S4GRU

Forbes is out with a story about how cellphone GPS is unaffected by LightSquared's terrestrial LTE signals. But traditional and high precision GPS units are affected. Short answer...interference shielding. It's a good read, for those inclined and following the LightSquared drama. And supports LS2's arguments, to some extent. Article: http://www.forbes.co...erence-problem/

An article was posted on the Seeking Alpha website titled, "How Sprint & Clearwire Can Use AT&T to Unlock Billions in Value." It's a very interesting read that went over details why it would be wise for Sprint to buy Clearwire out right. This is something I never would have ever recommended before reading the article. It's a long read, but raises some very interesting points. If Sprint could master a Clearwire buy out in a way exactly as mentioned in the article, it could work and be very beneficial for the company. However, even the best laid plans... UPDATE: The article was taken down by Seeking Alpha for some reason. Conspiracy, perhaps? Either way, I was able to get the data from the article in a Google Search cache, thankfully. I have reposted below. Posted on Seeking Alpha website, December 22, 2011 at 2:46 PM. Submission by Helix Investments. Source (now taken down): http://www.seekingal...llions-in-value

by Robert Herron Sprint 4G Rollout Updates Friday, December 23, 2011 - 11:19 PM MST Thursday night, the Federal Communications Commission blessed AT&T by approving their $1.93 Billion purchase of Qualcomm 700MHz spectrum holdings. AT&T originally worked out a deal to purchase this spectrum over a year ago, but this purchase was lumped in with the T-Mobile merger by the FCC. The FCC only recently re-separated the deal. Most of the approval conditions placed on the deal were relatively minor. Both AT&T and Qualcomm were pleased with this outcome. Several smaller spectrum license holders in the lower 700MHz blocks were calling on the FCC to require interoperability as a condition of approval of this action. And this seemed reasonable to me, and I was hoping the FCC was going to require it. These carriers have been handicapped by what appears as AT&T and Verizon trying to control chipset manufacturers into creating chips that would only run on their portions of 700MHz spectrum. Whether intentional or not, that has been the result. And AT&T and Verizon sure are not complaining. These carriers asked the FCC to consider requiring AT&T to start selling devices that ran on their A-Block 700 spectrum too. This way chip manufacturers would essentially have to make chipsets that run on the entire Lower 700 band, and thus these carriers would finally be able to secure chipsets for OEM's to start making devices that run on their spectrum. However, the FCC conditions only went so far as to require that AT&T not set up it's network in a way that would prohibit roaming, should other carriers sell devices that were capable of using this spectrum. In essence, AT&T (and Verizon too) are benefitting from their competitors being shut out from using their 700 spectrum. Because these small carriers cannot get chipsets that run on their frequencies. AT&T and Verizon are large enough that they can guarantee numbers of chipsets high enough that will get chip manufacturers to create custom units that run on their frequencies only. The smaller carriers cannot do that. AT&T has claimed in the past that they aren't being anti-competitive and throwing their weight around. They want us to believe it's just a coincidence that comes to their benefit. But AT&T went as far as to say they would cancel their deal with Qualcomm for this spectrum if interoperability was required. This appears to support the idea that AT&T is manipulating every advantage it can to essentially shut out their competition. Also, if the lower 700 holders cannot use their spectrum, it may mean they will have to sell it. And probably for less than it could be worth with full interoperability. And AT&T would certainly be there and ready to try to scoop it up. For those of us who really want to see 700MHz interoperability for the sake of meaningful wireless competition, do not fret. The FCC says that they are aware of the problem, but could not solve the problem with this deal. "Even if we assume that the lack of Lower 700 MHz interoperability causes significant competitive harm, such harm already existed independent of the license transfer applications before us," said the FCC in the order. "We believe the better course would be to consider the numerous technical issues raised by the lack of interoperability through a rulemaking proceeding, and we plan to begin such a proceeding in the first quarter of next year."

by Robert Herron Sprint 4G Rollout Updates Wednesday, December 21, 2011 - 4:19 PM MST According to an article on Barron’s website today, Jennifer Fritzsche of Wells Fargo is becoming bullish on Sprint Nextel. Her upbeat attitude on the third largest wireless company in America came after a meeting with Sprint CEO Dan Hesse yesterday. “We walked away from the meeting feeling continued confidence in the company’s turnaround strategy,” wrote Fritzsche. “While this story admittedly may take a few quarters to show tangible results that the ship is indeed turning, we believe S is laying the foundation to improve the model’s longer term margin profile.” Based on her positive take on Sprint’s future from this meeting, Fritzsche targeted a “valuation range” of $3.50 to $3.75. Given that Sprint’s stock traded around $2.30 today, this would indicate a belief in ‘up, up and up’ for Sprint stock. This is undoubtedly welcome news by Sprint executive management. Sprint is in the process of deploying it’s Network Vision infrastructure and LTE upgrades. And is borrowing billions of dollars to do it. Any cooperation and good news from Wall Street will help in the borrowing effort. One analyst down, 3,417 more to go, Dan. Now if we could just get some juicy Network Vision details! Source: http://blogs.barrons.com/techtraderdaily/2011/12/21/sprint-ceo-meeting-lends-conviction-to-turnaround-says-wells/?mod=google_news_blog

