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There’s nothing like a little election season rush to light the fires under bureaucratic feet. Rather than take their sweet time in reviewing the Sprint/Clearwire and Verizon/Alltel wireless mergers (like they usually do), the FCC has announced that they are fast-tracking the review process and hopes to have decisions ready by the end of 2008. That’s good news for fans of WiMAX networks, as Sprint’s just-launched XOHM network will need Clearwire’s help in going nationwide by year’s end.

Sprint has been battling to get their merger approved in the face of opposition from AT&T and the Rural Cellular Association.

FCC Chairman Kevin Martin says that the agency will try to clear both the Sprint/Clearwire and Verizon/Alltel merger that have been in held up for regulatory approval for months.

[Via: InformationWeek]

As anticipated, Sprint’s XOHM WiMAX network went live today in Baltimore, touting 4G, but unfortunately they seem to have missed the memo about WiMAX being officially classified as a 3G network standard. Still, with 2-4Mbps worth of downlink throughput, Sprint’s XOHM network is plenty fast compared to the limited 3G (HSPA and EVDO Rev. A) data speeds that US mobile subscribers are used to seeing. If Sprint wants to market their WiMAX-based data network as a 4G network, we’re not going to stand in their way.

There will be plenty of services for aircards and laptops (most sans contract, which is nice), but nary a one for cell phones. Hopefully we can see some slick handsets taking advantage of the new network once it gets a little more widepsread. Most carriers are looking further ahead to LTE, but WiMAX could give Sprint the leg-up it needs to recoupe significant and ongoing losses.

Most importantly is the ailing company’s move towards redefining itself as a data-centric wireless carrier. Will’s been saying for some time now that Sprint needs to make some radical changes to their business model in order to remain a viable national carrier, and this move to redefine themselves as the premier mobile broadband carrier in the US might be just the thing to pull Sprint out of their too-long slump.

Washington D.C. and Chicago are also slated for a WiMAX rollout before the end of the year, and I’m sure you can expect the service hitting up other major American cities over the next year.

[via Sprint]

Sprint had signed off about 3,000 of their towers for $670 million back in June to TowerCo, who were going to handle the vast majority of Sprint’s backend from then onwards. Well, that deal has been wrapped up with a pretty pink bow, and Sprint has successfully bought the time it desperately needs to fend off increasing losses. The iDEN network is still up for grabs, but if this WiMAX project can get off the ground, it may prove to be a much-needed ace up the sleeve. Sprint continues to put a positive spin on the whole sale.

“Leasing rather than owning these network facilities is a more efficient use of resources and allows us to focus more closely on our core business of providing communications services to our customers,” said Bob Azzi, Sprint senior vice president - Network Services. “This deal also gives Sprint additional liquidity and greater flexibility in managing our business.”

[via Sprint]

With Sprint’s EVDO Rev. A-based QChat push-to-talk service eating in to its iDEN network’s instant PTT communications strength, it would make sense to offload the iDEN that they inherited with the acquisition of Nextel in 2005. And, Sprint’s CEO Dan Hesse confirmed today that the company is still looking to sell the iDEN network, pending an attractive offer.

“We don’t have to do this. If we get an offer that’s compelling and delivering and all sorts of other things, we’ll absolutely consider it. If we don’t, we’ll hold on to it. It’s a valuable asset,” Sprint Chief Executive Dan Hesse told a Goldman Sachs conference.

Sprint, in a move that exudes a surprising air of confidence and financial security, announced that it had multiple options for dealing with their iDEN network. Hesse announced that the weak financial sector has yet to impact the wireless market, making Sprint’s position strong enough to pick and choose which path they’ll take for the iDEN network.

If Sprint can get their XOHM network launched soon enough, they’ll likely be left in an even stronger position to sell the iDEN network. Let’s get XOHM launched already, Sprint!

[Via: Reuters]

Smarter Agent launched their mobile search today, now letting you shop for a new place to live from your phone. These guys have partnered up with some big real estate brokerages like Century 21, Prudential and RE/MAX to get an exhaustive database of housing listings (including photos, floor space, room count, price, and more) accessible on a wide array of handsets from Sprint and AT&T. All of the results are location-aware, so your phone will have a map showing all the viable locations within your area - great for quick details after cruising by a “For Sale” sign. Unfortunately, Windows Mobile, BlackBerry and iPhone aren’t ready just yet, but they’re on the way. Overall, not a bad deal for $4.99/month, especially if you’ve got some hectic house-hunting to do.

[via RISMedia]

Sprint's WiMAX-based XOHM network

While the rest of the US waits for Sprint to finally go live with their WiMAX-based mobile broadband network, there are still some folks that would like nothing more than to see Sprint’s XOHM network crash on takeoff. Sprint’s deal with Clearwire has the ailing wireless carrier on schedule to launch their XOHM network this month (at least that’s what Sprint is saying), and the legal-waters are heating up for Sprint.

iPCS Inc. filed suit against Sprint, complaining that Sprint’s deal with Clearwire would violate iPCS’s exclusivity agreements with the No. 3 US wireless carrier. Sprint then moved to have the case dismissed or stayed. Unfortunately, Cook County Judge Kathleen M. Pantle denied Sprint’s motion on Monday, leaving open the road to litigation over Sprint’s WiMAX XOHM network.

[Via: AP]

When fashion meets technology, you get a wonderful synergy of high-style and high-tech features. The LG Lotus is the latest Sprint handset to bring both good-looks and decent feature-set to the table.

