Sprint Launches LTE in Five Cities

Sprint launched its first commercial LTE network services in Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, and San Antonio. More market launches are planned for later this year. By the end of 2013, Sprint expects to have largely completed the build out of its all-new 4G LTE nationwide network – with an enhanced 3G network – covering 250 million people across the United States.

Sprint said it will continue to offer an unlimited 4G data plan, setting itself apart from the other major competitors. Sprint’s Everything Data plan with Any Mobile, Anytime includes unlimited data, texting and calling to and from any mobile phone in America while on the Sprint network, is priced at $79.99 per month for smartphones.

According to a YouTube posted by the company, Sprint 4G LTE download speeds are expected to be in the 6-8 Mbps range with peaks of 25 Mbps. Upload speeds are 2-3 Mbps.

Sprint initially has five LTE devices for sale, all for under $200: HTC EVO 4G LTE ($199.99); LG Viper 4G LTE ($99.99); Samsung Galaxy Nexus ($199.99); Samsung Galaxy S III ($199.99 for 16GB version) and Sierra Wireless 4G LTE Tri-Fi Hotspot, the nation’s first to support 4G LTE, 4G WiMAX and 3G ($99.99).

The LTE services run over Sprint’s new Network Vision platform. As of April 25th (Sprint’s quarterly investor update), the company had approximately 600 Network Vision sites complete and on air. Zoning requirements were completed for approximately 9,700 sites and leasing agreements were completed for close to 7,700 sites. More than 3,200 sites were in notice to proceed status and work has started on approximately 3,000. Sprint said it expects to bring approximately 12,000 sites on air by the end of 2012 and to complete the majority of its Network Vision roll-out in 2013.

In May, Sprint Nextel announced a new $1 billion credit facility with Deutsche Bank and a syndicate of other banks to finance equipment purchases from Ericsson for Network Vision. The borrowers under the secured credit facility are all of Sprint’s subsidiaries that currently guarantee Sprint’s revolving bank credit facility, and the obligations will be secured by a lien on the equipment purchased from Ericsson in connection with Network Vision and guaranteed by Sprint.