In addition to the costs needed to upgrade its network to LTE by next year, Sprint said earlier this week that it is paying Apple $15.5 billion during the next four years for the iPhone. That huge cost means the carrier may need an additional $7 billion in financing to help boost liquidity, Reuters said on Thursday. Reportedly, Sprint is seeking $3 billion of the additional funds from vendor deals and an additional $4 billion in refinanced debt. “[The] iPhone has an expensive contract, but it is worth every penny,” Sprint CEO Dan Hesse said on a recent conference call in reference to the money it pays Apple on each iPhone phone. Sprint pays Apple a subsidy fee that is 40% larger than any other handset it sells, but the carrier also said the iPhone has been the fastest-selling handset it has ever launched. On Wednesday, Sprint said it was negotiating a new network sharing deal with Clearwire that would extend beyond 2012. Several analysts think Sprint may be trying to juggle too much at once, however. “They’re betting the house on two things at the same time,” Mizuho analyst Michael Nelson told Reuters. “If they pull it off, great. If they don’t, their financial performance would get materially worse, and they could have significant liquidity risks.”

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Sprint and Clearwire are negotiating a network-sharing contract that will last beyond 2012, Bloomberg recently reported, noting a 29% surge in Clearwire’s stock price earlier Wednesday. CEO Dan Hesse explained on a conference call that Sprint could take advantage of Clearwire’s network in an effort to balance traffic on its planned 4G LTE network. While Sprint is “making very good progress on the technical front with Clearwire,” a deal is not yet final or definite. Sprint announced earlier this month that it plans to accelerate its 4G LTE roll-out and will launch its first markets by the middle of next year. The project is expected to be fully completed in 2013. Sprint’s move to LTE had originally suggested that its WiMAX relationship with Clearwire was coming to an end, but it appears that is no longer the case. Like Sprint, Clearwire has also said it will deploy a 4G LTE network if it can find the money. Most recently the carrier was courting AT&T and Verizon in an effort to bring in enough cash for the roll-out, which it expects to cost $600 million.

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U.S. District Judge Ellen Huvelle recently shot down Sprint’s request to access a number of documents related to AT&T’s planned acquisition of T-Mobile USA. “You don’t stand in the shoes of the consumer or the Department of Justice,” Huvelle said. Sprint originally sued to block the merger in September, shortly after the U.S. Justice Department filed a similar case in August. AT&T recently asked a judge to toss the suit entirely and, like Huvelle, said Sprint was not in a position to argue from the consumer’s standpoint. “Sprint cannot wrap itself in the cloak of wireless service consumers’ interest because Sprint is not a consumer but instead a competitor in the sale of wireless services,” AT&T said in the September court filing. Read on for more.

At least one expert believes Sprint would be more effective in blocking the deal if it had access to AT&T’s internal documents. “There are ways in which Sprint can be exceptionally helpful to the government agencies and I’m sure that they will continue to provide advice but with more access to documents they’re likely to provide better advice,” American Antitrust Institute president Bert Foer told Reuters.

Sprint has been vocal in its opposition of the planned merger and has argued it will “stifle” competition in the U.S. wireless market. Sprint attorney Steven Sunshine explained the importance of blocking the deal: “If this transaction goes forward, the plaintiffs will be impaired in their ability to compete,” he said.

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MetroPCS is interested in purchasing spectrum and subscribers from AT&T and T-Mobile, Bloomberg said Friday. Leap Wireless and Dish Network were also approached and Leap may still be interested in making an offer. The deal with MetroPCS would likely amount to less than $4 billion. In August, The Wall Street Journal revealed AT&T had hired Bank of America’s Merill Lynch to advise it on selling as much as $8 billion in assets. Later that month, the United States government sued to block the planned merger when the U.S. Justice Department said the deal would “substantially lessen competition” in the U.S. wireless market. Read on for more.

AT&T approached a number of carriers in September, including Sprint, offering to sell assets in an effort to remedy competition concerns. It remains unclear if selling assets will help it gain government approval.

“Spinning off some of T-Mobile’s customers or network doesn’t really remedy the government’s issue with the merger, which is that T-Mobile is such a disruptive and significant competitor that anything which makes them no longer independent would be unacceptable,” Duane Morris LLP lawyer Glenn Manishin explained to Bloomberg.

Manishin also noted that any sale of assets to Leap or MetroPCS would likely not be large enough to boost either carrier to a position where it might compete with AT&T, Sprint or Verizon Wireless on a national scale.

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Verizon Wireless announced on Thursday that it has activated its 4G LTE network in 22 new markets. The service is now live in Birmingham, Alabama; Modesto and Stockton, California; Fort Myers, Florida; South Bend, Mishawaka, Granger, Elkhart and Goshen, Indiana; Sioux City, Iowa; Hagerstown, Maryland; Tupelo, Mississippi; Albuquerque and Santa Fe, New Mexico; Buffalo, New York; Asheville, North Carolina; Bartlesville, Oklahoma; Jackson and Martin, Tennessee; Greater Hampton Roads and Richmond, Virginia and Green Bay, Wisconsin. In addition, Verizon is expanding the existing 4G LTE footprints in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Washington, D.C. and Erie, Pennsylvania, and the carrier will launch 4G in additional markets on November 17th. Verizon offers 13 4G LTE devices and most recently announced the Motorola DROID RAZR. It will also soon offer the Samsung Galaxy Nexus, the first Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich phone.

