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Sprint Nextel (NYSE:S) will launch LTE service in 10 markets by mid-year using its new Network Vision multi-mode base stations, according to CEO Dan Hesse. 

Speaking at the Citi Global Entertainment, Media & Telecommunications Conference, Hesse said that four of those 10 markets will be Atlanta, Dallas, San Antonio and Houston, Texas. He added that the company is confident it can deploy LTE as planned but added that sometimes big network transitions do have difficulties, alluding to Verizon Wireless’ (NYSE:VZ) recent spate of LTE network outages.

Hesse added that Sprint can decide whether to deploy LTE faster or slower than anticipated depending on what it deems is optimal for its cash spend.

Earlier this year Sprint announced that it had deployed its first multi-mode base station in Branchburg, N.J., and its first LTE network cluster in Kankakee, Ill., about 50 miles south of Chicago.

Sprint’s extensive Network Vision upgrade will deploy LTE using the company’s 1900 MHz spectrum. The company plans to have 250 million to 277 million POPs covered with LTE by the end of 2013. Sprint also plans to launch at least 12 LTE devices this year.

Hesse added that Sprint has enough spectrum for its Network Vision plans through 2014. The company also envisions using Clearwire’s (NASDAQ:CLWR) TDD-LTE buildout to augment its own FDD-LTE network, which means it will have enough spectrum through 2016 or 2017.

Last year Sprint agreed to pay Clearwire up to an additional 0 million in a series of pre-payments over a period of up to two years for LTE capacity if Clearwire achieves certain buildout targets and network specifications by June 2013.

For more:
- see this webcast
- see this release

Related Articles:
Sprint deploys first LTE cluster, multi-modal base station
Sprint will deploy LTE-Advanced in the first half of 2013
Sprint to launch LTE on 1900 MHz spectrum by mid-2012

FierceWireless

CrackBerry published a leaked roadmap from Wireless Giant (BlackBerry) stores showing BlackBerry release dates and prices including the BlackBerry TV (Cyclone) but is listed according to codename.  To make it easier for you with have written out the release dates and prices for the most popular BlackBerry smartphones.

The 4G BlackBerry Torch 9810 (.99) from AT&T and Sprint Touch Bold 9930 (9.00) have August 21 release dates.

The CDMA BlackBerry Torch 9850 has a September 1 release date and 9 price tag.  This most likely is the Sprint BlackBerry Torch . 

The BlackBerry TV (Cyclone) will have October 31 release date.

The AT&T BlackBerry Torch 9860 (Monza) is priced at 9 and 4G BlackBerry
Bold 9900(Dakota) priced at 9 are shown to have November 6 and
November 20 release date respectively.

BlackBerry Bold Touch 9900 9930 is the world’s thinnest phone with a dedicated QWERTY keyboard and 2.8″ touchscreen.  Features include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 1.2GHz processor, GPS, NFC (Near
Field Communications), microSD slot, 5MP camera, 768MB of RAM, 8GB
onboard memory, and a 1230mAh battery.

The 4G BlackBerry Torch
9860 is called the “multimedia powerhouse” with a 3.7″ 253ppi high-resolution touchscreen, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 1.2GHz processor, GPS,  microSD slot, 5MP camera, 768MB of RAM and 4GB
onboard memory.

As we know from the past, release dates for smartphones can be delayed and can change due to “issues” with networks.

WIRELESS AND MOBILE NEWS

Sprint Nextel (NYSE:S) and Clearwire (NASDAQ:CLWR) are working out the details of a new contract that would extend their existing wholesale deal for another three to five years, according to a report in Bloomberg, citing three unnamed sources who are said to have direct knowledge of the deal.

The contract will allow Sprint to use Clearwire’s network to provide service to its customers after the current deal expires at the end of 2012. Although the details aren’t final, the report said that the price Sprint will pay for Clearwire to handle its traffic is likely to fall.

A new wholesale deal with Sprint would provide a much needed boost for Clearwire, which has said it needs about billion in additional financing to deploy LTE and finance its existing WiMAX operations. However, according to the sources, Sprint won’t provide financing to Clearwire as part of the new deal.

Sprint announced Oct. 7 that it will launch LTE service by mid-2012 using its 1900 MHz spectrum and move away from WiMAX as its 4G technology of choice. In addition, the company said during its earnings call earlier this week that it had signed an agreement with Clearwire that essentially will allow the companies to work together toward a joint LTE network.

The agreement covers cell site selection, site builds, chipsets for devices and is intended to assure seamless handoffs between Sprint’s network and Clearwire’s LTE network.

For more:
- see this Bloomberg article

Related Articles:
Sprint inks deal with Clearwire, predicts up to B in value from iPhone
Sprint drops unlimited WiMAX data for mobile broadband plans
Sprint Chairman Hance vows company will reveal iPhone financial costs
Sprint’s stock plunges following LTE strategy conference
Sprint adds another 1.1M subs in Q2, along with 1.7M WiMAX devices

FierceWireless

If you’re driving faster than 10 mph, you’ll have a hard time using your Android smartphone if Sprint Drive First is installed on the device. The new Android app from Sprint Nextel Corp. automatically locks a mobile phone when a car is moving more than 10 mph. … Read More
RCR Wireless News

LightSquared received approval from its creditors to have Sprint Nextel (NYSE:S) take control of its spectrum should LightSquared default on its debt, according to a report in the Wall Street Journal.