The LG Lotus boasts a stylized front-face that flips open to reveal a full QWERTY keyboard underneath. And, the LG Lotus’s small stature ensures that it’ll fit nicely in your pocket, purse, or scarf. Yes, scarf.

Designer Christian Siriano (Project Runway’s most recent winner - don’t ask how I know) custom-made a limited run of scarves with a specially designed pocket that holds your LG Lotus in place. Unfortunately, the only way you’re going to be able to get your hands on one of these limited-edition Christian Siriano scarves is to win one from LG. Head on over to LG’s dedicated LG Lotus website to try your hand at winning over Lady Luck.

Update:
Sprint is the exclusive carrier for the LG Lotus. Post edited.

CTIA San Francisco 2008 isn’t exactly the hardware bonanza that we’d prefer it to be, but that doesn’t mean mobile phone manufacturers aren’t out to show off their newest technology. And, it just so happens that our favorite Windows Mobile smartphone manufacturer wanted to show the world just how cool their HTC Touch Diamond and HTC Touch Pro handsets really are.

Following on the HTC touch’s success, HTC upped the ante with a pair of HTC Touch successors sporting the highest-end features available today. The slimmer of the two cellphones, the HTC Touch Diamond rocks out with a full VGA display, WiFi, GPS, and 3.2 megapixel camera (with autofocus). The full touchscreen handset boasts a touch-sensitive navigation pane that can be used to focus the camera or scroll/zoom through documents with only the lightest o finger-taps.

The HTC Touch Pro is the Diamond’s slightly bulkier big brother. With a full slide-out QWERTY keyboard underneath the gorgeous VGA display, the HTC Touch Pro combines the best of the touchscreen and physical keyboard worlds. Just like the Diamond, the HTC Touch Pro boasts WiFi, GPS, and a 3.2 megapixel camera in a solidly built package that only HTC’s experience in slider smartphones could have borne.

And, with Sprint now the exclusive US provider of the HTC Touch Diamond and HTC Touch Pro, we’re sure the ailing wireless carrier will be seeing a boost in handset sales this holiday shopping season.

QWERTY keyboards can be a great addition to any smartphone. In some cases, a virtual on-screen keyboard can be faster and easier to use than a physical keyboard with nubby little keys. Other times, a physical keyboard is the way to go. The choice is mostly subjective, but some misguided “un-enthusiasts” will have you believe that one or the other is best solution, period. That particular demographic can’t be swayed. For the rest of us rational-folk, may I present the HTC Touch Pro.

The HTC Touch Pro is the QWERTY keyboard-toting sibling to the HTC Touch Diamond that’s already ripping apart HTC’s previous sales numbers and making some serious headway in to the global smartphone market. The HTC Touch Pro (codename Raphael) has just recently started to trickle out into the webosphere and has been welcomed with enthusiasm. But, is that slide-out QWERTY  keyboard worth the extra bulk?

I had some time to sit down with HTC and give their newest wares a good run-through. The highlight of the intimate get-together was the HTC Touch Pro. It’s not as big as you might think, given that it’s carrying around a QWERTY keyboard. And, it feels almost as svelte (yet solid and sturdy) as the HTC Touch Diamond - an amazing feat of ergonomic engineering on HTC’s part. You can get an idea for the thickness of the HTC Touch Pro and its Sprint variant when compared to the HTC Touch Diamond below (can you guess which is the Diamond?).

What’s more, the HTC Touch Pro (Raphael) keyboard is perhaps the most finger-friendly, comfortable, and usable keyboard I’ve ever had the pleasure of using. From the soft-touch finish to the slightly raised keys, the HTC Touch Pro keyboard exudes understated style and elegance while preserving that oh-so-important characteristic - ease of use. The keyboard slides out with a confident and satisfying “snick” that reminds us of HTC’s experience with sliding keyboards. The stainless steel frame underneath the soft-touch, matte-finished exterior provides a feeling of build-quality that’s possibly unmatched in its class.

Did I mention that the HTC Touch Pro keyboard is easy to use? How about the keyboard’s aesthetic appeal (not something you usually think about when using a keyboard, I know)?

The HTC Touch Pro keyboard is reminiscent of the soft-touch keyboard first seen in the HTC P4350 Herald. The differences between the Herald’s keyboard and the HTC Touch Pro’s keyboard are subtle, to be sure. But the subjective impact is incredible. Each key is perfectly sized to offer good key-to-key separation while keeping them grouped close enough to make speed-typing a pleasure. Tactile feedback from each key-press only serves to enhance the typing experience. And, with the HTC Touch Pro’s gorgeous VGA display staring back at you, the overall experience is sublime.

To sum it up, the HTC Touch Pro’s keyboard is good enough to warrant an entirely too-long post dedicated to its merits. Which goes to say that the Sprint variant gets kudos for QWERTY goodness.

I can’t wait to get my hands on the HTC Touch Pro in US-trim. If I have to, I’ll track down a European unit to play with until HTC launches its next flagship handset.

As guessed earlier, the U.S. carrier Sprint has officially announced the HTC Touch Diamond and the HTC Touch Diamond Pro at CTIA today. The first will be available before the end of September (word has it around the 14th.) for $249.99 on a two-year contract, while the latter (complete with slider keypad) will cost you an extra $50 and will be out on October 19th. This beauty is running Windows Mobile 6.1, has a 3.2 megapixel camera, 4 GB of internal storage memory, and a smooth touch interface. We’ve been enjoying the HTC Touch Diamond up north via Telus for a little while now, so it’s good to see our southerly neighbours getting some CDMA-flavoured love too.  For specs, hit up HTC, and for sales info, check out Sprint.

[Sprint via ZDNet]