At CES, Sprint announced "Overdrive" to utilize its 4G WiMAX network. However, the device had to also be compatible with their 3G network, due to the limited coverage that WiMAX currently has. Sprint's roll-out of WiMAX has been happening at a very gradual pace. It's been a while since the public has heard any news about which markets the 4G service will soon be available in.
Perhaps the silence is for a good reason. AndroidGuys has received a tip from a reliable source (who has provided good intel in the past), stating that Sprint is teaming up with Walmart to continue building its nationwide WiMAX network. Walmart stores are, literally, everywhere. With WiMAX's range, Walmart locations could be ideal locations for WiMAX towers. This move would save Sprint a lot of money, as well as speed up network deployment, potentially covering the majority of US residents with the carrier's 4G service.
For now, this is just a rumor. We already know that Sprint has 4G cell phones in pipes for later this year. How can you release a handset that doesn't have a nationwide network to support it? Would it be such a shock if Sprint and Walmart teamed up? Leave your comments below and let us know what you think.
Below is a somewhat recent map of Walmart locations in the US. Looks kind of like a cell phone carrier's coverage map, doesn't it?
Image Credit - FlowingData.com
15 Comments - Add comment