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  1. S4GRU
    by Robert Herron
    Sprint 4G Rollout Updates
    Saturday, March 3, 2012 - 5:49 PM MST
     
    Today, Sprint 4G Rollout Updates is prepared to tell you about another Round Two market in Sprint's Network Vision/LTE deployment plans for 2012. Portland, Oregon. More specifically, Sprint's Oregon/SW Washington market.
     
    Sprint's Network Vision vendor Samsung will likely begin Network Vision and LTE deployment in the Oregon/SW Washington market in 2012. This is not an imminent start in the next few weeks. This is a Second Round start. Which means that the start of this market is dependent on when the previous market before it wraps up. There is no way for me to determine at this point which Samsung markets will precede this.
     
    Sprint's Oregon/SW Washington market
     
    Sprint's Oregon/SW Washington market basically covers the entire State of Oregon and the parts of Washington State that are part of Suburban Portland. This includes the Oregon cities of Portland, Eugene, Corvallis, Salem, Medford, Bend, Newport, Klamath Falls, Pendleton and Ontario. In Washington State it includes Vancouver, Battle Ground, Kelso, Longview and the Washington side of the Columbia Gorge.
     
    It is bordered by the West Washington market to the north (which we already announced) and the Inland Northwest market (Spokane/Tri-Cities) to the Northeast, the Idaho market to the east and the Upper Central Valley market to the south, which are yet to be announced. 549 sites in total after NV is complete.
     


    Sprint's Oregon/SW Washington Market. Approximately 550 Network Vision sites are shown for the Oregon/SW Washington market in this map. Click on image to enlarge.


     
     
    We would love to give you the date, but...
     
    There is absolutely no way for S4GRU to be able to provide a start date for these markets, or any of the Second Round 2012 markets that will be announced after these. We are announcing these markets to you for your information, to give Sprint customers a rough idea of when these second round markets can be anticipated.
     
    There is absolutely no guarantee of the order in which these markets come live, because there is a lot of variability in the plan. The most significant variable being how quickly the preceding market before it wraps up. If things go quickly in the preceding market, work may start early. Things go late, these would likely start late. And to complicate start dates in each market, Sprint has said they may elect to slow down Network Vision in future quarters if cash flow becomes strained.
     
    Sprint has three different OEM vendors, with several different crews in many markets at once. There could be final permitting and design delays, some vendors and/or crews will work at different speeds, weather issues and any number of unforeseen circumstances to complicate matters even further. First round market starts are much easier to predict, but second round and third round markets starts are increasingly difficult to predict and put dates to. This is likely the reason why Sprint has elected not to announce these markets themselves at this time. But we know you don't want to wait for Sprint to tell you! With these caveats understood, we are releasing the Network Vision second round markets in the order that they are anticipating to start deployment, based on the schedules as they exist to date.
     
    We won't stop digging for you!
     
    Sprint 4G Rollout Updates will continue to scour through the data and gather deployment information for your use. It is our intent to provide at a minimum, all the Sprint markets that will likely begin Network Vision/LTE upgrades in 2012. And we intend to do so in a series of articles over the next few weeks. We will not likely announce communities slated for 2013, because the dates we hold for 2013 markets appear very tentative and subject to change. With the many variables to sort out between now and 2013. Sprint could make significant shifts in deployment plans based on dynamic need change, funding, market permitting difficulties, etc.
     
    With the release of the Oregon/SW Washington market today, that brings the total of Network Vision markets announced to 16. We have created a thread in our forums where we are keeping track of all the markets announced by Sprint and S4GRU.com. Click on this link here to view the Network Vision Market Running List.
     
    Stay tuned to Sprint 4G Rollout Updates. On Monday we will be announcing the next two Round Two markets for Sprint Network Vision and LTE deployment. We will be talking about in a few hours in advance in a S4GRU Live Chat at 9:30 PM Mountain Time. Come join us!
     
     





    Photos Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.


     
     
    Information about the source: The information for all of our Network Vision information has been freely provided by several sources close to the Network Vision program who choose to remain anonymous. No source information will be released to protect anonymity.
     
    Special thanks to S4GRU Member digiblur for creating the Oregon/SW Washington Market map! Thank you!
  2. S4GRU
    by Robert Herron
    Sprint 4G Rollout Updates
    Wednesday, February 29, 2012 - 12:28 PM MST
     
    Did you hear? Sprint is claiming that the 3G Network is now enhanced in Atlanta! Does that mean Network Vision upgrades are complete and live on PCS 1900? What are they saying here? Their press release is vague and going to mislead many people!
     
    Sprint is just championing temporary upgrades that have been completed. The band-aid fixes that were shown on network.sprint.com for the past four months. These are additional 3G EVDO carriers and additional T1 backhaul in some select highly burdened sites. These are not the permanent fixes that will be part of Network Vision. I have confirmed this through a confidential source working in the Network Vision program in Atlanta.
     
    Network Vision is alive and well in Atlanta. And cluster deployment is under way and testing is occurring. Some folks in some clusters may experience permanent relief soon. However, the market wide enhancements mentioned in this press release are not Network Vision.
     
