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Financial woes at Clearwire force cuts in 4G expansion

From PCMag.com:
Cash-Strapped Clearwire Slashes Staff, Halts Roll Outs:
Clearwire has run into some money troubles. In a third-quarter earnings report, the company said it has "not yet secured future funding," and must implement a number of cost-saving measures, including layoffs and a suspension of additional market roll outs.
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I have to worry about the future of Sprint's 4G network.

It says in the article that sprints 4g plans have not changed. Kinda sucks but oh well.

Yes, all along they've been careful to clarify that Clearwire's retail 4G service is distinct from the Sprint 4G service.
Harris

omeinv said:
Yes, all along they've been careful to clarify that Clearwire's retail 4G service is distinct from the Sprint 4G service.
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But don't they share the same Wimax infrastructure? For example, if the Clearwire buildout in Denver and Miami is deferred, as the story says, then wouldn't that mean that Sprint 4G service in those cities is also deferred?

boomerbubba said:
But don't they share the same Wimax infrastructure? For example, if the Clearwire buildout in Denver and Miami is deferred, as the story says, then wouldn't that mean that Sprint 4G service in those cities is also deferred?
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Not necessarily, I am not familiar with the contract agreements between them, but from what I have gathered - Clear is more the boots on the ground and Sprint is the cash cow. In other words, Sprint provides the funding for the infrastructure, Clear just has the man power and know how to get the job setup.

Kcarpenter said:
Not necessarily, I am not familiar with the contract agreements between them, but from what I have gathered - Clear is more the boots on the ground and Sprint is the cash cow. In other words, Sprint provides the funding for the infrastructure, Clear just has the man power and know how to get the job setup.
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I'm not talking about the contract agreements, but the tangible network infrastructure. It is the real boots on the ground that are being cut.
It seems pretty simple: If the actual Wimax network doesn't get physically built out or expanded, then it isn't there for Sprint to use. (It also wouldn't be there for Clear service, Time Warner mobile data service, etc., which I don't care about.)

Well I do know that we got 4G in South FL now. not all areas, but most. my house doesn't have it, but south and north of me does.

You won't see anything happening to sprint. The 4G is only going to get bigger.
Sent from my SPH-D700

people there is noooo need to worry. what clearwire is doing is just cutting staff now to prepare for the future. clearwires profit and subscriber rates skyrocketed over the past year, and to better be sure they can keep more money and expand more latter,,,, they are pretty much just cutting the staff now so they wont have to do it later. the future of 4g is not in jeopardy or anything like that. atleast for now

I concur with boomer.

surveysays said:
people there is noooo need to worry. what clearwire is doing is just cutting staff now to prepare for the future. clearwires profit and subscriber rates skyrocketed over the past year, and to better be sure they can keep more money and expand more latter,,,, they are pretty much just cutting the staff now so they wont have to do it later. the future of 4g is not in jeopardy or anything like that. atleast for now
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WTF? Clearwire is losing money, $139 million last quarter and has never turned a profit (sprint itself also lost one billion dollars this quarter alone).
The analysts are saying the NY rollout was done with the very last of clearwire's reserves.
this means cuts in 4g rollout for clearwire which is the rollout of sprint 4G.
It isn't a question of them turning out the lights, yet, but it is that this clearly means that the new rollouts, and existing cities which all need beefing up and maintenance as more users come on line, will suffer.
Expansion and much needed beefing up of already deployed markets will suffer -- there is no other way to read it. Clearwire is also not going to be able to fund its planned changeover to LTE without a major injection of money from god knows where, or selling some if ts spectrum

boomerbubba said:
But don't they share the same Wimax infrastructure? For example, if the Clearwire buildout in Denver and Miami is deferred, as the story says, then wouldn't that mean that Sprint 4G service in those cities is also deferred?
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Absolutely

I talked to a fry's employee the other day (facts to keep in mind: in Orange County, CA, Fry's doesn't carry sprint, and they work on commission.) He said that 4G was going to go away, that no more towers were going up, and that sprint didn't use clearwire's towers. For reference, I get 5mbits down on 4G in that particular location.
He went on to say that there's a reason sprint hasn't released any more 4G phones, that T-Mobile was going to buy sprint (I'm assuming he meant Deutche Telekom), and that they were going to release a bunch of android dual CDMA/GSM combo phones. But then he went on to say that he's got the "best of everything" including his new G2 where he's getting d/l speeds of "14 megapixels".
Prior, I had just asked him if they sold extra batteries for the Epic. But either way, i'm curious which bits could be true. This was last week, before I saw a lot of these publicized sprint/clearwire woes.

