Sprint Cites Gains in Network Reliability

Sprint reported that its reliability now beats T-Mobile’s and performs within 1 percent of AT&T and Verizon, according to its own analysis of the latest Nielsen drive test data for average network reliability (voice & data) in top 106 markets.

Nielsen drove a total of more than 165,000 miles conducting tests in 106 major metro markets spanning a population of more than 200 million. Nielsen’s reliability tests measure both accessibility and retainability of voice calls and data sessions. For example, it measures the ability of a voice call or download to initially connect to the network as well as maintain that network connection from start to finish.

Sprint cited its rich tri-band spectrum portfolio, and its use of carrier aggregation and antenna beamforming. Two-channel carrier aggregation, deployed on high-traffic 2.5 GHz cell sites, doubles speed and capacity offering peak speeds of more than 100 Mbps on capable devices. With three-channel carrier aggregation, currently in lab testing, customers can expect peak speeds of more than 200 Mbps on capable devices.

Sprint also announced that its LTE Plus Network is now running in 204 markets, including newly added markets such as New York City, Boston, Philadelphia, Honolulu, and San Juan, Puerto Rico. In addition, total Sprint LTE coverage now reaches nearly 300 million people, with approximately 70 percent covered by Sprint’s 2.5 GHz spectrum.

http://www.sprint.com