Sprint WiMAX misses Chicago launch, now aiming for 2H 2009
As WiMAX continues to dwell in Baltimore with a stunning lack of extended interest or supported devices, Sprint’s golden boy has failed to make an appearance as scheduled in Chicago. Sprint’s goal of launching WiMAX in Chicago by year-end 2008 seemed perfectly attainable; the network infrastructure was in place with time to spare and tech media is apparently still eager to give WiMAX, the next generation of wireless, plenty of coverage. Hitting a major metropolitan market like Chicago would have been a huge coup for Sprint and timing at the end of 2008 would have made big news as the carrier attempts to reverse recent business trends moving into 2009. Instead, Sprint is now expected to announce WiMAX availability in Portland, Oregon at CES this week. While Portland is certainly a sizable market in the Northwest region, it is hardly the bustling hub that is Chicago. Initially launching the service in Baltimore made sense as it was a perfect test market - urban setting, a diverse range of structures and plenty of need for high-speed wireless service. Sprint however, does not have the luxury of time. The company needs to see its massive WiMAX investment begin bear fruit today, not in five or 10 years. While Baltimore and Portland might be viewed as a good start by some, sizable businesses will be highly unlikely to make any kind of long-term commitment to WiMAX at this point - speeds and cost are hardly comparable with land-based options and for employees on the go, coverage in two US cities certainly doesn’t make for a sensible wireless data option at this point. As far as home usage is concerned, it’s still hard to sell an unproven wireless technology with a 4 or 5 megabit ceiling to regions where 12 to 15 megabit cable connections can be had for around $30 per month.
sprint and att having a shoot yourself in the foot contest?
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The Tribune article that you reference has some errors of omission… see our post for more info: http://www.sidecutreports.com/2009/01/04/a-tale-of-two-wimax-stories/
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Not a way to end 08′ or start of 09′. 2nd half for chicago? Ouch! LA in 2011 then? Pick up the pace and quit dragging your feet!
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$30 a month for 12-15 megabit? Have you ever actually been to chicago? $30 is more like how much in taxes you pay monthly for the luxury of having the interwebs.
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While this article might be factually correct, this the 2nd BGR article in the last week that shows stunning anti-Sprint skewing. BGR is loosing credibility, in my book, as a reliable, non-biased source of technology/mobile related news. And with the rise of Gizmodo and their near neutral reviews of carrier’s offerings, I am struggling to find a reason why I should continue to read this blog.
My point of contention is with:
a) “Sprint however, does not have the luxury of time” - news flash for the uninformed…no one builds a Macro, Big 4, wireless network for payback in less than 5 yrs.
b) “speeds and cost are hardly comparable with land-based options” - Xohm has never been offered as a landline equivalent. While options are there, it has never been positioned as a superior replacement of landline connections.
I suggest BGR take a hard look at the editorial skew you are placing in your articles and be consistent across all companies and carriers. While I am merely a vote of one, others may agree with me and begin to question BGR’s value and playing a role as a credible information source. And of course, others will disagree.
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@ Galvatron: YES… yes they are.
They are starting to remind me of the big 3 auto screw ups!
my only question is who is in line to buy sprint before they just fall off the radar?
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This is good news for me. This gives time for the “exclusive” apple/att contract to run out. Then I can get my iPhone (Wi)MAX. The one I’m pushing for.
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@ Brian:
Dude, yes their articles can seem a little skewed in a particular direction at times.
but their only telling the truth about Sprint, their days are numbered if they dont make a big move in the right direction really soon.
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@Brian
If wimax is only offered in Baltimore right now, who is their target consumer? As stated in the article, why would any traveling business person get wimax now since its only available in one area? It doesn’t compare to free wi-fi hotspots in the Baltimore area. And it doesn’t compete with cable internet solutions…. Again, who is the target consumer? I can’t think of why anyone would want this at this time. Once wimax spreads and has coverage like Sprints CDMA coverage area, then it would be a great option to have. I believe the article bgr has written isn’t skewed at all, it is the truth.