    I think this was a mistake for Sprint to release this info this way. I think a lot of people are going to think that the band-aid improvements they received at their local site are what to expect from Network Vision. These band-aid fixes are not sufficient for permanent relief and many customers are going to draw the incorrect conclusion that Network Vision is not what it's cracked up to be.
     
    Are you in Atlanta? Tell us what you see today in the comments below! If anything...
     
     
     
     
    Source: http://newsroom.spri...article_id=2196
  3. S4GRU
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    by Robert Herron
    Sprint 4G Rollout Updates
    Monday, February 27, 2012 - 11:49 AM MST
     
    Sprint has issued a Press Release that Señor Hesse will be speaking at MWC (Mobile World Congress) in Barcelona, España this week. You think he is going to break with some exciting Network Vision news? Or will it only be things we have already covered at S4GRU.com?
     
    Either way, MWC is largely a GSM event, so for Dan Hesse to show up and speak is kind of a big deal. He's a cookin' a sumthin' up!
     
    .
    .
    Press Release:
     
     
     
    Sprint CEO Dan Hesse to Speak March 1 at GSMA Mobile World Congress 2012 in BarcelonaHesse to discuss Sprint’s approach to innovation and importance of customer experience in his first MWC keynote
     

    OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (BUSINESS WIRE), February 27, 2012 - Sprint (NYSE:S) CEO Dan Hesse will deliver a keynote address at GSMA Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2012 in Barcelona, Spain, marking the first time a Sprint CEO will address the wireless conference. Hesse will deliver remarks on March 1 at 9:30 a.m. CET in a session titled “Driving the Mobile Technology Revolution.”  

    Recognized as the world's premiere wireless conference, MWC 2012 will convene an international group of wireless industry leaders, along with leading media and analysts, to examine the opportunities and challenges that will redefine the wireless future. More than 60,000 people from 200 countries are expected to attend this year’s conference.  

    "We are very pleased to have Dan Hesse joining us for the first time at Mobile World Congress 2012 in Barcelona," said Michael O’Hara, Chief Marketing Officer, GSMA. "As a new LTE carrier and one of the leading players in the U.S. wireless industry, Hesse has a unique perspective on mobile today and in the future. The unparalleled line up of keynote speakers at Mobile World Congress reflects more than ever the continued expansion of the mobile ecosystem.”  

    Joining Hesse during the keynote session on March 1 are Warren East, CEO, ARM; Kevin Johnson, CEO, Juniper Networks; and Shi Lirong, President, ZTE.  

    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 55 million customers at the end of 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. 3 in its 2011 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.  
     
     
    Contact(s):

     

    Sprint
    Julie DeVoe, 913-315-3216
    Julie.DeVoe@sprint.com

    Special thanks to S4GRU Member BenChase7 for tipping us off!
     
    Source: http://newsroom.spri...article_id=2192
  4. S4GRU
    by Robert Herron
    Sprint 4G Rollout Updates
    Wednesday, February 29, 2012 - 3:00 AM MST
     
    Will Dionne Warwick be invited to Sprint's Launch Party in San Jose? Who knows? But Sprint 4G Rollout Updates can tell you that the first market in the Second Round of Network Vision/LTE Deployment in 2012 is Sprint's South Bay market. Which is in the heart of the Silicon Valley. We can definitely see why this is a priority to Sprint.
     
    Sammy wants to bring some LTE Tech to California's Tech Capital
     
    Sprint's Network Vision vendor Samsung will begin to deploy Network Vision and LTE in the Sprint South Bay market in 2012. This is not an imminent start in the next few weeks. This is a Second Round start. Which means that the start of this market is dependent on when the previous market before it wraps up. And it would make sense in this instance, that Samsung would move to the San Jose market directly after or partially overlapping with the their work in the adjacent SF Bay market.
     
    Sprint's South Bay market covers Santa Clara County (including San Jose, Santa Clara, Cupertino, Mountain View, Sunnyvale, Palo Alto, Milpitas, Morgan Hill and Gilroy), Santa Cruz County (Santa Cruz and Watsonville), Monterey County (Monterey/Seaside, Carmel, Pacific Grove and Salinas) and San Benito County (Hollister and San Juan Bautista). The adjacent North LA, Upper Central Valley and Lower Central Valley are in separate markets and will deploy at a later date. The San Francisco Bay Sprint market should be nearing completion when South Bay work begins on converting its 378 sites to Network Vision multi-modal stations with 4G LTE.
     

    Sprint's South Bay Market. All 375+ Network Vision sites are shown for the South Bay market in this map. Click on image to enlarge.


     
    We would love to give you the date, but...
     
    There is absolutely no way for S4GRU to be able to provide a start date for this market, or any of the Second Round 2012 markets that will be announced after this one. We are announcing this market for your information, to give Sprint customers a rough idea of when these second round markets can be anticipated.
     
    There is absolutely no guarantee of the order in which these markets come live, because there is a lot of variability in the plan. The most significant variable being how quickly the preceding market before it wraps up. If things go quickly in the preceding market, South Bay could start early. Things go late, South Bay would likely start late. In fact, the spread of possible start dates for this market is nearly 5 months wide. And to complicate start dates in each market, Sprint has said they may elect to slow down Network Vision in future quarters if cash flow becomes strained.
     
