Apple rumored setting up stores to handle Sprint

A fresh rumor has supported rumors of a Sprint iPhone 5 with expansion plans. An electrical contractor from Austin claims that he has been asked to install both CDMA/3G and WiMAX repeaters not just nearby, such as across The Domain shopping center, but inside the Apple store. The source couldn't confirm to Beatweek whether Apple was involved, but it's not common to have repeaters within stores.

Sprint may be following strategies similar to those used by AT&T and Verizon ahead of their respective iPhone launches, where the carrier bolsters its coverage in anticipation of added traffic. It might not guarantee the inclusion of 4G in the Sprint version, however. Sprint would likely want to expand its coverage for every service regardless of whether or not iPhones are used in the area. The move does open the door to using Sprint 4G if it sees fit.

Capping service at EVDO 3G may make the most sense, since the IPhone 5 is expected to be a dual-mode phone that would also have to work on Verizon and other carriers that usually don't have WiMAX.

The carrier may be one of the better prepared to handle an iPhone launch in spite of being considerably smaller than its two main opponents. Sprint has long been a supporter of Android and has had some very demanding smartphones, like the Evo 4G and Epic 4G, on its network. Subscribers also stil have access to unlimited data, albeit at an elevated price, where AT&T and Verizon have felt compelled to cap their services. An iPhone launch may well tax the network but might be helped by keeping all the 4G phones on a separate data network.

An iPhone 5 launch is increasingly expected by or before mid-October and could have AT&T, Sprint, and Verizon ready at the same time.

By Electronista Staff