CAL7

Who?  The thousands upon thousands, even millions of consumers who represent >90 percent of the market and know not a thing about "tri band LTE."

Point well taken; you're definitely right in your market-awareness analysis. So, it comes down to performance, or more importantly, perception of performance. Is Band 25 good enough throughout Sprintland to serve the typical LTE market to the point that the press reports favorably on Sprint vis-à-vis T and VZW?

 

I have to believe the answer is ”no”, else Sprint wouldn't be spending so much for this buildout. As someone who wants Sprint to succeed, it concerns me that the hot new phones (e.g. Moto X) are (mostly) Band 25 only. (One Sprint MVNO, Republic Wireless, is betting the farm on the Moto X and Band 25. I find their WiFi strategy intriguing and innovative, but if the backup LTE - Moto X Band 25 - is wanting, the whole business plan dies.)

 

I'll rephrase my question: Is Band 25 good enough to keep the masses happy?

I don't see how any Band-25-only phone has a future on Sprint. While we're all waiting for the rollout of 800 and 2600, it seems like we're ignoring the major problem of new phones (e.g. Z30 and, more significantly, the Moto X) are ignoring those bands.

 

I'd love for someone to tell me I'm wrong, but who's going to buy a Z30 or Moto X for Sprint if they're restricted to Band 25?