Sprint installing repeaters in Apple Stores ahead of iPhone 5
Sprint may have begun installing signal boosting equipment in and around Apple retail stores ahead of the rumored iPhone 5 launch on the carrier in October, according to a new report.
?One thing I can tell you is that the electrical contractor that I work for is contracted to install Sprint ?repeaters? at The Domain. There is a Apple Store at The Domain [in Austin, Texas]," a source told Beatweek recently. "One of the ?repeaters? is to be installed INSIDE the Apple Store. There is to be a total of 5 ?repeaters? installed. The equipment is CDMA and 4G (Sprint)."
Sprint's high-speed fourth-generation network utilizes the WiMAX technology. Though Apple has in the past hired engineers with WiMAX experience, no clear indication has been given that the fifth-generation iPhone will support the standard.
Apple is believed to be taking steps to improve reception on the Sprint network within its stores so that interested customers are able to try out the forthcoming iPhone 5 with full reception on the carrier. A similar leak last month provided photos allegedly of AT&T Long-Term Evolution 4G equipment being installed at an Apple Store.
Adding Sprint as a carrier partner would give Apple three of the Big Four mobile operators in the U.S., with T-Mobile the final holdout, though that could change if AT&T's proposed $39 billion acquisition receives regulatory approval. AT&T was Apple's original partner for the iPhone in 2007. The company maintained exclusivity of the device in the U.S. until early 2011 when Verizon began offering a CDMA-version of the iPhone 4.
The Wall Street Journal did report late last month, however, that Sprint will sell Apple's next iPhone alongside AT&T and Verizon this fall. The company subsequently notified its employees to refrain from commenting on the iPhone 5 when asked by customers.
Sprint also recently raised its smartphone termination fee to $350, a move which some have taken to be further evidence that the company will soon begin selling Apple's iPhone. The company has scheduled a "Strategy Update" presentation on Oct. 7; the event is expected to be about Sprint's 4G network plans, though it's also possible that it has something to do with the iPhone.
One analyst believes Sprint could sell 1.2 million iPhones in the fourth quarter of calendar 2011. The carrier posted a net loss of 101,000 subscribers last quarter after facing "intense competition."
The fifth-generation iPhone is widely believed to be a global device that supports both GSM and CDMA networks. The device is expected to feature the A5 processor found in the iPad 2 and an improved 8-megapixel camera.
In August, AppleInsider exclusively reported that television spots being produced for the iPhone 5 would be finished in early October. A pair of recent leaks from retailer Best Buy also corroborate an October launch, though the reports disagree on the exact release date. Apple's manufacturing partners Foxconn and Pegatron have reportedly begun assembling the handset in preparation for an early October launch.
Interestingly enough, Deutsche Telekom began accepting preorders for Apple's next iPhone on Monday, despite the fact that it is unable to provide any details on the device, such as its name, hardware specifications, or expected availability.
?One thing I can tell you is that the electrical contractor that I work for is contracted to install Sprint ?repeaters? at The Domain. There is a Apple Store at The Domain [in Austin, Texas]," a source told Beatweek recently. "One of the ?repeaters? is to be installed INSIDE the Apple Store. There is to be a total of 5 ?repeaters? installed. The equipment is CDMA and 4G (Sprint)."
Sprint's high-speed fourth-generation network utilizes the WiMAX technology. Though Apple has in the past hired engineers with WiMAX experience, no clear indication has been given that the fifth-generation iPhone will support the standard.
Apple is believed to be taking steps to improve reception on the Sprint network within its stores so that interested customers are able to try out the forthcoming iPhone 5 with full reception on the carrier. A similar leak last month provided photos allegedly of AT&T Long-Term Evolution 4G equipment being installed at an Apple Store.
Adding Sprint as a carrier partner would give Apple three of the Big Four mobile operators in the U.S., with T-Mobile the final holdout, though that could change if AT&T's proposed $39 billion acquisition receives regulatory approval. AT&T was Apple's original partner for the iPhone in 2007. The company maintained exclusivity of the device in the U.S. until early 2011 when Verizon began offering a CDMA-version of the iPhone 4.
The Wall Street Journal did report late last month, however, that Sprint will sell Apple's next iPhone alongside AT&T and Verizon this fall. The company subsequently notified its employees to refrain from commenting on the iPhone 5 when asked by customers.
Sprint also recently raised its smartphone termination fee to $350, a move which some have taken to be further evidence that the company will soon begin selling Apple's iPhone. The company has scheduled a "Strategy Update" presentation on Oct. 7; the event is expected to be about Sprint's 4G network plans, though it's also possible that it has something to do with the iPhone.
One analyst believes Sprint could sell 1.2 million iPhones in the fourth quarter of calendar 2011. The carrier posted a net loss of 101,000 subscribers last quarter after facing "intense competition."
The fifth-generation iPhone is widely believed to be a global device that supports both GSM and CDMA networks. The device is expected to feature the A5 processor found in the iPad 2 and an improved 8-megapixel camera.