The report which cited unnamed sources familiar with the matter, said LightSquared got its lenders, J.P. Morgan Chase and UBS, to give Sprint a second lien on LightSquared’s L-band spectrum. According to the report, the second lien is a critical part of the negotiations between Sprint and LightSquared on a network-sharing deal. Under the agreement LightSquared struck with its creditors, Sprint will have to pay the first lien holders .5 billion and will take control of LightSquared’s spectrum in the event of a default.

Representatives from LightSquared and Sprint declined to comment.

According to the report, under a network-sharing deal, Sprint would be paid in a mixture of cash and use of the spectrum. The report cautioned, however, that a deal might fall apart. LightSquared CEO Sandi Ahuja confirmed last week that the company had held talks with Sprint, but said there was nothing to announce.

Meanwhile, concerns continued to swirl around how LightSquared’s network interferes with GPS receivers. A final report on the issue was due to the FCC June 15, but a LightSquared spokesman confirmed to FierceWireless that the company is considering asking the FCC for an extension until July 1.

Tim Farrar, an analyst with TMF Associates, said the lien agreement is meant to give Sprint security in case LightSquared goes out of business. However, he said that Sprint would still be obligated to pay .5 billion on the first lien as well as payments to Inmarsat because of an agreement LightSquared has with the satellite firm.

“If they had a deal with Sprint to announce, this would have just been the background to the deal,” he said. “The fact that they came out with this means that there isn’t a deal yet. Until the GPS situation is resolved, it doesn’t really help.”

Farrar speculated that one reason LightSquared might ask the FCC for an extension on submitting the GPS interference report is to try and put together a winning bid for TerreStar Network’s 2 GHz MSS spectrum. Dish Network won the “stalking horse” bid for bankrupt TerreStar Networks’ assets with a .375 billion offer, according to bankruptcy court filings. According to the court papers, Dish will allow TerreStar to extend the deadline for bids until June 27, with a court-supervised auction set for June 30.

For more:
- see this WSJ article (sub. req.)
- see this Reuters article
- see this TMF blog post

Related Articles:
Dish Network lands .38B bid for TerreStar, reportedly outflanking MetroPCS
Seybold’s Take: Why LightSquared’s proposed system will interfere with GPS
LightSquared CEO Ahuja confirms talks with Sprint
Two government agencies say LightSquared’s network interferes with GPS
Lawmakers continue to press FCC on LightSquared GPS interference concerns
FCC’s Genachowski: We won’t let LightSquared operate without GPS interference resolution
Report: Sprint, LightSquared near B/year network-sharing deal

FierceWireless

TS2R Wireless News from Wireless and Mobile News

Full news stories today reported rebooting problems with the HTC ThunderBolt and new mobile money transfer clearXchange.

Today is the release date for HTC Trophy, Sony Xperia Play, Droid X2 and LG Revolution. The HTC Merge is coming May 31.

Here’s the news that is too short to report:

Google Wallet to Pay Your Way  – Google announced Google Wallet, an Android app that makes your phone your wallet and stores virtual
versions of your existing plastic cards on your phone and allows you pay via the NFC on the MasterCard paypass system. It offers coupons and security. It will be offered first on the Nexus S 4G.

Nokia Windows Phones Every 2-3 Months – Nokia EVP Jo Harlow,  said the Windows Phones by Nokia will be launched iin a rhythm that might be every couple of months, every three months, something like that.” Nokia Windows Phone will run Mango, the latest release of Windows Phone.

Sprint ID Soccer Futbol Packs in Fans - Sprint is the sponsor of 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup tournament,
launched an integrated campaign “Control” that offers soccer fans total
access to the game they love. From the first game in Dallas on June 5 through to the finals at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. on June 25, soccer enthusiasts won’t miss a minute with the exclusive Lo2Yo Futbol Sprint ID pack

Shazam TV  – Shazam announced Shazam
for TV will feature programs this summer from Bravo, Oxygen and
Syfy. Shazamable programs will launch Memorial Day weekend with
new shows being added throughout the coming months.

Grand Prize Winner of T-Mobile Sidekick 4G by Samsung “Kick It with the Band -The top ranked T-Mobile Sidekick 4G Champion artist is 18-year-old Jake
Miller of Weston, FL. In addition to winning marketing budgets,
Samsung Mobile announced that Jake Miller and runner-up Thomas Fiss will
appear in special music videos Facebook fans can stay tuned in to the
site for more details.

WIRELESS AND MOBILE NEWS

TS2R Wireless News from Wireless and Mobile News

BlackBerry Twitter 1.1 Out – Twitter for BlackBerry version 1.1 is free and now available in BlacBerry App World. New features include location for Tweets, updated interface and streamlined layout for Add Photo and Add Locations on the Home screen.

