Google, Sprint, Others to Build Wireless Data Network

Nerdposeur writes "Google has announced that it will partner with several other companies to build a high-speed mobile data network. In a separate but related deal, Google will also become the default search provider for Sprint, including having one-click search access and Google Maps pre-installed on some Sprint phones. 'The consortium includes a disparate group of partners: Sprint Nextel, Google, Intel, Comcast, Time Warner and Clearwire. The partners have put the value of the deal at $14.5 billion, a figure that includes radio spectrum and equipment provided by Sprint Nextel and Clearwire, and $3.2 billion from the others involved. They expect the network, which will provide the next generation of high-speed Internet access for cellphone users, to be built in as little as two years, but there is no timetable on when it will be available to users and the price is not determined. The partners are seeking to beat Verizon Wireless and AT&T Wireless to the market.'"

Comments

Re:Sprint's Network

[moosesocks]

Huh? That's just plain wrong.

Sprint/Nextel use CDMA, just like Verizon, Alltel, and a few smaller companies do.

CDMA actually allows for a considerably larger cell size, whereas GSM is restricted to a "hard limit" of 35km. This is often touted as the reason why CDMA saw successful adoption in rural areas in the US, while GSM took a while to catch up, while densely-populated, developed areas stuck to GSM.

Nextel/Sprint may have placed their towers closer together for some other reason, although they actually had the ability to place their towers further apart than their GSM-based competitors. I have no clue whether or not this was actually the case.

Also, lots of operators share towers. It's a fairly common practice, and a legal obligation in some areas.