Sprint Will Stick to WiMAX for Now but is Still Considering LTE for the Future

Evan Selleck - May 11, 2010

Sprint's 4G endeavors are far from secret. They really do enjoy their big lead in the 4G race, and so far they don't look like they're slowing down any time soon. Their decision to go with WiMax may have not made everyone in the United States the happiest, and it may have even confused a few others, but for Sprint it made all the sense in the world. WiMax was a trusted way to get their 4G footprint implanted, and considering they wanted to be the first out the gate with any kind of 4G strength, they had to go with WiMax. But, that's not stopping Dan Hesse from looking to the future, and other technologies.

Sprint had an earning's call today, and Dan Hesse, CEO of Sprint, fronted a question straight on about their decision to utilize WiMax, instead of Long-Term Evolution (LTE) technologies. And, just as we mentioned, it all boils down to the fact that Sprint wanted to be first. LTE was coming soon, and WiMax was out and about, solving their problem right then and there. Apparently, Sprint's network is an FDD spectrum, and that while Verizon Wireless and AT&T are planning on utilizing LTE for their 4G network, they use a TDD spectrum. FDD just isn't there yet, so Sprint was fced with a "first or last" scenario. Be the first with WiMax, or be the last on the market with 4G with LTE. Obviously, Sprint didn't believe they could survive with being the last.

Hesse is firmly committed to WiMax as Sprint's 4G technology, but he doesn't count LTE out altogether. In fact, he says that if it's in Sprint's best interest to switch over to LTE, or to include it some way into the network, then that's exactly what they will do. Basically, it sounds like they're perfectly content with their pole position, but they'll play the future by ear. Just by leaving the option on the table means Sprint has options for what's to come, and that's probably going to work out in their favor, rather than hinder them. Now, of course, Sprint just needs to extend their 4G footprint, so we can get our EVO 4G working.

[via Techland]

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