Sprint to roll out limited WiMAX network this week

We’ve been whining about Sprint’s seeming lack of focus on its WiMAX (XOHM) network, and all that complaining may have paid off. Actually, our incessant goading probably had little nothing to do with Sprint’s newest announcement, but it’s nice to think we had some sort of influence.

Sprint’s WiMAX network is slated to go live this week in a limited trial-run. The 4G (well, it’s officially a 3G standard, but we think it qualifies as 4G) WiMAX network will be rolled out this week for Sprint employees only – in an effort to get its network ready for prime-time trials in Q1 of 2008. As it stands, Sprint will be flipping the WiMAX-switch on the downtown centers of Chicago, Baltimore and Washington – expanding to other US cities based on wireless data demand. Clearwire is out of the picture, but we’re assuming that Sprint’s leaving the door open to other investors to help with the nationwide network launch.

The trial-run launch of Sprint’s WiMAX network this week barely makes the carrier’s self-imposed deadline for the launch of its 4G network by year’s end. We’ve heard rumor after rumor that put the entire WiMAX venture in doubt, so it’s good to see that Sprint is still committed to bringing their mobile broadband 4G network online in-time for a 2008 commercial roll-out. The full commercial launch should cement Sprint’s position as the premier high-speed wireless data provider in the States – Verizon and AT&T‘s LTE network won’t even see the light of day until 2009. All your financial woes may take a turn for the better, Sprint. Keep on keepin’ on!

[Via: Telephony Online]