Comments on: Rumor: Sprint to Release WiMAX Android Phone This Year. Who Cares?

By: Genjinaro

Genjinaro — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 14:54:58 +0000

Like “HereandNow” I don’t see the issue, this is good news & a big hello to 4G’s introduction. WiMax has a good strip of coverge in major city areas (Notheast Metro area) already & from the speed I had in baltimore on XOHM, its seems to be quite speedy. Its the only 4G/ cell-carrier game in town. Besides Sprint
has the best data network so whatever you can’t get with 4G, you still have EvDO Rev A, or Rev 0. Try getting your 3G(HSDPA) speeds with AT&T or T-Mobile consistently, Verizon turtles on its 3G for reasons I can’t understand (congestion maybe?) untill they fix thier 3G 1st I could give Sprint thier just due here. Meanwhile I’ll care about LTE when it exists…

Sprint’s been slow but steady but out of the carriers, they’re the 1st horse out of the gate.

By: Anon E Mous

Anon E Mous — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 15:13:51 +0000

It seems to me that it highly likely that none of the other cellular technologies are making it inside the casinos (large, complex building) either. The reason why other networks have coverage in there is probably because there are picocells installed inside the building for indoor coverage. Don’t you think the installation of indoor picocells would solve the problem and would probably happen at some point?

Anyone remember Sprint’s initial CDMA rollout of their “PCS” service? It didn’t fall back to analog the way Verizon’s did, and coverage was a huge problem. Eventually the networks were further built out for better quality coverage.

By: HereAndNow

HereAndNow — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 10:41:17 +0000

If it is CDMA/WiMAX-capable then, presumably, you would fall back to CDMA (which is still fast), when a WiMAX signal is weak/unavailable. I’m sure that will be the same mode of operation for LTE, when it comes out, so I don’t see the problem.

By: Doug Mohney

Doug Mohney — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 21:12:52 +0000

Clear’s WiMAX’s deployment (Not Sprint, but the clusterf**k of the brand is a different story for a different XHOMing day) IS important because–

A) It’ll keep the North American 3G network (EVDO/HSPA)operators a bit more honest in terms of pricing and service plans.

B) In places like San Francisco, where there is poor AT&T DSL deployment and OK Comcast service, it’ll keep the wireline broadband providers more competitive IF it can deliver the speeds that are delivered.

C) And do you even think you’d see LTE next year if it wasn’t for WiMAX?

Regrettably, WiMAX has been fighting an uphill battle due to the initial whisper campaigns against the technology by the GSM crowd.

By: Fernando

Fernando — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 20:58:14 +0000

It does seem that these devices are ahead of the networks. The way the Nokia 810 tablet with Wimax bombed was simply because there is no network to use them in. I like the idea of 4G though…

By: ntw1103

ntw1103 — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 20:48:38 +0000

hmm.. I understand that wimax isn’t everywhere, but I have been using it for a while now. I haven’t had any problems with spotty connections, and it is very fast. The college I am attending will be getting it in the fall, and will provide city-wide coverage.
I am currently interning at Intel–working on wimax stuff, and will be helping maintain the wimax network once I get back.
not trying to be wimax fanboy or anything but you do seem a little harsh on it. I remember when 3g stuff was nearly impossible to find.. Give it some time- but support it until it is there. :)

By: Oliver

Oliver — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 20:33:42 +0000

Sounds a bit like AT&T’s 3G here in Silicon Valley :)