Verizon Wireless announced on Monday that it will light-up 4G LTE service in 22 new cities this month and another 13 on November 17th. On that date, it will officially offer 4G LTE service in a total of 178 markets. On October 20th, service will be active in Birmingham, Alabama; Modesto and Stockton, California; Fort Myers, Florida; Bloomington, Elkhart, Evansville, South Bend and Terre Haute, Indiana; Sioux City, Iowa; Hagerstown, Maryland; Tupelo, Mississippi; Albuquerque and Santa Fe, New Mexico; Buffalo, New York; Asheville, North Carolina; Bartlesville, Oklahoma; Jackson and Martin, Tennessee; Greater Hampton Roads and Richmond, Virginia and Green Bay, Wisconsin. Verizon will also expand the existing footprints in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Washington, D.C., and Erie, Pennsylvania cities on the same day. On November 17th, Verizon Wireless will deploy 4G LTE in Little Rock, Arkansas; Savannah, Georgia; Cedar Rapids and Des Moines, Iowa; Lexington, Kentucky; Kansas City and Springfield, Missouri; Lincoln, Nebraska; Orange County, New York; Greater Providence; Rapid City, South Dakota; Roanoke, Virginia; and Appleton, Wisconsin. It will also expand the exiting footprints in in Louisville, Kentucky; Grand Rapids, Michigan; Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Nashville, Tennessee, on November 17th. Read on for the full press release.

AMERICA’S FASTEST AND MOST RELIABLE 4G NETWORK EXPANDS TO MORE THAN 175 MARKETS ON NOV. 17

BASKING RIDGE, N.J. and SAN DIEGO – Verizon Wireless announced today at CTIA Enterprise and Applications™ 2011 that its 4G LTE network will be available in 178 markets by Nov. 17.  The leader in mobile broadband will turn on its 4G LTE network in 22 new cities and expand the network in four cities on Oct. 20, and will turn on the 4G LTE network in 13 cities and expand in five cities on Nov. 17, making the largest 4G LTE network in the county even bigger.

Consumers and businesses in these cities will be able to access the blazingly fast speeds of Verizon Wireless’ 4G LTE network with any of Verizon Wireless’ 13 4G LTE-enabled devices, including the new Pantech Breakout™ and DROID BIONIC™ by Motorola smartphones, and the 4G LTE-enabled Motorola XOOM™.

“When we launched our 4G LTE network just 43 weeks ago, we had an ambitious growth plan because we understood the impact 4G LTE could have on people’s lives,” said David Small, chief technical officer of Verizon Wireless.  “Americans in 178 cities from coast to coast will have access to the nation’s most reliable 4G network before Thanksgiving, allowing them to harness the speed and power of the network not only where they live but also where they travel.”

On Thursday, Oct. 20, Verizon Wireless’ 4G LTE network will be available in Birmingham, Ala.; Modesto and Stockton, Calif.; Fort Myers, Fla.; Bloomington, Elkhart, Evansville, South Bend and Terre Haute, Ind.; Sioux City, Iowa; Hagerstown, Md.; Tupelo, Miss.; Albuquerque and Santa Fe, N.M.; Buffalo, N.Y.; Asheville, N.C.; Bartlesville, Okla.; Jackson and Martin, Tenn.; Greater Hampton Roads and Richmond, Va.; and Green Bay, Wis. Verizon Wireless is also expanding its 4G LTE network in Los Angeles and San Diego, Calif.; Washington, D.C.; and Erie, Pa. the same day.

On Thursday, Nov. 17, the company will turn on its 4G LTE network in Little Rock, Ark.; Savannah, Ga.; Cedar Rapids and Des Moines, Iowa; Lexington, Ky.; Kansas City and Springfield, Mo.; Lincoln, Neb.; Orange County, N.Y.; Greater Providence; Rapid City, S.D.; Roanoke, Va.; and Appleton, Wis.  The company is also making major 4G LTE expansions on Nov. 17 in Louisville, Ky.; Grand Rapids, Mich.; Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minn.; Pittsburgh, Pa.; and Nashville, Tenn.

4G LTE Speed and Coverage

In real-world, fully loaded network environments, 4G LTE users should experience average data rates of 5 to 12 megabits per second (Mbps) on the downlink and 2 to 5 Mbps on the uplink.  When customers travel outside of a 4G LTE coverage area, devices automatically connect to Verizon Wireless’ 3G network, enabling customers to stay connected from coast to coast.  Verizon Wireless’ 3G network is the most reliable network in the country and allows customers in 3G coverage areas who purchase 4G LTE devices today to take advantage of 4G LTE speeds when the faster network becomes available in their city.