decalex said:
I talked to a fry's employee the other day...
...He said that 4G was going to go away,
...that no more towers were going up
...and that sprint didn't use clearwire's towers..
...that there's a reason sprint hasn't released any more 4G phones, that T-Mobile was going to buy sprint (I'm assuming he meant Deutche Telekom),
.....and that they were going to release a bunch of android dual CDMA/GSM combo phones.
.....But then he went on to say that he's got the "best of everything" including his new G2 where he's getting d/l speeds of "14 megapixels".
...... i'm curious which bits could be true.
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A: None
10char

The plot thickens.
http://androidspin.com/2010/11/13/goodbye-clear-can-clear-survive-with-or-without-sprint/

"reported that the two carriers have entered into an arbitration process regarding the “Premium Fee” of $10 per month for Evo 4G and Epic 4G phones. Clearwire said that there are nearly 810,000 customers with either the Evo or Epic phones; out of these customers Clearwire estimates as many as 364,500 of them are being used in cities without WiMAX deployment areas. This has led Sprint to reevaluate the agreement that they have with Clear"
Does this mean sprint is looking at not charing people the $10 fee if they dont live in a area with 4g/wimax? We dont have it in my area but have been thinking of going to sprint but we want 4 good android phoens and $40 a month kinda defeats the purpose of going to sprint to save cash

It means Sprint thinks Clear(wire) isn't delivering on its promise to deliver 4G and they're (Sprint) is concerned Clear is (may) take some of Sprint's customers.
The fee won't go away; Clear needs it to stay liquid and not go into bankruptcy. But if Clear takes Sprint customers, Sprint can't pay the wholesale fees for 4G spectrum.
Basically unless Sprint can get some cash into Clear (subscribers or investors or buyers), Clear goes bankrupt within 12 months and WIMAX disappears. Sprint might sell off thr WIMAX spectrum as no other carrier in the U.S. wants WIMAX - they're all LTE.
If Clear goes, things don't look great for Sprint.
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sprint needs to follow verizons path, and offer 4g in every football city.

clearwire more trouble.

The chairman of Clearwire's board of directors will resign his position today, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Craig McCaw, who served as chairman for two years, did not resign over any disagreements with the company or over any matters pertaining to the company's operations or practices, according to the filing.
The company, which has visions of being a major player in the 4G wireless space, has been adding subscribers at a rapid clip as the WiMax technology has rolled out into cities. But the company has also hit a cash crunch and, last month, said it will have to cut its workforce by 15 percent, trim its marketing spending, and delay plans for launches in other cities. Read more of "Clearwire's Chairman to resign post today" at ZDNet.

Good shut clear down for good make sprint rules the real 4g with no caps at dial up speeds or lower
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You do realize that shutting clear down at this time means losing complete access to 4g right?
Better for that to happen after the network changes where 4G equipment is on our towers and in our BTS boxes and what not.
Otherwise Sprint has no 4G hardware solution currently deployed in any box or tower.
So...lets get that done first.

competition in business is a GOOD thing.

No Clearwire = No 4G = No $10/mo multimedia rich experience fee?
Sent via my EVO from the backseat of your Momma's SUV.

If they get shutdown would sprint have to join LTE services? If so wouldn't wimax compatible phone have to be recalled? Would we get hwd 005 Evo's that support LTE?

sprint more than likely will join LTE regardless of what happens with clear although Wimax2 is a beast

I read somewhere that we can use LTE we just need a radio update.
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Blitzpwnage said:
I read somewhere that we can use LTE we just need a radio update.
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Not true.
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wimax is supposedly lte compatible but only if you take a big performance hit, the reason being that wimax and lte is supposed to be the same hardware just different software implementation, this is what an engineer told me but i still take it with a truckload of salt, as far as i can tell only one variant of lte is compatible with wimax and offers no improvement, to my understanding its only the hardware in the tower thats cross compatible and not the lte/wimax chipsets used in phones and modems, i do recall wimax being called future proof though

I am not sure if you all know, that Sprint does not own most of there towers that they have data and voice services. For example in So Cali most of the Cell towers that have 3g and 4g are own and operated but guess who; not sprint that is right they are owned and operated by Clearwire and this is true for most of the country. Sprint sold off most of there towers years ago.