by Robert Herron Sprint 4G Rollout Updates Tuesday, December 20, 2011 - 3:31 PM MST “I shoulda taken that left turn at Albuquerque”, as Bugs Bunny often said. Or in the case of AT&T, maybe they should have taken a left turn at T-Mobile and went straight for Dish Network. Today BGR and Retuers wrote articles that perhaps an AT&T buyout of Dish Network is the natural migration path now for Big Blue and it’s 4G spectrum crunch. Seem far fetched? Dish Network is sitting on 40MHz of S-Band spectrum (2.0GHz). This is the largest single chunk of spectrum available for a 4G network in the United States, short of Clearwire. And Dish Network picked up this spectrum for a relative steal. Currently, the S-Band can only be used for satellite communication. But Dish Network has submitted a request to the FCC for a variance for it to be used for a terrestrial mobile broadband LTE network. This is expected to be approved by the FCC, with probably only build out timelines as requirements. Only Sprint put forth any significant opposition to the move, and they withdrew their concerns a few weeks ago. Probably to help grease the wheels for a deal with Dish. Dish is weighing several options for a build out of it’s planned LTE network. It could go it alone and build it from scratch. This is seen as too slow and cost prohibitive. It also has been in talks with Sprint and going along with it’s Network Vision build out. And this may still happen. But there is nothing to believe that this has been worked out to date. We also know that Dish has been talking with T-Mobile. It’s possible that Dish could use its massive spectrum on T-Mobile’s network. This could be a part of a hosting agreement, a joint venture, or it’s possible that Dish Network might buy out T-Mobile itself from Deutsche Telekom. These are likely more expensive propositions than a spectrum hosting deal with Sprint. And also would mean a slower deployment. However, depending on the preferred path Dish took with Tmo, it could leave them in a much better position and control. If Dish Network prefers a Sprint deal over a Tmo deal, or vice versa, they aren’t letting anyone know. They are playing their cards close to their chest. They are most likely leveraging the potential deal with the other to secure the best deal possible. Having some competition helps, right? Dish Network is the wealthy and pretty girl who just moved to Wireless Carrier High, and all the guys are fighting over her and her assets. And now, maybe this will be a three way competition? Maybe AT&T wants a piece of this Dish Network action? 40MHz of spectrum is hard to ignore for a carrier with a hundred million customers starving for a robust 4G network. And though Dish’s 2000MHz spectrum isn’t as wonderful as 700MHz, it’s a far cry better than Clearwire’s 2.5-2.6GHz. AT&T could come up and offer Dish a network sharing deal that could easily trump Sprint and Tmo’s best. Also, AT&T may just buy out Dish Network out right. Most likely through a structured agreed to deal, but maybe even a hostile takeover of Dish stock. AT&T could afford to do that. And it just may have no choice. It’s long term spectrum options are thin. And if AT&T can steal Dish Network out of Sprint’s arms, then that would just be icing on the cake! Talk about high school dramatics. An AT&T/Dish Network deal will not receive the regulatory approval scrutiny that the previous merger with T-Mobile did. Dish Network is not an AT&T competitor. The same number of Tier 1 carriers will still be around after closing of a deal. It will likely not affect competition in the Top 100 markets. And currently, Dish’s spectrum is unused. The FCC would love to see it in use for 4G and as soon as possible. That’s something AT&T will be able to deliver should a deal with Dish Network be reached. All be told, this is going to be a very exciting time in the wireless world in the next few months. Everyone wants to take Dish to the prom. What is a Dish to do?

by Robert Herron Sprint 4G Rollout Updates Monday, December 19, 2011 - 2:42 PM MST BREAKING NEWS: AT&T is pulling out of it's merger with T-Mobile. Coincidence that the tyrannical merger dies right after North Korea's tyrannical leader? I think not! AT&T said it had agreed with Deutsche Telekom to drop its $39 billion bid to buy the German company's U.S. wireless company T-Mobile given increasing regulatory obstacles and lawsuits attempting to block the deal. AT&T said in a statement on Monday that it will enter a roaming agreement with Deutsche Telekom. AT&T confirmed it would take a $4 billion charge as part of the break-up of the T-Mobile merger. The companies agreed to this break-up fee when they agreed to merge past Spring. AT&T said the companies will also enter into a mutually beneficial roaming agreement.

by Robert Herron Sprint 4G Rollout Updates Friday, December 16, 2011 - 12:42 PM MST Today, Sprint announced that it is no longer collecting information using Carrier IQ. It has also been rumored through Geek.com that Sprint has requested OEM's to strip Carrier IQ from new devices. Sprint has had to take these steps due to consumers crying foul since the Carrier IQ debate began a few weeks ago.

by Robert Herron Sprint 4G Rollout Updates Wednesday, December 7, 2011 - 2:45 PM MST In an article on the Seeking Alpha website today, the writer posts many reasons why investors should invest in Clearwire. Lots of good and valid points. But given the press', and most specifically the financial press', overt dislike of Clearwire, I was very surprised by the report. Take a read of the article by clicking on the link or the image at left. Feel free to add your thoughts below. Article: http://seekingalpha.com/article/312197-buy-clearwire-too-cheap-to-ignore-risks-overblown

by Robert Herron Sprint 4G Rollout Updates Thursday, December 1, 2011 - 10:01 AM MST Hold the corn and pass the pork chops! Des Moines is back on the map!!! Clearwire rolled out several 4G Protection Sites for Sprint and Clear WiMax customers back in Spring 2011 in the Des Moines area. However, after only showing for just over a month, they disappeared off coverage maps. And haven't been seen since. The service continued to be live after it disappeared from coverage maps. And we changed the status of the towers to Phantom Protection Sites. However, today it was discovered that the coverage is back showing at clear.com/coverage. In the past few weeks it was reported to me that at least one of the towers was down in the Des Moines area. Hopefully, it's back up now. If anyone can confirm, sound off in the comments below.

