[ARCANGEL63]

...AS SPRINT MAY DO, WILL A 3G/4G PHONE STILL WORK ON A LTE NET???

[jsconyers]

I am not sure what you're asking.

Sprint uses CDMA for their 3G and WiMax for their 4G. Verizon is using LTE for their 4G.

Where did you hear that Sprint is moving away from WiMax to go to LTE?

Also, no, a WiMax phone will not work on an LTE network.

[Dubdub]

You should still have your 3G connection, provided the carrier continues to support it. You would need a new device to get 4G/LTE/WiMAX, etc.

[ARCANGEL63]

AS PER PHONESCOOP:posted Wednesday, 3:44 PM by Eric M. Zeman
updated Wednesday, 9:59 PM

Updated: Removed reference to 850mhz

Speaking to investors, Sprint's president of network operations, Steve Elfman, said that if the company decides to switch from WiMax to LTE, it could light up the network and have devices as soon as 2012 and have nationwide coverage by 2013. Elfman repeated that Sprint is still evaluating its 4G network position and it will make a decision by the middle of the year about a potential network technology switch. Elfman said that Sprint is still in negotiations with Clearwire about the future of their joint WiMax network. Sprint is still planning its Network Vision project, which aims to make massive improvements to its 3G network over the next few years. Sprint uses 1900MHz for its CDMA network, 800MHz for its iDEN network, and 2.5GHz for WiMax. The 800MHz spectrum has been earmarked for a switch to CDMA once Sprint begins to phase out iDEN in 2013.

I'VE GOT AN UPGRADE READY & WAITING & I'D HATE TO GET A 3G/4G PHONE ONLY TO HAVE IT BE USELESS IN 6 MONTHS,,, MY NEXT PHONE WILL HAVE TO LAST ME A LONG TIME SO I'M CHOOSING WISELY...

[dc/dc]

If Sprint switches to LTE, it will be a long time before it is widely available. Heck, even their WiMax isn't widely available. You'll be fine. Not to mention, there are no 4G-capable BlackBerry devices available yet for any time type of network, and none in the pipeline that I'm aware of.

[rambo47]

The question to ask is, "how's your data connection working for you right now?" It's 3G-only on BlackBerrys so worrying about WiMax or LTE is kind of irrelevant.

[ARCANGEL63]

'PRECIATE THE GET BACKS GUYS,,, @ RAMBO- I'M JUST THINKIN' AHEAD,,, LIKE I MENTIONED MY NEXT PHONE'S GONNA HAVE TO LAST A WHILE SO LOOKING DOWN THE ROAD IS ADVANTAGEOUS TO ME & W/ A 8330 THE QUALITY OF THE CONNECTION KINDA GOES W/O SAYING,,, SSSLLLOOOWWW,,, ,,, ALSO THERE ARE RUMORS OF A 4G BERRY,,, WHETHER IT ENDS UP ON SPRINT IS ANOTHER THING...

[rambo47]

I don't see Sprint getting a WiMax BlackBerry due to the fact that they don't have the numbers other carriers like AT&T or Verizon (potentially) have using their 4G.

Also, look how long it took RIM to make a 3G BlackBerry. RIM never felt rushed to jump in the game because BlackBerrys are typically more efficient with data than regular smart phones. But as BlackBerrys pushed into the consumer space these new users were posting pictures and videos to the web (YouTube and Facebook, etc), emailing pictures, downloading music, etc. Data needs went way up from what your basic corporate user typically experienced. So more than a year after 3G was commonplace, RIM finally put out a 3G 'berry.

I expect 4G support to come faster than support for 3G, but I also believe RIM will wait and see if a single standard is adopted. LTE looks like the best chance for that, and Sprint is talking about "maybe" having LTE deployed by the end of 2013. And of course there is no guarantee you will get 4G of any flavor in your home area. Coverage is still spotty outside the major metropolitan areas.

[CCK01]

Since we don't have strong FCC control on wireless communication or if they know what they doing. Let push 4G as commom wireless network, this can help to boost the market and service/support. The most diversity of technologies like we have right now. No company can get a clear picture what to push out and R&D... U know the U.S company only look for short term. Long term plan is very difficult and nobody want to add to their to-do-list.

[Dubdub]

Originally Posted by CCK01

Since we don't have strong FCC control on wireless communication or if they know what they doing. Let push 4G as commom wireless network, this can help to boost the market and service/support. The most diversity of technologies like we have right now. No company can get a clear picture what to push out and R&D... U know the U.S company only look for short term. Long term plan is very difficult and nobody want to add to their to-do-list.

HUH???