Sprint Sets LTE Launch Date

As expected, Sprint is prepping to launch its first five LTE cities on July 15, with a heavy emphasis on 4G in the Lone Star State

Dan Jones, Mobile Editor

June 27, 2012

1 Min Read
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Sprint Corp. (NYSE: S) has finally revealed that its first five 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) cities will go live on July 15, with a majority of the initial markets being in Texas.

The third-largest U.S. mobile operator said Wednesday that it will launch initial LTE service in Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City and San Antonio this July. Baltimore is the only market that Sprint named as an initial market without an assigned launch date.

A July launch date was widely rumored for the planned "mid-year" launch of Sprint's latest -- and fastest -- mobile network technology. The operator hopes to cover up to 120 million people with its updated 4G network by year's end.

The operator already has several devices that support the new technology available. (See Sprint LTE Devices Arrive Before Network.) Why this matters
Sprint is far behind larger rivals AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) and Verizon Wireless with LTE launches. Big Red currently has 304 markets up and running; Ma Bell has LTE service up in 41 towns and cities.

Sprint, meanwhile, isn't planning to focus on its existing WiMax network, now preferring to push that network through its Boost Mobile and Virgin Mobile USA Inc. (NYSE: VM) pay-as-you-go operations. The future of the Sprint brand is now wrapped up in the complex, but necessary, "Network Vision" 3G and 4G upgrades and a spreading LTE footprint.

For more

  • Sprint to Launch LTE Service Soon?

  • Sprint & Vendors Lagging on LTE Build?

  • Mapping 4G: AT&T Hits 41 LTE Markets

  • Verizon Lights Up 46 More 4G LTE Markets

  • Sprint's 4G LTE Texan Triangle



— Dan Jones, Site Editor, Light Reading Mobile

About the Author

Dan Jones

Mobile Editor

Dan is to hats what Will.I.Am is to ridiculous eyewear. Fedora, trilby, tam-o-shanter -- all have graced the Jones pate during his career as the go-to purveyor of mobile essentials.

But hey, Dan is so much more than 4G maps and state-of-the-art headgear. Before joining the Light Reading team in 2002 he was an award-winning cult hit on Broadway (with four 'Toni' awards, two 'Emma' gongs and a 'Brian' to his name) with his one-man show, "Dan Sings the Show Tunes."

His perfectly crafted blogs, falling under the "Jonestown" banner, have been compared to the works of Chekhov. But only by Dan.

He lives in Brooklyn with cats.

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