancements in coverage, performance and reliability. Ultimately, Sprint’s 4G LTE coverage is expected to largely match the existing nationwide 3G footprint.

 

Sprint has announced more than 125 cities where Sprint 4G LTE is on its way, including Boston; Charlotte, N.C.; Indianapolis; Los Angeles; Memphis, Tenn.; Miami; Nashville, Tenn.; New Orleans; New York; Philadelphia; and Washington, D.C. To find out more about which markets currently have Sprint 4G LTE and which markets are coming next, please visit www.sprint.com/4GLTE.

 

Sprint introduced its all-new 4G LTE network in July 2012 and currently offers service in 32 cities1. As part of its overall network strategy, Sprint is also doing a complete overhaul of its 3G infrastructure so that customers can enjoy better wireless signal strength, in-building coverage, and fewer dropped/blocked calls. These enhancements are now available to customers in several markets across the country, with significant deployment in Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York and Washington, D.C., and will continue to improve in the weeks and months ahead.

 

With these enhancements to Sprint’s 3G network, the company’s prepaid customers, on Virgin Mobile and Boost Mobile, will also benefit and can expect to see better coverage, improved network reliability and voice quality resulting in up to 20 to 30 percent fewer dropped and blocked calls.

 

Unlimited + Sprint 4G LTE = Game-changing wireless offer for customers

 

In today’s competitive wireless market, the value of unlimited has never been more apparent and Sprint is clearly a leading choice in wireless. Customers with capable devices can combine Sprint’s all-new 3G and 4G LTE networks and enjoy unlimited data while on the Sprint network. Data usage continues to increase and consumers value Truly Unlimited data because it’s simple and straightforward – while on the Sprint network there is no metering, no throttling, and no need to share data, which increases the likelihood of a surprise monthly bill because of overage charges.

 

Coupled with unbeatable plans and fast devices, Sprint has been working hard to deliver the best customer experience in the past few years. The 2012 American Customer Satisfaction Index ranked Sprint No. 1 among all national carriers in customer satisfaction and most improved, across all 47 industries measured, over the last four years. And Sprint has been ranked Highest in Satisfaction with the Purchase Experience among Full-service Wireless Providers three times in a row by J.D. Power and Associates.

 

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 nearly 56 million customers at the end of the third quarter of 2012 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. The American Customer Satisfaction Index rated Sprint No. 1 among all national carriers in customer satisfaction and most improved, across all 47 industries, during the last four years. Newsweek ranked Sprint No. 3 in both its 2011 and 2012 Green Rankings, listing it as one of the nation’s greenest companies, the highest of any telecommunications company.

 

1 Atlanta, Ga.; Athens, Ga.; Baltimore, Md.; Barnstable-Hyannis/Mid-Cape, Mass.; Calhoun, Ga.; Carrollton, Ga.; Chicago-Naperville-Joliet, Ill.; Gainesville, Ga.; Dallas; Fort Worth, Texas; Gary, Ind.; Granbury-Hood County, Texas; Houston; Huntsville, Texas; Hutchinson, Kan.; Lawrence, Kan.; Kankakee/Bradley/Bourbonnais, Ill.; Kansas City, Mo.-Kan.; McPherson, Kan.; Manhattan/Junction City, Kan.; New Bedford/Fall River, Mass.; Newnan, Ga.; Rockford, Ill.; Rome, Ga.; San Antonio, Texas; Sedalia, Mo.; St. Joseph, Mo.-Kan.; Topeka, Kan.; Waco, Texas; Waukegan-Lake County, Ill.; Wichita, Kan.; Wichita Falls, Texas.

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Man, I feel like I am getting taunted by my neighbors! Rockford has LTE, Now Eau Claire is getting LTE....what about the Madison area!

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Is La Crosse, WI in the same market as Eau Claire? Also, they can start working on Highway 41 any time they want. It'd be nice to get some upgraded speeds in the Fox Valley.

