Sprint Allocates $7 Billion for Upgrades

Sprint plans to invest more than $7 billion in 2007 to enhance its networks, upgrade to EV-DO Rev. A and develop its WiMAX deployment for mobile broadband coverage.

Besides upgrading its Nextel National and Sprint National networks, the operator has earmarked up to $800 million for deploying its mobile WiMAX technology, saying it will launch in Chicago, Baltimore and Washington, DC, by year’s end. Next year, the operator has indicated it will expand the capital expenditure for WiMAX to $1.5 to $2 billion. Using its 2.5 GHz spectrum holdings which cover 85% of the households in the top 100 U.S. markets, Sprint says it will commercially launch the service nationwide by the end of 2008. The operator has already signed on with Motorola, Nokia and Samsung as its network infrastructure partners.

For its Sprint and Nextel National networks, the operator also has indicated it will add “several thousand cell sites” to improve coverage.

By year’s end, the company says it will have spent $1.4 billion over the last two years on its wireline network. Sprint’s Tier 1 Global IP network is a next-generation platform that enables wireline-wireless integration for both the consumer and enterprise segments. The wireline backbone plays a role in many Sprint initiatives, including wireless traffic backhaul and its cable VoIP business.

ts wireline network. Sprint’s Tier 1 Global IP network is a next-generation platform that enables wireline-wireless integration for both the consumer and enterprise segments. The wireline backbone plays a role in many Sprint initiatives, including wireless traffic backhaul and its cable VoIP business.

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