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Sprint's iDEN Network Shuts Down Tonight

Article Comments  54  

Jun 29, 2013, 5:59 AM   by Eric M. Zeman

Sprint will begin shutting its iDEN network down tonight, at 12:01 AM June 30 EST. According to Sprint spokesperson Mark Bonavia, the network will be shut down in stages from the east coast to the west coast. The network will be turned off completely, which means that any customers still using iDEN-based equipment will lose all access to Sprint's network, including 911 emergency services. Customers who have not yet switched to CDMA-based products are strongly urged to do so immediately. Bonavia noted that the vast majority of former iDEN customers have updated their service, but some stragglers remain. He did not provide an exact number. Sprint first notified customers of its intent to stop operating the iDEN network more than a year ago. Once the network shutdown begins, Sprint will immediately start to disassemble and repurpose the cell towers and base stations used to operate its iDEN network. Many, but not all, of the sites will be re-used in favor of Sprint's LTE network, which it will begin to deploy in the 800MHz spectrum vacated by the defunct iDEN network. Bonavia said that the first iDEN base stations will light up with LTE before the end of the year. Bonavia said the exact locations and timing will be determined in an on-going basis. Sprint acquired the iDEN network when it merged with Nextel in 2007. The iDEN network has long provided walkie-talkie services via push-to-talk technology. Sprint has since duplicated the iDEN PTT service with its own CDMA-based DirectConnect service.

source: Sprint

Comments

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This forum is closed.

MadFatMan

Jun 29, 2013, 9:45 AM
edited

Farwell Beep Beep

I am so glad that the days of listening to people beeping in walmart at full volume has come to a close
MadFatMan said:
I am so glad that the days of listening to people beeping in walmart at full volume has come to a close


^^ Like
...
Sad day in the trailer parks of America, oh the humanity.
Jonathanlc2005

Jun 29, 2013, 7:23 PM

when does 800 mhz CDMA start?

when do we finally get to use the 800 ESMR function on our phones?
Jonathanlc2005 said:
when do we finally get to use the 800 ESMR function on our phones?

Don't know the exact timeframe, but routing voice over that frequency is a much simpler process than LTE upgrading.
...
Jonathanlc2005 said:
when do we finally get to use the 800 ESMR function on our phones?


It depends on what area you're in. Some folks already have been using 800MHz CDMA and have been doing so for months now.
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JJinNYC

Jun 29, 2013, 6:14 PM

Good riddance!

Probably the only smart decision Sprint has ever made. An extra 5x5 LTE on the EMSR or whatever you call it will be nice and 1x Advanced of course. Sprint can finally get indoor building penetration!
JJinNYC said:
Probably the only smart decision Sprint has ever made. An extra 5x5 LTE on the EMSR or whatever you call it will be nice and 1x Advanced of course. Sprint can finally get indoor building penetration!

Goo...
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5x5 on ESMR is not their best decision. In fact, it rather blows. There is 12Mhz on the ESMR, but only 10Mhz can be used for LTE. Leaving dead air on 2Mhz or a 1Mhz block of CDMA, which is useless as well as pointless.
Currently in the 1900Mhz G-Blo...
(continues)
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gloopey1

Jun 29, 2013, 11:30 PM

Sprint will regain its title as largest voice coverage network

Currently, no other carrier has devices that can roam off 800 CDMA voice, only the LTE portion. The title will mean User coverage, not native network.
Verizon, US Cellular, MetroPCS, LeapWireless/Cricket all have devices capable of roaming off 800 CDMA voice and data. Remember 850Mhz was called 800Mhz in the past. If you mean ESMR which is a specific blockset in the 800Mhz range, next to the 850Mhz ...
(continues)
Don't hold your breath. They will still be the ****tiest network in the US and far far behind AT&T and VZW.
patwackp

Jun 30, 2013, 1:28 AM

lte on 800 mhz

Does anyone know if sprint will upgrade firmware on existing phones that only have 1900 mhz LTE and allow those phones to have LTE 800 Mhz also?
No. There is no firmware update to enable 800MHz LTE on any current Sprint handset.
There are no devices on the market that use 800Mhz LTE. The current devices that use 1900Mhz LTE will NOT be upgradable to 800Mhz LTE since there is no chipset for that in the device, there is however 800Mhz EVDO chipset and when and if Sprint enables...
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