Reliability: In and Beyond Major Cities

As the company with the most reliable 4G wireless network in the county and the first wireless company in the world to broadly deploy 4G LTE technology, Verizon Wireless is committed to building its 4G LTE network with the same performance and reliability for which it has long been recognized.  Verizon Wireless’ consistent focus on reliability is based on rigid engineering standards and a disciplined deployment approach year after year.  The company’s 700 MHz spectrum gives Verizon Wireless specific advantages with 4G LTE, including a contiguous, nationwide network license.

Over the past year, Verizon Wireless has also worked to bring its 4G LTE network beyond major cities with its LTE in Rural America program.  The company is working with rural communications companies to collaboratively build and operate a 4G LTE network in those areas using the tower and backhaul assets of the rural company and Verizon Wireless’ core 4G LTE equipment and premium 700 MHz spectrum.  Already, 12 rural organizations have announced their participation in the LTE in Rural America program and have leased spectrum covering, in total, more than 2.6 million people in rural communities and nearly 82,000 square miles.  These companies include: Appalachian Wireless, Bluegrass Cellular, Carolina West/Clear Stream, Cellcom, Chariton Valley, Convergence Technologies, Cross Telephone, Custer Telephone Cooperative, Pioneer Cellular, S and R Communications, Strata Networks and Thumb Cellular.

4G LTE Markets

Verizon Wireless’ 4G LTE network will be available in 178 cities on Nov. 17, including:
·         Birmingham, Ala.*
·         Decatur, Ala.
·         Huntsville, Ala.
·         Mobile, Ala.
·         Montgomery, Ala.
·         Phoenix, Ariz.
·         Tucson, Ariz.
·         Fayetteville/Springdale/Rogers, Ark.
·         Fort Smith, Ark.
·         Jonesboro-Paragould, Ark.
·         Little Rock, Ark.**
·         Bakersfield, Calif.
·         Fresno, Calif.
·         Los Angeles, Calif.
·         Modesto, Calif.*
·         Oakland, Calif.
·         Sacramento, Calif.
·         Salinas/Monterey/Seaside, Calif.
·         San Diego, Calif.
·         San Francisco, Calif.
·         San Jose, Calif.
·         San Luis Obispo, Calif.
·         Santa Barbara, Calif.
·         Stockton, Calif.*
·         Colorado Springs, Colo.
·         Denver, Colo.
·         Fort Collins, Colo.
·         Greater Fairfield and New Haven, Conn.
·         Hartford, Conn.
·         Washington, D.C.
·         Daytona Beach, Fla.
·         Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
·         Ft. Myers, Fla.*
·         Gainesville, Fla.
·         Jacksonville, Fla.
·         Lakeland, Fla.
·         Miami, Fla.
·         Orlando, Fla.
·         Pensacola, Fla.
·         Sarasota/Bradenton, Fla.
·         Tallahassee, Fla.
·         Tampa, Fla.
·         West Palm Beach, Fla.
·         Athens, Ga.
·         Atlanta, Ga.
·         Augusta, Ga.
·         Savannah, Ga.*
·         Hilo, Hawaii
·         Honolulu, Hawaii
·         Kahului/Wailuku, Hawaii
·         Lahaina, Hawaii
·         Boise, Idaho
·         Bloomington, Ill.
·         Carbondale, Ill.
·         Champaign/Urbana, Ill.
·         Chicago, Ill.
·         Rockford, Ill.
·         Springfield, Ill.
·         The Quad Cities, Ill./Iowa
·         Bloomington/Bedford, Ind.*
·         Elkhart, Ind.*
·         Evansville, Ind.*
·         Fort Wayne, Ind.
·         Indianapolis, Ind.
·         South Bend/Mishawaka, Ind.*
·         Terre Haute, Ind.*
·         West Lafayette, Ind.
·         Cedar Rapids, Iowa**
·         Des Moines, Iowa**
·         Iowa City, Iowa
·         Sioux City, Iowa*
·         Wichita, Kan.
·         Lexington, Ky.**
·         Louisville, Ky.
·         Baton Rouge, La.
·         Hammond, La.
·         New Orleans, La.
·         Shreveport, La.
·         Baltimore, Md.
·         Frederick, Md.
·         Hagerstown, Md.*
·         Boston, Mass.
·         Springfield, Mass.
·         Worcester, Mass.
·         Detroit, Mich.
·         Flint, Mich.
·         Grand Rapids, Mich.
·         Kalamazoo, Mich.
·         Lansing, Mich.
·         Saginaw, Mich.
·         Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minn.
·         Tupelo, Miss.*
·         Kansas City, Mo.**
·         Springfield, Mo.**
·         St. Louis, Mo.
·         Lincoln, Neb.**
·         Omaha/Council Bluffs, Neb.
·         Las Vegas, Nev.
·         Reno, Nev.
·         Albuquerque, N.M.*
·         Las Cruces, N.M.
·         Santa Fe, N.M.*
·         Albany, N.Y.
·         Buffalo, N.Y.*
·         Ithaca, N.Y.
·         New York, N.Y.
·         Orange County, N.Y.**
·         Rochester, N.Y.
·         Syracuse, N.Y.
·         Asheville, N.C.*
·         Charlotte, N.C.
·         Fayetteville/Lumberton, N.C.
·         Greensboro/Winston Salem/High Point, N.C.
·         Raleigh/Durham, N.C.
·         Wilmington, N.C.
·         Fargo, N.D.
·         Akron, Ohio
·         Canton, Ohio
·         Cincinnati, Ohio
·         Cleveland, Ohio
·         Columbus, Ohio
·         Dayton, Ohio
·         Lima, Ohio
·         Mansfield, Ohio
·         Toledo, Ohio
·         Bartlesville, Okla.*
·         Oklahoma City, Okla.
·         Tulsa, Okla.
·         Portland, Ore.
·         Allentown/Bethlehem/Easton, Pa.
·         Altoona, Pa.
·         Erie, Pa.
·         Harrisburg, Pa.
·         Johnstown, Pa.
·         Philadelphia, Pa.
·         Pittsburgh, Pa.
·         Wilkes Barre/Scranton, Pa.
·         State College, Pa.
·         Greater Providence**
·         Charleston, S.C.
·         Columbia, S.C.
·         Greenville/Spartanburg, S.C.
·         Hilton Head, S.C.
·         Rapid City, S.D.**
·         Sioux Falls, S.D.
·         Chattanooga, Tenn.
·         Clarksville, Tenn./Hopkinsville, Ky.
·         Cleveland, Tenn.
·         Dyersburg/Union City, Tenn.
·         Jackson, Tenn.*
·         Knoxville, Tenn.
·         Martin, Tenn.
·         Memphis, Tenn.
·         Nashville, Tenn.
·         Austin, Texas
·         Beaumont/Port Arthur, Texas
·         Bryan/College Station, Texas
·         Dallas/Ft. Worth, Texas
·         El Paso, Texas
·         Houston, Texas
·         San Antonio, Texas
·         Temple/Killeen, Texas
·         Wichita Falls, Texas
·         Provo, Utah
·         Salt Lake City, Utah
·         Greater Hampton Roads, Va.*
·         Richmond, Va.*
·         Roanoke, Va.**
·         The Tri-Cities, Tenn./Va.
·         Olympia, Wash.
·         Seattle, Wash.
·         Spokane, Wash.
·         Tacoma, Wash.
·         Charleston, W.Va.
·         Appleton, Wis.**
·         Green Bay, Wis.*
·         Madison, Wis.
·         Milwaukee, Wis.

