WiMAX may be used by Boost Mobile and Virgin Mobile for 4G connectivity
0. phoneArena posted on 22 Apr 2012, 15:45
Speculation has started to appear that once Sprint flips the on switch for its LTE network, its pre-paid subsidiaries Virgin Mobile and Boost Mobile would start using WiMAX as a way to offer 4G service to customers of the pair...
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1. Cwebb posted on 22 Apr 2012, 15:50 2 0
If that means that Sprint will continue to fund the Wimax and build more towers for the immediate future, thats fine with me
2. theBankRobber posted on 22 Apr 2012, 15:55 1 0
So I take it Sprint would rely heavily on clearwires wimax towers as Sprint stopped upgrading towers for wimax. Well I wish you guys on boost and virgin the best of luck with getting 4g, and lets hope the phones aren't to expensive and/or dumb down spec wise.
3. Birds posted on 22 Apr 2012, 15:58 3 0
Cool but Like Boost Mobile, Virgin mobile needs more than one flagship. I hope Virgin Mobile gets a version of the Samsung Galaxy S Advance like how T-mobile did. But I'm only wishing.....
4. jcpwn2004 posted on 22 Apr 2012, 16:21 2 1
Virgin really needs some new hardware, boost is the only one getting love right now.
I wonder if wimax plans will increase the prices?
5. GeekMovement posted on 22 Apr 2012, 16:40 1 0
Hope the evo 3d comes to virgin that way my friend can get a better phone than his lg optimus V that keeps freezing and acting crazy. I think U.S has one of the worst device line ups in Virgin Mobile, surprising, really.
10. theBankRobber posted on 22 Apr 2012, 18:12 1 1
That phone is just garbage, my cousin has the LG op v and it does the same thing your friend's is doing.
11. GeekMovement posted on 22 Apr 2012, 19:21 1 1
i know apparently it is the highest rated with the most reviews on Virgin Mobile USA. Just shows how badly they need new devices. In other countries, Virgin Mobile already has the 2nd galaxy and the iphone and all the good stuff ahh...
6. dodo1234 posted on 22 Apr 2012, 16:57 1 0
Many ppl wouldn't mind flashing an EVO, EVO Shift, Epic 4G or Epic Touch, as I'm sure they already have. All good phones, especially the Epic Touch of course.
7. rockstarlive posted on 22 Apr 2012, 17:14 1 0
It's gotta come from somewhere. Soon Sprint is gonna have a very successful prepaid lineup.
8. omarc26 posted on 22 Apr 2012, 17:31 1 0
i think thts cool my friend had sprint and switched to virgin and got an optimus v shes still getting the same type of service over here in LA only thing she misses is 4G connectivity she had on sprint in her evo the only problem wimax had was that it doesnt really get good signal inside buildings but other than that speed wise it was fine its not bad as many people say it is she was always gettin a solid 8-10 mbps shes gonna like this if vigin does indeed start using 4G wimax
9. ardent1 posted on 22 Apr 2012, 17:47 0 2
Alan F: you are not making sense from a business perspective. It would be a bad idea for Sprint (a company struggling to make money) to support two competing technologies for 4G. That means, other things being equal, Sprint is unable to streamline it's business in an effort to return to profitability. I highly doubt the next iPhone on Sprint's 4G network will be using WiMax technology.
In business, the term we use is called "sunk cost" -- wimax and those wimax phones are sunk costs meaning Sprint will throw good money (along with manpower and other resources) after bad.
15. lsutigers posted on 23 Apr 2012, 16:31 1 0
I see your point but the WiMAX infrastructure is already built and maintenance costs to Clearwire are very low, as long as they dont plan on expanding it, which is fine because they are in all major metros, it should be a relatively low cost to support millions of paying users. Remember, prepaid customers are willing to receive 4G in only major metros as they pay a lower monthly fee, while Sprint customers expect nationwide LTE. Also keep in mind that with Sprint's upgraded 3G speeds (1.6 - 2.5 mbps), those prepaid customers will be a lot happier. WiMAX may not be as fast as LTE but it still offers good speeds when compared to 3G, I have tested WiMAX in many markets and the average speeds are around 6 mbps, maxing out at around 12 mbps.
Another thing to think about is that 4G WiMAX chip prices have come down substantially, allowing Sprint to make this work. Additionally, wholesale / M2M agreements that Sprint has with major utilities, medical, manufacturing, automobile companies. Some of them run on Clearwire's 4G network and unless they want to move them to 3G or LTE, it would be wise for them to keep the WiMAX Network running as this is another revenue stream for the company supporting the Clearwire 4G WiMAX Network.
12. DigitalMD posted on 22 Apr 2012, 22:35 1 2
Who cares about 4g. They all throttle and tier so much its usless
13. tward291 posted on 23 Apr 2012, 07:26 0 0
this does seeem like a good idea to make use of the towers they already have up i doubt that they would keep building a wimax network.
14. lsutigers posted on 23 Apr 2012, 16:23 0 0
This is a good idea for Sprint's prepaid carriers Virgin and Boost, but, with Sprint's upcoming upgraded 3G Network, 3G speeds should run between 1.6 - 2.5 mbps which is more than enough for use on a mobile phone. Now, I could definitely see how this would appeal to those with prepaid hotspots / MiFi's.
