The today reported that Sprint CEO Dan Hesse will debut the new 4G phone, an HTC-built handset reportedly called the "Supersonic," during a CTIA presentation next Tuesday.
Sprint's reaction: No comment. "Everyone's been speculating on that one. We have said publicly that we will have a 4G phone out this year, but we have not made any other official statements," Sprint spokeswoman Michelle Leff Mermelstein told PC World.
4G: The Time Is Now
It's logical that Sprint, the third-place U.S. wireless carrier that despite ongoing efforts to improve its service and coverage, would launch a 4G phone as soon as possible.
The company's 4G is run by Sprint's wireless broadband partner . Sprint has a head start over competing U.S. wireless providers, including AT&T and Verizon Wireless. Those carriers have yet to launch their 4G networks, which use a competing technology called .
Of course, Clearwire's WiMax network is far from built out--it's currently only in --but Sprint could earn bragging rights and maybe lure early adopters by introducing the first 4G handset. There are risks in being too early, however, particularly if spotty 4G coverage disappoints Sprint's customers.
Benefits of 4G
The Clearwire WiMax network is theoretically up to 10 times faster than today's 3G systems, according to Sprint. For example, on Sprint's 4G network are 3 to 6 megabits per second versus a relatively poky 600 Kbps to 1.4 Mbps via 3G. Only a few devices currently work on the Sprint 4G network, including the .
Sprint's 4G window of opportunity is small. Verizon Wireless has announced plans to roll out LTE service in 25 to 30 U.S. markets by the end of the year, and will likely debut its 4G service in 2011.
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