    Sprint has three different OEM vendors, with several different crews in many markets at once. There could be final permitting and design delays, some vendors and/or crews will work at different speeds, weather issues and any number of unforeseen circumstances to complicate matters even further. First round market starts are much easier to predict, but second round and third round markets starts are increasingly difficult to predict and put dates to. This is likely the reason why Sprint has elected not to announce these markets themselves at this time. But we know you don't want to wait for Sprint to tell you!
     
    With these caveats understood, we are releasing the Network Vision second round markets in the order that they are anticipating to start deployment, based on the schedules as they exist to date. For Samsung, the SF Bay and Chicago markets will be nearing completion before work starts to begin in their Second Round markets. South Bay and eight other markets are in Samsung's Second Round starts. We will announce three more of these eight on Friday and Saturday.
     
    We won't stop digging for you!
     
     
     

    Sprint 4G Rollout Updates will continue to scour through the data and gather deployment information for your use. It is our intent to provide at a minimum, all the Sprint markets that will likely begin Network Vision/LTE upgrades in 2012. And we intend to do so in a series of articles over the next few weeks. We will not likely announce communities slated for 2013, because the dates we hold for 2013 markets appear very tentative and subject to change. With the many variables to sort out between now and 2013. Sprint could make significant shifts in deployment plans based on dynamic need change, funding, market permitting difficulties, etc.


     

    With the release of South Bay today, that brings the total of Network Vision markets announced to thirteen. We have created a thread in our forums where we are keeping track of all the markets announced by Sprint and S4GRU.com.
    Click on this link here to view the Network Vision Market Running List.


    Stay tuned to Sprint 4G Rollout Updates. On Friday we will be announcing the next two Samsung Round Two markets for Sprint Network Vision and LTE deployment. And in a special Saturday edition article, we will be announcing one additional market. Just to brighten up your weekend!


     
     





    Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.


     
     
    Information about the source: The information for all of our Network Vision information has been freely provided by several sources close to the Network Vision program who choose to remain anonymous. No source information will be released to protect anonymity.
     
    Special thanks to S4GRU Member digiblur for creating the South Bay Market map! You're the best!
  5. S4GRU
    by Jeff Foster
    Sprint 4G Rollout Updates
    Tuesday, February 28, 2012 - 6:44 AM MST
     
    Everyone’s heard about Androids fragmented ecosystem, well we’re about to get some more. Jelly Bean, the new Android version 5.0 is coming, and soon. Some rumors suggest that Google’s next update may be coming out as soon as this summer.
     
    The first word about Jelly Bean was back in September 2011. There was just the announcement of the name and little else. In fact, so little information was released that it led many to believe that it may have been a hoax. Questions also arose if this was going to be an incremental upgrade or a big one?
     
    More recently, there was a tip that this new upgrade of Android would be Android 5.0 and would be released in the 2nd quarter of this year, and it would have features similar to Motorola’s desktop mode. This function would allow the phone when plugged in or attached via dock to simply adjust its user interface to desktop mode, although nothing has been confirmed. With the impending purchase of Motorola, there seems plausible.
     
    This leads us to believe that this upgrade may be more than some bug fixes and multitasking enhancements. Android 4.0 was designed to be the OS’s push into tablets, and so far has made little impact in the market. This isn’t surprising since its first announcement was just five months ago. Google reports that Ice Cream Sandwich holds 1% of Android market share.
     
    It appears that at first blush, Jelly Bean is possibly going to be tablet specific, which would indicate that Google is backing off its commitment to have a “one size fits all” OS like iOS for the iPhone/iPad. Again, this is just speculation at this point. Android Advice reports that Jelly Bean devices will have some nice new features, including the ability to switch between operating systems without the need to restart.
     
    The rumor of an early release could be to counter the unexpected rave reviews from upcoming Windows 8 tablets and the expectation of the impending iPad 3 release. If Google was to announce a big change to Androids core functionality, it would be more likely the announcement of Jelly Bean aka Android 5 would be at the yearly I/O conference in June. The likelihood of Google releasing new software this early is far-off. The desktop mode would be a nice feature added to Android but don’t expect to see it until late fall.
     
    S4GRU EDIT 9:36 AM MST: Computer World released an article this morning that says a Google Exec is claiming a Fall 2012 release for Android 5.0 Jelly Bean.
     
     
     



     

    Source:
    Slash Gear, Android Community, Android Advices

  6. S4GRU
    by Jeff Foster
    Sprint 4G Rollout Updates
    Monday, February 27, 2012 - 2:21 AM MST
     
    Earlier this year, both HTC and Samsung stated in reports that it will be slimming down its product lines in order to reduce expenses, concentrate on higher quality and to lessen the effects of diluting similar product lines. Samsung has hinted that the Galaxy S lll will be launched simultaneously in many markets, and would eliminate the U.S. carriers from individual looks and independent features. Now HTC has introduced its "One" (several discussions are taking place on individual phones already) brand which appear to cover the entry, mid and high level markets.
     
    The new "One" phones will be equipped with Android 4.0, Beats Audio and a "toned down" Sense UI. This new Sense will be more Android like and less resourse intensive. It appears like HTC was listening to customer complaints of Sense UI taking too much memory and interfering with performance.
     