*Indicates a market that will be live on Oct. 20, 2011
**Indicates a market that will be live on Nov. 17, 2011

LightSquared Announces Collaboration with Sharp® on L-Band Smartphone and Tablet Product Development

LightSquared will provide device solutions for its network partners using Sharp’s leading-edge smartphone and tablet technologies.

RESTON, Va., October 3, 2011 – LightSquared™, which is building a nationwide wireless broadband network that will drive consumer choice and industry innovation, has announced a strategic collaboration agreement with Sharp®, a worldwide leader in consumer electronic products and solutions.

LightSquared has selected Sharp as its first manufacturer to provide advanced smartphones and tablets which will operate on its 4G-LTE network. The goal of the agreement is to leverage Sharp’s leading-edge product solutions to develop a range of innovative devices which will incorporate an extensive selection of unique device components, such as Sharp’s advanced LCD panel and camera module, for LightSquared’s 4G-LTE network partners including carriers, retailers and others.

This agreement underscores how LightSquared’s open network and growing ecosystem can help manufacturers expand their wireless offerings and develop innovative products without restrictions.

LightSquared will showcase devices during CTIA Enterprise & Applications, October 11-13, in San Diego.

“Sharp has a rich history of producing unique products that push the extremes of design and functionality, and we’re proud that they will be developing innovative devices for LightSquared’s 4G-LTE network,” said Sanjiv Ahuja, chief executive officer of LightSquared. “LightSquared’s wholesale-only business model and open network will provide Sharp with a platform from which they can aggressively expand into the U.S. wireless market with an exciting portfolio of smartphones and tablets.”

Sprint announced on Tuesday that it will deploy its CDMA-based push-to-talk network on October 2nd. “Our customers are asking for broadband and push-to-talk,” president-Sprint Business Paget Alves said. “We’ve seen steadily increasing demand for faster data speeds, better and broader coverage, and more applications on push-to-talk devices. Sprint Direct Connect is designed to solve for all three.” The new service supports Group Connect and TeamDC for connecting with up to 20 or 200 other Direct Connect users at the same time, the ability to check if anyone is available using an “Availability Notification,” call alerts with texts and more. Sprint expects the new network to grow to the size of its current CDMA voice coverage area by the end of 2012.  The Kyocera DuraMax is one of the first devices to run on the new network. It offers a rugged form factor that meets Military Standard 810G specifications and is equipped with GPS, Bluetooth, a 3.2-megapixel camera and more. The DuraMax will be available on October 2nd for $69.99 with a new two-year contract. Read on for the full CDMA PTT press release from Sprint.

