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BRIEF: Sprint to shut off WiMax network by the end of 2015 [The Kansas City Star :: ]
[April 08, 2014]

BRIEF: Sprint to shut off WiMax network by the end of 2015 [The Kansas City Star :: ]


(Kansas City Star (MO) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) April 08--Sprint Corp. plans to shut down its WiMax wireless service by the end of 2015 as it replaces the older technology with Long Term Evolution, or LTE, service.

WiMax was the Overland Park-based carrier's early entry into the wireless industry's "4G" wars. It was faster than the dominant 3G, or third-generation technology, networks the carriers relied on then.

Sprint, which launched WiMax in Kansas City in 2010, marketed its WiMax service as making it the first to 4G speeds.

Other carriers then promoted faster networks using HSPA+ technology, also as a step closer to LTE speeds that now dominate the national networks.



"The WiMax technology is in the process of being replaced by LTE, which is expected to be complete by the end of 2015," Sprint's annual filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission explained. "In addition, we plan to cease using WiMax technology by the end of 2015." Fiercewireless.com wrote about Sprint's plans to idle theWiMax network and potential impact it has on Sprint's network of cell towers.

To reach Mark Davis, call 816-234-4372 or send email to [email protected].


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