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Sprint unveils new no-contract data plans for 4G LTE tablets

One day after Apple finally announced new iPads that would run on Sprint's network, the wireless carrier announced a set of new data plans it says offers up to 20 percent more data than Verizon or AT&T at the same price.

Beginning November 11, Sprint customers will be able to choose among four no-contract rate plans for 4G LTE-enabled tablets, Sprint announced this evening. Plans start at $14.99 for 300MB of data per month and increase to $34.99 for 3GB, $49.99 for 6GB, topping out at $79.99 a month for 12GB of data. … Read more

Sprint 4G LTE may not show up in NY, SF until March

Sprint Nextel's super-fast 4G LTE network may not show up in major markets such as New York and San Francisco until as late as March, CNET has learned.

When Sprint said in September that it would launch in 100 markets "in the coming months," many customers were left scratching what exactly that meant. Internally, coming months refers to a period of three to six months, according to a person familiar with the company's roll out plans.

So the best-case scenario is a December launch, while the worst-case scenario calls for the service to be turned on … Read more

AT&T exec: We're 'thrilled' with our cash-cow shared data plans

AT&T executives couldn't be happier with the company's progress in signing up customers to its Mobile Share Plan and its new LTE 4G wireless service, AT&T's head of mobility Ralph de la Vega said on the company's third quarter conference call with investors and analysts on Wednesday.

De la Vega was almost giddy when talking about the growth of the company's Mobile Share plan and how it's driving an uptick in data revenue.

"Two million customers signed up for Mobile Share in the first five weeks," he said. &… Read more

Sprint expands LTE to new markets, now up to 32 cities

Sprint Nextel said today that it now covers 32 markets with its higher speed 4G LTE network.

The network now blankets several communities outside of Chicago, collectively known as Chicagoland, well as Wichita Falls, Texas, Hutchinson and McPherson, Kan., and New Bedford/Fall River, Mass.

Sprint is racing to catch up to larger rivals AT&T and Verizon Wireless, which last week week exceeded its 400-market target and has more markets covered than every other carrier combined. With consumers demanding a faster connection for Web browsing, music, and video, 4G LTE has become a bigger selling point.

The capabilities … Read more

Vegas baby! Cricket 4G LTE rolls into Sin City

Leap Wireless is taking the really slow and steady approach to its 4G LTE roll-out.

The prepaid wireless carrier said today that it was bringing 4G to Las Vegas, marking only the second city to get the faster network. The company rolled out its first market, Tucson, Ariz., last December.

At a time when its larger rivals and even fellow prepaid providers have quickly rolled out 4G services, Leap has taken a more deliberate pace. The company, which markets its service under the Cricket brand, expects to launch LTE in additional markets this year, and expects it will be able … Read more

LG details Jelly Bean upgrade timeline

Though the LG Optimus G is set to arrive at AT&T stores on November 2 (and later to Sprint), LG isn't still hedging on when it will get an Android 4.1 Jelly Bean upgrade.

Yet, for the Optimus G's international brethren, LG is being more forthcoming. A press release (translated) on LG's Web site today detailed the expected time frame for an Android 4.1 update for a select few Optimus models.

Things get started in November with the Optimus LTE II, followed in December by the international Optimus G. Then, the first quarter … Read more

What SoftBank's takeover of Sprint means for you (FAQ)

Japanese wireless provider SoftBank made a huge bet on the U.S. market after it agreed to take control of Sprint Nextel for $20.1 billion.

After days of speculation and reports, the two companies confirmed the deal this morning. SoftBank gets a large foothold in the U.S. market, which it believes still has the opportunity for growth. Sprint, meanwhile, gets a new lease on life and more support as it continues its turnaround.

But what does this mean for the average customer? Will the deal have any affect on Sprint's day-to-day service? CNET has put together this … Read more

Japan's Softbank poised to supercharge Sprint network

Softbank CEO Masayoshi Son isn't impressed with the high-speed wireless networks in the United States.

"Everytime I come to the U.S., I say 'Oh my God, the mobile phone network is so slow,'" Son said during a conference call with analysts today.

Now, Son is in a position to change things to his liking after Softbank and Sprint Nextel agreed on a deal in which Softbank would take a 70 percent stake in the U.S. carrier.

Sprint, which has struggled as a distant No. 3 carrier behind AT&T and Verizon Wireless, could get a boost from the deal, … Read more

Sprint savior? Japan's Softbank could bring badly needed boost

Softbank may be the shot in the arm that Sprint Nextel needs to finally be competitive with the big boys in the U.S.

Sprint and Softbank confirmed early Monday that they had agreed to a deal in which Softbank would spent $20.1 billion to take a 70 percent stake in the company. Softbank will pay shareholders $12.1 billion and invest $8 billion in the business.

But the deal underscores an increasingly evident reality for Sprint: that the growing pressures of the wireless industry are too much for the company to handle alone. It already must deal with … Read more