Sprint leak reveals LTE rollout in new cities
The US's third-largest carrier sprint is expanding its LTE network, and customers from California and Indiana among others may see network coverage appear today.
According to a leaked note obtained by Phone Arena, a total of 21 new cities are being added to the carrier's LTE network on Friday.
The carrier has been playing catch-up in the 4G LTE market, poor coverage bowing against the pressure of rivals including AT&T and Verizon. Sprint Nextel chief executive Dan Hesse said last year that there is, "a competitive disadvantage in terms of LTE footprint today," and further admitting that "We're catching up, but we are behind." If you own an Sprint LTE device and happen to be in the area, mobile Internet speeds have the possibility of reaching 6 to 8Mbps, potentially peaking at 25Mbps.
In January, Sprint announced that 28 new cities would be added to its LTE network in the coming months, including Paris, Texas; Branson, Mo.; Oxford, Miss. and Bay City, Michigan. Coverage has also recently appeared in small pockets across New York, Washington D.C. and San Francisco pre-launch. The firm says that Sprint's 4G LTE network will be commercially available and officially announced in these areas within the next few months. As of today, Sprint will apparently be offering LTE services in the following states and cities:
- California: Los Angeles, Contra Costa County
- Florida: Palm Bay, Port St. Lucie, West Palm Beach
- Indiana: Bloomington and Lafayette Illinois: Rochelle
- Minnesota: Mankato-North Mankato Missouri: Joplin
- North Carolina: Charlotte, Shelby, Albemarle, Sailsbury, Lincolnton
- Tennessee: Memphis, Greenville, Tullahoma Texas: Denison, Kerrville
- Virginia: Norfolk-Virginia Beach-Newport News