Sprint (S) on Friday said that it will be expanding its 4G LTE network to 22 addition markets, including San Francisco, in the coming months. Sprint’s high-speed 4G LTE network is now available in 24 markets around the country and is expected to be available in more than 100 cities in the coming months. The nation’s third largest carrier has also continued to improve its 3G network in several markets, leading to fewer dropped and blocked calls.
“We’re committed to providing improved 3G and 4G LTE as quickly as possible, and keeping our customers informed as to when and where they can experience the new network’s superior performance and speed,” said Bob Azzi, the company’s network senior vice president. “Our customers depend on their mobile devices as their primary source of communication, business connectivity and entertainment. We’re delivering all of that functionality at a very competitive price.”
Sprint’s press release follows below.
Sprint Adding 4G LTE to More Than 20 Additional Cities in Coming Months
Millions of power data users in several major cities will soon enjoy a 4G LTE experience with the only truly unlimited 4G LTE plans from a national carrier
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (BUSINESS WIRE), October 12, 2012 – Continuing its aggressive push to deliver an enhanced top-tier network experience for customers, Sprint (NYSE:S) announced today that its 4G LTE network build is progressing in more than 20 additional cities within its nationwide 3G footprint.
The 4G LTE Network build is under way in the following additional areas:
San Francisco-San Mateo-Redwood City, CA
Cape Coral-Ft Meyers, FL
Dyersburg-Union City-Martin, TN
Emporia, KS
Fort Wayne, IN
Greenwood, MS
Joplin, MO
Kokomo, IN
Lafayette/West Lafayette, IN
Lexington Park, MD
Marion, IN
Napa, CA
Naples-Marco Island, FL
Ottawa-Streator, IL
Punta Gorda, FL
Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA
Sarasota-Bradenton, FL
Sebring, FL
South Bend-Mishawaka, IN
Terre Haute, IN
Vallejo-Fairfield, CA
Warsaw, IN“We’re committed to providing improved 3G and 4G LTE as quickly as possible, and keeping our customers informed as to when and where they can experience the new network’s superior performance and speed,” said Bob Azzi, senior vice president-Network, Sprint. “Our customers depend on their mobile devices as their primary source of communication, business connectivity and entertainment. We’re delivering all of that functionality at a very competitive price.”
During the pre-launch phase, Sprint customers with capable devices may begin to see 4G LTE coverage in these areas and are welcome to use the network even before it officially launches. Sprint plans to announce commercial availability of 4G LTE in these cities in the coming months, followed by continued enhancements in coverage, performance and reliability. Ultimately, Sprint’s 4G LTE coverage is expected to largely match the existing nationwide 3G footprint.
Last month, Sprint announced more than 100 cities where Sprint 4G LTE is on its way, including Boston; Charlotte, N.C.; Chicago; Indianapolis; Los Angeles; Memphis, Tenn.; Miami; Nashville, Tenn.; New Orleans; New York; Philadelphia; and Washington, D.C. The network build out has begun in these cities in addition to those announced In September. The LTE build out is part of Network Vision, an investment program that will also deliver an improved 3G experience to Sprint customers.
Today, Sprint offers the new 4G LTE service in 24 metropolitan areas: Atlanta, Ga.; Athens, Ga.; Baltimore; Barnstable-Hyannis/Mid-Cape, Mass.; Calhoun, Ga.; Carrollton, Ga.; Gainesville, Ga.; Dallas; Fort Worth, Texas; Granbury-Hood County, Texas; Houston; Huntsville, Texas; Lawrence, Kan.; Kansas City, Mo.-Kan.; Manhattan/Junction City, Kan.; Newnan, Ga.; Rome, Ga.; San Antonio, Texas; Sedalia, Mo.; St. Joseph, Mo.; Topeka, Kan.; Waco, Texas; Waukegan-Lake County, Ill.; and Wichita, Kan.
As part of its overall network strategy, Sprint is also doing a complete overhaul of its 3G infrastructure so that customers can enjoy better wireless signal strength, in-building coverage, and fewer dropped/blocked calls. These enhancements are now available to customers in several markets across the country, with significant deployment in Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City and Washington, D.C., and will continue to improve in the weeks and months ahead.