glennpettit said:
I am not sure if you all know, that Sprint does not own most of there towers that they have data and voice services. For example in So Cali most of the Cell towers that have 3g and 4g are own and operated but guess who; not sprint that is right they are owned and operated by Clearwire and this is true for most of the country. Sprint sold off most of there towers years ago.
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That may be true but... Rember that lil Sprint/Clearwire merger while back? Pretty sure that makes them Sprints doesnt it?

for 4g, clearwire owns them, sprint uses them.

nuggyunlimited said:
If they get shutdown would sprint have to join LTE services? If so wouldn't wimax compatible phone have to be recalled? Would we get hwd 005 Evo's that support LTE?
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No, it wouldn't be recalled. No, LTE would not simply be a new hardware revision of the same phone.
Regardless of what happens with clearwire, a transition from WiMax to LTE is likely at some point. There's been speculation of that for over a year now, as LTE is emerging as the standard. I don't know if they have all the specifics worked out, but they'll probably look for a way to light up LTE and phase out WiMax at a later time. If they go that route, at some point they'll stop marketing WiMax phones. 2 years from that point, everybody is upgrade eligible, so they notify everyone that it's time to upgrade, or 4G access won't be available. The 3G network will probably still be alive and well, so it won't be a brick.
As to whether a sudden bankruptcy of clearwire would mean 4G would go dark prematurely, I think that's unlikely. Despite their debt problems, the network and spectrum they own is a major asset. Sprint is also a majority owner, and the original owner of some of those assets as well. Sprint has a major interest in that infrastructure continuing to exist and serve their customers. I think it's pretty likely that some arrangement will be made that would be completely transparent to customers as far as operation of the network.

Doesn't sprint own 51% of clear? I believe sprint could just buyout the rest, but are trying to avoid that decision.

scooter185 said:
Doesn't sprint own 51% of clear? I believe sprint could just buyout the rest, but are trying to avoid that decision.
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From what I heard, Sprint did something to try to protect themselves from responsibility if Clearwire fails ultimately via their execs stepping down from Clearwire's board of directors? Something to that effect. I'm not sure if it was intentional, though, since I guess it was related to anti-trust issues but in the long run it might end up benefiting Sprint.
Recently Clearwire was trying to get Sprint to buy their 1.1 billion debt but the deadline passed on January 2nd and Sprint took no action to do so, so who knows.
It's been an interesting journey for Clear it seems.

Damnit! I know the Evo will probably be obsolete by the time this issue is resolved and LTE will possibly prevail but I hate being on the loosing side of the battle.
I guess this is no different than Beta vs. Vhs or HD dvd vs. Blu-ray. One format will win. I just don't like how Verizon and At&t get away with continually conning the public with over priced services and convincing them that everything they offer is superior.
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Omg sprint owns 4g towers every 4g is on sprint towers not clear clear is using sprint back bone and yea clear shutting down for good and 4g will remain 4g with sprint as it should be
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tech7 said:
Omg sprint owns 4g towers every 4g is on sprint towers not clear clear is using sprint back bone and yea clear shutting down for good and 4g will remain 4g with sprint as it should be
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Clearly you have NO idea what you're talking about. The two 4G towers near me are owned by CLEAR not Sprint.

In my area there are clear kiosks all over the local malls here.

There you have it, no LTE

WiMax for a long time.
http://www.talkandroid.com/32355-sprint-ceo-clearwire-in-every-option-for-companys-future/
Sent from my spaceship!

DirtyShroomz said:
WiMax for a long time.
http://www.talkandroid.com/32355-sprint-ceo-clearwire-in-every-option-for-companys-future/
Sent from my spaceship!
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Good info, but why is the thread titled "we have LTE?" Isn't this the complete opposite of that?

Good good. Looks like we can hope for increased speed and better coverage in the future.
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Now if they would bring 4G to Louisville.. that would be great

Lexington, KY, SIR

I got family in the Atlanta area, Im considering moving there to enjoy some 4g, plus living out here in the sticks is boring as hell.

Why is it called "there you have LTE"???

phatmanxxl said:
I got family in the Atlanta area, Im considering moving there to enjoy some 4g, plus living out here in the sticks is boring as hell.
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I wouldn't move just for 4G. It's seriously not that big a deal. I live in a 4G area and I very, very rarely turn on my 4G radio.
However, I see in your info that you live in Dexter, so you might want to GTFO no matter what! lol (I grew up in Sikeston!)

