There’s faster, and there’s also fast. Pittsburgh, already campaigning to become one of locations for Google’s ultra-high speed broadband network, will get 4G service from
Sprint Nextel this year. It’s one of seven markets to launch in 2010 and joins 27 others, including Philadelphia, across the country.
With speeds similar to DSL lines, the main advantage of the 4G--for consumers with compatible devices, that is--is ability to better stream video. The first-ever 4G service also has advantages for small business, says Spring spokesman Scott Sloat.
Among the six devices that are 4G-compatible, the Overdrive, a 3G-4G hot spot, allows any device that’s Wi-Fi enabled to be wirelessly connected to run on 4G. "You can hook up five devices. For a small business, that’s a useful tool.You no longer need a DSL or T-1 line in the office," he says. Sprint launched its 3G/4G cell phone, the HTC Evo, last week.
Sprint’s 4G network is being created by Clearwire Corporation, building on the company’s current sites and adding some new ones. Sprint is the first wireless provider to roll out a 4G network. A total of 15 markets are expected to get Sprint’s 4G network this year.
"We are focusing on major metro areas as we roll out. Clearwire makes the decision on where and when we launch this, but Pittsburgh is important when it comes to innovation and technology,” says Sloat. Sprint says it will cover 120 million people nationwide by the end of 2010, with a total of 15 markets to be added this year.
Source: Scott Sloat, Sprint NextelWriter: Chris O’Toole