Sprint’s New Push-to-Talk Service – Sprint Direct Connect – to Launch Next Week

3G CDMA-based Sprint Direct Connect will expand push-to-talk coverage, enhance customers’ broadband data capabilities, and enable new features

Kyocera DuraMax available exclusively from Sprint Oct. 2 for $69.99

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (BUSINESS WIRE), September 27, 2011 – Sprint (NYSE: S) today announced a Sunday, Oct. 2, launch date for Sprint Direct Connect^®, ushering in the next generation of push–to-talk service from the company that pioneered push–to-talk. Sprint Direct Connect will come packed with broadband data capabilities, familiar push-to-talk features, rugged and reliable handsets, and a broadening push-to-talk coverage map expected in early 2012.

“Our customers are asking for broadband and push-to-talk,” said Paget Alves, president-Sprint Business. “We’ve seen steadily increasing demand for faster data speeds, better and broader coverage, and more applications on push-to-talk devices. Sprint Direct Connect is designed to solve for all three.”

Sprint’s 3G data network and our enhanced push-to-talk platform will deliver instant calls, increased push-to-talk reliability, and support for cutting-edge data applications. Sprint’s broadband speeds will enable customers to experience the latest in technology applications, such as enterprise business productivity applications, social and multimedia support, and even advanced push-to-X capabilities in the future.

Sprint’s upgraded push-to-talk platform, designed with Qualcomm, plays a significant role in enabling Sprint Direct Connect enhancements and expanded coverage footprint capability. “Qualcomm is providing Sprint a carrier-grade, IP-based solution that delivers the advanced push-to-talk experiences customers are demanding today and sets a solid foundation for Sprint Direct Connect to support even more advanced communications in the future,” said Michael Wallace, senior vice president and general manager of Qualcomm Internet Services.

Among the initial Sprint Direct Connect services:

• Direct Connect^® – Instant, one-to-one push-to-talk calling nationwide, with any other Direct Connect subscriber. Direct Connect is the core push-to-talk feature and is designed for interoperability across Sprint and Nextel network platforms.
• Guaranteed Talk Permit – The assurance that when you hear the push-to-talk “chirp” that your call was successfully transmitted.
• Call Alert with Text – Send an audio alert with an optional text message to let another Direct Connect subscriber know you are trying to reach them and why.
• Group Connect^® – Communicate with up to 20 other Sprint Direct Connect subscribers all at once – nationwide, at the push of one button.
• TeamDC^SM – Communicate with up to 200 other Sprint Direct Connect subscribers at the same time nationwide¹.
• NextMail^® – Send a recorded message to any email worldwide or mobile handset via text message by using the Direct Connect button.
• Availability Notification – Request the availability status of another push-to-talk member and, if they are busy, request a notification when they are free.

Sprint Direct Connect Coverage

Sprint Direct Connect service will continue to evolve. In early 2012, the Sprint Direct push-to-talk coverage area is expected to grow to match the Sprint CDMA voice coverage area – expected to be almost three times the square miles covered by Nextel iDEN today. Additionally, in 2012, international push-to-talk calling to select countries will also begin rolling out to help support our current customers with international push-to-talk needs.

Sprint Direct Connect Devices

In the fourth quarter, Sprint will begin to offer three new Sprint Direct Connect devices. The first new handset, Kyocera DuraMax, will be available Oct. 2 for $69.99 with a new two-year service agreement or eligible upgrade and after a $50 mail-in rebate via a reward card². It will be available in all Sprint retail channels, including Web sales (www.sprint.com) and Telesales (1-800-Sprint1).

Kyocera DuraMax is the workhorse of the new Sprint Direct Connect portfolio. It has a rugged exterior and non-slip Dura-Grip^® surface, a 2.0-inch QVGA TFT main display, 3.2 MP camera with flash and camcorder, and is designed to meet Military Standard 810G for dust, shock, vibration, extreme temperatures, blowing rain and water immersion (up to 30 minutes in one meter of water).

Kyocera DuraCore, a rugged phone built to meet Military Standard 810G specifications for dust, shock and vibration, to withstand tough environments is expected to launch by year-end and a Sprint Direct Connect Android device by Motorola is lined up and expected for fourth quarter.

Network Vision

Sprint Direct Connect marks an important step in the evolution of Network Vision, Sprint’s blueprint to deploy a single, cost-effective and innovative broadband wireless network. Sprint’s Network Vision upgrade will result in enhanced coverage; quality and speed; better network flexibility; reduced operating costs; and improved environmental sustainability. During the Network Vision implementation, Sprint plans to support the iDEN network into 2013 and to assist customers with their migration to the new feature-rich Sprint Direct Connect devices.