by Robert Herron Sprint 4G Rollout Updates Monday, December 12, 2011 - 6:02 PM MST Today, it appears that Clearwire has met it's equity funding hurdle, raising over $350 Million dollars. With the new stock sale funding, they will be eligible to receive up to $347 Million in additional funding from Sprint Nextel. Up until it was announced today, it was beginning to look like Clearwire may not be able to raise enough money. But the stock sale underwriters acted on an option to purchase, add added $52.5 Million to the total, saving the day for Clearwire. Now with this fresh infusion of $700 Million, Clearwire will be in a position to start building out it's planned TD-LTE network on it's exhaustive 2.5GHz spectrum holdings. Clearwire has said previously they will begin their LTE deployment in existing WiMax markets. However, in the past few weeks they have also said they will work with Sprint to develop TD-LTE on Network Vision towers, when and where additional LTE capacity is needed. Clearwire has not announced any specific development timelines for it's LTE network. It seems that Q3-2012 would be the earliest that Clearwire TD-LTE deployment could physically begin. Source: http://gigaom.com/br...estment-number/

by Robert Herron Sprint 4G Rollout Updates Monday, December 12, 2011 - 2:59 PM MST Today, Sprint hosted a Webinar online talking to large Enterprise customers about Network Vision and LTE. And of course, Sprint 4G Rollout Updates signed in and went along for the virtual joy ride. It was an informative presentation, although brief and missing lots of nerdy details that we would have loved. The webinar was hosted by John Barcomb, a Sprint Network Development Manager. He steadily went through most of the basics of Network Vision and 4G LTE deployment over an hour. Many of the familiar NV presentation slides were used, as well as a few new ones. A point that Mr. Barcomb repeated several times is ‘while we are in the neighborhood with Network Vision, we will be adding LTE.’ This is a point he stressed and reiterated to make it clear that even early Network Vision markets will be receiving full LTE-1900 deployment. This is an appreciated point, because I have heard comments from several people concerned that the early Network Vision deployments may not include LTE. Sprint repeatedly has said their LTE deployment will begin in Summer 2012. However, in reality, Sprint’s LTE deployment is under way right now. It’s just that the first LTE devices that will be able to run on it will not be public until Mid 2012. Also, the repeated point is also likely to emphasize that LTE is going system wide over the entire Sprint network. Mr. Barcomb says that Sprint will release specific deployment information in the future, but have not to date because of the recent decision to accelerate Network Vision. Every aspect of Network Vision had to be re-reviewed and many markets had to be reorganized and replanned as a result. Now in hindsight, it probably was a good idea that Sprint hadn’t released a rollout schedule, yet. Can you imagine the frustration and chaos that would have emerged if your city was announced and then pushed back? Now, none of us is the wiser. Additional details that emerged from the webinar include: Kansas City. KCMO/KCKS will be one of the first Network Vision markets. As Mr. Barcomb said, “Surprise, surprise.” LTE Advanced. The way that Sprint is deploying their LTE network in Network Vision will allow it to easily upgrade to LTE Advanced when it comes to market in 2013. First NV Tower. The first Network Vision tower that was completed and went live last week is performing even better than they anticipated. Planning is complete on the first 22,000 sites. All the cell sites that are to receive Network Vision/LTE upgrades in 2012 (the first22k) have been fully surveyed and planned. With this work complete they are able to proceed with scheduling and material ordering. This represents about half of all the towers that will remain after Network Vision. Planning for the rest of the sites is presumably under way now or in the very near future. Tower Agreements. All the tower agreements are complete allowing work to commence per their schedule. LTE Devices. Contracts for initial LTE devices have been completed with OEM’s. Reducing number of towers. Although the number of total towers is being reduced from over 60,000 to approximately 40,000, Mr. Barcomb reiterated that only redundant towers will be removed. The very high percentage of them being Nextel iDEN towers. The amount of 1900 PCS coverage will not go down, but will go up. And when you consider the 800MHz coverage that will be coming online in 2013, the amount of coverage will substantially grow, even from the reduced amount of towers. Sprint Direct Connect. Sprint’s new PTT (Push to talk) network called Sprint Direct Connect will be available on roaming partner networks in the first half of 2012. All current SDC-PTT devices already have the capability to PTT roam. Sprint Direct Connect is currently having equal or better connection times than iDEN. After Network Vision, it will be better in all places, except when roaming. Sprint’s towers after Network Vision not only are going to provide better, faster and stronger service than now, but they will also be better than their competitors on similar frequencies. Part of Network Vision is that radios are being installed up high on the tower near the antennas, instead of down at the base station. This produces much more improved performance than originally theorized. And this will result in Sprint offering better signal and propagation than any other PCS or 800 MHz carrier, ever. In places where Sprint and Verizon broadcast the same frequency from the same tower, the Sprint user will have a stronger signal, further coverage and potentially faster data. This will be one of the best advantages of Network Vision. In the slides below, Sprint is showing examples of what Network Vision will do for coverage in the case of Atlanta, Georgia. Seeing things like this is what gets me excited about Network Vision. Before Network Vision. In this slide, you can see an example of what Sprint’s current PCS coverage in 1900MHz currently looks like in Atlanta. These colors loosely represent what you would experience on your phone’s signal strength indicator. Think of Green as 5/5 bars. Yellow as 4/5 bars. Red as 3/5 bars. Blue as 2/5 bars. White is one or zero bars. Click on image to enlarge slide. After Network Vision. In this slide, you can see what the Sprint PCS 1900 coverage looks like in the Atlanta Metro Area after Network Vision. As you can see, the coverage is drastically improved. The amount of 5 bar, 4 bar and 3 bar coverage goes up, and the amount of poor or no coverage nearly goes away. This improvement is a result of superior radio performance in quality and distance that is gained from the way Network Vision is deploying. With radios up high on the tower near the antennas instead of down at the ground in the base station cabinet. Network Vision towers are even performing better than originally anticipated. Click on image to enlarge slide. After 800MHz deployment. In the most dramatic slide of the Webinar, Sprint displayed how coverage would appear in the Atlanta Metro Area once 800MHz service is deployed in 2013. I nearly fell out of my seat. In this amazing image, you can see that most of the coverage area would have 5 out of 5 bars! And virtually every nook and cranny in the area would get a signal. And with 800’s great propagation characteristics, you could get a great signal inside virtually every building too. With Sprint’s 800MHz being deployed in Network Vision with the radios up high on the tower, Sprint’s 800 will likely perform noticeably better than AT&T and Verizon’s 700MHz. At least until AT&T and Verizon develop their own Network Vision type program. Click on image to enlarge slide.