Cheaper Kindle with Ads Added – Amazon has launched a cheaper version of it Kindle Wi-Fi eReader called Amazon Kindle with Special Offers for 4 with screensaver adds by Amazon partners.

Sprint Music Plus Debuts – Sprint is offering a new music service, Sprint Music Plus, powered by RealNetworks. The service features playlists, ringack tones, music search by  artist/title/keyword, organization features, previews and reccomendations.   DRM-free full tracks range from .69 to .29 per song.
Customers are charged for music on their Sprint bill.

Cricket Moves to Muve Music in More States -Cricket Muve Music is now available in new Cricket markets across the nation. Beginning today Muve Music will be available in Lexington and Louisville, KY; Cincinnati and Dayton, OH; Kansas City and St. Louis, MO; Pittsburgh, PA; San Antonio, Del Rio-Eagle Pass, El Paso, McAllen, Laredo, Brownsville, Corpus Christi and Harlingen, TX; Portland, Eugene and Salem, OR; Salt Lake City, UT; and Albuquerque, Santa Fe and Las Cruces, NM.

Verizon & Motorola Win Harris Poll - Verizon was named the Mobile Networks Brand of the Year among consumers according to the 2011 Harris Poll EquiTrend study. Motorola placed first for mobile phones followed by HTC, Sony Ericsson, Nokia and Apple.

Full news stories today included new trademarked HTC names, T-Mobile Mobile 4G Hotspot, AT&T LG Thrive prepaid smartphone and HTC Sensation announcement by T-Mobile. 

WIRELESS AND MOBILE NEWS

ORLANDO, Fla.–Sprint Nextel (NYSE:S) currently counts around 100,000 femtocells on its network and expects that number to increase to around 1 million during the course of the next few years.

Iyad Tarazi, Sprint’s vice president of network development and engineering, disclosed the figure during an appearance yesterday at FierceWireless’ Path to 4G conference, co-located at the CTIA Wireless 2010 trade show.

The figure indicates Sprint accounts for roughly one-third of the femtocells in the United States. According to the Femto Forum, there were 350,000 femtocells nationwide at the end of 2010. AT&T Mobility (NYSE:T) and Verizon Wireless (NYSE:VZ) also sell femtocells.

Interestingly, Simon Saunders, chairman of the Femto Forum, said the number of femtocells in the United States is now greater than the number of cell towers. He said there were around 256,000 cell towers in the United States at the end of last year. Globally, he said there were 1.7 million femtocells deployed at the end of 2010.

AT&T’s proposed billion acquisition of T-Mobile USA likely would extend the use of femtocells to the market’s last holdout. T-Mobile has to date forgone femtocells in favor of Wi-Fi calling powered by Kineto Wireless.

Femtocells are essentially mini cellular base stations that users can install in their house or workplace for voice and data coverage, and can route the resulting cellular traffic through a standard wireline Internet connection.

Related Articles:
Sprint goes nationwide with Airave femtocell
Sprint begins offering EV-DO femtocells
AT&T unveils nationwide femtocell offering
Verizon femtocell to go on sale Jan. 25

FierceWireless

TS2R Wireless News from Wireless and Mobile News

Moto Xoom Xooming to Sprint?  A Sprint version of the Motorola Xoom was leaked to the press.  Specifications are expected to be the same as the well-reviewed Verizon Motorola Xoom, with many hoping that it will be Wi-Fi compatible.  The Wi-Fi-only version of the Motorola Xoom was announced earlier this week.

HTC Incredible S New Flavor Strawberry or Cranberry? – Typically, smartphones usually come in licorice black, but finally high-end Android smartphones are starting to show some diversity.  A Danish retailer shows an HTC Incredible S in red, which one blogger thought was strawberry.  It looks a bit more cranberry to us but could also be cherry red.  The color we would really like to see for any smartphone is our wimonewsberry, the color of the Wireless and Mobile News’ website with a hint of fuchsia.
The HTC Incredible S is expected to be called the Droid Incredible 2 in the United States.  Specs for it include an 8MP
camera, 1.3MP front-facing camera, 4-inch touchscreen, 1GHz processor,
4GB storage onboard, and the battery is increased to 1450mAH.  The Droid Incredible 2 appears on our list of top Android an’ Droid phones now and later.

iPhone Update to iOS 4.3 Drains Battery – Decreases of battery life as much as 20% have been reported by iPhone users who updated to iOS 4.3.

Wireless Watch Japan Still Open for Business - We were pleased to see that our friends at Wireless Watch Japan are still up and running in the face of great challenges.  Editors wrote, “We are OK and continue to juggle increased personal and professional demands as result of the current crisis.”  Wireless Watch Japan is the original, independent English news source on Japan’s mobile industry.  We send them our good wishes and prayers.

Full news stories today include updates for Samsung Galaxy S (Samsung Epic 4G, Samsung Transform, and Samsung Galaxy Tab).  AT&T is stopping unauthorized tethering, and Wirefly has a special deal on the HTC ThunderBolt.

WIRELESS AND MOBILE NEWS

Sprint Nextel Corp.’
RCR Wireless News