Sprint will deploy its 4G LTE network early next year and has already started to deploy the required equipment, CNET reported on Tuesday. Reportedly, Sprint is also already testing the network, although sources speaking to CNET did not reveal where the tests were occurring. The move is enabled by Sprint’s “Network Vision” plans, which it first discussed in December 2010. During our recent tour of Sprint’s facilities in Overland Park, Kansas, when Sprint CEO Dan Hesse confirmed that the carrier’s 4G plans would be discussed this fall, we were able to snap a few photos of an Ericsson E-Node Base Transceiver System (BTS). Sprint explained at the time that, should it decide to move to an LTE network, engineers just had to add an LTE card to the BTS and perform the required tests to get a new network up and running. Sprint has also already announced a deal with Lightsqured to deliver 4G LTE support to its customers, although it has not yet been discussed when the roll-out will occur. BGR will be attending a Sprint “Strategy Update” in New York City on October 7th where we expect to hear more about Sprint’s future 4G plans.

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During the Bank of America Merrill Lynch Media, Entertainment & Communications conference on Thursday, AT&T’s chief financial officer John Stephens said that AT&T will activate its 4G LTE network in its first five markets on Sunday, FierceWireless reported. The network has been active as part of a soft launch in the AT&T’s five markets, which include Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio, and we have already seen a few glimpses of what the network is capable of. We published an exclusive video on September 6th which showed the HTC Jetstream 4G tablet achieving download speeds around 22Mbps and screenshots of a 4G modem achieving 13Mbps download speeds in Chicago. In addition, we saw the same modem reaching speeds up to 25Mbps in Atlanta. AT&T hopes to activate its network in 15 total markets and launch its first LTE smartphone by the end of the year.

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Verizon Wireless announced on Wednesday that it will activate its 4G LTE network in 26 new markets on Thursday, September 15th. The new areas include Kalamazoo and Saginaw, Michigan; Fargo, North Dakota; Moorhead Minnesota; Canton, Lima and Mansfield, Ohio; Reno, Nevada; Iowa City, Iowa; Fort Smith and Jonesboro, Arkansas; Daytona, Florida; Shreveport, Louisiana; Las Cruces, New Mexico; Dyersburg, Tennessee; the Tri-Cities in Tennessee and Virginia; Austin, Beaumont/Port Arthur, Wichita Falls and El Paso, Texas; San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara, California; Bloomington/Normal, Champaign/Urbana, Rockford, Springfield and Quad Cities, Illinois. Verizon Wireless’ 4G LTE network now covers more than 160 million U.S. residents in 143 markets, and the carrier hopes to cover 185 million Americans by the end of this year. Read on for a press release of Verizon’s expansion in Fargo, North Dakota and Moorhead, Minnesota.

VERIZON WIRELESS LAUNCHES 4G LTE IN 26 NEW MARKETS AND MAKES MAJOR EXPANSIONS IN 3 CITIES ON SEPTEMBER 15

With the Introduction of the new DROID BIONIC^™ by Motorola, Verizon Wireless Offers 11 Cutting-edge 4G LTE Devices

BASKING RIDGE, N.J. – Verizon Wireless is turning on the world’s most advanced wireless network in 26 additional cities and expanding its network in San Francisco, Indianapolis and Cleveland/Akron on Thursday, Sept. 15, bringing the blazingly fast speed of 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) to a total of 143 markets across the United States.  Consumers and businesses can choose from 11 4G LTE-enabled devices to connect to the fastest 4G LTE network in the country, including the new DROID BIONIC^™ by Motorola which is the first Verizon Wireless smartphone to combine 4G LTE with the power of dual-core 1 GHz processors, 1 GB of RAM and a stunning 4.3-inch qHD display.

Starting Thursday, Verizon Wireless’ 4G LTE network will be available in Fort Smith and Jonesboro, Ark.; San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara, Calif.; Daytona, Fla.; Bloomington, Champaign/Urbana, Rockford and Springfield, Ill.; the Quad Cities, Ill./Iowa; Iowa City, Iowa; Shreveport, La.; Kalamazoo and Saginaw, Mich.; Reno, Nev.; Las Cruces, N.M.; Fargo, N.D.; Canton, Lima and Mansfield, Ohio; Dyersburg, Tenn.; the Tri-Cities, Tenn./Va.; and Austin, Beaumont/Port Arthur, Wichita Falls and El Paso, Texas.  The company is also making major 4G LTE expansions on Thursday in San Francisco, Indianapolis and Cleveland/Akron.

“We’ve followed an aggressive roll out plan for our 4G LTE network, and consumers and businesses can connect today to the fastest 4G LTE network in the country with nearly a dozen devices,” said David Small, chief technical officer of Verizon Wireless.  “Speed matters, and it matters when you’re in your hometown as well as when you’re on the road.  That’s why it’s important that you can connect over 4G LTE in 143 markets, from New York to San Francisco, and from Miami to Las Vegas.”

4G LTE Devices, Speed and Coverage

Consumers can choose from 11 devices to access the blazingly fast speeds of the 4G LTE network, including:

·        Smartphones: DROID BIONIC by Motorola, Revolution^™ by LG, DROID Charge by Samsung and ThunderBolt^™ by HTC

·        Tablets: Samsung Galaxy Tab^™ 10.1 with 4G LTE

·        Notebooks and Netbooks: HP^® Pavilion dm1-3010nr Entertainment PC and Compaq^™ Mini CQ10-688nr with built-in 4G LTE

·        Hotspots: Verizon Wireless 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot MiFi^™ 4510L and Samsung 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot SCH-LC11

·        Modems: Verizon Wireless 4G LTE USB Modem 551L and Pantech UML290 USB modem

In real-world, fully loaded network environments, 4G LTE users should experience average data rates of 5 to 12 megabits per second (Mbps) on the downlink and 2 to 5 Mbps on the uplink.

