Sprint Adds Motorola to Roster of 4G Android Suppliers
Sprint Nextel added Motorola to its roster of Google Android 4G smartphone suppliers, introducing the Photon as it continues to build its base of WiMAX-compatible products. Sprint’s lineup of 4G products now totals nearly 25 models including a half-dozen Android-based smartphones as well as modems and other devices. Also on the horizon is HTC’s 4G-based View tablet that is scheduled to launch June 24, featuring a seven-inch LCD with 1,024x600 resolution and a “Scribe” technology that allows user to take notes in their own handwriting with a stylus pen. Sprint also carries Samsung and LG Electronics 4G smartphones.
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The Photon, which ships mid-summer, contains a 4.3-inch screen with 960 x 540 resolution, dual-core 1 GHz Nvidia Tegra 2 processor and 16 GB of internal memory, of which 13 GB is free for storage, company officials said. It also has an eight-megapixel camera, 1 GB of DRAM, 3G/4G mobile hotspot capability for connecting up to eight devices to Sprint 3G/4G networks and GSM capability in international markets.
Under its Virgin Mobile prepaid brand, Sprint introduced the 3G Triumph Android 2.3-based smartphone containing a Qualcomm 1 GHz processor, 512 MB of internal memory, five-megapixel camera and 4.1-inch LCD with 800 x 600 resolution. The 720p-capable model also has an HDMI 1.2 connector, company officials said. The Triumph is Virgin Media’s third Android-based model.
The two new Motorola smartphones are the most recent in a line that’s expected to extend up to 10 Motorola models by year-end, including tablets, company officials said. Earlier, Motorola shipped the Titanium 3G smartphone featuring the push-to-talk that’s expected to be central to Sprint’s plans to bring the technology to 4G and CDMA later this year. Push-to-talk also is key to Sprint’s Network Vision equipment upgrade that is designed to combine its CDMA networks with the 800 MHZ iDEN system that Sprint acquired in buying Nextel several years ago.
Sprint forecast $200 million to $250 million in Network Vision-related incremental operating expenses this year. Sprint, with about 5 million iDEN customers, expects to phase out the service by 2013, company officials have said. The Network Vision project, which involves installing new hardware and software, including multimode base stations, is designed to enable Sprint to offer multiple technology standards in a range of spectrum bands. Network Vision is undergoing internal engineering tests, Fared Adib, vice president of device operations, told us. But company officials have projected having Network Vision running in eight major metro markets late this year, company officials have said. Network Vision will carry $4 billion to $5 billion in incremental costs over a three- to five-year period, company officials have said. But the revamp will produce $10 billion in benefits over seven years, company officials have said.
"I think we want to have a good, aggressive push” with push-to-talk and “we're definitely putting that on our roadmaps” for 4G and Network Vision, Adib said.
Network Vision also is being coupled with Sprint’s move to use 4G spectrum to potentially host spectrum for other companies on its cell sites. Among the potential customers for spectrum hosting is said to be LightSquared, which is planning to launch a 4G broadband service late this year. A tower deal with Sprint would help with LightSquared buildout costs, analysts said. Sprint officials declined to comment Thursday. Sprint signed a five-year agreement with Lightyear Network Solutions to resell its service under the Lightyear brand. Lightyear has been purchasing Sprint’s wireless service through a wholesaler for about 18 months and selling the service to prepaid customers under its banner.
Sprint’s expansion with 4G, which is available in more than 70 markets, is partly tied to its 49 percent ownership of 4G service provider Clearwire. Sprint surrendered earlier this month Clearwire Class B shares, cutting its voting interest to 49.9 percent from 54 percent.
Sprint Nextel’s slashing of its stake in Clearwire isn’t likely to change plans for WiMAX technology, company officials said. Sprint has hinted at possible plans for also deploying LTE technology as part of its Network Vision overhaul of its CDMA equipment. Sprint officials declined to comment on LTE plans.