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Man, I feel like I am getting taunted by my neighbors! Rockford has LTE, Now Eau Claire is getting LTE....what about the Madison area!

 

Eau Claire is part of the Minnesota market and is an important part of the Minnesota market to get upgraded, along 94 where the tower spacing is maxed out. I expect once the southern Wisconsin market starts that along 90/94 to Illinois will be some of the first sites upgraded.

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Hey Robert,Does that mean that there are upgraded towers all over new york city but users aren't allowed to connect to them? If so that is definitely great news because all they need to do is flip the switch. For some reason I felt like only the ones that appear on your Sites Complete maps are the ones that are done. And everything else is still under construction.

 

In our NV Sites Complete Map, you will see dozens upon dozens of sites marked 3G complete. At these sites, most of the 4G LTE improvements have been completed as well. You will start to see a lot of these switch over from just being 3G complete to 4G complete as well pretty rapidly in the coming weeks. And then the signals will be going live at the time too. This is pretty much what has happened in all AlcaLu markets, like Baltimore, Boston and LA as well.

 

Robert

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where the hell is Seattle? Why are they adding all of these smaller cities? can we please get an update on Seattle? Thanks.

 

Work in Seattle just began a few weeks ago, but it is under way. Sprint will probably be announcing it in the next update, or possibly the one after that. We should start seeing some sporadic LTE signals appear in isolated locations around the Puget Sound in the next 30 days. Stay tuned.

 

Robert

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Man, I feel like I am getting taunted by my neighbors! Rockford has LTE, Now Eau Claire is getting LTE....what about the Madison area!

 

The Milwaukee/Madison market will start this Winter. Eau Claire just happens to be in the Minnesota market, which is starting before the MKE market.

 

Robert

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Is La Crosse, WI in the same market as Eau Claire? Also, they can start working on Highway 41 any time they want. It'd be nice to get some upgraded speeds in the Fox Valley.

 

Yes. Both Eau Claire and La Crosse are in the Minnesota market.

 

Robert

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Again, nothing from Alcatel-Lucent. Way to drop the ball Alca-Lu!

 

AlcatelLucent is already starting quite a few markets early. These announcements are only related to communities nearing a launchable amount of service. And thankfully it appears San Diego is finally starting.

 

Robert

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It really doesn't make sense

AlcatelLucent is already starting quite a few markets early. These announcements are only related to communities nearing a launchable amount of service. And thankfully it appears San Diego is finally starting.Robert

I've read your explanations but it still makes no sense why alca-lu would be starting some markets early when they are already behind on markets that were supposed to start. Also, Alca-Lu's west coast area isn't showing anywhere near the progress of it's east coast one. It's like there is an Alcatel A team for the east coast and the west is stuck with the B team.

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It really doesn't make sense I've read your explanations but it still makes no sense why alca-lu would be starting some markets early when they are already behind on markets that were supposed to start. Also, Alca-Lu's west coast area isn't showing anywhere near the progress of it's east coast one. It's like there is an Alcatel A team for the east coast and the west is stuck with the B team.

 

It may be. But the issues aren't because AlcaLu doesn't want to. The subcontractors they are using in each market are different. And those subcontractors are chomping at the bit. They cannot get paid if they do not work.

 

The issue has to be related to infrastructure, permitting or backhaul. Or multiples of these. They are starting North LA, VT/NH/ME, Upstate NY East & Central, Southern Jersey, Providence and Delaware markets early because they can. Not because AlcaLu likes them more.

 

Robert

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In our NV Sites Complete Map, you will see dozens upon dozens of sites marked 3G complete. At these sites, most of the 4G LTE improvements have been completed as well. You will start to see a lot of these switch over from just being 3G complete to 4G complete as well pretty rapidly in the coming weeks. And then the signals will be going live at the time too. This is pretty much what has happened in all AlcaLu markets, like Baltimore, Boston and LA as well.Robert

 

Ahh okay, I thought I saw someone mention in one of the forums that in new york there are hundreds of completed sites so I thought it was more like there are a bunch of sites that are complete as well but haven't been inspected by Sprint so they aren't on the maps yet.

