Sprint 4G Coverage Expands to Daytona Beach, Providence, and Boston

Just in time for the Samsung Epic 4G, Sprint’s high-speed data network has expanded to three more locations, bringing WiMAX to over 50 US market currently and providing coverage in 21 states. New locations added are Daytona Beach, Florida; Boston, Massachusetts; and Providence, Rhode Island. WiMAX still doesn’t manage to cover the whole nation in a fuzzy blanket of 4G comfort, but Sprint continues to cross off big market names from the list. Now that the company hosts two 4G-capable handsets we will keep our fingers crossed that the deployment of the high-speed network will pick up some pace.

Sprint Expands 4G Coverage to Boston, Daytona Beach, Fla., and Providence, R.I.

Next generation wireless service from Sprint covers users in 21 states and more than 50 cities coast-to-coast

OVERLAND PARK, Kan., Sep 01, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) — Sprint (S 4.06, +0.16, +4.10%) today announced that customers in Boston, Daytona Beach, Fla., and Providence, R.I., will experience the power of 4G. Starting today, wireless customers and business users can experience faster mobile downloads, streaming video with minimal lag, and turbo-charged Web browsing — all on the first wireless 4G network from a national carrier.

Sprint began deploying 4G in 2008 allowing customers to break free from the coffee shop to experience Wi-Fi-like mobile speeds for their wireless devices. Today, college students in the Boston area can share a fast Internet connection on-the-go; grandparents in Daytona Beach can see and hear their grandchildren via video chat on a 4G capable device; and healthcare professionals in Providence can enhance emergency care with mobile video conferencing. Professionals in education, public safety, construction and professional services, also can benefit from 4G devices by integrating calendar services or sending large files or e-mail at quick speeds.

“We are proud to be the leader in the race to 4G,” said Matt Carter, president of Sprint 4G. “Sprint is the first national wireless carrier to make 4G a reality for our customers. In particular, it’s rewarding to deliver 4G service to Boston — my hometown. And, we have been hearing from our customers in Boston, Providence and Daytona Beach that they want and need 4G service. Today, they have it.”

Ahead of competitors, Sprint offers a growing portfolio of 4G-enabled devices:

— HTC EVO(TM) 4G — America’s first 3G/4G Android(TM) handset featuring blazing-fast 1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, mobile hotspot capabilities to connect up to eight Wi-Fi enabled devices and an 8MP camera with HD-like video capabilities. The phone is available for $199.99 with a new line or eligible upgrade, two-year service agreement and after a $100 mail-in rebate (taxes excluded).

— Samsung Epic(TM) 4G — Sprint’s Galaxy S 4G-capable smartphone with a full QWERTY keyboard, Super AMOLED touchscreen, hotspot to connect up to five Wi-Fi enabled devices and a dual camera. Samsung Epic 4G is an all-in-one device for staying connected, getting work done and enjoying the latest in entertainment while on-the-go. The phone retails for $249.99 with a new line or eligible upgrade, two-year service agreement, after a $100 mail-in rebate (taxes excluded).

— Overdrive(TM) 3G/4G Mobile Hotspot — By connecting to Overdrive 3G/4G Mobile Hotspot by Sierra Wireless, a Wi-Fi enabled device like iPad(TM), Zune HD or iPhone(R)(1) can turn into a 4G device, making downloads, streaming video and Web browsing faster. Not only does it enhance everything your favorite device was built for, it also connects up to five Wi-Fi enabled devices, such as your computer, game console or camera. Overdrive is available for $99.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate (taxes excluded) with a two-year service agreement on a new line activation or eligible upgrade.

— Sprint 3G/4G USB 250U Modem — Accommodating both horizontal and vertical USB ports and providing an ideal fit for virtually any laptop, Sprint’s 3G/4G USB 250U by Sierra Wireless is the perfect solution for those wanting 4G speeds on-the-go. Customers can purchase Sprint 3G/4G USB 250U from Sprint for free (excluding taxes) after a $50 mail-in-rebate, a $49.99 instant savings and with a two-year service agreement on a new line activation or eligible upgrade. Sprint’s 3G/4G Mobile Broadband Connection plan is priced at $59.99 per month for unlimited use on the Sprint 4G Network and 5 GB of data on the Sprint 3G Network (price plans exclude surcharges and taxes).(2)

Sprint takes value and innovation to customers one step further with the Everything Data Plan, which includes unlimited Web, texting and calling to any mobile in America while on the Sprint network for one low price, and by offering Sprint Free Guarantee to give customers a chance to try 4G for 30 days and be reimbursed if they are not fully satisfied.(3) Sprint is recognized in the 2010 American Customer Satisfaction Index as the most improved company in customer satisfaction, across all industries, during the last two years.

Sprint 4G is now available in 51 markets: California — Merced, Modesto, Stockton, Visalia; Delaware — Wilmington; Florida — Daytona Beach, Jacksonville; Georgia — Atlanta, Milledgeville; Hawaii — Honolulu, Maui; Idaho — Boise; Illinois — Chicago; Maryland — Baltimore; Massachusetts — Boston; Michigan — Grand Rapids; Missouri — Kansas City, St. Louis; New York — Rochester, Syracuse; Nevada — Las Vegas; North Carolina — Charlotte, Greensboro (includes High Point and Winston-Salem), Raleigh (includes Cary, Chapel Hill and Durham); Oregon — Eugene, Portland, Salem; Pennsylvania — Harrisburg, Lancaster, Philadelphia, Reading, York; Rhode Island — Providence; Texas — Abilene, Amarillo, Austin, Corpus Christi, Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, Killeen/Temple, Lubbock, Midland/Odessa, San Antonio, Waco, Wichita Falls; Utah — Salt Lake City; Virginia — Richmond; and Washington — Bellingham, Seattle, Tri-Cities, Yakima.

Sprint is delivering the power of 4G as the majority shareholder of Clearwire, the independent company that is building the WiMAX network. For more information, visit www.sprint.com/4G.

About Sprint Nextel

Sprint Nextel offers a comprehensive range of wireless and wireline communications services bringing the freedom of mobility to consumers, businesses and government users. Sprint Nextel served more than 48.1 million customers at the end of the second quarter of 2010 and is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying innovative technologies, including the first wireless 4G service from a national carrier in the United States; offering industry-leading mobile data services, leading prepaid brands including Virgin Mobile USA, Boost Mobile, Common Cents Mobile and Assurance Wireless; instant national and international push-to-talk capabilities; and a global Tier 1 Internet backbone. With its customer-focused strategy, you can learn more and visit Sprint at www.sprint.com or www.facebook.com/sprint and www.twitter.com/sprint.

(1) iPad and iPhone are trademarks of Apple Inc.

(2) 3G Usage: Includes 5GB of on-network data usage and 300 MB of off network data usage. Add’l on-network data usage: $0.05/MB. Add’l off-network usage above 300 MB/mo.: $0.25/MB. 1,024 KB equal 1 MB. 1,024 MB equal 1 GB. 3G Data Usage Limitation does not apply to 4G usage. No plan discounts apply.

(3) Refund excludes usage not included in the plan, premium content, third-party billing and international charges.

[via Engadget]