    HTC appears it has taken its cues from Samsung and its success from the GSll series of devices that boosted Samsung's bottom line. HTC is hoping that this new strategy and new Ice Cream Sandwich devices will help HTC climb back towards the top spot and return to a position of reporting record profits.
     
    So are you sad, angry or relieved that the Evo badge may be no more? S4GRU members have been commenting and speculating since October 7th on the next Evo LTE device anticipated. Sound off with your thoughts below.



     
     
    Source: CNET
  7. S4GRU
    by Robert Herron
    Sprint 4G Rollout Updates
    Monday, February 27, 2012 - 7:01 PM MST
     
    "Ladies and Gentlemen - We got him!"
     
    That is assuming Network Vision sites are masculine. What you all have been waiting for. Real, true, bona fide Network Vision site photos! S4GRU Member runagun drove out to Marengo, Illinois in the Sprint Chicago market to check out some Network Vision action for himself. He had been seeing the reports on S4GRU.com about Network Vision in his area, and maybe even a tad skeptical, so he drove to a site to investigate for himself.
     
    Marengo was touted as getting NV work this month in our S4GRU article, Samsung Network Vision/LTE Deployment schedule & details for Sprint's Chicago Market. And we are relieved to find our information confirmed by the site visit! Samsung is actively working on clusters as reported in the article.
     
    Our keen spy was able to investigate and photograph the site with a subcontractor actually present. Who was very helpful and answered questions. I'll let the photos speak for themselves!
     
    Special thanks to S4GRU member runagun for the photos! Good job!
  8. S4GRU
    by Robert Herron
    Sprint 4G Rollout Updates
    Monday, February 27, 2012 - 6:01 PM MST
     
    Our beloved Sprint today announced that it is putting up for sale $2 Billion in notes to help pay its struggling partner in crime, Clearwire. Sprint also plans to refinance some other debts coming due and pay additional unnamed network upgrades with the proceeds.
     
    Sprint only recently raised $4 billion in the debt markets in early December to pay for up front Network Vision costs and to help pay some Clearwire bills, err, uhh, provide initial payments for long term WiMax and LTE usage. This move to the debt markets is critical for Sprint, as it needs billions to initiate and complete the build out of its Network Vision program ($10 Billion) and to fulfill its contract obligations with Apple to carry the iPhone ($15 Billion). These moves are seen as the most critical elements for a Sprint renewal and resurgence to profitability and sustainability.
     
    This newest run for more money is an optimistic sign that Sprint believes the market will provide them with cash they need. Sprint will sell notes due in 2017 and 2020. The sale is to be completed March 1st and includes the five-year notes at 9.13% and eight-year debt at 7%, which will be guaranteed by units in Sprint.
     
    Source: Business Week
  9. S4GRU
    by Rickie Smith
    Sprint 4G Rollout Updates
    Thursday, February 23, 2012 - 1:01 PM MST
     
    Sprint announced yesterday that in recent testing conducted in 17 markets, that their new CDMA-based Sprint Direct Connect met or exceeded all measurements. Sprint Direct Connect, or SDC, is the successor push-to-talk network that Sprint is implementing to replace its aging iDEN network it inherited from its merger with Nextel.
     
    This come on the heels of recent developments of how the Nextel iDEN PTT sites are currently being reduced in some areas, in preparation of next years shut down. Sprint Network Senior VP Bob Azzi said of the results, "(this is) conclusive validation of Sprint's sustained push-to-talk leadership."
     
    Sprint Direct Connect PTT will offer a much expanded footprint over the current Nextel iDEN legacy PTT network. Most of the expansion is due to the ability of the SDC devices being able to roam on other CDMA 3G networks. This roaming ability is expected to start opening up to current Sprint Direct Connect customers in the next few months.
     
    The data experience for SDC customers is being touted as much improved over the 2G like speeds endured on Nextel's iDEN. Being CDMA based, the EVDO network will be seen as a much improved data solution for Sprint's PTT customers. Although, in some areas in the short term, Sprint's EVDO will perform at 2G like speeds. No surprise that Sprint didn't mention this point. However, the 3G EVDO data experience will demonstrably improve through Network Vision upgrades.
     
     

     
    Source: Sprint
  10. S4GRU
    by Robert Herron
    Sprint 4G Rollout Updates
    Wednesday, February 22, 2012 - 5:40 PM MST
     
    Sprint 4G Rollout Updates has been notified of a covert new upgrade promotional titled "Upgrade Now Promotional - Trial." This is similar to one leaked a few weeks ago, but eligibility is a little less stringent this time. However, it is only limited to 21 out of the 97 Sprint markets, from now through April 14, 2012.
     
    The markets included:
    Atlanta / Athens, GA
    Charlotte, NC
    Chicago, IL
    Cincinnati, OH
    Cleveland, OH
    Columbus, OH
    East Kentucky
    East Michigan
    Ft. Wayne / South Bend
    Indianapolis, IN
    Jacksonville, FL
    Miami / West Palm, FL
    Milwaukee, WI
    Minnesota
    Nashville, TN
    Orlando, FL
    Raleigh / Durham, NC
    Tampa, FL
    West Kentucky
    West Michigan
    Winston / Salem, NC

    Only customers with a RLOF (Rebate Life on File) between 9 to 21 months are eligible and will need to pay a prorated fee to upgrade. Customers must go to a Sprint corporate store and be willing to sign a new 2 year service agreement. All devices are eligible, including the iPhone!
     
