Sprint, the only cellular operator in the United States with a 4G network, has confirmed to Forbes that they will be launching their first handset that will utilize their high speed data network this summer.
Sprint has been rolling out its 4G network nationwide in congruence with ClearWire (Sprint owns 51% Clearwire) which is now available in 27 markets and covers approximately 30 million people. By the end of 2010 Sprint is targeting 4G to cover up to 120 million people and include key markets such as Boston, New York, and San Francisco.
The un-named device is likely going to be the HTC A9292 according to a leaked Sprint roadmap which was obtained by Phonearena.com earlier this year. The roadmap states that the phone will be a “bar” type phone which probably indicates that it will be a solid touch screen type phone. Not to be confused with a “candy bar” type phone that is generally a small screen with a numerical pad, Sprint will most likely be marketing this device as a multimedia powerhouse due to its 4G connectivity.
Sprint is pushing 4G hard and rightfully so. Neowin obtained a 4G Sprint ‘Overdrive’ at CES and the speed is nothing short of impressive. As 4G technologies begin to encompass the entire country, having true broadband everywhere, is quickly becoming a reality.