Sprint announced that it continues to expand its coverage with the availability of its super-fast LTE Plus Network in 204 markets, including newly added markets such as New York City, Boston, Philadelphia, Honolulu, and San Juan, Puerto Rico. In addition, total Sprint LTE coverage has reached nearly 300 million people, with approximately 70 percent covered by Sprint’s 2.5 GHz spectrum.
Sprint claims that its network reliability now beats T-Mobile’s and performs within 1 percent of AT&T and Verizon based on tests conducted by Nielsen, which covered a total of more than 165,000 miles to conduct tests in 106 major metro markets spanning a population of more than 200 million. Nielsen’s reliability tests measure both accessibility and retainability of voice calls and data sessions. For example, it measures the ability of a voice call or download to initially connect to the network as well as maintain that network connection from start to finish.
Sprint said that its LTE Plus Network takes advantage of the company’s rich tri-band spectrum portfolio, and uses some of the world’s most advanced technologies in wireless such as carrier aggregation and antenna beamforming. Two-channel carrier aggregation, deployed on high-traffic 2.5 GHz cell sites, doubles speed and capacity offering peak speeds of more than 100 Mbps on capable devices. With three-channel carrier aggregation, currently in lab testing, customers can expect peak speeds of more than 200 Mbps on capable devices.
Dr. John Saw, Sprint CTO
Customers consistently tell us how much they value good coverage and reliable service. And we know that data speeds are important to keep up with growing demand. We’re delivering on all fronts with a network that is performing at best-ever levels. The big lead once held by Verizon has largely disappeared, and there’s never been a better time to give Sprint a try. Hey Verizon, can you hear that ?
