Sprint to Deploy WiMax for 4G in '07

[Janak Parekh]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.phonescoop.com/news/item.php?n=1840' target='_blank'>http://www.phonescoop.com/news/item.php?n=1840</a><br /><br /></div><i>"Sprint today announced they will roll out their 4G wireless broadband network beginning in the fourth quarter of 2007. Though it tested many options, the carrier chose to use the 802.16e mobile WiMax standard. They believe this choice will provide the carrier and subscribers with the maximum number of compatible devices at the lowest cost."</i><br /><br />This is an interesting announcement -- namely that a wireless carrier is adopting WiMax wholesale for the next generation of their network. I'll be very curious to see how it scales, but as of now, this has to be a big boost to the standard. Will we see Pocket PCs (or Pocket PC Phones) with integrated WiMax? Time will tell, but if roll-out goes well I wouldn't be surprised if it were the case. Oh, and hey! We might actually have 4G in my lifetime here in the US! :D

[signothefish]

This has been my main reason for holding off on any new Pocket PC purchases. I am so excited about WiMax! :rock on dude!:

But I have questions.

First off, why are Sprint and Verizon upgrading their equipment to EVDO Rev A starting at the end of this year, only to deploy 4G one year later?

Second, I'm worried about device selection. According to the article: "Both Motorola and Samsung will partner with Sprint to provide dual-mode CDMA / WiMax devices". Neither of these guys are notorious for bigger, higher resolution screens, nor any amount of decent program RAM.

Third, is anyone aware of planned methods to connect ultraportables to these wireless providers without having to use a Sprint phone? Will there be a PCMCIA card, a USB card, or something of the sort we can transfer from one device to another in order to connect?

[Janak Parekh]

First off, why are Sprint and Verizon upgrading their equipment to EVDO Rev A starting at the end of this year, only to deploy 4G one year later?
Excellent question. First off, I don't think Verizon's following the same path. Second, WiMAX deployment will likely take years for a complete roll-out, so the 3.5G afforded by Rev. A will be significant.

Second, I'm worried about device selection.
Can't help you there. :(

Third, is anyone aware of planned methods to connect ultraportables to these wireless providers without having to use a Sprint phone? Will there be a PCMCIA card, a USB card, or something of the sort we can transfer from one device to another in order to connect?
I would certainly expect to see a dual-mode Cardbus/ExpressCard solution.

--janak