    An Upgrade Now Fee must be paid to to qualify for this upgrade promotion. The amount of the Fee is dependent on the remaining term left on your contract. See upgrade pricing below:
    Fee is based on how long it has been since the last upgrade on that line
    9-11 months RLOF = $165
    12-14 months RLOF = $125
    15-17 months RLOF = $95
    18-21 months RLOF = $55



    Customers pay the lowest promotional price for the phone, the Upgrade Now fee and $36 activation fee.
     
    This is a covert thing, and Sprint will not likely be advertising it out. Sprint Customer Service Reps are not allowed to proactively share. But if a customer calls and asks, they are to be directed to a Sprint corporate store for the sale. This program will be managed at the store level, most likely to help retain customers unhappy with the fact that they are not eligible to upgrade at this time.
     



    Source: E-mailed From Sprint Source
  11. S4GRU
    by Robert Herron
    Sprint 4G Rollout Updates
    Monday, February 20, 2012 - 1:33 AM MST
     
    OK, Sprint 4G Rollout Updates is prepared to name the second city that Sprint's Network Vision vendor Alcatel/Lucent is deploying during 2012...Boston, Massachusetts. Bean Town, and soon to be LTE Town for Sprint. On Friday, we announced that Sprint is working on Network Vision/LTE Deployment in the San Francisco Bay Market. And now we can tell you that the Sprint Boston market is also about to begin work.
     
    Sprint's Boston market is essentially the entire state of Massachusetts and includes 940 sites to be converted to Network Vision. Alcatel/Lucent is preparing for mobilization and work should begin soon. The entire market will take approximately 7 months to complete, wrapping up before years end. But in the interim, the market will be brought online one site at a time, tower by tower. So there will be some usable locations in Greater Bostonia by the time LTE devices start to be sold in the next few months.
     



     
    S4GRU currently does not have many more details about the rollout in Boston at this time. Hopefully in the not too distant future, we can provide a neighborhood by neighborhood analysis of this deployment like we have been able to do in Chicago.
     
    Sprint 4G Rollout Updates can bring you this information about 2012 deployment markets because we have received extensive Network Vision engineering information from inside sources. We have information on all of Sprint's 97 markets nationwide. With this information we are able to reasonably conclude how and when Sprint intends to deploy Network Vision and LTE in every market in the country. The information is not a neat and orderly list, showing markets in deployment order from 1 to 97. If it were only so easy!
     
    We will continue to scour through the data and gather deployment information for your use. It is our intent to provide at a minimum, all the Sprint markets that will likely begin Network Vision/LTE upgrades in 2012. And we intend to do so in a series of articles over the next few weeks. We will not likely announce communities slated for 2013, because the dates we hold for 2013 markets appear tentative and subject to change. With the many variables between now and 2013, Sprint could make significant shifts in deployment plans. Based on dynamic need change, funding, market permitting difficulties, etc.
     
    With the release of Boston today, that brings the total of Network Vision markets announced to nine. Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, Baltimore and Kansas City as announced by Sprint. Chicago, San Francisco and Boston announced by Sprint 4G Rollout Updates.
     
    Stay tuned to Sprint 4G Rollout Updates. On Wednesday we will be announcing another Network Vision/LTE market that Alcatel/Lucent will be working to bring online for Sprint in 2012. Check in at S4GRU.com for all the latest updates! Become a member today. Membership is free and easy.
     




    Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.


     
    Information about the source: The information for the Boston deployment and all of our Network Vision information has been obtained by several internal sources close to the Network Vision program who choose to remain anonymous. The documents will not be released to protect source anonymity.
     
    EDITED 3/5/2012: To include market map.
  13. S4GRU
    In a YouTube video I saw this morning lighting up all over Twitter, Saturday Night Live has spoofed Verizon's 4G LTE commercials. It would be even funnier if they mocked their LTE network outages. Maybe that's next week?
     
    To view the video, click on the image below. The original YouTube embed was taken down because NBC Universal complained to YouTube about Copyright infringement. Now the image below links you directly to the non-infrnging video on the NBC Universal site. You will have to endure a short commercial to watch it, though.
     
    - Robert, S4GRU

     
     



  14. S4GRU
    by Robert Herron
    Sprint 4G Rollout Updates
    Sunday, February 12, 2012 - 8:59 PM MST
     
    Another set of Network Vision drawings have appeared, and of course we have to post them up here at Sprint 4G Rollout Updates. There isn't anything earth shattering in these drawings that weren't really in the drawings S4GRU published a month ago in Lawrence, Kansas.
     
    The new drawings show a roof mounted cell site on top of the Hillcrest Bank at the corner of W. 95th and Nieman Road in Overland Park, Kansas. These drawings are a little newer than the Lawrence drawings posted, with the most recent revision date of 12/5/2011. These drawings show detailed before Network Vision, transition configurations and final layouts. This gives a good technical overview of exactly how a roof mounted cell site is modified under Network Vision. LightSquared antennas are still shown.
     
