Sprint 4G dual-mode CDMA / WiMAX modems and handsets on tap

Hang tight to that Samsung SWC-E100 ExpressCard you snatched up as one of the few early adopters in Baltimore -- that thing could one day be a serious relic (or rare eBay find). Just over a year since launching the perplexedly named XOHM WiMAX service, Sprint has decided to rechristen the whole thing Sprint 4G after its workings with Clearwire. Reportedly, the carrier will be offering up dual-mode CDMA / WiMAX modems as early as the end of this year (at least in the Charm City), while similarly equipped handsets won't be too many months behind (just like we'd heard). Kinda hurts to know you can't add a CDMA radio into that WiMAX-only card you already purchased, huh?

[Via phonescoop]

[nerdtalker @ Dec 5th 2008 5:07PM]

Sprint, c'mon, release some 4G capable phones (pressure HTC into doing it), and you've finally got a one-up on the rest of the market. Come on Dan Hesse, you can do it!

They need to market the hell out of these things and pull off a flawless product launch to recoup the market share they've lost in handsets/datacards/e.t.c., and that comes from an acknowledged Sprint apologist (I love my SERO).

[Matt @ Dec 5th 2008 5:48PM]

Yes, get a CDMA flavor of the HTC MAX 4G, that would be glorious.

[Setnev @ Dec 5th 2008 9:51PM]

Woah, 4G, T-Mo is just barely getting to 3G, maybe they should hate their customers a little less and upgrade their network further and upgrade to a 4G network like Sprint and gain back those customers that they lost to AT&T and Sprint can gain back their customers they lost VZW. Sprint should remove the caps off their data only service for those who have the aircards. Ya, they may have the fastest internet speeds, but no one wants that 4GB cap.

[neodorian @ Dec 6th 2008 4:09PM]

I was in the Xohm market testing group and this is cool. A lot of us mentioned to the product researchers that we were interested in a unified service that would cover phone and data and be usable everywhere like their EVDO already is. Looks like someone was listening. This in a Tegra phone would pretty much be my nerdgasm for the year.

[Primate @ Dec 5th 2008 5:09PM]

First post. Baltimore JHU/Loyola representing.

But here is the questions about the modem will it only be one service at a time or will it be smart to realize that once you loose signal on the WiMax to jump over the EDVO? Or is this just you pick what you use based on the time of login and it stays to that till you log off and switch it again.

[Christopher Price @ Dec 5th 2008 5:23PM]

XOHM cards will continue to work fine, even on these re-launched Sprint 4G (and, eventually, Clear once their network is upgraded). That's the great thing about WiMAX... you're not tied to a carrier, or an MVNO.

- Christopher Price
PhoneNews.com

[Electromodo @ Dec 5th 2008 5:41PM]

It hurts to live 30 miles from Baltimore in the capital of USA and still have NO WiMAX!
Where are your promises, Sprint????

[neodorian @ Dec 6th 2008 4:12PM]

I had my Wimax lappy in DC the other day and while it isn't announce yet you can already get a signal in many places. They just haven't completed coverage to the point where they want to advertise it as available. Trust me this is a good thing. Nothing worse than signing up for service and having no coverage anywhere. This hybrid modem is a great idea because even in Bmore I can't always get on WiMax deep into my work building where I can totally get EVDO. This would be a great way to fill in the gaps. Even their EVDO is pretty damn fast since they upgraded to Rev. A. It's around DSL speed (1.5 down, 800k up) whereas WiMax gets me around 3-6 down and 1.5 up like cable.

[treebark @ Dec 6th 2008 9:51PM]

It's in DC now, just not officially launched until they get all the towers upgraded. Go to https://www.xohm.com and enter you address. Pricing is very reasonable. I am just a little north, but a Xohm rep in the Columbia Mall told me every Sprint tower in the region is going to be upgraded. He also said there are home antennas and people are able to get signal up to 25 miles away.