Sprint to roll out national WiMax network

Sprint gets it — the future's in not necessarily cellular high speed wireless communications, something like WiMax (or WiBro, Flash OFDM, etc.), per se. PCS Intel also has it that apparently Sprint's coming up roses with laying the groundwork for next-gen wireless broadband because of their DoD deal; looks like they're planning a nation-wide rollout with an even broader coverage base than their existing cellphone network (which shouldn't be too hard, considering how long-range WiMax is). Of course, being that the WiMax standard is still in the oven, so to speak, by the time the DoD takes the iDEN network off their hands (and supposedly switches up bands), they'll be able to rebuild their spectrum with whichever kind of network they please, WiMax, 3G, 4G, or otherwise.

[Stefan Constantinescu @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM]

Well this is certainly a twist. With SBC who purchased AT&T and Verizon, who purchased MCI IIRC, both these comapnies are implementing fiber to the curb as the future for broadband delivery.

Sprint can effictivly make a network that will blanket the entire nation with wireless internet. This would be a great push to reducing the digital divide, and push broadband penetration even further. I wonder exactly how much bandwidth per user this sytem could offer, in dense regions like cities, and suberbia.

[Stiev @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM]

Yes, this is a great move- because we all know how reliable and dependable the sprint network is. While I have never been a customer, too many of my friends are. They often complain about lack of service, lack of quality phones/features, lack of coverage, etc.

If sprint can get this rolling smoothly, effectively, and cheaply(for the consumer) they may be on to something. But I'll put my bets on Verizon or Cingular getting this out the door first.

[John @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM]

And I know people who say the same thing about Verizon. It all depends on where you are.

[Daniel Clayden @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM]

Not that I wish to be a pedant, but the headline for this article is seriously misleading. Here I was, all excited that Sprint are planning on rolling out a WiMax network across Great Britain, but on reading the article it seems that by "national" you really mean "the United States of America".

When are you lot going to realise that the internet is a *global* resource ?

May I suggest that in future you use phrases like "US-wide" or even "US" rather than the misleading "national" moniker in your headlines and articles.

Keep up the good work.

[yo @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM]

meh sprint isnt' that great, it's so easy to walk in and out of thier network - even in urban areas....

[kirk @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM]

Um, the I in the Wimax logo?

[Ryan @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM]

yeah that I looks a little too much like a.... ummmm.... gonna vom...

[Theodore Wheeland @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM]

It is wayyy to early to be saying things like this. It was wayyy to early to say the iPod would trump in 1999. Mark my words; invest in Sprint. I smell leap frog all over this shit.

hahahah Harry G. Frankfurt would love the bull shit I'm layin down.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0691122946/qid=1130447607/sr=8-1/ref=pd_bbs_1/102-9032860-8929705?v=glance&s=books&n=507846

[Edward Case @ Dec 19th 2005 12:55AM]

On an even swap with DOD how much spectrum can Sprint/Nextel expect to get at 700MHz? Which leads one to rationally question the total throughput of a wide area wimax network. Capacity and throughput are utlimately driven by more cell sites as sectorized antenna have their limits. Look for a video play at 700MHz and data at 2.5GHz.