Wait, didn’t they fight this already ? Appears like Sprint is gearing as much as take another shot at its seemingly unsinkable (but aging) iDEN push-to-talk network that it inherited from its Nextel acquisition — that’s an excellent thing seeing the way it’s only signed up for another three years’ worth of maintenance . The brand new so-called Sprint Direct Connect service is slated to launch within the fourth quarter of this year using CDMA underpinnings, a throwback to the QChat-based push-to-talk network that Sprint launched back in 2008 but never gained traction. Presumably, Sprint thinks that it knows tips on how to make the transition work this time around, promising wider coverage, better in-building signal strength, user availability notifications, support for as much as 200 chat participants, and — in fact — far faster data services than iDEN could ever deliver. Sprint says that it’ll offer “an ultra-rugged camera flip phone” along side a QWERTY Android device this year, with more devices within the pipe for 2012. Follow the break for the whole press release.
Planned 4Q launch of Sprint Direct Connect will offer increased push-to-talk coverage, more broadband data capabilities, new features – and more enhancements to return as Sprint Network Vision deploys
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (BUSINESS WIRE), March 16, 2011 – Sprint (NYSE: S) today announced plans to expand its gold-standard push-to-talk leadership, unveiling fourth-quarter launch plans for next-generation push-to-talk capabilities powered by Sprint’s broadband CDMA network. As portion of the launch, Sprint will offer an initial set of handsets choked with features designed for workgroups that depend upon push-to-talk and establish a brand new push-to-talk brand – Sprint® Direct Connect®.
Sprint Direct Connect service is being built to deliver higher bandwidth capacity to maintain with customers’ demand for data. Sprint is also working to deliver enhanced applications on Sprint Direct Connect, best-ever in-building coverage and is planning to produce triple the square-mile reach of Sprint’s current push-to-talk service.
Sprint Direct Connect will launch with an initial portfolio of rugged devices from Motorola Mobility and Kyocera. The devices will feature a number of the capabilities available on current Sprint push-to-talk phones, plus next-generation push-to-talk applications and functionality including high-speed data access, high-resolution cameras and Bluetooth®. The planned portfolio will include an ultra-rugged camera flip phone and an Android™ Smartphone with a dash screen and a QWERTY keyboard. In 2012, Sprint expects to deepen its push-to-talk portfolio, adding more devices with new form factors and lines.
The devices are expected to enable group push-to-talk for as much as 200 participants, Land Mobile Radio (LMR) interoperability, and availability notification. In early 2012, Sprint Direct Connect is predicted so as to add more capabilities, including international push-to-talk.
Network Vision
Sprint Direct Connect service is a tangible advantage of Network Vision, Sprint’s blueprint to deploy a price-effective and innovative network. Announced in December, Network Vision is predicted to consolidate multiple network technologies into one seamless network leading to enhanced coverage, quality and speed; better network flexibility; reduced operating costs; and improved environmental sustainability. The plan features a complete upgrade of Sprint’s current wireless networks accompanied by changes in device chipsets and network infrastructure.
The advantages of Network Vision to Sprint’s PTT customers might be wide-ranging:
Better coverage and capacity
Push-to-talk coverage footprint is planned to extend to just about 2.7 million square miles and is anticipated to hide a population of 309 million (with the addition of 1xrtt and roaming coverage) – a rise from the iDEN network’s 908,370 square miles covering a population 278 million.
In-building coverage is anticipated to enhance significantly through investment within the most advanced CDMA technology and radio equipment.
Voice and information capacity is predicted to extend significantly as Sprint will probably be in a position to fully leverage its industry leading spectrum holdings in 800 MHz, 1.9 GHz, and – through its partnership with Clearwire – 2.5 GHz.
With Sprint Direct Connect, Sprint expects:
More push-to-talk enabled devices including handsets, rugged devices, and PDAs that combine industry leading push-to-talk and mobile broadband data services over a bigger coverage area.
Enhanced features for push-to-talk users at the new CDMA platform.
Interoperability with all existing Sprint push-to-talk devices.
Through the nationwide implementation of Network Vision, Sprint expects to continue operating the iDEN network at current best-ever performance levels. Because the customer base shifts to more broadband-centric push-to-talk applications at the CDMA network and Sprint launches Sprint Direct Connect, iDEN cell sites are expected to be phased out in 2013.
“Our customers are soliciting for broadband push-to-talk now,” said Paget Alves, president-Sprint Business. “We’ve seen steadily increasing demand for faster data speeds, better and broader coverage, and more applications on push-to-talk devices. Sprint Direct Connect is designed to unravel for all three, and is anticipated to return with sub-second push-to-talk call set-up time initially in Sprint CDMA RevA coverage areas. Sub-second call deploy is anticipated to expand around the U.S. with the implementation of Network Vision.”
Alves added, “We believe the brand new push-to-talk service powered by a broadband network and featuring economical rugged handsets and smart phones will represent an unmatched offering available in the market.”
Sprint plans to spot customers who require custom push-to-talk solutions and assist with their migration to the CDMA network. The corporate also plans to interact partners in developing a powerful portfolio of push-to-talk accessories and involve developers within the creation of latest applications through its Sprint Gets Rugged application developers program. This system will provide information, support and tools had to port developers’ applications to Sprint Direct Connect devices. Additional information at the Sprint Gets Rugged application developers program are available at http://developer.sprint.com/SprintGetsRugged. Sprint will hold a conference on March 22 on the International CTIA WIRELESS® meeting in Orlando for developers who’re interested.
NVIDIA’s quad-core Tegra 3 chips get LTE support, radio makers GCT and Renesas on board
Google+ Circles heading to Google Voice, creepers heading straight to voicemail