by Robert Herron Sprint 4G Rollout Updates Wednesday, December 7, 2011 - 10:25 AM MST An Over the Air (OTA) Update has started rolling out today for owners of Sprint's popular flagship device. The Loss of Signal bug (LOS) has been a popular topic in forums since the Samsung Epic 4G Touch hit the streets in September. But now E4GT owners can breathe a sigh of relief. The bug was purported to cause the device to lose all signal, causing the signal indicator to get a circle with a line through it. Nothing would restore the signal except for a complete device reboot. The issue happened most often when transitioning from towers with weak signals, especially when the 4G antenna was on. It happened to me once when going from roaming to Sprint 3G, both with weak signals. The OTA should get to your devices in the next 10 days to update automatically. Rooted device owners and those with Custom MOD's may or may not receive updates (depending on what you have actually done to your device). You will need at least 50% battery strength to install the update.

by Robert Herron Sprint 4G Rollout Updates Tuesday, December 6, 2011 - 10:39 AM MST On Monday, Clearwire announced it is planning on offering up two sales of new common stock to raise up to an additional $345 Million in new funding to help build out it's planned TD-LTE network on it's 2500MHz spectrum. Last week, Sprint and Clearwire announced a new funding plan in which Clearwire would receive up to $1.6 Billion in new monies from Sprint Nextel. However, to get all that funding, Clearwire had to meet several milestones and other requirements. Also, separately Sprint offered up an additional $347 Million in additional equity funding. But in order to get those additional funds from Sprint, Clearwire had to find other equity sources to match Sprint's offer. Because Sprint does not want to change it's ownership percentage in Clearwire to be greater than 49.6%. So new equity funding in the these new sales would be matched with Sprint equity funding to maintain the 50.4%/49.6% ratio. Clearwire to focus equity funding on LTE build out Should the sales be successful and Clearwire receive the maximum funding possible from Sprint, Clearwire says that they intend to use these new equity funds to begin building out a LTE network in 2012. Clearwire has tentatively stated that their LTE plans begin with adding 20MHz TD-LTE carriers at existing WiMax deployed areas. But before you get excited, this almost certainly does not include WiMax protection sites. In most markets, Clearwire has said it is a rather simple upgrade to convert their towers to LTE. But the work involved to convert base stations is more difficult and expensive in the early WiMax markets (like Portland). However, what has not been simple to date for Clearwire has been funding. They are hoping this will be the solution to their short term funding problems. Also, there have been rumors that Clearwire will reduce the number of WiMax carriers from three to one in places they add LTE. But Clearwire has yet to comment on this directly. But this could cause significant WiMax congestion in many urban areas, if true. Sprint to use Clearwire LTE to enhance it's LTE network It's of great importance to note that Sprint's deal with Clearwire for LTE is for increased capacity on top of Sprint's LTE. Sprint is currently rolling out it's own FD-LTE on 1900MHz PCS G-Block with it's Network Vision upgrades. And will add an additional FD-LTE carrier on it's 800MHz spectrum as soon as the Nextel iDEN network is transitioned off in 2013. Sprint LTE deployment is already under way and the first tower went live in Branchburg, New Jersey yesterday. Sprint's LTE is completely independent of Clearwire's LTE network. Sprint's LTE network is planned to go over it's entire CDMA footprint. Clearwire's network is not planned to ever be so extensive (unlike the aspiring plans of it's WiMax network). And Sprint will not be dependent on it to be extensive. Sprint will use it's own LTE network to be the mobile broadband workhorse, where most of the traffic will run. It will only use Clearwire in places additional capacity is needed. Clearwire will almost certainly not have a LTE market covered that Sprint doesn't. Clearwire is focusing it's LTE build out in two ways. First, to add LTE service to it's existing WiMax network. Probably starting with the largest and most dense markets first. Clearwire may not even try to get LTE over it's entire WiMax coverage area. Instead, just focusing on primary and strategic secondary markets. Places where their wholesale business model will pay off most. I could see them not caring much about places like Abilene, Texas and Modesto, California, etc. Second, Clearwire has committed with Sprint to focus on adding it's TD-LTE on Network Vision towers when and where additional capacity is needed. This will also most likely be in primary and dense secondary markets. This part is very good news for Sprint customers. Provided that Sprint monitors the network in a proactive manner, this will mean that Sprint's LTE should never suffer from consistent capacity issues. Even if unlimited smartphone data remains. How Sprint will utilize Clearwire TD-LTE network with it's own FD-LTE Here are some examples of how the combined LTE network deal would work. Let's say you live in Downtown San Diego. In 2012, Sprint shows up with LTE service on 1900MHz. You get good speeds and service from day one. And slowly over time Sprint sells more and more devices to customers in your cell. In approximately 12 months or so, the 5x5 