Sprint Readies 4G Handset

Filed in archive WiMax/WiBro on February 22, 2010

After much rumor and innuendo, it appears as though Sprint is going to step up to the plate with a handset designed to run on its ultra-speedy fourth-generation network as soon as this summer.

The new phone would be capable of sending data up to 10 times faster than current networks by using 4G-technology known as WiMax. If the name sounds familiar, that's because Sprint already markets WiMax branded products such as a portable hotspot router that creates a mobile Wi-Fi cloud and high-speed USB modems.

Concerns of limited coverage areas for 4G are being addressed as well since the new handset will be compatible with both WiMax and traditional cellular technology.

Sprint is banking on the fact that the new smartphones should benefit from a healthy head start over rival Verizon, which in only in early testing of its own 4G network and AT&T and T-Mobile yet planning their next generation networks.