OVERLAND PARK, Kan. and SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Sprint (NYSE:S) and NETGEAR® Inc. (NASDAQGM: NTGR) today announced July 19 availability of two of the first tri-band 4G LTE devices from Sprint, the NETGEAR® Zing Mobile Hotspot™ and the NETGEAR® 341U USB Modem. These devices are designed to bring customers improved networkperformance and stronger in-building coverage by taking advantage of 4G LTE deployment on Sprint’s network (at 1.9GHz 800MHzand2.5GHz).
The three bands of spectrum accessible on these devices will provide Sprint customers a high-quality, consistently fast 4G LTE network experience, whether they are sitting at their desks, catching up with friends at a coffee shop, or relaxing on vacation.
800MHz spectrum being added to Sprint’s LTE network later this year excels at in-building coverage. This spectrum has been repurposed for LTE as Sprint ceased operations June 30 of the Nextel National Network.
Sprint’s 1.9GHz spectrum acts as the primary band in its 4G LTE nationwide build-out. Average performance falls in the range of 6-8Mbps, peaking at 25Mbps, for downlink and 2-3Mbps for uplink.
2.5GHz spectrum , which excels at broad-based, high-speed coverage, is expected to provide Sprint customers increased speeds and capacity in densely populated cities.
Customers will be able to purchase the NETGEAR Zing Mobile Hotspot for $49.99 (excluding taxes) after a $50 mail-in rebate viareward card2 and the NETGEAR 341U USB Modem for $19.99 (excluding taxes) after $50 mail-in rebate via reward card2. Pricing for both devices requires a new line or eligible upgrade, a two-year service agreement and can be purchased through www.sprint.com, Sprint retail stores, 1-800-SPRINT1 and Sprint Business Sales.
Sprint Nextel Corp.