Sprint to launch LTE-Advanced network in 2013

Sprint will deploy a LTE-Advanced network on its 800MHz spectrum from 2013. Sprint’s Vice President of Network Development and Engineering, Iyad Tarazi, told attendees at the 4G World conference that during the first half of 2013, sprint plans to launch an LTE-Advanced network.

Trazi expects speeds in 12Mbps to 15Mbps range with LTE-Advanced using 4x4 antenna array devices. Sprint plans to launch CDMA-LTE devices by mid-2012, with approximately 15 devices coming throughout the year – including handsets, tablets and data cards.

At 4G World, Bob Azzi, Sprint's SVP Networks, explained on where Sprint is headed with LTE also the benefits of using Lightsquared's spectrum, see below

Earlier this month Sprint had announced plan to launch 4G LTE on its 1900MHz spectrum by midyear 2012 and complete the network build-out by the end of 2013. By the conclusion of 2013, Sprint’s expect to provide 4G coverage to more than 250 million people.

Sprint has already signed a 15-year agreement with LightSquared that includes spectrum hosting and network services, 4G wholesale, and 3G roaming. Under the agreement, LightSquared will pay Sprint to deploy and operate a nationwide LTE network that hosts L-Band spectrum licensed to or available to LightSquared.

Soure: LteWorld

Airtel likely to contract multiple vendors for LTE deployment?

Indian service provider Bharti Airtel is close on signing LTE deals for offering 4G services in four circles. Airtel is rumored be ready to offer contracts to four different vendors for each of the circle.

While ZTE and Huawei are frontrunners for bagging the contract in Kolkata and Karnataka , respectively, Ericsson and Nokia Siemens could get the deal for Punjab and Maharashtra respectively. Though none of the players confirmed the deal, insiders said that talks had reached advanced stage.

Bharti had won broadband spectrum in the four circles for Rs 3,314 crore during the auctions held last year. Reliance Industries, Qualcomm, Tikona, Augere and Aircel are the players which have broadband spectrum in various circles but none of them have started services.

Augere, which has spectrum in Madhya Pradesh circle, has announced a deal with Ericsson for equipment supply and launch of services by second quarter of 2012.

source: LteWorld