When customers travel outside of a 4G LTE coverage area, the devices automatically connect to Verizon Wireless’ 3G network, enabling customers to stay connected from coast to coast.  Verizon Wireless’ 3G network is the most reliable network in the country and allows customers in 3G coverage areas today who purchase 4G LTE devices to take advantage of 4G LTE speeds when the faster network becomes available in their areas.

Reliability: In and Beyond Major Cities

As the first wireless company in the world to broadly deploy 4G LTE technology, Verizon Wireless is committed to building its 4G LTE network with the same performance and reliability for which it has long been recognized.  Verizon Wireless’ consistent focus on reliability is based on rigid engineering standards and a disciplined deployment approach year after year.  The company’s 700 MHz spectrum gives Verizon Wireless specific advantages with 4G LTE, including a contiguous, nationwide network license.

Verizon Wireless’ vision also includes bringing its 4G LTE network beyond major cities.  The company is working with rural communications companies to collaboratively build and operate a 4G LTE network in those areas using the tower and backhaul assets of the rural company and Verizon Wireless’ core 4G LTE equipment and premium 700 MHz spectrum.  Already, 11 rural companies have announced their participation in the LTE in Rural America program and have leased spectrum covering, in total, more than 2.1 million people in rural communities and nearly 62,000 square miles.  These companies include: Bluegrass Cellular, Carolina West/Clear Stream, Cellcom, Chariton Valley, Convergence Technologies, Cross Telephone, Custer Telephone Cooperative, Pioneer Cellular, S&R Communications, Strata Networks and Thumb Cellular.

4G LTE Markets as of Sept. 15, 2011

While Verizon Wireless’ 3G network covers more than 290 million Americans, the company’s 4G LTE network covers more than 160 million Americans and will be available in 143 cities on Thursday, including:

·        Decatur, Ala.

·        Huntsville, Ala.

·        Mobile, Ala.

·        Montgomery, Ala.

·        Phoenix, Ariz.

·        Tucson, Ariz.

·        Fayetteville/Springdale/Rogers, Ark.

·        Fort Smith, Ark.

·        Jonesboro, Ark.

·        Bakersfield, Calif.

·        Fresno, Calif.

·        Los Angeles, Calif.

·        Oakland, Calif.

·        Sacramento, Calif.

·        Salinas/Monterey/Seaside, Calif.

·        San Diego, Calif.

·        San Francisco, Calif.

·        San Jose, Calif.

·        San Luis Obispo, Calif.

·        Santa Barbara, Calif.

·        Colorado Springs, Colo.

·        Denver, Colo.

·        Fort Collins, Colo.

·        Greater Fairfield and New Haven, Conn.

·        Hartford, Conn.

·        Washington, D.C.

·        Daytona, Fla.

·        Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.

·        Gainesville, Fla.

·        Jacksonville, Fla.

·        Lakeland, Fla.

·        Miami, Fla.

·        Orlando, Fla.

·        Pensacola, Fla.

·        Sarasota/Bradenton, Fla.

·        Tallahassee, Fla.

·        Tampa, Fla.

·        West Palm Beach, Fla.

·        Athens, Ga.

·        Atlanta, Ga.

·        Augusta, Ga.

·        Hilo, Hawaii

·        Honolulu, Hawaii

·        Kahului/Wailuku, Hawaii

·        Lahaina, Hawaii

·        Boise, Idaho

·        Bloomington, Ill.

·        Carbondale, Ill.

·        Champaign/Urbana, Ill.

·        Chicago, Ill.

·        Rockford, Ill.

·        Springfield, Ill.

·        Fort Wayne, Ind.

·        Indianapolis, Ind.

·        West Lafayette, Ind.

·        The Quad Cities, Ill./Iowa

·        Iowa City, Iowa

·        Wichita, Kan.

·        Louisville, Ky.

·        Baton Rouge, La.

·        Hammond, La.

·        New Orleans, La.

·        Shreveport, La.

·        Baltimore, Md.

·        Frederick, Md.

·        Boston, Mass.

·        Springfield, Mass.

·        Worcester, Mass.

·        Detroit, Mich.

·        Flint, Mich.

·        Grand Rapids, Mich.

·        Kalamazoo, Mich.

·        Lansing, Mich.

·        Saginaw, Mich.

·        Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minn.

·        St. Louis, Mo.

·        Omaha/Council Bluffs, Neb.

·        Las Vegas, Nev.

·        Reno, Nev.

·        Las Cruces, N.M.

·        Albany, N.Y.

·        Ithaca, N.Y.

·        New York, N.Y.

·        Rochester, N.Y.