Great sprint is sticking to a slow ass 4g network that I can't use indoors and is available for 10% of the population lol
I hope the tmobile thing happens though. Would be nice to have done real 4g.
Anyways just my .02
swyped from my cyanogenized and gingerbreaded EVO

Your title maybe accurate.
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/...And-Clearwire-Are-Absolutely-Going-LTE-113089
DirtyShroomz said:
WiMax for a long time.
http://www.talkandroid.com/32355-sprint-ceo-clearwire-in-every-option-for-companys-future/
Sent from my spaceship!
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The article doesn't say no LTE. It says they intend to continue working with clearwire. It doesn't preclude that they'd do an LTE network of their own, or that clearwire would move to or add LTE.
And CEO statements on future plans are valid for only as long as it takes the sound to leave their mouth. Sometimes not even that long.

bkrodgers said:
The article doesn't say no LTE. It says they intend to continue working with clearwire. It doesn't preclude that they'd do an LTE network of their own, or that clearwire would move to or add LTE.
And CEO statements on future plans are valid for only as long as it takes the sound to leave their mouth. Sometimes not even that long.
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Not now, in the future. Maybe when they buy tmobile.
Sent from my spaceship!

Who cares just wait for wimax 2 and lte will be a joke
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aray92 said:
Who cares just wait for wimax 2 and lte will be a joke
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Out of curiosity, does wimax 2 penetrate better? (insert butthead laughing here)
Pocket posted...

bkrodgers said:
The article doesn't say no LTE. It says they intend to continue working with clearwire. It doesn't preclude that they'd do an LTE network of their own, or that clearwire would move to or add LTE.
And CEO statements on future plans are valid for only as long as it takes the sound to leave their mouth. Sometimes not even that long.
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it does mention wimax... and long future.
i am glad we are staying with wimax.. and hope this is not a smoke screen.

crabjoe said:
Your title maybe accurate.
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/...And-Clearwire-Are-Absolutely-Going-LTE-113089
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http://webcache.googleusercontent.c...ely-Going-LTE-113089&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=&pbx=1
Ignore The Smoke: Sprint And Clearwire Are Absolutely Going LTE
CEO Continues To Downplay Massive Shift On Horizon
by Karl Bode 3 hours ago tags: coverage · business · hardware · bandwidth · consumers · Sprint Telecom · wireless · Clearwire Wireless · Clearwire
Yesterday we exclusively reported that Lightsquared would be ditching Nokia for their LTE network build, instead piggybacking on Sprint's base station overhaul being conducted by Alcatel-Lucent, Ericcson and Samsung. Speaking at the Deutsche Bank Media and Telecom Conference today (audio here), Sprint CEO Dan Hesse reiterated Sprint's dedication to Clearwire and WiMax, despite numerous signs the company is ready to go the LTE route, alone if necessary. "Every option that we're looking at, every one includes WiMAX and Clearwire," Hesse informed attendees, while insisting that neither Clearwire or Sprint have made any decision to migrate to LTE.
Click for full size
That's in sharp contrast from what we're hearing from numerous insiders at both companies. Several sources familiar with Sprint's engineering agenda note that Sprint absolutely will be going LTE, though WiMax service will be run simultaneously initially. Aside from the energy efficiency and cost savings, LTE flexibility is among the top reasons for Sprint's recently announced $5 billion base station retrofit.
Insiders familiar with Clearwire's plans meanwhile tell Broadband Reports Clearwire has also already made the decision to embrace LTE -- and the only question is what specific flavor of LTE and what vendor(s). Next month Clearwire executives will attend a test of three different LTE technologies from various vendors, including TD-LTE and FD-LTE, outside of Scottsdale, Arizona. Meanwhile, several Clearwire sources insist the company has placed a freeze on the installation of any new Mobile WiMax basestations.
While it's clear that all of this signals the inevitable death of Mobile WiMax as a serious player in North America (outside of niche application), what isn't clear is the width and breadth of Sprint and Clearwire's future relationship. That won't be fully apparent until Sprint and Clearwire negotiations are complete. Sprint's future plans could very well include Clearwire, though Sprint has been engaged in a significant number of contingency plans in case Clearwire falters, ranging from their as-yet-unannounced partnership with Lightsquared, to this week's renewed rumors of a potential T-Mobile/Sprint merger. Expect Lightsquared to make some of this official at CTIA later this month.

dont care if its 4g or LTE ... FIX YOUR DAMN 3g data !

yeah article doesn't say they wont go LTE just that they are sticking with WiMax for a long time with Clearwire. Its been rumored also for awhile that they could do dual WiMax and add LTE on the old nextel freq. Which makes sense, why ditch wimax and that use of the spectrum if you dont have to? There not putting LTE in that band so it makes no sense to get fully rid of WiMax.

