Sprint switches gears, backs FDD rather than TDD plan for 600 MHz auction

[Rawvega]

 

Acknowledging that an FDD allocation for the upcoming 600 MHz auction has considerably more support than the TDD approach it has been pushing, Sprint said it now supports the idea of an FDD band plan, provided it is structured to maximize "auctionable bi-directional paired spectrum."

 

Read more: Sprint switches gears, backs FDD rather than TDD plan for 600 MHz auction - FierceWirelessTech http://www.fiercewireless.com/tech/story/sprint-switches-gears-backs-fdd-rather-tdd-plan-600-mhz-auction/2014-01-09#ixzz2pvAMgtza 

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[ImmerStark]

It's sad the other carriers are so dead set on FDD, it is not the most efficient mode for LTE. It if also possible that there will be isolated 6MHZ channels that become available with no possible paired channel for a discrete uplink.

 

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

 

 

[CrimsonKnightDX]

So from this article, it seems Sprint is set on FDD on the 600 Mhz auction? 

[Nickel]

So from this article, it seems Sprint is set on FDD on the 600 Mhz auction? 

Sprint originally wanted TDD for 600 MHz but it's abandoned that plan because no one else wanted it. Also, I believe that TDD isn't well suited for these lower frequencies.

[CrimsonKnightDX]

Sprint originally wanted TDD for 600 MHz but it's abandoned that plan because no one else wanted it. Also, I believe that TDD isn't well suited for these lower frequencies.

 

Okay, but FDD would be more ideal than? If sprint were to snag some 600 Mhz for FDD, this would make Sprint a Quad band LTE network? 

[Nickel]

Okay, but FDD would be more ideal than? If sprint were to snag some 600 Mhz for FDD, this would make Sprint a Quad band LTE network? 

Ehh FDD VS. TDD is kind of a hot topic, but both have their strength and weaknesses. Also, Yes is if Sprint got some 600 MHz it would be quad band.

[dnicekid]

Ok, would they still need 600 if the tmobile purchase goes through?

[IamMrFamous07]

Hmm then they can aggregate 600, 800 and 1900 right?

[Vette]

I'd rather have 1xA carriers on 600 unless Sprint switches to VoLTE

[S4GRU]

I'd rather have 1xA carriers on 600 unless Sprint switches to VoLTE

600 may propagate too well for something that works so well with a weak signal like CDMA. It almost couldn't be used in an urban environment at all. You will have lots of bars in your signal strength indicator, but the quality of the signal would get pretty crappy. It's almost too good on SMR.

 

LTE on 600, especially given the fragile LTE airlink, could prove to be pretty good. Especially in rural areas allowing one boomer tower to cover a lot of distance.

 

Robert via Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

 

 

[Vette]

Hmm Robert that's interesting. I've never heard that before (well I knew CDMA worked well on a  weak signal and LTE was pretty fragile).

 

What about capacity on 600 LTE? Good enough to fill in holes left by 800/1900/2500 I assume, but would only be used as a last ditch effort with the pretty low capacity, correct? Would that give the LTE coverage needed to get a leg up on VoLTE rollout?

[jamisonshaw125]

Question.... With 800 already in place wouldn't 600 just be redundant?

[khammondnm]

Quadband phone????

 

Sent from my Nexus 5

 

 

[jamisonshaw125]

Quadband phone???? ;)Sent from my Nexus 5

Yes I know that. But would 600 really be necessary is what I meant lol. I guess another lte band wouldn't hurt

 

Edit: can't type on this ipad very well

[richy]

Quadband phone????

 

Sent from my Nexus 5

 

There are already quad band lte phones on the market for other carriers so this is not unrealistic Over the coming years I fully expect to see hexaband LTE phones, at least if we see sprint and tmo hop into the sack with each other. The PA's exist, there are issues right now with fitting too many antennas in phones but this will evolve. 

 

It would be interesting to see what SprinTmo and to an extent AT&T did with regard to band access. Do you allow pretty much all phones on all bands or restrict access to some bands to premium phones? Sprint have said triband for all, but if they suddenly find themselves with 6 or 7  bands (600, 700 , 800 , 1700\2100, 1900 , 2500), would this affect the cost of handsets enough to make it worthwhile to not include access to some of the bands? i.e. if you have access to 1900 LTE does it really matter to allow access to the (potential) 1700\2100 LTE. These are just idle musing rather than any suggestion Sprint may attempt to screw people or anything similar and it will be a little less complex should Sprint not buy tmo.

[S4GRU]

Hmm Robert that's interesting. I've never heard that before (well I knew CDMA worked well on a weak signal and LTE was pretty fragile).

 

What about capacity on 600 LTE? Good enough to fill in holes left by 800/1900/2500 I assume, but would only be used as a last ditch effort with the pretty low capacity, correct? Would that give the LTE coverage needed to get a leg up on VoLTE rollout?

VoLTE on 600 will provide decent coverage. It will be closer to closing the VoLTE coverage gap. Put it on 450 like Africa, and maybe close it all together.

 

Robert via Samsung Note 8.0 using Tapatalk Pro

[S4GRU]

Question.... With 800 already in place wouldn't 600 just be redundant?

If no additional low frequency capacity was ever needed, then yes. But ideally, Sprint should have at least a 10MHz wide low frequency carrier. That can never happen on 800.

 

Sprint needs to do the best it can to be competitive. It will survive without any 600. But if and when it comes to market, it should try to get it.

 

Robert via Samsung Note 8.0 using Tapatalk Pro

[kencon06]

Speaking of the 600 MHz spectrum auction, are there still speculations about interoperability for the band like they want for the 700 MHz band?

[Galaxyguy]

VoLTE on 600 will provide decent coverage. It will be closer to closing the VoLTE coverage gap. Put it on 450 like Africa, and maybe close it all together.

 

Robert via Samsung Note 8.0 using Tapatalk Pro

 

I know you may just be throwing that frequency out there but isn't 450Mhz reserved for public safety in the US?  I know in my area, public safety uses 453 and 458 Mhz. 

[S4GRU]

I know you may just be throwing that frequency out there but isn't 450Mhz reserved for public safety in the US?  I know in my area, public safety uses 453 and 458 Mhz.

 

It was used for theoretical discussion of how to close the VoLTE coverage gap. It certainly is not possible in the U.S. But I bless the rains down in Africa.

 

Robert

[Galaxyguy]

It was used for theoretical discussion of how to close the VoLTE coverage gap. It certainly is not possible in the U.S. But I bless the rains down in Africa.

 

Robert

 

I thought you were speaking in theory but just making sure. Thanks. 

[WiWavelength]

It was used for theoretical discussion of how to close the VoLTE coverage gap. It certainly is not possible in the U.S. But I bless the rains down in Africa.

 

Toto, I've a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore.

 

AJ

[lilotimz]

It was used for theoretical discussion of how to close the VoLTE coverage gap. It certainly is not possible in the U.S. But I bless the rains down in Africa.

 

Robert

 

No blessing of rain for california?

[S4GRU]

Toto, I've a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore.

 

AJ

I was hoping someone would get it.

 

Robert via Samsung Note 8.0 using Tapatalk Pro

[WiWavelength]

I was hoping someone would get it.

 

I meet you all the way.

 

AJ