FD-LTE carrier you use in Downtown San Diego starts to have reduced performance beyond what the highly sophisticated LTE network can mitigate. But now Sprint deploys it's 800MHz 5x5 FD-LTE carrier on your tower. And between the two carriers, LTE capacity has doubled. And Sprint adds more and more LTE customers. In another year, the two carriers start reaching capacity, so Sprint asks Clearwire to add a TD-LTE carrier to that tower for more capacity. In another two years, that site starts reaching capacity again, and Clearwire adds another TD-LTE carrier. In many markets, Clearwire can add 5 or more 20MHz TD-LTE carriers. Clearwire will likely only add them at Sprint's request, one base station at a time, as Sprint needs them. Also of note, is that even at towers where Sprint adds Clearwire LTE service for capacity, Sprint customers will likely only be using it when the 800/1900 LTE is maxing out. Like during the evenings. During the day you may be on 800 in your basement and 1900 in your Living Room. But in the evening, you may transition to Clearwire 2500 in your Living Room. But the network controls and your device will make the experience seamless to customers. You just see the same 4G icon and maybe with some minor signal strength variability. Now take this to suburban Indianapolis. Maybe the initial two Sprint LTE carriers don't bog down for three years. But when they do, Clearwire comes in adding carriers tower by tower where additional LTE capacity is needed. And given Sprint's Network Vision architecture, these adds will be relatively inexpensive. And everything should be set up in advance to add them easily and quickly. And in tertiary and rural markets, Sprint will likely never need to add Clearwire TD-LTE carriers to their towers. The 1900MHz will cover most of them sufficiently. But even the ones who eventually get strained on 1900, Sprint's 800MHz FD-LTE carriers will be deployed by the time they would experience any performance loss. Exciting times for Sprint and Clearwire. The only things between them and these future LTE successes is money. But incrementally, this appears to be working out more and more. Let's all hope Clearwire can raise the paltry $350 Million to get Sprint's matching equity bucks.

by Robert Herron Sprint 4G Rollout Updates Tuesday, December 6, 2011 - 3:05 PM MST Sprint has announced it's first Network Vision tower is completed and live in Branchburg, New Jersey. It is broadcasting data over 3G-EVDO and 4G LTE and voice over 1x. The announcement of the first fully live tower in the New York Metro Area brings joy and hope to millions of Sprint customers in the area that they will see a completed Network Vision rollout first in the country. Even though this is the first one completed and fully operational, you can rest assured this is not the only tower being worked on currently. Sprint has three contractors (Samsung, Alcatel/Lucent and Ericsson) that are deployed nationwide working on Network Vision on hundreds, if not thousands, of towers at the moment. Samsung recently confirmed they are working in Chicago on LTE for Sprint. "We have our first LTE site up and running. This is really the start of Network Vision," Sprint CFO Joe Euteneuer said at the UBS Global Media and Communications Conference. "We have the first one up, operational and running just fine." Furthermore, Mr. Euteneuer yesterday claimed that Sprint's LTE will perform similar to Verizon and AT&T's advertised LTE download speeds of 5MB to 12MB. There has been much concern that Sprint's LTE speeds will be too slow because they are deploying only 5x5 LTE carriers. Half the size of Verizon's 10x10 carriers. But it is seen as good news that Sprint will deploy it's LTE network in a way to match those speeds. And maintain their network performance to try to keep them there. In an article earlier today we explained how Sprint will partner with Clearwire to add more capacity to keep their LTE speeds up where performance starts to slip. Granted, Verizon's LTE network is capable of producing speeds much higher than the 5MB to 12MB they advertise. But, Verizon only promises these speeds in a wise overdelivering marketing strategy. However, AT&T cannot be so bold as to boast it's LTE speeds that way. AT&T does not have 700MHz nationwide for LTE. And in many of the places they do have it, they have half what Verizon has. In one third of the country, AT&T has 24 MHz of 700 spectrum. In those markets, they can offer LTE that performs like Verizon. In another third, they only have 12MHz of 700 spectrum. There they can install one 5x5 carrier. Exactly as Sprint is installing nationwide. And in the last third, AT&T has no 700MHz spectrum at all. So AT&T has a very mixed bag in the short term for it's LTE. And they will not be in much of a position to brag about it's LTE network over Sprint. Verizon will remain tops in LTE speed and coverage for a long time to come. But Network Vision will bring at a minimum at least LTE on PCS band nationwide over the next 24 to 36 months. Even though there is tendency to focus on the LTE aspect of Network Vision, we would be remiss if we failed to remind that Network Vision will substantially improve 1x voice coverage and 3G EVDO service as well. In speed, coverage and capacity. Sprint said in their Press Release that, "Sprint expects to make additional announcements about market deployments early next year." We would love some detailed info that comes out like a steady faucet. Something we can track and disseminate right from this blog, perhaps? AT&T Map courtesy of PhoneScoop.com