DirtyShroomz said:
Not now, in the future. Maybe when they buy tmobile.
Sent from my spaceship!
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soo... is it confirmed that the t-mobile buyout is happening then?

fixxxer2008 said:
soo... is it confirmed that the t-mobile buyout is happening then?
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no not at all confirmed

Sprint on LTE?

I am not sure if this was talked about yet on here and if so then I am sorry if it is a repeat post.
I heard from a friend about a possible change in 4g service with sprint. I hope that others who work for sprint can confirm or deny this, but it seems that sprint wasted there money going with wimax to build out the 4g network as they are not either doing enough to implement the changes to the towers or they lack more investment.
So from what I heard is that sprint is going to re-invest into LTE and have to change current system and then expand the rest of the network to areas with out 4g. My question is what will happen to current 4g users, and was is going to happen to our epics that have a wimax chipset installed?
Please be civil and do not trash this thread or anyone who makes posts here thank you.
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Sprint will be using http://www.lightsquared.com/ for its 4g LTE.. Also the Epic will be fine.. Sprint will keep the wimax 4g for some time/or until the user base becomes way smaller than what it is now and people start to move over to LTE.. I wouldn't worry about it right now.. Of course if you don't have a 4g tower right now I wouldn't expect to see one..

I heard about Light Square about a month ago. As soon as i heard lte coming to sprint, i decided to stick to my epic untill sprint releases an lte phone. I suggest that everyone on sprint should hold on to their upgrades untill then. No point to upgrade when new lte phones coming.
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Any wimax phone will get a software upgrade to lte no need to hold on to your upgrade this has been discussed many times

jbadboy2007 said:
Any wimax phone will get a software upgrade to lte no need to hold on to your upgrade this has been discussed many times
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So it is confirmed by sprint that anyone with an epic or any wimax chipset phone will get a comparable replacement to our current phones or a much newer model of phone like the nexus?
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You can't software update to LTE.. If you don't know what you're talking about, please don't verbalize it to the public. Misinformation is the real enemy.
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jbadboy2007 said:
Any wimax phone will get a software upgrade to lte no need to hold on to your upgrade this has been discussed many times
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incorrect.

Originally Posted by jbadboy2007
Any wimax phone will get a software upgrade to lte no need to hold on to your upgrade this has been discussed many times
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incorrect.
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+1
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I'm in Des Moines, IA. (Capital of Iowa for those that don't know.) I bought my phone in August last year with the 'hopes' of gaining 4g within a few months. It has and still has not happen.
What would be the chances of me complaining to sprint about them ditching WiMax and going with LTE? I'm assuming that there is something in the contracts for any legal issues. But has this happened with Sprint or any other carriers before?
(Be nice. Just bringing up a discussion/experiences.)

romowens01 said:
What would be the chances of me complaining to sprint about them ditching WiMax and going with LTE?
(Be nice. Just bringing up a discussion/experiences.)
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complaining for what? a new phone or out of your contract? i think you left out part of your question.