    You can click on this link to view and/or download the PDF file of the Hillcrest Bank NV drawings.
     
    Special thanks to Rickie546 for sending me the links!
  15. S4GRU
    by Andrew J. Shepherd
    Sprint 4G Rollout Updates
    Friday, February 10, 2012 - 12:22 PM MST
     
     
    In part one of this series, we discussed how Sprint could theoretically leverage its long held PCS A-F block spectrum to deploy a second 5 MHz x 5 MHz LTE channel in many markets alongside the 5 MHz x 5 MHz LTE channel that Sprint plans to roll out in its unused, nationwide PCS G block 10 MHz spectrum. Here is the rundown:
     
    .
    Verizon Wireless (VZW) and AT&T Mobility (AT&T) have the Upper/Lower 700 MHz spectrum right now to deploy 10 MHz x 10 MHz LTE in most/all markets and gain a significant leg up on the LTE competition.
    Sprint cannot match that LTE bandwidth in its PCS G 10 MHz license alone.
    Sprint’s hosting agreement with and wholesale access to LightSquared LTE bandwidth is all but dead.
    Sprint will not likely be able to utilize its SMR 800 MHz spectrum for LTE nor Clearwire’s BRS/EBS 2500-2600 MHz spectrum for TD-LTE until 2013-2014.
    Sprint can and does operate many of its CDMA2000 markets (e.g. Chicago, San Francisco, Houston, Atlanta, etc.) in only 20 MHz of licensed PCS A-F block spectrum.
    Sprint has numerous markets in which it holds 30 MHz of licensed PCS A-F spectrum, thus could potentially set aside that “surplus” 10 MHz for a second 5 MHz x 5 MHz LTE channel in those 30 MHz markets.

    And that is just about where we left off at the end of part one.
     
    To continue, in the top 100 markets, Sprint holds 30 MHz of PCS A-F block spectrum in 54 of those markets. Those are the markets in which Sprint could most readily utilize a 10 MHz “surplus” for a second LTE channel. See the graph of Sprint markets with “surplus” spectrum and note those markets which hit 10 MHz:
     

     
    So, Sprint ostensibly could augment capacity with a second LTE channel in only about half of all top 100 markets (including just 11 of the top 20 markets). That could be a problem for those other major markets necessarily left out. But, as hinted at the end of part one, that problem would be solvable through a spectrum and LTE network sharing agreement with another carrier. And, yes, that other carrier would be T-Mobile. To be clear, it would not be a merger. Both carriers would continue to operate separately, but they would share the same LTE network on Sprint’s Network Vision platform. So, let us focus on “how” such an arrangement could be possible through Sprint’s and T-Mobile’s compatible spectrum holdings.
     
    First, T-Mobile, too, holds “surplus” PCS A-F block spectrum. T-Mobile operates its 2G GSM network exclusively in its PCS spectrum, reserving its AWS 2100+1700 MHz licenses for its 3G/4G W-CDMA network overlay. Similar to Sprint, T-Mobile can and does operate its (GSM) network in only 20 MHz of spectrum in many very large markets (e.g. New York, Los Angeles, Boston, etc.). Also similar to Sprint, T-Mobile is licensed 30 MHz (or more) of PCS spectrum in many top 100 markets. See the graph of T-Mobile “surplus” PCS A-F spectrum; again, note the 10 MHz (or more) markets:
     

     
    Something interesting happens when we combine the first two graphs. If Sprint and T-Mobile were to have joint access to their “surplus” PCS A-F spectrum, the number of markets in which a prospective LTE network partnership would have at least 10 MHz of spectrum for a second LTE channel rises to 81 markets (including all top 10 markets and 18 of the top 20). See the combined graph:
     

     
    Better yet, because of the particular combinations of PCS A-F licenses that Sprint and T-Mobile hold and the oft symbiotic ways that those licenses line up, a Sprint-T-Mobile partnership could actually roll out a 10 MHz x 10 MHz LTE channel in top 20 markets Chicago, Philadelphia, Detroit, Dallas, St. Louis, Minneapolis, Denver, and Seattle – matching or even exceeding the LTE deployments of VZW and AT&T in those markets.
     
    Furthermore, T-Mobile subscribers are increasingly adopting W-CDMA capable devices, thereby shifting much of their usage to the W-CDMA overlay and reducing the load on the GSM network. As a result, if T-Mobile could pare down its GSM spectrum utilization to 10 MHz per market, then T-Mobile could contribute 20 MHz of “surplus” spectrum in its 30 MHz (or more) PCS markets. And the Sprint-T-Mobile spectrum complement would go through the roof. The LTE partnership would then have sufficient spectrum to launch a second 5 MHz x 5 MHz LTE channel in all top 100 markets. And the markets in which it could deploy a 10 MHz x 10 MHz LTE channel would swell to include the eight aforementioned top 20 markets plus Houston, Atlanta, Pittsburgh, Kansas City, Buffalo, New Orleans, Portland, Salt Lake City, Austin, et al. Again, see the combined graph (now with T-Mobile “surplus” at greater than 10 MHz):
     

     
    The numbers largely speak for themselves. Together, Sprint and T-Mobile could take advantage of their complementary spectrum to build a broader, higher capacity LTE network than either could alone. So, that is “how” a partnership could materialize. Next time, we will delve into “why” a Sprint-T-Mobile spectrum and LTE network sharing agreement would make a lot of sense for both carriers. A preview of one very big reason “why” – yes, the impending LTE iPhone.
     
