On October 7th, Sprint has a Strategy Update event scheduled that will probably be filled with talk about the next iPhone, which is rumored to be coming next month to Sprint’s network. Expect another revelation, though: insiders are now tipping that Sprint will also announce their own LTE 4G network next year, signaling the obsolescence of their existing WiMax infrastructure… and paving the way for playing host to an LTE-equipped iPhone 6.
Cnet reports:
The company is already installing LTE equipment and has been field testing the network in select areas, according to people familiar with the situation. It hopes to launch commercial service by the end of the first quarter or beginning of the second quarter, although the target could move up. It’s unclear how many markets would get the service initially.
The LTE rollout is part of the company’s broader Network Vision plan. With the costs already accounted for in its prior forecast, the LTE network won’t require any additional capital investment.
I think the possibility of an LTE iPhone coming to Sprint is the real reason that they are getting their 4G network in order. By 2012, all three of the American iPhone carriers will have LTE networks, which means Apple can finally roll out an LTE device of their own. If Sprint only had WiMax, though, that would complicate things.
My guess? If there’s one reason Apple hasn’t given T-Mobile the iPhone, it’s the fact that they still don’t have LTE deployment on their network planned, short of being gobbled up by AT&T… an event that is increasingly looking pretty unlikely.