From Sprints Press release:
Sprint Nextel and LightSquared Announce Spectrum Hosting and Network
Services Agreement
NEWS HIGHLIGHTS:
• LightSquared enters into a Spectrum Hosting and Network Services Agreement
with Sprint that is expected to result in substantial savings for LightSquared and
accelerate completion of LightSquared’s nationwide 4G-LTE network
• Sprint has option to purchase 4G capacity from LightSquared
• LightSquared enters into a nationwide 3G Roaming Agreement with Sprint
RESTON, Va. and OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – July 28, 2011 – LightSquared™, the
nation’s first wholesale-only integrated 4G-LTE wireless broadband and satellite
network, and Sprint Nextel (NYSE: S) announced today they have entered into a 15-
year agreement that includes spectrum hosting and network services, 4G wholesale,
and 3G roaming.
This spectrum hosting arrangement leverages Sprint’s investment in its innovative,
multi-year Network Vision plan. Under the agreement, LightSquared will pay Sprint to
deploy and operate a nationwide LTE network that hosts L-Band spectrum licensed to
or available to LightSquared. As a wholesale-only carrier with separate core network
operations, LightSquared can sell its 4G broadband capacity produced through this
spectrum hosting relationship to Sprint, other wireless carriers, and retail partners.
Under the terms of the agreement, during an 11year period, LightSquared will make
payments to Sprint of approximately $9 billion in cash for spectrum hosting and network
services as well as LTE and satellite purchase credits which are currently estimated to
be valued at approximately $4.5 billion. The agreement also provides Sprint the
opportunity to purchase up to 50 percent of LightSquared’s expected L-Band 4G
capacity. The wholesale purchase credits will provide Sprint the option to obtain costcompetitive
access to 4G capacity by offsetting Sprint’s purchases of 4G capacity from
LightSquared, should Sprint elect to incorporate the L-Band LTE capability as part of its
4G offering.
This agreement is expected to lower network capital and operating expenses for
LightSquared by more than $13 billion over the next eight years in comparison with the
cost of a stand-alone network build. LightSquared expects the deployment of the
nationwide 4G-LTE network to be completed more than one year ahead of the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC) mandate to cover 260 million Americans by 2015.
LightSquared has also entered into a 3G nationwide roaming agreement with Sprint.
With access to Sprint’s 3G nationwide network, LightSquared’s wholesale customers
will be able to offer combined 4G/3G data services as soon as LightSquared launches
its first 4G markets in 2012.
“This spectrum hosting agreement with LightSquared allows Sprint to more efficiently
use its Network Vision platform,” said Steve Elfman, president of Network Operations
and Wholesale for Sprint. “In addition to improving our cash flow, it provides additional
options and flexibility in how we meet our customers’ future capacity needs.”
“This agreement gives LightSquared a rapid and cost-effective radio access network
build,” said LightSquared Chairman and CEO Sanjiv Ahuja. “With our next generation
satellite already operational and our independent core network build underway,
LightSquared is now well positioned to meet the fast-growing market demand for
wireless broadband services with its wholesale-only integrated 4G-LTE and satellite
network.”
The agreement is subject to LightSquared's obtaining resolution and FCC approval of
certain interference issues involving terrestrial use of the L-Band spectrum.
“We believe LightSquared, in cooperation with the FCC and adjacent spectrum users, is
taking proactive steps to address and resolve these issues in a timely manner,” said
Elfman
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Also, from a talking point document:
1. How will this agreement impact current Sprint customers?
Answer: While Sprint’s Network Vision initiative is expected to benefit customers by providing better
network coverage and performance, the LightSquared arrangement will have no impact to Sprint’s
current customers at this time.
2. How does this agreement impact Sprint’s relationship with Clearwire?
Answer: Sprint continues to offer 4G products and services through its wholesale relationship with
Clearwire. In April Sprint and Clearwire announced an agreement that established new wholesale
pricing terms and expands potential market segments for both companies. In addition, the
agreement provides Clearwire a minimum of $1 billion from Sprint to be paid during 2011 and 2012
for 4G wholesale services.
3. When will the Sprint 4G roadmap be announced?
Answer: Sprint plans to publicly provide an update on Network Vision and its long-term 4G plans
later this fall.
4. Does this announcement mean that Sprint can only offer LTE in partnership with LightSquared?
Answer: The agreement with LightSquared provides Sprint with wholesale purchase credits that will
provide Sprint the option to obtain cost-competitive access to 4G capacity should Sprint elect to
incorporate LTE capability as part of its 4G offering. Sprint’s conclusive strategy will be announced
this fall.
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And something else of interest:
Clearwire Announces Plans to add LTE to their network
Background
On August 3, Clearwire announced its intent to add "LTE Advanced‐ready" technology to its 4G
network. This LTE deployment would occur as an overlay to their current WiMAX network – not
a replacement. They did note that the plan is “subject to additional funding” and each market
overlay would then take approximately 12 months to deploy. Clearwire also restated its
commitment to its existing 4G WiMAX network.
Main Messages
• This announcement by Clearwire should not be considered to be part of Sprint’s 4G
strategy. As previously announced, Sprint will provide details around its future 4G plans this
fall.
• Sprint continues to be a strong partner with Clearwire and we will continue to sell 4G
products and services in our existing markets.
FAQ
How long will Clearwire continue to offer WiMAX?
Answer: In their earnings release, Clearwire restated its commitment to its existing 4G WiMAX
network, and that it plans to operate both WiMAX and LTE on its network. Clearwire is an
independent company and specific questions about its future plans should be directed to
Clearwire.
Does this mean Sprint will begin selling LTE through Clearwire?
Sprint has not yet announced our future 4G plans. As previously announced, Sprint will provide
details around its future 4G plans this fall.
What does this mean for Clearwire’s (and therefore, Sprint’s) WiMAX network?
Clearwire did not announce plans to continue expanding its current WiMAX network. However,
they did note the company would consider additional markets if it can obtain additional
financing.
Does this impact Sprint’s recent agreement with Lightsquared?
Sprint’s arrangement with Lightsquared is a wholesale spectrum hosting agreement. It is not
impacted by any actions taken by Clearwire.
Will Sprint be deploying Clearwire’s LTE network as part of network vision – similar to the
Lightsquared agreement?
As of today, LightSquared is currently Sprint’s only spectrum hosting customer. Sprint may
discuss such arrangements with other prospective customers. Future agreements could provide
similar financial benefits to Sprint as well as potentially provide Sprint additional capacity, while
allowing a network service provider to potentially reduce its costs and time to deploy its own
4G services.
On the company's earnings conference call, Clearwire's interim CEO, John Stanton, said that the
company will overlay LTE service on its existing network and will not use Sprint Nextel's
Network Vision network architecture in existing Clearwire markets. However, he did indicate
that Clearwire is talking with Sprint to use Network Vision's multi‐mode base stations to deploy
LTE in markets in which it has not yet deployed service.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