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Ahh okay, I thought I saw someone mention in one of the forums that in new york there are hundreds of completed sites so I thought it was more like there are a bunch of sites that are complete as well but haven't been inspected by Sprint so they aren't on the maps yet.

 

Not much difference, really.

 

Robert

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So my question is: when do these installs typically take place? During daylight hours or during off peak?

 

I'd be curious to see if these poor installer guys get bombarded with massive RF doing the installations while the older equipment sits at

full power right next to them.

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We will not entertain comments about "What about my market?" Yes, you may feel your market is more superior and worthy. But such comments are off topic from the posted article. Off topic comments will be deleted. Please go to the Forums and find an appropriate place to discuss other markets. Thank you.

 

Robert

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So my question is: when do these installs typically take place? During daylight hours or during off peak? I'd be curious to see if these poor installer guys get bombarded with massive RF doing the installations while the older equipment sits atfull power right next to them.

 

Most of the work is during daylight hours. I imagine they are exposed to a lot of RF. However, there are OSHA limitations to how much exposure is allowed.

 

Robert

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Huzzah on Bloomington. Thanks for the updates, Robert. Now to make a decision on a phone to replace the abysmal Evo LTE so that I can actually use LTE.

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Any News if inland empire has been started for NV? Specifically lake elsinore?

 

Yes. Sites have just started being upgraded in the Riverside/San Bernardino market. Including a site in the Lake Elsinore area. In our Sponsor section of our site, we show all the sites that have completed Network Vision upgrades.

 

For more information about how to become a Sponsor, you can follow this link: http://s4gru.com/index.php?/topic/1195-information-about-s4gru-sponsorship-levels-and-how-to-become-a-sponsor/

 

Robert

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I noticed Sprint 4G LTE on my GS3 yesterday im in the DC market in Suitland, MD, near Suitland Rd and Shadyside Ave did a couple speed test this morning inside and outside, the one thing i notice is i get faster speeds inside my than i do outside

Inside/Outside

Ping (MS) Download (Mbps) Upload (Mbps)

52/81 4.11/2.51 0.97/1.47

56/52 9.39/2.34 1.49/2.44

39/51 9.46/2.46 1.61/1.75

60 7.22 1.73

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I noticed Sprint 4G LTE on my GS3 yesterday im in the DC market in Suitland, MD, near Suitland Rd and Shadyside Ave did a couple speed test this morning inside and outside, the one thing i notice is i get faster speeds inside my than i do outsideInside/OutsidePing (MS) Download (Mbps) Upload (Mbps)52/81 4.11/2.51 0.97/1.47 56/52 9.39/2.34 1.49/2.4439/51 9.46/2.46 1.61/1.7560 7.22 1.73

 

Yeah, if you are outside a building, on the opposite side of the building that where the signal is coming from, it is not completely unusual to get a better signal inside the building (in certain types of construction). You also must have a pretty weak signal with those speeds. So it may even get better when a closer site goes online.

 

Thanks for posting your info.

 

Robert

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Nothing in the Twin Cities area thus far that I've been able to detect.

 

I have seen an few Towers off of 94 east just outside of St. Paul being worked on in the last week. Also I work in downtown Minneapolis and my 3g speeds went from .3-.5 to over 1 Mbps in the last week. So let's hope we see some LTE soon :)

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Anyone in these areas seeing anything yet? I am in the Mission/McAllen/Edinburg area and have yet to see a bleep of 4G.

 

You will probably not see a bleep of 4G LTE for awhile. They are just now starting to do any work in the market. I would guess the first LTE testing signals will be around the first of the year.

 

Robert

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