Sprint can switch to LTE 'easily'

[Droid800]

Saw this article on Engadget. Apparently Sprint is actively examining the switch to LTE, and will make their decision in the next 4 to 6 months. That alone is news, but there was this little nugget hidden at the end of the article:

As we've heard previously, that switch would be a fairly straightforward one from a technical standpoint due to the carrier's recent upgrades to its network, which allow it to upgrade its gear to LTE simply by swapping in a new baseband card and issuing a software patch.

So as has been postulated here and elsewhere, Sprint has been actively preparing for the possibility of a switch to LTE, and has equipment in place NOW that could make the switch.

Sprint evaluating switch to LTE over the next four to six months -- Engadget

 

[Chris Kerrigan]

I think it's only a matter of time before Sprint makes the switch from WiMax to LTE, especially with the financial uncertainty of Clearwire and the future of the WiMax technology in the U.S. I think Sprint knows that it's a clear business decision going forward.

 

[RUSH]

What's the difference between the two?

 

[enzie5454]

Saw this article on Engadget. Apparently Sprint is actively examining the switch to LTE, and will make their decision in the next 4 to 6 months. That alone is news, but there was this little nugget hidden at the end of the article:



So as has been postulated here and elsewhere, Sprint has been actively preparing for the possibility of a switch to LTE, and has equipment in place NOW that could make the switch.

Sprint evaluating switch to LTE over the next four to six months -- Engadget

I know I've asked this question before but never heard from anyone...if I own an EVO 4G that is Wimax, will I be out of luck or will they, if I'm understanding the OP correctly, switch out something in my EVO and give me a software patch that would allow me to use LTE?

 

[ls377]

I know I've asked this question before but never heard from anyone...if I own an EVO 4G that is Wimax, will I be out of luck or will they, if I'm understanding the OP correctly, switch out something in my EVO and give me a software patch that would allow me to use LTE?

I think the compatibility between Wimax and LTE is in the towers, not the devices. So yeah, you would be out of luck. I don't think Sprint will be able to just drop Wimax...either they could build LTE out separately and just wait for the Wimax devices to cycle out, or offer some kind of upgrade plan to people who have Wimax devices. It would be a huge PR blunder to take 4G away from 4G branded devices, at least while they're still commonly used.

 

[Droid800]

I think the compatibility between Wimax and LTE is in the towers, not the devices. So yeah, you would be out of luck. I don't think Sprint will be able to just drop Wimax...either they could build LTE out separately and just wait for the Wimax devices to cycle out, or offer some kind of upgrade plan to people who have Wimax devices. It would be a huge PR blunder to take 4G away from 4G branded devices, at least while they're still commonly used.

Like all network change-overs, they would publicize a switch-over date to all customers with active WiMax handsets, and then institute a program to swap-out the handsets. If you're within (or close to) your upgrade period, they would probably just let you upgrade to an LTE device. If you're not, they'd probably just give you the option to swap it out for a similarly-equipped LTE model.

But they wouldn't just phase in LTE like they did WiMax. They would probably have a few test markets initially, as all new networks have, but they would roll-out LTE quickly since the back-haul is already in place. My guess too is that there would be a brief period where 4G wouldn't be available in each market, but Sprint would probably offer discounts or credits to offset that. Unfortunately, with how the upgrade would happen, its not like Sprint can phase it in without WiMax disruption.

Of course, this is all speculation, but Sprint would do it very carefully to avoid any PR debacles.