Sprint EVDO coverage to 187m population? RevA in early 2007?

xenophon · EVDO Addict Joined: 30 Aug 2005 Posts: 2004

Fair enough.

- The 187m coverage claims by summer isn't unrealistic given the rate that Sprint has rolled out EVDO to this point. It was 60m in Oct and 150m in Dec so 187m sounds very doable.
- The RevA claim doesn't sound unrealistic given we've already expected it and it's not a huge expensive upgrade.
- The dual-mode iDen/CDMA phone doesn't sound unrealistic given that iDen is expected to stick around for a while.
- The WiFi VoIP/cable integration doesn't sound unrealistic given the major cable partner relationships that have already been set up.

So I'm a little baffled as to what is so challenging about this. Sounds like reasonable and very interesting info with a few more details.

Mark Walter · Posted: Tue Mar 14, 2006 7:06 am Post subject:

I have been blessed to have anything other than dial-up while out on the road...

We spent 18 months in fulltime "on the road" ministry with no home base but our hoime church in Macon GA. Building websites for commercial and for ministries is what we do to supplement my military retirement, hence my comments about being grateful for the Merlin C201 and the Rx coverage...

Thanks to Michael and others who contribute to this forum. This is a great place for information sharing and has been very benificial for my learning curve.

Cheers,
Mark
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Polaro · Posted: Tue Mar 14, 2006 11:22 am Post subject:

This is great stuff. Very Happy

I see a strategy from Sprint that is pretty cool for them and great for consumers. I have always liked Sprint, but they seemed to be odd man out when it came to local phone service. This relationship with the cable companies now makes so much sense both technically and business wise. It is a win-win relationship that should bear fruit. (The people who really needed this link up with Sprint's strategy are the satelite guys who are now odd man out.)

With no local phone service to dilute this just makes so much sense for Sprint. Add to this Sprint's aggressive pricing and reasonable TOS that is designed to compete head to head with DSL and cable modems and they really seem to have bet the farm on this technology. Also makes sense why they have put in the backbone to support data without sharing with voice. I think there are some really smart people at Sprint right now. How is their stock doing? hmmm.....

Verizon will not move as fast since they will not want to erode their old wire line business (hell they still love rotary phones), which will be a crucial mistake! I predict Verizon will continue to screw up with a hobbled, half-ass approach, but muddle through since they have at least put their foot in the water. AT&T/SBC oddly has no strategy that I can see - I guess mergers do sap attention to core business strategy. Looks like they will have to buy yet another company. Question

Traditional wireline phones (POTS) just got a little closer to becoming obsolete. I guess this is why the copper guys are rushing to put in fiber (Is this AT&T/SBC's answer? Have to think about it, but then how does Cingular fit in to this fiber strategy?).

In a nutshell, Sprint seems to really have a strategy and they seem to be executing well. I'm impressed. Laughing

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Victor

xenophon · EVDO Addict Joined: 30 Aug 2005 Posts: 2004

If the VoIP/cable integration things works out well and if MediaFlo or WiMAX delivers wireless video successfully, I wouldn't be surprised if one of the cable companies acquires Sprint in 3-5 years as the major cable companies are now becoming nextgen telcom companies as well.

One thing is becoming clear.. IP will dominate everything digitized from voice (VoIP), broadcast video and everything in between.

Sprint seems to be focused on "state-wide" terrestrial wireless IP in one form or another more than anyone. EVDO is just one of the methods they'll use.

Michael · Posted: Tue Mar 14, 2006 2:51 pm Post subject:

I also wouldn't rule out Cingular. They may become a player too (guessing by end of 2006?). It will take a lot of effort to catch up with either Verizon or Sprint.
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xenophon · EVDO Addict Joined: 30 Aug 2005 Posts: 2004

xenophon · EVDO Addict Joined: 30 Aug 2005 Posts: 2004

Be prepared for much more Sprint specific info as I'm finding out a few more morsels.

rickster · EVDO Junkie Joined: 27 Aug 2005 Posts: 216

Since we're on predictions and forcasting...
All of these technologies and companies will succumb in the following years to WBPL(Wireless Broadband over Power Lines). Ask any of the Amateur Radio operators and they'll will tell you coverage is already world wide by it first generation tethered cousin BPL. Bad signal ? Just aim your antenna at the nearest socket. Very Happy

xenophon · EVDO Addict Joined: 30 Aug 2005 Posts: 2004

Another article on Sprint plans 'beyond 3G'...
http://www.lightreading.com/document.asp?doc_id=90763&WT.svl=news1_2

xenophon · EVDO Addict Joined: 30 Aug 2005 Posts: 2004

PCSIntel queues in with their interpretation of the conference...

http://www.pcsintel.com/content/view/1221/9/

• Sprint is currently targeting October for dual iDEN/CDMA phone releases
• The cable company partnership will result in dual WiFi/CDMA phones, using cable company broadband networks for VoIP service (bundling Cable Voice Calling services).
• The cable company bundling will launch this year, however, advanced services such as DVR connectivity will not launch until next year
• Sprint will close 170 stores due to merger overlap
• Sprint will improve support for stores to sell iDEN phones in CDMA sales locations
• Sprint is going to take another look at MediaFLO, with trials this summer
• EV-DO deployment will expand to 187 million (from 150 million) people this year
• EV-DO Rel A will be network-wide by the end of 2007, with QChat following in 2008
• 4G is now an official term for Sprint for their future wireless broadband technology
• Sprint did not confirm WiMax or Flarion, saying that the final decision will be made next quarter

jschurawlow · Posted: Thu Sep 07, 2006 3:27 am Post subject:

Semi75 · EVDO Junkie Joined: 25 Feb 2006 Posts: 240

Actually if you read up on BPL and follow broadbandreports.com you will find that even though the FCC embraced BPL, most potential carriers feel that is is not a viable option due to a number of problems. In fact major carriers are now statting that thier pursuits of BPL will consist of monitoring connections not providing broadband to the public.

Specualation as to the next big broadband supplier may be better left to other threads but for now we will have EVDO RevA soon while not much else is even coming to market other than WiMax which is yet to see national roll outs and mainly consist of fixed wireless systems and then there is the presence of city wide wifi popping up here and there. If I were to guess on the future of broadband other than traditional routes my bet is still on wireless.

xenophon · EVDO Addict Joined: 30 Aug 2005 Posts: 2004

Interesting to read the first post 6 months later and now have more info.

- EVDO RevA rollout was bumped up to 40m pops this year instead of significant deployment starting next year.

- Total EVDO coverage is bumped up to 200m pops planned for this year instead of 187m.

- iDen/CDMA dual phones are still targeted to release Q3 or Q4.

- The WiMAX/MediaFlo uncertainty is now answered - WiMAX it is.

- Haven't heard anything more about WiFi/cell dual-mode VoIP thing.

- No hint of controlling DVRs yet with cell phones or cable company ties, but there is more collaboration and now Sprint does pay-per-view movies.

- Original plan was to increase iDen by 20% over 3 years - doesn't seem to be happening.

- The Nextel consolidation isn't going as smoothly as planned. (They need to get those dual mode phones out ASAP as iDen is running out of capacity.)

TambourineMan · EVDO Newbie Joined: 15 Jul 2005 Posts: 6

Does anyone have a link to a map showing the nationwide status of EVDO coverage (rather than a market by market map).

xenophon · EVDO Addict Joined: 30 Aug 2005 Posts: 2004

I've seen a small one but was difficult to get an idea. Word on wirelessadvisor.com from a Sprint employee is that Sprint is coming out with scrollable street level maps by end of this month. Maybe they'll have a better national map as well.