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yes bgr is telling the truth I say sprints biggest move should be upgrading iden iden3g anyone just think super fast iden network att #4 wireless company
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A little birdie tells me Sprint aka Clearwire aka Clear is planning to go to UMTS. At least test it. You heard from me first.
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I don’t understand this move either. I can understand rolling out a service, especially a brand new relatively untested service in to one metro area first, though after that first initial test (<3months), you really have to get the ball rolling.
I don’t understand why they are focusing so much on the suburbia outlying metro areas or these mediocre towns either. Put up towers in the biggest most dense city centers in the east coast and try to get a couple corporations to pick it up. Then start going for some of the Metroliner train corridors and slowly expand. Hopping all over the country trying to blanket a small section of America one city at a time is going to leave you in the dust down the road.
No one wants to have to buy the hardware for a service that is touted as mobile if they can only use it in one place. And when it comes to the home service, it must be priced competitively. While I know that you can not find 16mbits for $30 for longer than a short introductory period, no one wants to pay up the nose for slow internet. Just because it is wireless does not make it better, especially if you are not moving it around, and just leaving it on your desk.
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@ Brian
Skewed against Sprint…?
Have you ever read any of BGR’s posts on TMO? I’m a tmo customer and while it couldn’t be any more obvious how much BGR dislikes them, I still check the website daily. Quit yer bitchin….
(Sent via tmo G1!)
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LOL at the Sprint fanboy. Relax Brian. This is a BLOG. It’s full of opinions, many of which are “skewed” towards whichever company is f^&*ing up most recently.
This site isn’t the New York or LA Times, and doesn’t strive to be. Many of us read this AND Gizmodo (and Engadget, etc *gasp*). Many of the others are owned/run by huge conglomerates. I happen to like this one because it may not be perfect, but BG is a hustler, and really does want to get good info to his readers. The bigger boys couldn’t care less about their users.
Regarding the post, it’s disappointing to see the date push back. Sprint hasn’t had much to cheer about lately, and this would’ve been a nice step forward for them.
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I had sprint for many years switched to T-mobile, I love their customer service but dont always like the phone service.
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Who wrote this, someone at at&t?
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Hello BGR,
Why is post about Sprint..Sprint does not control which cities get WiMAX…did we all forget Clear is its own company and has its own CEO and Board. This is the reason Chicago has not lauched Clear want some service in its home area..Portland before lauching other cities.
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Still no mention of Sprint (Clearwire) launching its’ service in Atlanta? I don’t mind buying a new card if I’m able to get rid of my Comcast service.
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It would have been more accurate to state “Clearwire” misses Chicago launch (not Sprint) as WiMAX infrastructure is now being implemented by that company thanks to the November merger of Sprint’s WiMAX assets with Clearwire into a new company again called Clearwire. Furthermore, the XOHM brand has been retired by Clearwire. I would also challenge a ’stunning lack of extended interest or new devices’ as somewhat naive, given the enthusiasm over the Baltimore launch and upcoming developments, the handful of devices announced, commitments expressed for embedded laptops and Sprint’s launch 12/21 of a dual mode 3G/4G device to capitalize on both networks. The latter is, as you said, a sensible wireless data option.
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Can’t have it both ways, kiddies. Either Clearwire is the savior to Sprint or it is inept. Or … Are they universally applicable to Sprint et al?
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I am a WIMAX user in Baltimore and must say that it is pretty incredible. I am moving to Chicago and praying WIMAX gets there soon. I am happy with my move to Sprint thus far, but I only use them for WIMAX and not much else. Much better than 3G for downloading.
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http://www.speedtest.net/result/387453049.png
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I am anxious to see how much it will held out
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The money-pit WiMAX is an unsupported mirage.
Say “buhbye”.
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This coming from one of the board member for all carriers. Wi Max will have to be around before it’s deemed a failure, just because you say it doesn’t make it true. Guess we’ll have some made up facts about this too.
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