by Robert Herron Sprint 4G Rollout Updates Tuesday, December 6, 2011 - 1:28 PM MST Yesterday, Sprint updated us all that we can expect devices in the 3rd and 4th Quarter of 2012. Previously, Sprint has used terminology that it expects to release LTE devices in Mid 2012. Of course, because something new was said, the blogosphere and message boards have gone bonkers exclaiming delays. The big deal probably comes from the assumption that many folks have made that Sprint would release LTE devices around June 4th. Sprint never made such a claim. However, many wireless dorks jumped to the conclusion that Sprint would release a LTE device when countless numbers of Evo device holders start coming off contract. The original Evo went on sale on June 4, 2010. And it's initial sales were a blockbuster success. The Evo sold millions of units, as well as the Epic that came out shortly afterward. And Sprint definitely is in a pickle if these device holders have no LTE device to upgrade to. Especially in Non-WiMax markets. It's going to have to start pumping out incentives to keep them. Since many people assumed Sprint was trying to make this early June date, to hear 3rd Quarter sounds like a significant slip. However, Sprint has never said they would make June with LTE devices. Since October 7th, they have been a constant chorus saying the first LTE devices could be expected in Mid 2012. And that they would release approximately 15 LTE devices before the end of 2012. When is Mid-2012, technically? The very middle of 2012 is July 1st. OK...so for the most part Sprint has been saying they will be releasing their LTE devices some time in the period in the rough proximity to July 1st. Now Sprint is saying they are releasing their devices in the 3rd and 4th Quarter of 2012. And in another quote, they said they second half of 2012. I'm no calendar genius. But I know that the third quarter begins on July 1st. And the second half of 2012 begins on July 1st also. Is this really much of a deviation, if any? Sprint did not specifically say there was delays. In further conversation about the subject, Sprint's Chief Financial Officer Joe Euteneuer said it’s likely that the LTE devices will be released in the third quarter. So even if it was the end of the third quarter, that's the second half of September. Nothing here to suggest the sky is falling, really. And a Sprint spokesperson even confirmed that Mr. Euteneuer's comments don't speak to any delay and are being misinterpreted. And furthermore, even if Sprint is experiencing a delay, I hope it's for good reason. Like they now see it as important to make sure their initial devices support more than one LTE frequency. It would be tragic if Sprint's initial LTE devices only support LTE on 1900. If Sprint is wise, their LTE devices would be dual-band and support LTE on 800 and 1900 right from the gates. And it would be even better if they are LTE tri-band and support 2500 too. That way, new LTE devices will meet Sprint customer needs for years to come. And if delaying the release of LTE devices by 30 to 45 days gets them to dual-band or tri-band LTE support, then it'll be worth the wait. And that's if there really is a delay occurring at all. Joe Euteneuer, Sprint Chief Financial Officer

by Robert Herron Sprint 4G Rollout Updates Thursday, December 1, 2011 - 10:22 AM MST At a Bank of America investor conference this morning, Sprint CFO Joe Euteneuer said, "We thought (the iPhone) would do very, very well for us, and it has." In fact, Sprint is now estimating it will sell more than one million iPhones before the end of the quarter on December 31st. But more importantly, Euteneur credits unlimited data as the reasons for the iPhone launch success. "We're also getting real gross adds," he said. "I think that one of the reasons they're coming is that it's simplistic. It's one flat rate." For Sprint customers hoping and praying for unlimited smartphone data continuing, this is a glimmer of good hope. If Sprint believes that iPhone success is tied directly with unlimited smartphone data, it's all the reason why they need to keep their business and network plans aligned with unlimited offerings. Euteneur also ceded that Sprint's network has been even further pressured by the success of iPhone sales. But he committed to network upgrades and enhancements to alleviate those concerns. That we continue to wait for. But we have learned not to hold our breath. Source: http://www.fiercewir...-FierceWireless