In August, AppleInsider exclusively reported that television spots being produced for the iPhone 5 would be finished in early October. A pair of recent leaks from retailer Best Buy also corroborate an October launch, though the reports disagree on the exact release date. Apple's manufacturing partners Foxconn and Pegatron have reportedly begun assembling the handset in preparation for an early October launch.
Interestingly enough, Deutsche Telekom began accepting preorders for Apple's next iPhone on Monday, despite the fact that it is unable to provide any details on the device, such as its name, hardware specifications, or expected availability.
Comments
But that's standard operating procedure for any Apple release, so it's basically common knowledge at this point.
Sprint's high-speed fourth-generation network utilizes the WiMAX technology. Though Apple has in the past hired engineers with WiMAX experience, no clear indication has been given that the fifth-generation iPhone will support the standard.
Just imagine if iPhone 5 is 4G for Sprint.
Back to reality though, just having iPhone on all three carriers is awesome. There are now no barriers to the iPhone and carriers will have to really compete with each other in terms of plans to get iPhone customers. Or they could create a cratel or "troika" to have the exact same plan on all carriers.
BTW I've said it before I think Sprint is the coolest carrier (don't really know why) so I'm super exited.
Just imagine if iPhone 5 is 4G for Sprint.
Why would Apple add battery killing WiMax radios, especially when Sprint is thinking of switching to LTE.
That and when the rest of the planet has ignored WiMAX completely.
Just imagine if iPhone 5 is 4G for Sprint.
Back to reality though, just having iPhone on all three carriers is awesome. There are now no barriers to the iPhone and carriers will have to really compete with each other in terms of plans to get iPhone customers. Or they could create a cratel or "troika" to have the exact same plan on all carriers.
The iPhone is already on up to 5 carriers in other countries. It hasn't been able to defeat the Android army
It hasn't been able to defeat the Android army
Other than in sales per device. And customer satisfaction. And profit per device.
Other than in sales per device. And customer satisfaction. And profit per device.
True.... but some folks believe it's the number of devices sold that determines the strength of the platform.
Android fans love to spout the "550,000 activations per day" number. But other than the sheer number of Android devices sold... I don't see much going for Android.
You do get choice in the type of hardware... but you're right... overall iPhone customers are happy.
T-Mo: "iPhone on our network? Never, never, never!"
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Adding Sprint as a carrier partner would give Apple three of the Big Four mobile operators in the U.S., with T-Mobile the final holdout, though that could change if AT&T's proposed $39 billion acquisition receives regulatory approval.
Short of a court battle, the AT&T / T-Mobile deal is dead. Not much sense in even thinking about it at this point.
Short of a court battle, the AT&T / T-Mobile deal is dead. Not much sense in even thinking about it at this point.
I think the deal has a strong chance of going through once AT&T agrees to give up a percentage of the spectrum to other buyers.
I don't who is cheating here. Apple or Sprint. Installing repeaters and signal boosters in and around Apple stores? Someone new with Sprint will be disappointed when they take the phone home and found the reception is suck. Just check coverage with your zip code...
Typically they do this because they are inside a building with many connections at once. I think all the phones in Apple Stores have voice and data connections so customers can test the features.
Sprint gets the iPhone and competition returns to the wireless industry in the US. I think everyone will be glad when we can go back to the days when you picked your carrier mainly on the service they provided, not the phones they offered.
Short of a court battle, the AT&T / T-Mobile deal is dead. Not much sense in even thinking about it at this point.
I don't who is cheating here. Apple or Sprint. Installing repeaters and signal boosters in and around Apple stores? Someone new with Sprint will be disappointed when they take the phone home and found the reception is suck. Just check coverage with your zip code...
True.... but some folks believe it's the number of devices sold that determines the strength of the platform.
Android fans love to spout the "550,000 activations per day" number. But other than the sheer number of Android devices sold... I don't see much going for Android.
You do get choice in the type of hardware... but you're right... overall iPhone customers are happy.
plus, iOS is a choice, android isn't. there are alot of people who are just satisfied or have to settle with 'any other phone'. and that random phone is likely to be an android.
Just imagine if iPhone 5 is 4G for Sprint.
Why would Apple add battery killing WiMax radios, especially when Sprint is thinking of switching to LTE.
Uhhh... he did say "imagine." He's not allowed to day dream about it and use his imagination? If you have kids I feel sorry for them, "Hey, stop acting like you're wizard 'cuz you're not, you're a little kid!" Geeshhh.
The iPhone is already on up to 5 carriers in other countries. It hasn't been able to defeat the Android army
I laugh at people who really care which phone is #1 in sales, money, users, etc., and go on rants about it. Who the F cares, it's a friggin' phone. Buy what you want and others will buy what they want. Unless you actually work for that company or own a bunch of stock, why do you care? I prefer iPhone, but really could care less what others buy and don't care which is #1 or #2 on any analyst list or pie-chart. Get a life.
If Android having the strongest army makes you feel better in some way, bully for you.