linhpham2

But the big wrench in all this is that you can't combine TD-LTE with FDD.

Or at least aggregate the 800 mhz smr and the 1900 mhz pcs.

Since the other carriers are using FDD-LTE, would any of them be able to use LTE-A carrier aggregation across all of their bands?

sprint used to have their premiere program, which was something similar

I'm so ready to experience this network. Clearwire has stated that its LTE network can reach 168mbps. I wonder if that's still softbank's and sprints plan

 

http://www.fiercewireless.com/story/clearwire-our-lte-advanced-network-will-be-able-hit-168-mbps/2012-05-14

Too bad Sprint isn't planning LTE-A carrier aggregation across it's 800-, 1900- and 2500 MHz bands 

News from 7/15: Sprint/Clearwire is "on track to have 5,000 TD-LTE sites on air by the end of December."

http://www.fiercewireless.com/story/sprint-adds-clearwires-25-ghz-band-lte-coverage-area/2013-07-15

If I recall correctly, Sprint's plan is to put 2.5 Ghz on each of it's 38,000 or so towers. If so, the "5000 by 12/31/13" figure would seem to indicate a slow pace. 38k total towers - 5k done = 33k remaining. 33k towers / 12 months = 2750k/month needed to meet it's total network build-out goal by the end of 2014.

For individuals these plans have no effect except u do get screwed in the roaming but no biggie. The concern however is the cost of multiple lines which were cheaper in the old plans and certainly to att and vzw. These new plans do get rid of that $10 premium data charge confusion which is a good thing. Sent from my HP Touchpad using Tapatalk 2

Roaming can be disabled on the phone Even if Sprint cancelled my contract due to excessive roaming, at least I'd have an excuse to move to a better network.

Cheap plans = not enough money to maintain and upgrade the network ->> slow speeds. Oh well, pick your poison. You're screwed one way or another.

These new plans from Sprint seem like a good step. To most average consumers, the new plans are going to appear to be cheaper than Verizon and AT&T. Other the other hand, the plans are going to provide more money to upgrade and maintain Sprint's network in the coming years.

 "slow unlimited"

 

The irony of slow data speeds on a company named "Sprint" isn't lost to most people.

The new plans seem mostly similar to Sprint as You Go. Unlimited talk and text and data for less. 100 MB data and 400 mins roaming limit. No unlimited guarantee and slightly worse handset selection (but you don't have to pay full price) though. I can live with that.

So for new customers, will this plan be the only option?  Sprint should wait for 800Mhz LTE rollout before getting rid of the other plans.

 Other plans are still available: Top menu bar - > shop -> plans -> individual plans.

More leaked new plan pages and a FAQ. Available at android police: http://www.androidpolice.com/2013/07/11/heres-the-full-skinny-on-sprints-new-unlimited-my-way-and-my-all-in-plans-available-beginning-july-12th/

Dow Jones/WSJ adds some more info: http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20130711-709190.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

Fitch Ratings has affirmed the Issuer Default Rating (IDR) and long-term debt ratings of Sprint at B+

http://geeks.broadwayworld.com/article/Fitch-Affirms-Sprint-Nextels-IDR-at-B-Outlook-Stable-20130711

Softbank's credit rating downgrade explained: http://www.iflr.com/Article/3229892/Capital-markets/How-SoftBankSprint-overcame-rating-uncertainty.html

More details from Softbank:

"Sprint's business performance will be consolidated with SoftBank's consolidated financial statements starting July 11, 2013. SoftBank will announce the impact of the consolidation once it is verified."

http://www.softbank.co.jp/en/news/press/2013/20130711_01/

From streetinsider.com: "Standard & Poor's Ratings Services today raised its corporate credit rating on Overland Park, Kan.-based wireless carrier Sprint Nextel Corp. (NYSE: S) to 'BB-' from 'B+'. The rating outlook is stable."

http://www.streetinsider.com/Credit+Ratings/S%26P+Raises+Sprint+(S)+from+B%2B+to+BB-%3B+Removes+from+CreditWatch/8490317.html

Hopefully, Dish will give up in a few years. Then Sprint can buy this spectrum from Dish and move the video streamers (e.g., Netflix, Sprint TV) over.

Found this form reuters: http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/07/10/us-sprint-softbank-clearwire-idUSBRE9690Y020130710

Key notes:

1) "Softbank founder Masayoshi Son told Reuters in April that he was preparing a "secret weapon" to revive Sprint - a "very innovative product, innovative service that no other carriers in the world are preparing."

Something related to their new R&D center in California?

From a Nikkei/Nasdaq interview: "The two carriers will open a joint R&D center in California as early as this year. It will "give birth to new technology in Silicon Valley, the center of Internet technology," Mr. Son told the Nikkei."

Read more: http://www.nasdaq.com/article/softbank-set-to-invest-16-billion-at-sprint-20130707-00017#ixzz2YgJaJk3Q

2) "SoftBank executive Ron Fisher, who will become vice chairman of the Sprint board of directors, said the first task was beefing up technology. He added that there will not be any management changes or general layoffs."

3) "Integrating Clearwire's spectrum with Sprint's network, and introducing handsets that can take advantage of that spectrum, could take as long as 18 months, said Fisher. But he noted that putting the process in motion is an immediate priority."

Sounds about right to develop, test and release Tri-band phones. Just in time for my 2/2015 contract renewal.

4) "The area you're likely to see the greatest acceleration is around the 2.5 Gigahertz Clearwire spectrum deployment," Fisher added.

After the Clearwire acquisition, hopefully Sprint will be using bigger pipes (IIRC, there's at least 55 mhz contiguous in the 2.5 Ghz spectrum) in most markets. 

Here's a different view:

From KC Biz journal: http://www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/blog/2013/07/sprints-going-to-have-a-very.html

Bloomberg interview with former Sprint exec: http://www.bloomberg.com/video/sprint-facing-a-new-wireless-pivot-point-patterson-oHoyvSIuRpC40P6mwzd6Ow.html

Update from The Hill: The FCC vote is 3-0 in favor (instead of just 2-1). No mention if any spectrum sell-off is required. From the article: "The Federal Communications Commission voted unanimously on Wednesday to approve SoftBank's purchase of Sprint...No official announcement has been made yet. Republican FCC Commissioner Ajit Pai negotiated to remove wording in the final order related to the way the FCC calculates spectrum holdings."

Kinda surprised that it was a unanimous vote. Also surprised that the FCC commissioners were still working. I thought the entire government was on a Fourth of July vacation for the week -- not just Congress.

http://thehill.com/blogs/hillicon-valley/technology/309237--softbank-wins-fcc-approval-to-buy-sprint

The Hill says that 2 out of 3 are in favor of the deal. But that they're still negotiating with last one. Negotiating for what? Spectrum divestments?

http://thehill.com/blogs/hillicon-valley/technology/309109-majority-of-fcc-backs-softbank-purchase-of-sprint

According to the KC Biz Journal, "Sprint will reimburse Crest Financial and affiliated shareholders as much as $2.5 million for costs associated with its campaign to persuade Clearwire shareholders to reject Sprint’s proposal." I wonder if that $2.5 million was the final nail needed to buy Crest's vote.

http://www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/news/2013/07/03/sprint-strikes-deal-with-one-of.html

I was out shopping at Albertson's (around 185th and Farmington) in the Aloha area. Noticed my 4G indicator come on. That was an unexpected surprise. Just checkled Sensorly. It says that Sprint is working its way down from Tanasbourne to along 185th and TV hwy, Aloha HS, Mt View middle school area.

Didn't do a speed test.