by Robert Herron Sprint 4G Rollout Updates Thursday, December 1, 2011 - 8:20 AM MST This morning Clearwire has come out with a Press Release stating that they have come to an agreement with Sprint on new funding. Up to $1.6 Billion in additional funding in total. This is significantly more than analysts were anticipating if Sprint were to come to the rescue. The deal, as reported from Clearwire on Thursday morning, would include keeping the existing WiMax network operating through 2015. Good news for WiMax device holders living in WiMax coverage areas. It also involves a path forward partnership between Sprint and Clearwire on a new 4G LTE network on Clearwire's EBS/BRS spectrum (2500-2600MHz). This is seen by analysts and Wall Street as necessary for Sprint's future spectrum needs for it's upcoming LTE network. In the short term, this will allow Clearwire to pay it's $237 Million debt payment that is due today. It always had the liquidity available to make the payment, but Clearwire was weighing options of non-payment to help keep it's cash reserves up. This new development should ease these concerns. And as Clearwire considers other means to raise cash, making this payment will help to those ends. Sprint is offering up to $926 Million to Clearwire for it's continued use of the WiMax network for it's 4G through 2012 and then will be transitioning to a usage based model for payment of services. Past deals involved flat per user fees. An extended deal will ensure that customers who purchase new WiMax devices will have access to WiMax networks at least through the completion of their two year contracts. The deal also allows for Sprint to wholesale Clearwire's network to it's MVNO and Enterprise customers. One of the key aspects that this blog is most interested in relates to Network Vision and the LTE network build out. This deal will help to better align Clearwire's spectrum into Network Vision when and where additional LTE capacity is needed and Sprint's owned spectrum will not provide enough capacity. This will ensure a better 4G LTE experience for many years to come and will help to squelch frequent concerns from the blogosphere and Wall Street about Sprint's 4G LTE network capacity that would likely result from only using Sprint owned spectrum. However, in the press release, it appears to be saying that Sprint will not release devices until 2013 that support Clearwire's TDD-LTE network. This likely means that the first LTE devices being released in 2012 will not support these additional frequencies. This may not be well received by LTE customers. And could result in many people delaying the purchase of LTE devices until devices are released that support all Sprint LTE frequencies. Sprint will not be providing funds for Clearwire's LTE network build out at this point. Sprint will provide up to $350 Million in Prepayments to Clearwire for LTE service if Clearwire manages to get funding for their LTE network on their own and meet build out time line requirements. Sprint and Clearwire will also start with a usage based fee model with LTE from day one. Additionally, starting in 2013, Sprint will work with Clearwire to add LTE to it's Network Vision towers where additional capacity is needed. These locations could even be in markets where Clearwire doesn't even offer service. Sprint may even offer additional equity funding to Clearwire. But only if Clearwire can secure other equity funding from other sources. Because Sprint does not want to increase the amount of equity it has in Clearwire greater than 49.6%. So additional funding from other sources would involve more monies from Sprint at a rate to maintain that pro rata basis. Updated at 9:05 AM MST with more details. Edited at 9:18 AM MST with readability corrections. Press Release: http://corporate.cle...eleaseID=629282

by Robert Herron Sprint 4G Rollout Updates Wednesday, November 30, 2011 - 5:14 PM MST The tech and financial world are abuzz today about new rumors that Sprint and Clearwire are close to a new deal. Confidential sources are saying that they may even be close enough to preliminarily announce a deal by Thursday. As those of you who are following this closely know, Thursday is the due date of Clearwire’s jumbo $237 Million payment that they have threatened to default on. Though, technically, there is a 30 day grace period. However, I remain somewhat skeptical of a quick and hasty announcement tomorrow, as there are many details yet to be worked out. Also, there is no need to be hasty, given the grace period involved. Additionally, all the rumors appear to be coming from inside the Clearwire camp, and not the Sprint side. These leaks could be a means to pressure Sprint to finalize a deal. Shockingly, both Sprint and Clearwire have declined to comment.

by Robert Herron Sprint 4G Rollout Updates Wednesday, November 30, 2011 - 5:14 PM MST Today, Fierce Wireless is reporting that Sprint has signed off and agreed to Dish's use of the S-Band (2 GHz) spectrum. It's is immediately adjacent to Sprint's PCS G-Block, which they plan to deploy LTE on. In October, Sprint filed a complaint to the FCC raising questions about interference, and other issues. So, Sprint and Dish Network started to get heated in their arguments after Sprint's early concerns were filed. However, they seem to have made up nicely and quickly. Perhaps this is a clue that Sprint and Dish Network are working closely on a spectrum hosting deal? Dish Network's LTE network could be relatively easily deployed with Network Vision. And Sprint would love to get some extra LTE capacity out of the deal. And unlike the deal with LightSqaured, regulatory approval of switching S-band from satellite to terrestrial use should be a cake walk. See the link to the story from Fierce Wireless below... Article: http://www.fiercewireless.com/story/sprint-signs-dishs-proposed-wireless-venture/2011-11-30

by Robert Herron Sprint 4G Rollout Updates Tuesday, November 29, 2011 - 3:50 PM MST The Federal Communication Commission announced today that they will allow AT&T to withdraw it’s merger application. There were some rumblings coming out the past 24 hours saying that the FCC may prohibit AT&T from withdrawing because they may want to go on record actually denying the merger. AT&T threatened to sue the FCC if it was not allowed to withdraw. In the grand scheme of things, today’s announcement from the FCC that AT&T can withdraw their application is good news for them. AT&T now is in a Hail Mary type of scenario to still get the merger with T-Mobile approved. They know that the FCC is not the best avenue to fight this out right now. Not to mention the cost and resources of fighting two different agencies. AT&T is still planning to proceed with the Dept. of Justice trial in February. The DOJ is using AT&T on anti-trust grounds. Though it may be a long shot, it’s believed if AT&T can be successful in the DOJ trial, then it may re-apply with the FCC to merge. And it will have a powerful ruling backing it up. But everyone admits it’s an uphill battle. Even AT&T. As AT&T has now set aside the funds in 1Q-2012 to pay T-Mobile’s parent company Deutsche Telekom should the deal fail. Likely not something they would do now if they were optimistic.