    Sources: FCC, author’s notes
  16. S4GRU
    by Andrew J. Shepherd
    Sprint 4G Rollout Updates
    Wednesday, February 8, 2012 - 10:01 AM MST
     
    Within the wireless industry and among wireless enthusiasts, it is fairly common knowledge that Verizon Wireless (VZW) and AT&T Mobility (AT&T) have landed Boardwalk and Park Place, respectively, in terms of wireless spectrum for LTE deployment. (Pardon the Monopoly…er, duopoly pun.) VZW has huge Upper 700 MHz C block 22 MHz licenses that it holds nationwide. And AT&T has a not quite as consistently strong but still substantial collection of Lower 700 MHz B block 12 MHz and C block 12 MHz licenses that it can span together in many markets for a similarly large bandwidth LTE network.
     
    In order to compete with VZW’s and AT&T’s LTE deployments, Sprint has put together a multi-pronged course of action.
    Sprint is rolling out its Network Vision platform this year, utilizing its “green field” PCS G block 10 MHz nationwide licenses to deploy an initial 5 MHz x 5 MHz LTE channel.
    Sprint has inked a deal to host LightSquared’s L-band Ancillary Terrestrial Component LTE bandwidth on the Network Vision platform.
    Sprint plans to “refarm” its rebanded SMR 800 MHz spectrum for LTE as the former Nextel iDEN network is shut down over the next two years.
    Sprint expects to gain TD-LTE capacity in major markets once Clearwire starts to shift its focus from WiMAX to LTE.

     
    However, the LightSquared agreement appears to be living on borrowed time, since LightSquared has failed to solve the ATC interference issues required to satisfy its FCC waiver. And neither SMR 800 MHz spectrum nor Clearwire TD-LTE is likely to be widely available until 2013 or 2014.
     
     
    Sprint LTE Deployment to Earn an A, B, or C?
     
    So, Sprint could stand pat with its planned 5 MHz x 5 MHz LTE roll out (while VZW launches 10 MHz x 10 MHz in all of its LTE markets, AT&T in most of its LTE markets). Or, better yet, Sprint could add a fifth prong to its plan of attack: Sprint leverages its existing PCS A-F block spectrum assets for an additional LTE channel in many top markets.
     
    At the first FCC PCS 1900 MHz auction that ended almost 17 years ago in early spring 1995, Sprint and its partners came away the big winners, acquiring PCS A block 30 MHz or B block 30 MHz licenses across an overwhelming majority of the 49 MTAs that make up the 50 states. Today, Sprint retains its full 30 MHz allotment in greater than 24 major markets, including seven of the top 10 markets. Furthermore, Sprint has acquired additional spectrum in six other major markets to increase its licensed PCS A-F bandwidth in those as well to 30 MHz. And, finally, Sprint has three other major markets in which it retains or has acquired just under 30 MHz of PCS spectrum. I call these three groups, respectively, “original,” “accumulated,” and “borderline” 30 MHz PCS A-F bandwidth markets.
     
    For a rundown of these Sprint markets and their PCS spectrum holdings, view the linked spreadsheet. Or click here to download Excel version.
     
     
    What is the magic amount of spectrum needed?
     
    So, you might ask, “Why is 30 MHz the magic number?” Well, actually, 20 MHz is the greater figure of merit, while 30 MHz represents a latently important 10 MHz above and beyond that core 20 MHz bandwidth.
     
    If you examine Sprint’s PCS A-F spectrum holdings nationwide, you find that the minimum bandwidth that Sprint holds in almost any major market is 20 MHz, which is sufficient spectrum for six (or, in some cases, seven) CDMA2000 carrier channels plus guard bands. Such 20 MHz bandwidth markets include Chicago, San Francisco, Houston, Atlanta, etc. With Sprint’s cell site density achieved over the last 15 years, 20 MHz seems to represent a sufficient bandwidth “floor.”
     
    For example, on a recent trip to Chicago, I noted that Sprint is operating at or near the maximum carrier channel capacity of its 20 MHz of spectrum. I encountered three CDMA1X and two EV-DO channel assignments out of a possible total of six channels. Moreover, my own empirical observations in 30 MHz markets seem to corroborate the 20 MHz bandwidth “floor.”
     
    Kansas City is one such market, a PCS A block 30 MHz “original” market. Of course, it is Sprint’s home market, in which Sprint is a close number two in market share, thus should be a reasonably demanding market for Sprint. Even though Sprint has 30 MHz (up to 11 carrier channels) to play with in Kansas City, I encounter most regularly three CDMA1X and three EV-DO channel assignments. And those six carrier channels plus guard bands occupy 17.5 MHz out of Sprint's 30 MHz license.
     