You probably will not see any significant LTE coverage on Sprint till 2013, IF both Sprint and Lightsquared can handle the debt and regulatory approvals.
Clearwire will keep its Wimax coverage stagnant with minimal expansion, IF it gets more funding from Sprint. Clearwire is set to run out of money by next summer.
Thus, I would not worry about the Epic 4G. It will long be obsolete and in the dustbin by the time Sprint comes around with LTE.

So what does that do for customers with 4g wimaxx. phones? Are we screwed from that and have to buy a new phone??
Sent from my MIUI powered Nexus S 4g using XDA Premium App

Esteway.619 said:
So what does that do for customers with 4g wimaxx. phones? Are we screwed from that and have to buy a new phone??
Sent from my MIUI powered Nexus S 4g using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your phone will be well past its EOL by that point in time.

063_XOBX said:
Your phone will be well past its EOL by that point in time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ohh OK cool thanks for the info
Sent from my MIUI powered Nexus S 4g using XDA Premium App

Well I also wondered about current 4g customers and also those of us with an epic or any phone with wimax chipset, would it be considered breach of contract on sprints part if we can not use our phones with 4g even tho we r paying the monthly service even tho we do not have the coverage yet every where?
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA Premium App

jbadboy2007 said:
Any wimax phone will get a software upgrade to lte no need to hold on to your upgrade this has been discussed many times
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you cant just upgrade to lte without any hardware changes. Lte is not just software based.

neuton said:
Well I also wondered about current 4g customers and also those of us with an epic or any phone with wimax chipset, would it be considered breach of contract on sprints part if we can not use our phones with 4g even tho we r paying the monthly service even tho we do not have the coverage yet every where?
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sprint does not guarantee 4G coverage in the contract. Otherwise many Epic users would have been able to get out of their contract by now due to the limited availability of 4G currently, a year later than the phone's release. Also Sprint will tell you the extra $10 a month has nothing to do with 4G but the amount of data the smartphone will use on their network. (I had this argument with them many times).

mak619 said:
you cant just upgrade to lte without any hardware changes. Lte is not just software based.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually it is. Both wimax and lte operate on the similar protocol which is also similar to wifi the 802.xxxx protocol you only need a software upgrade to make these changes. But the real question here is will sprint release a software upgrade for an epic 1-2 years from now prolly not. This was heavily debated with facts in another thread SO TO ALL THAT DON'T HAVE PROOF OF WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT STFU

http://www.washingtonpost.com/busin...re-clearwire/2011/08/19/gIQA6QIrPJ_story.html

I was told Sprint is merging with Verizon on LTE

Sprint will reveal in October the news that they will be sharing the LTE signal and towers with Verizon. According to something I read and a employee dude in the Sprint store told me. Anyone has any info on this?

engelsione said:
Sprint will reveal in October the news that they will be sharing the LTE signal and towers with Verizon. According to something I read and a employee dude in the Sprint store told me. Anyone has any info on this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Verizon owns their network.
They might have a deal (much like the cdma deal) where they will be able to roam across networks...but its highly unlikely that Verizon would truly "share" their network with Sprint in the way you're thinking. (As in how Clear has with wimax)
Announcement link here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1241021