·        Syracuse, N.Y.

·        Charlotte, N.C.

·        Fayetteville/Lumberton, N.C.

·        Greensboro/Winston Salem/High Point, N.C.

·        Raleigh/Durham, N.C.

·        Wilmington, N.C.

·        Fargo, N.D.

·        Akron, Ohio

·        Canton, Ohio

·        Cincinnati, Ohio

·        Cleveland, Ohio

·        Columbus, Ohio

·        Dayton, Ohio

·        Lima, Ohio

·        Mansfield, Ohio

·        Toledo, Ohio

·        Oklahoma City, Okla.

·        Tulsa, Okla.

·        Portland, Ore.

·        Allentown/Bethlehem/Easton, Pa.

·        Altoona, Pa.

·        Erie, Pa.

·        Harrisburg, Pa.

·        Johnstown, Pa.

·        Philadelphia, Pa.

·        Pittsburgh, Pa.

·        Wilkes Barre/Scranton, Pa.

·        State College, Pa.

·        Charleston, S.C.

·        Columbia, S.C.

·        Greenville/Spartanburg, S.C.

·        Hilton Head, S.C.

·        Sioux Falls, S.D.

·        Chattanooga, Tenn.

·        Clarksville, Tenn./Hopkinsville, Ky.

·        Cleveland, Tenn.

·        Dyersburg, Tenn.

·        The Tri-Cities, Tenn./Va.

·        Knoxville, Tenn.

·        Memphis, Tenn.

·        Nashville, Tenn.

·        Austin, Texas

·        Beaumont/Port Arthur, Texas

·        Bryan/College Station, Texas

·        Dallas/Ft. Worth, Texas

·        El Paso, Texas

·        Houston, Texas

·        San Antonio, Texas

·        Temple/Killeen, Texas

·        Wichita Falls, Texas

·        Provo, Utah

·        Salt Lake City, Utah

·        Olympia, Wash.

·        Seattle, Wash.

·        Spokane, Wash.

·        Tacoma, Wash.

·        Charleston, W.Va.

·        Madison, Wis.

·        Milwaukee, Wis.

Visit www.verizonwireless.com/4GLTE for more information about Verizon Wireless’ 4G LTE network.

Verizon employees will end a widely publicized strike on Tuesday and return to work. 45,000 Verizon employees went on strike on August 7th after failing to reach an agreement over new contract terms. The Communications Workers of America and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers still have not reached an agreement with Verizon and the two sides are still negotiating, according to reports. In the meantime, the old contract remains in effect. “The strike was about the process,” Communications Workers of America president Larry Cohen said. “We are now convinced that a change to the process is possible. The risk of going back to work while negotiating this is worth it to us,” Cohen said, noting that it’s unlikely an agreement will be reached in the next month. Verizon spokesperson Rich Young told reporters that Verizon still wants to change union worker’s benefits as a result of a decline in wireline revenues.

Sprint is in talks to purchase Clearwire outright, Bloomberg reported on Friday. The carrier has been speaking to a number of firms including Comcast about the possible acquisition, which would help Sprint build out a 4G LTE network capable of going head-to-head with competing networks from Verizon Wireless and AT&T. Cox Communications has also been involved in the discussions, Bloomberg said. Sprint could take one of two paths: it could invest more in Clearwire, although it already owns a controlling 54% stake in the company, or it could acquire it fully. Clearwire has said that it needs roughly $600 million to roll out LTE alongside its current 4G WiMAX network. In late July, however, Sprint inked a deal with network wholesaler LightSquared, in which LightSquared agreed to pay Sprint $9 billion and give the firm several billion more in service credits over 15 years for the right to use Sprint’s infrastructure to build out its own 4G LTE network. Bloomberg said Sprint’s talks with Clearwire are still in early stages and a deal is not imminent.

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AT&T announced on Tuesday that its first 4G LTE devices, including the USBConnect Momentum 4G and the Mobile Hotspot Elevate 4G, will be available in-store and online later this month. The USBConnect Momentum 4G and Mobile Hotspot Elevate 4G will launch on August 21st for $49.99 and $69.99, respectively, each with a new two-year agreement and after a $50 mail-in rebate. AT&T’s existing USBConnect Adrenaline modem will receive a software update on August 26th that will add support for the carrier’s 4G LTE network. AT&T will charge $50 per month for a 5GB data plan on its LTE network and any additional data past the 5GB cap will cost $10 per gigabyte. AT&T’s LTE network will first launch in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio this summer, and will eventually expand to at least 15 markets later this year.

Courts in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Delaware have granted Verizon Communications injunctions against striking union workers who are picketing outside of its corporate offices and retail locations. Specifically, the injunctions are against members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. Last week, Verizon filed lawsuits against the Communications Workers of America in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Massachusetts and accused the union workers of sabotage and harassment. 45,000 Verizon Communications employees, about 25% of the company’s workforce, went on strike on August 7th after the company failed to reach an agreement with labor unions over health benefit premiums. Managers are currently filling in for the strikers until a deal is reached, although at this point it appears negotiations could take a while.

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