S4GRU

Sprint was already experiencing a backlash and social media uproar before it started deploying LTE or selling LTE phones. Then it was receiving the backlash when LTE devices were being sold but no LTE was available. And it is still receiving the backlash with LTE devices and some LTE launched. Sprint is constantly being barraged by "the backlash." So it might as well do what is best for customers, sell the latest devices available and launch LTE as fast as possible, opening it up to customers at the very first moment possible at each site. What Sprint should do differently is not announce market "launches" until later. Customers are expecting better coverage at market launch. However, if they say they are opening up early when and where available, but the market will formally launch in a few more months, this would probably be much better from a customer service standpoint. I'm experiencing this in Los Alamos, New Mexico. I have a Verizon LTE hotspot. I have been using LTE in Los Alamos for three weeks. However, Verizon has not launched the market nor show coverage on their maps yet. Verizon customers are overjoyed getting LTE in advance of the market launch. They think they are special. Robert

My Viper seems to get better battery life than an EVO 3D, but less than a Galaxy Nexus. And noticeably less than an EVO LTE or GS-III. Robert

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However, I believe that Sprint should open up every single site the moment it is ready for use by the customers who do already have LTE devices in the coverage area of that site. Regardless of whether the market has launched yet. Robert

All Star

There are lots of sites in the Chicago market with backhaul upgrades. They are allowing NV conversion to get ahead of the backhaul deployment because of the handoff issues. However, backhaul is still readily being deployed. Just under half of the complete sites do have upgraded backhaul. And they will continue deploying backhaul, albeit at a slower pace than NV conversions. Robert

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