Sprint considers nationwide LTE deployment by 2013
updated 08:00 pm EST, Wed March 2, 2011
Execs have yet to make absolute commitment
Sprint is considering an LTE strategy that would aim for nationwide deployment by the end of 2013, according to comments from Steve Elfman, the company's president of network operations and wholesale. Speaking at a telecom conference hosted by Morgan Stanley, the executive also suggests Sprint is capable of offering LTE devices by 2012.
Aside from the LTE comments, Elfman outlined Sprint's network modernization project, named Network Vision, that will continue to expand over the next three to five years. The $4-5 billion strategy involves endeavors such as improving 800MHz CDMA coverage, which could improve reception inside buildings, and transitioning from iDEN to CDMA for push-to-talk handsets.
Despite Elfman's reference to specific time-frames for LTE rollout, the executive was careful to note that Sprint is not planning to make a final decision regarding its LTE strategy until the middle of the year. [via FierceWireless]
