Sprint yesterday announced that it will launch its LTE network in the first half of 2012. The initial deployment will cover Atlanta, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio. The carrier also promised improved 3G coverage in these markets. Another six unnamed areas will also get LTE coverage by mid-2012.
“Within the first half of 2012, Sprint customers should experience first-hand the wide-reaching improvements we have made in terms of boosting voice and data quality,” said Bob Azzi, senior vice president – Network, Sprint. “With advanced smartphones and sophisticated wireless modems, our customers are using more and more mobile data, and one of our top priorities is to provide the best technology possible to improve our customers’ experience.”
Sprint will also launch up to 15 CDMA/LTE devices in 2012. These will include handsets, tablets and data cards.
Sprint added that it will continue to offer WiMAX devices with two-year contracts through 2012. This suggests that it will begin winding down WiMAX device sales in 2013 with an eventual retirement of the network.