Regulators put pressure on Sprint to remedy issues with iDEN network

Although Sprint has coughed up some $1 billion over the past few years in order to nix the interference between 2,200 public safety agencies across the US and its iDEN network, it apparently hasn't done enough. Reportedly, the FCC has warned Sprint that it "could lose access to the signal spectrum used by its Nextel- and Boost Mobile-branded wireless services" if it doesn't remedy the problem by June of 2008. Supposedly, Sprint is "working hard" to settle the issue, but it's not wasting any time asking the US Court of Appeals to get involved. The carrier claims that these shut down threats could force it to halt signups of Nextel-branded customers, and furthermore, around three million public-safety workers would purportedly lose service if the FCC did indeed shut down the Nextel network. 'Course, industry analysts are suggesting that regulators wouldn't really go through with shutting it down, but if nothing else, this should light a fire under Sprint to expedite the process.

[Via PhoneScoop]

[maikel @ Nov 19th 2007 8:34PM]

Yep,true. I remember a few months ago when they actually spend money on advertising how their network is much faster than AT&T w/ those data cards.
Wow!! Look at them now. Who's getting the last laugh now? They could have spend those millions $ on actually improving their network.Had their focus on the wrong thing specially when trying to compare yourself to the big AT&T.

Good for Them!!

[Norv @ Nov 20th 2007 11:56AM]

Mai, learn to read. The article discusses spectrum rebanding and not network improvement / expansion. Idiot.

[wickedpheonix @ Nov 19th 2007 9:02PM]

Didn't the iDEN network die a while ago when Nextel merged with Sprint? All I know is that years and years ago Nextel was the best option for wireless in the Washington DC area because the iDEN network gave you coverage everywhere but the Metro; now, they're at the bottom of the barrel.

I seriously doubt that many people care if the iDEN network goes belly-up if it hasn't already. If you do still have an iDEN phone, just sign a new contract with Sprint and get one of those free phones. Seriously, for chrissakes.

[JP23 @ Nov 19th 2007 9:19PM]

iden isn't going anywhere. Sprint has been working on a deal to lease the iden network to the Gov't after they switch everybody over to the CDMA structure also Nextel isn't the only company that uses the iden technology.

[Thomas L. B. @ Nov 19th 2007 9:33PM]

iden is far from dead! I have one on me this very minute. I probably couldnt do without the direct connect feature, you don't realize how nice it is until you lose it. Of course, everyone I know has a Nextel too, so that helps. The main thing is they need to get better coverage of iDen or figure a walkie-talkie feature that works off of CDMA.

[dcny @ Nov 19th 2007 10:17PM]

when was nextel good in dc area? what part of dc area are you talking about cause it damn sure aint Washington DC it may be Maryland and Virginia but it damn sure aint DC; verizon has better coverage than any other wireless company in dc the actual city hands down

[wickedpheonix @ Nov 20th 2007 9:32PM]

@dcny

All I know is that the Washington Post consistently gave it full marks for reception and quality and the like for all its test sites back in the day, including at least somewhere on the Mall. Right now it definitely has nowhere near the best coverage in the DC area, yes Verizon does, but it used to be better supposedly.

[telepheedian @ Nov 19th 2007 9:11PM]

There is one downside, mologogo would die if boost stopped providing service.

[andrew @ Nov 19th 2007 9:18PM]

I love how the FCC is threatening to shut down Nextel's (now Sprint's) network for improper use of bandwidth they already own, but is not imposing any fines on itself for selling T-mobile bandwidth for its 3G network and then letting the transfer date slide by for months and months. Talk about hypocrisy....

The only redeeming feature of this poor management on the part of the FCC is that both actions are to protect "public safety" agencies. I still think it's pretty lame.

[good PR @ Nov 19th 2007 10:35PM]

I have a iDen on my belt right now, and it sucks so much, my Nextel i836 is the turd of the cell phone industry, it does not hold a charge at ALL! I can't wait until my Contract is up (1 year 3 months to go!)

Hopefully by then I can find a cheap Helio Ocean on eBay or something...

[m1c @ Nov 20th 2007 4:47AM]

The interference that the local public saftey providers complain about is often the result of illegal transmitters (i.e. non-Sprint/Nextel). Since Sprint/Nextel 'owns' those frequencies it has to spend time chasing down the illegal sources of interference as well as adjusting it's own network to reduce potential interference.
Further, Public Safety officials sometimes lay blame for poor performance or inadequacies of their own networks on supposed interference from Sprint/Nextel.
The effort to reduce interference and improve performance involves 100's of engineers nationwide, coordination with 1000's of public safety providers and millions of dollars worth of specialised software.

[Sly Raskal @ Nov 20th 2007 11:14AM]

Great, now could someone light a match under their asses to improve their customer care departments.

[Sprint Rep @ Jan 4th 2008 4:11AM]

Not Likely, as an employee and to read this on the net before somone tells me at the job is just another example of the challenges and problems we have. In the past 4yrs I have watched these problems matastifiy into the horrible problem it is now.

I guess the general census at work is correct ride this puppy for all its worth till it crash's and burns.

When I decide to leave the company im switching service day 1... Wish us luck folks.

[Jack @ Nov 20th 2007 1:19PM]

I've had some dealings with eCare lately, and they have bent over backwards to ensure I'm a happy customer. I see people diss Sprint, so I'd rather offer up a post to express satisfaction.