Sprint Debuts 4G WiMAX in Philadelphia

Sprint has reportedly launched its new 4G mobile broadband service throughout the Philadelphia area.

This launch follows the announcement of both Clearwire (News - Alert) Communications, an operating subsidiary of Clearwire Corporation and Sprint, to launch its respective 4G mobile Internet services in additional cities in the fourth quarter of 2009. Each of the companies had planned to offer 4G under their own 4G brand. Sprint is the only national wireless carrier to offer 4G services on the Clearwire WiMAX (News - Alert) network.


With Sprint 4G, streaming video, fast file downloads and uploads and turbo-charged web browsing are available across the city, whether users are working at a remote location, relaxing in the park, sitting at a favorite eatery or as a passenger on the freeway or public transportation, for just a $10 per month premium over current Sprint (News - Alert) 3G mobile data plans.

According to a company press release, Philadelphia is one of the first cities to enjoy 4G wireless connections from Sprint. With this launch the company is also positioned as the first national wireless carrier to test, launch and market 4G technology. Sprint 4G is stated to deliver download speeds up to 10 times faster than 3G. Moreover, Sprint 4G acts like a hotspot designed to reach across Philadelphia.

“Sprint continues to lead the charge in rolling out wireless 4G in cities across America and the momentum continues to build,” said Todd Rowley, vice president of Sprint 4G.

“Our aggressive expansion of Sprint 4G will include many new devices and capabilities that create increased performance and productivity while enhancing personal lifestyles on the go,” Rowley added.

Sprint also stated that its 4G expands the web experience to meet each person’s moment-to-moment mobile needs by using 4G data cards and routers and, in the future, laptop solutions and mobile phones that can deliver rich content, larger file transfers, streaming video and low-latency remote access.

Sprint launched its 4G in Baltimore in September 2008. In addition to Philadelphia, Sprint also launched 4G service recently in the Texas cities of Abilene, Killeen-Temple, Corpus Christi, Waco, Wichita Falls, Amarillo and Midland-Odessa. These follow 4G launches earlier this year in Atlanta, Las Vegas, Portland, Bellingham, Wash., and Boise, Idaho. Sprint also plans to deploy Sprint 4G service in these additional markets in 2009: Chicago; Dallas-Ft. Worth; Austin, Texas; Charlotte, N.C.; Greensboro, N.C.; Honolulu; Maui, Hawaii; Raleigh, N.C.; Salem, Ore.; San Antonio and Seattle.

In 2010, Sprint expects to launch service in multiple markets, including Boston, Houston, New York, San Francisco and Washington, D.C.

As mentioned by the company, for a limited time, customers can benefit from a 4G promotion, where they can get the dual-mode device for free after a $50 mail-in rebate for consumers and instant rebates for business clients (excludes taxes) with a two-year agreement. Additionally, the company is currently offering new 4G/3G data plans for consumers at $69.99 monthly with unlimited 4G and 4G/3G data plans for businesses at $69.99 with unlimited 4G and unlimited 3G on the Sprint network3.

 

Alternatively, for those who live and work outside of a Sprint 4G service area, but find themselves in a 4G service area, Sprint offers a 3G-only plan at $59.99 per month with the U300. Customers can then purchase a 4G day-pass when they visit any Sprint 4G service areas. The $10 day-pass enables Sprint 4G on their device for 24 hours.

 

Customers in Sprint 4G service areas can purchase the U300 and sign up for 4G/3G plans at select Sprint retail stores, select Best Buy stores and local retailers. Customers who are not yet in a current Sprint 4G service areas can purchase the dual-mode U300, 3G plans and 4G day passes via Sprint telesales.