     
    Just because not all markets can do it, doesn't mean that it shouldn't be done
     
    To summarize, Sprint has demonstrated that it can successfully operate many, if not all of its CDMA2000 markets in no greater than 20 MHz of deployed bandwidth. In the 24 aforementioned “original” PCS A-F 30 MHz markets, as well as the six “accumulated” PCS A-F 30 MHz markets, Sprint thus has 10 MHz of spectrum that it could ostensibly put to use for a second 5 MHz x 5 MHz LTE channel. Better yet, in four markets (including high tech hot beds Seattle and Austin), Sprint has “accumulated” the right combination of PCS C block and G block contiguous licenses that Sprint could actually deploy a 10 MHz x 10 MHz LTE channel to match VZW and AT&T.
     
    Even in the three “borderline” markets where Sprint holds 25-27.5 MHz of PCS A-F spectrum, Sprint might still be able to operate CDMA1X and EV-DO within 15-17.5 MHz bandwidth, once more freeing up 10 MHz for a second LTE channel. Not to mention, once Sprint launches one LTE channel, the demands on existing EV-DO channels start to ease, thereby reducing the load on the limited CDMA2000 bandwidth.
     
    Of course, Sprint does not have enough PCS A-F block spectrum to carve out a second LTE channel in all of its markets. But there is an elegant, collaborative solution to that problem. So, stay tuned for the next article in this three part series to learn how and why a PCS LTE spectrum and network sharing agreement would fit both Sprint and its prospective network partner to a “T”…
     
    Click link for next article
     
     




    Link to Excel Spreadsheet for download

     
    Sources: FCC, author’s notes
  17. S4GRU
    by Robert Herron
    Sprint 4G Rollout Updates
    Sunday, March 18, 2012 - 5:05 PM MST
     
    Going inland to the empire! We are now prepared to tell you about another Round Two market in Sprint's Network Vision/LTE deployment plans for 2012...
     
    Riverside/San Bernardino!
     
    Sprint's Riverside/San Bernardino market
     
    Sprint's R/SB market basically covers all of Riverside and San Bernardino counties. It also includes a portion of Imperial County that is on the north and west side of the Salton Sea. This includes the cities of Riverside, San Bernardino, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga, Pomona, Palm Springs, Redlands, Indio, Yucaipa, Victorville, Hesperia, Apple Valley, Murietta, Temecula, Moreno Valley, Hemet, Perris, Barstow, Needles and Blythe. After Network Vision is complete, there will be 555 sites in this market.
     


    Sprint's Riverside/San Bernardino Market. There are 550+ Network Vision sites shown for the R/SB market in this map. Click on image to enlarge.


     
    We would love to give you the date, but...
     
    There is absolutely no way for S4GRU to be able to provide a start date for this market, or any of the Second Round 2012 markets that will be announced after these. We are announcing these markets to you for your information, to give Sprint customers a rough idea of when these second round markets can be anticipated.
     
    There is absolutely no guarantee of the order in which these markets come live, because there is a lot of variability in the plan. The most significant variable being how quickly the preceding market before it wraps up. If things go quickly in the preceding market, work may start early. Things go late, these would likely start late. And to complicate start dates in each market, Sprint has said they may elect to slow down Network Vision in future quarters if cash flow becomes strained.
     
    Sprint has three different OEM vendors, with several different crews in many markets at once. There could be final permitting and design delays, some vendors and/or crews will work at different speeds, weather issues and any number of unforeseen circumstances to complicate matters even further. First round market starts are much easier to predict, but second round and third round markets starts are increasingly difficult to predict and put dates to. This is likely the reason why Sprint has elected not to announce these markets themselves at this time. But we know you don't want to wait for Sprint to tell you! With these caveats understood, we are releasing the Network Vision second round markets in the order that they are anticipating to start deployment, based on the schedules as they exist to date.




    Photo of Riverside skyline courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.


     
    We won't stop digging for you!
     
    Sprint 4G Rollout Updates will continue to scour through the data and gather deployment information for your use. It is our intent to provide at a minimum, all the Sprint markets that will likely begin Network Vision/LTE upgrades in 2012. And we intend to do so in a series of articles over the next few weeks. We will not likely announce communities slated for 2013, because the dates we hold for 2013 markets appear very tentative and subject to change. With the many variables to sort out between now and 2013. Sprint could make significant shifts in deployment plans based on dynamic need change, funding, market permitting difficulties, etc.
     
    With the release of the Riverside/San Bernardino market today, that brings the total of Network Vision markets announced to 31. We have have a thread in our forums where we are keeping track of all the markets announced by Sprint and S4GRU.com. Click on this link here to view the Network Vision Market Running List.
     
    Stay tuned to Sprint 4G Rollout Updates. On Monday we will be releasing the next two Round Two markets for Sprint Network Vision and LTE deployment. We will be talking about it in a few hours in advance in a S4GRU Live Chat at 9:30 PM Mountain Time on Sunday evening. Come join us!
     





    Photo of Downtown San Bernardino courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.


     
    Information about the source: The information for all of our Network Vision information has been freely provided by several sources close to the Network Vision program who choose to remain anonymous. No source information will be released to protect anonymity.
     
    Special thanks to S4GRU Member digiblur for creating the Riverside/San Bernardino Market map! Thank you!
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