Im wondering if wimax radios will become useful for nothing.
Sent by breaking the sound barrier

I See this happening for only one reason.
It would be way cheaper.
The companies could use a data swapping model.
The two companies would swap equal amounts of data for no charge. and charge who ever uses more.
This method would allow the companies to expand their network and advertise they have more coverage.
\It will not be free but it will need to have some sort of method for finding out who uses what data who is going to be charged. This would allow cheaper costs and to have a huge footprint rather fast. It will also give time for the companies to save $$$ and build out their networks and switch solely to their LTE towers.
Again these companies will never do this. BUT. LTE hopping while using some sort of data swapping...Ehh
May or may not happen.

ok...but how about all the wimax phones sprint has and none lte....

Indirect said:
Im wondering if wimax radios will become useful for nothing.
Sent by breaking the sound barrier
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
kostov22 said:
ok...but how about all the wimax phones sprint has and none lte....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Folks, keep in mind that networks take a long time to be built.
But yes, Wimax is looking to become the next 'BetaMax'.

Indirect said:
Im wondering if wimax radios will become useful for nothing.
Sent by breaking the sound barrier
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its already useless where I live. I'm not to worried about LTE and switching phones since as mentioned it takes a while. Still waiting to get my hands on that new Galaxy model.

mattykinsx said:
Folks, keep in mind that networks take a long time to be built.
But yes, Wimax is looking to become the next 'BetaMax'.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol I remember watching our betamax when I was young.
Sent from my nike hating evo!

Betamax has better audio quality than VHS.

indagroove said:
Betamax has better audio quality than VHS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From what I understand the video quality was better too.
....
Not sure what that has to do with this topic?

mattykinsx said:
From what I understand the video quality was better too.
....
Not sure what that has to do with this topic?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just like Wimax better then LTE but being dropped like beta is probably the reference he's makin
Sent from my PC36100 using xda premium

I was told..... radioactive waste had high nutritional value.

jessejames111981 said:
I was told..... radioactive waste had high nutritional value.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome
Sent from my PC36100 using xda premium

Indirect said:
Im wondering if wimax radios will become useful for nothing.
Sent by breaking the sound barrier
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Evo, Evo Shift, Epic 4g, Evo 3d, Random Samsung phone, and the Epic Touch coming are all WiMax, so I doubt it'll become useless.

Its not like they're just gonna immediately shut down the Wimax network anyway.
If they do, by the time they do, no one will have a Wimax capable phone.

"Sprint on Thursday announced that it has inked a deal with LightSquared will see 4G LTE services built out on its massive nationwide network. LightSquared will pay Sprint $9 billion over 15 years for the right to build out its LTE network using Sprint infrastructure, and Sprint will also get a total of $4.5 billion in credits toward LTE and satellite service. Equally important to the nation’s No. 3 carrier, the deal will allow it to save about $13 billion in network build-out costs and cover 260 million Americans with its 4G LTE service by 2015."
http://www.bgr.com/2011/07/28/sprint-announces-deal-to-adopt-4g-lte/

mxl180 said:
"Sprint on Thursday announced that it has inked a deal with LightSquared will see 4G LTE services built out on its massive nationwide network. LightSquared will pay Sprint $9 billion over 15 years for the right to build out its LTE network using Sprint infrastructure, and Sprint will also get a total of $4.5 billion in credits toward LTE and satellite service. Equally important to the nation’s No. 3 carrier, the deal will allow it to save about $13 billion in network build-out costs and cover 260 million Americans with its 4G LTE service by 2015."
http://www.bgr.com/2011/07/28/sprint-announces-deal-to-adopt-4g-lte/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, that's old news.
Were talking about this:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1241021

mattykinsx said:
Yeah, that's old news.
Were talking about this:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1241021
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sprint will be using LTE but named differently to not "confuse" the consumer Jan 1st 2012
I call BULLSHxT!

Wimax isn't going away... It was designed as a back haul system... Wimax can carry alot more data than LTE because of the spectrum it uses but can't penetrate building worth a crap. Wimax makes an excellent tower to tower communications system that LTE could only dream of so the goal should be use both systems for there designed purpose.
Sent from my PG86100 using xda premium

i talked to sprint the other day and they are already doing it, however they are actually in the proccess of building there own 4g network with the lte technology to be completed by 2018.