by Robert Herron Sprint 4G Rollout Updates Tuesday, November 29, 2011 - 3:35 PM MST I know some of you who live in Sprint affiliate coverage areas are concerned about Network Vision deployments and whether they’ll ever make it to your area. And rightfully so, since too many affiliate areas are still covered with 1xRTT networks, having never even been upgraded to 3G EVDO. This has created some concern among Sprint affiliate customers because there has been zero news to date about how, when or even if affiliates will get Network Vision upgrades. Well, I have some good news. I can now confirm that at least the Sprint affiliate Shentel is working on a Network Vision upgrade plan for next year. Shentel (Shenandoah Telephone) released in their 3Q-2011 statements that they are gearing up their funding of approximately $120 Million to upgrade their towers to the Network Vision standards in 2012. Shentel has a largely rural footprint in Virginia, West Virginia, Western Maryland and South Central Pennsylvania. And given that Shentel is doing their upgrades mostly in 2012, these areas will likely receive the benefits of NV as well as LTE rollout much farther in advance than most other rural Sprint customers in the country. If you are in a non-Shentel affiliate area, don’t lose hope. I take this as a hopeful sign that Sprint is actively working with affiliates to bring Network Vision to be network wide. Some have feared that Sprint will ignore the affiliate areas and just let them come around whenever they want, if ever. But it’s probably more likely that affiliate rural customers will see Network Vision and LTE sooner than Sprint’s own rural customers. Which are likely to be the very last customers to get LTE…at the end of 2013 or early 2014. Source: http://www.jsicapita...unications.html

by Robert Herron Sprint 4G Rollout Updates Thursday, November 24, 2011 - 8:25 AM MST I decided to break from my Thanksgiving merriment to bring you breaking news that AT&T has decided to withdraw it's Application to the FCC for it's merger with T-Mobile. However, even though technically the merger is off with this change, AT&T says they are not giving up completely. They have announced that they are still proceeding with the lawsuit in February with the Dept. of Justice over the anti-competitive nature of the merger. AT&T says if it is successful, they will likely reapply to merge with the FCC. The thing that stumps me is that the next stop was the DOJ Trial in February. The FCC hearings were going to be after that anyway. So there would have been no net difference if they had not canceled the FCC application. And waited until after the February trial to withdraw. What is AT&T up to? If I were left to guess, in my opinion, it appears that maybe keeping this fight alive at least at this level, maybe will allow AT&T to live up to the terms of the merger contract and perhaps they won't have to pay the $6 Billion in cancelation penalties to T-mo. What else could they be up to? The FCC portion of this deal is the only part that matters. You have a theory? Sound off below...

by Robert Herron Sprint 4G Rollout Updates Wednesday, November 23, 2011 - 9:36 AM MST In a new television commercial, Samsung takes a swing at Apple and it's iPhoniacs. The blogosphere is going wild and people are nutty suggesting the commercial goes too far. Really? To these people, I just want to say, get a life. It's no different than the Mac commercials dissin' on PC. In fact, it's almost old hat. Passe. Who cares? See the "controversial" advertisement below, at least until the Apple lawyers insist YouTube take it down. Sound off your always controversial thoughts below...

by Robert Herron Sprint 4G Rollout Updates Tuesday, November 22, 2011 - 4:01 PM MST Sprint announces an "Exclusive Event" for CES 2012. Scheduled for January 10th at 6:00PM. Exciting stuff. I'm as anxious as a little school girl. What do you think will be announced? LTE devices? Some new exotic 5 core tablet? Some juicy Network Vision details? Sound off below... Thanks to S4GRU Member Steven Cote for the heads up!!!

by Robert Herron Sprint 4G Rollout Updates Tuesday, November 22, 2011 - 2:35 PM MST BREAKING NEWS: The FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski is now reported to believe that the AT&T/T-Mobile merger is not in the public interest and will call for an agency judge to set up a hearing on the anti-competitive nature of the deal. This is different from the Dept, of Justice who filed a lawsuit earlier this year in opposition. The fact that the FCC is now taking this position does not bode well for the merger. This situation would result in an Agency Judge to oversee the case with the FCC as plaintiff recommending rejection of the merger and AT&T/T-Mobile acting as defendants. This is not a good position to be in. It's basically fighting the FCC for approval against their request to merge. It seems like an extremely difficult, if not impossible, barrier for the merger to overcome. Fighting both the FCC and the DOJ. Not to mention many states, consumer groups, an AT&T customer lawsuit and Sprint. AT&T is said to be reviewing it's options in the case. This is seen as a huge blow to the merger and it's advocates. The last time this occurred was when EchoStar and DirecTV requested to merge in 2002. Eventually those parties decided to cancel the deal. The information came from a leaked source, and has yet to be formalized. We will have to see if the information plays out publicly with the same spin as it came out in leaked form. Even if AT&T were eventually triumphant in it's court battle, it'll waste lots of money and time. This could lead to even another year's delay at worst case. With no guarantee of success. Edited with more details at 2:42 PM MST and 5:35 PM MST.