T-Mobile and Sprint to start network LTE sharing agreement?

[i0wnj00]

...and Sprint can do migration from EV to HSPA, and Sprint can utilize hundreds of HSPA devices which support 1900 immediately.

Somehow I don't think it makes sense for Sprint to migrate from EVDO to HSPA+ at this point in time when they're already committed to LTE nor does it make sense to support yet another technology when they're already drowning in EVDO, WiMAX, iDEN and soon to be LTE. Why take a step backwards to HSPA+ when you can simply move forward with LTE or WiMAX.

[Evan702]

Somehow I don't think it makes sense for Sprint to migrate from EVDO to HSPA+ at this point in time when they're already committed to LTE nor does it make sense to support yet another technology when they're already drowning in EVDO, WiMAX, iDEN and soon to be LTE. Why take a step backwards to HSPA+ when you can simply move forward with LTE or WiMAX.

Well iDEN is soon to be retired, but otherwise I think gist of this post is spot on.

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[WiWavelength]

HSPA+ is about the worst idea possible when it comes to network vision. HSPA+ is a very innefficient technology and in no way could support long term use. If they started HSPA+ 5-6 years ago then maybe it'd be a good idea, but LTE is much much MUCH more spectrum efficient.

Can you back this claim up? Everything I've seen shows that they're relatively close in terms of spectral efficiency with a slight edge given to LTE.

In essence, you are both correct. While HSPA+ and LTE use highly different airlink technologies, they are similar in bit/s/Hz spectral efficiency per spatial channel.

LTE pulls ahead in spectral efficiency through its use of MIMO (i.e. multiple spatial channels). MIMO is an integral part of the LTE standard and is ideally suited to an OFDMA airlink. Furthermore, LTE supports up to 4x4 MIMO (LTE Advanced up to 8x8 MIMO).

On the other hand, MIMO is an optional addition to HSPA+. Seemingly few HSPA+ networks and devices support MIMO operation. And, even for those that do, I believe MIMO is currently limited to 2x2.

AJ

[GSMinCT]

If it can benefit both companies I would be for it. At this point I would actually like to see AT&T fail. They are the roots of all evil.

First removing unlimited data
Then increasing data prices
Increasing text prices (or removing lower plans)
Throttling customers at low usage
Doubling the upgrade fee

If AT&T continues to gain customers and profit from doing this, all carriers will follow suit, like Verizon and T-Mobile already removed unlimited data options after AT&T had success doing it.

Oy vey. AT&T is a lot friendlier than Verizon. They offer M2AM, Rollover, etc. They also provide the best coverage by a long shot in some places, like eastern Connecticut. And their iPhone is 3x faster.

All the carriers pretty much have the same evil practices, it's been like that for a long time.

EDIT:

This isn't going to help T-Mo and Sprint compete with AT&T or Verizon.

LTE is big for marketing, but from a technical perspective, I should think it would be better for T-Mo to get their network up to 100% HSPA+ 84 than start working on LTE while they still have GPRS areas. Their HSPA+, even though it is currently somewhat elusive, is really awesome when you find it.

If T-Mobile is going to go LTE, what I see as making more sense, since it seems that only Verizon has enough LTE spectrum, is for CLEAR to build out LTE advanced with 20x20 channels in their massive chunk of spectrum, and lease capacity to AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile. Then, they could also get tower co-locations just about wherever they need them. It would, unfortunately, leave T-Mo with the worst coverage, as they would be relying on 2600mhz, while Sprint has 1900 and eventually 800, and AT&T has 700 in a lot of markets to fall back on for coverage. It also wouldn't really help AT&T build out to markets they don't own LTE spectrum in, as, with the exception of small cities like in eastern CT, 2600 mhz isn't terribly useful for rural coverage. It would, however, get rid of AT&T's capacity and spectrum crunch in all the major markets, offload capacity for Sprint, and help T-Mo get another layer of "4G" off the ground.