Sprint LTE Plus Posts Strong Gains in Network Reliability, Beats T-Mobile and Pulls Within 1% of Verizon and AT&T

LTE Plus expands coverage to 204 markets as overall network reliability improves

Sprint's reliability now beats T-Mobile's and performs within 1% of AT&T and Verizon (Graphic: Business Wire)

OVERLAND PARK, Kan.--()--Sprint continues to expand its coverage with the availability of its super-fast LTE Plus Network in 204 markets, including newly added markets such as New York City, Boston, Philadelphia, Honolulu, and San Juan, Puerto Rico. In addition, total Sprint LTE coverage now reaches nearly 300 million people, with approximately 70 percent covered by Sprint’s 2.5 GHz spectrum.

As coverage has improved, so has Sprint’s network reliability. In fact, Sprint’s reliability now beats T-Mobile’s and performs within 1 percent of AT&T and Verizon.1 This is a dramatic improvement in the last two years, giving Sprint customers a significantly better experience than before when connecting and using their favorite mobile devices.

Nielsen drove a total of more than 165,000 miles conducting tests in 106 major metro markets spanning a population of more than 200 million. Nielsen’s reliability tests measure both accessibility and retainability of voice calls and data sessions. For example, it measures the ability of a voice call or download to initially connect to the network as well as maintain that network connection from start to finish.

Best-Ever Network Performance and Speed

The Sprint LTE Plus Network takes advantage of the company’s rich tri-band spectrum portfolio, and uses some of the world’s most advanced technologies in wireless such as carrier aggregation and antenna beamforming. Two-channel carrier aggregation, deployed on high-traffic 2.5 GHz cell sites, doubles speed and capacity offering peak speeds of more than 100 Mbps on capable devices. With three-channel carrier aggregation, currently in lab testing, customers can expect peak speeds of more than 200 Mbps on capable devices.

“Customers consistently tell us how much they value good coverage and reliable service. And we know that data speeds are important to keep up with growing demand. We’re delivering on all fronts with a network that is performing at best-ever levels. The big lead once held by Verizon has largely disappeared, and there’s never been a better time to give Sprint a try. Hey Verizon, can you hear that?”

Dr. John Saw, Sprint CTO

Switch to Sprint and Save 50%

Consumers switching to Sprint can take advantage of the biggest wireless offer in U.S. history – 50 percent off the price of most T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T rate plans.2 Customers who switch get 50 percent off most current rate plan prices from their current carrier. And, Sprint will pay switching fees up to $650 per line via an American Express® Reward Card after online registration and phone turn-in.3

About Sprint:

Sprint (NYSE: S) is a communications services company that creates more and better ways to connect its customers to the things they care about most. Sprint served more than 58.8 million connections as of March 31, 2016 and is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying innovative technologies, including the first wireless 4G service from a national carrier in the United States; leading no-contract brands including Virgin Mobile USA, Boost Mobile, and Assurance Wireless; instant national and international push-to-talk capabilities; and a global Tier 1 Internet backbone. Sprint has been named to the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) North America for the past five years. You can learn more and visit Sprint at www.sprint.com or www.facebook.com/sprint and www.twitter.com/sprint.

1Claim based on Sprint’s analysis of latest Nielsen drive test data for average network reliability (voice & data) in top 106 markets.
2Discount applies to base monthly service plan and access charges only. Discount does not apply to certain charges such as taxes, surcharges, roaming, premium content, add-ons, and apps. New plan features may not be an exact match. Carrier features differ. Discount offer limited to regular rates on consumer plans as of 3/31/16 for: Verizon’s shared data rate plans as of 3/31/16 for 1GB, 3GB, 6GB, 12GB, 18GB, 20GB, 25GB, 30GB, 40GB and 50GB; T-Mobile’s Simple Choice rate plan prices as of 3/31/16 for 2GB, 6GB and 10GB; and AT&T’s shared data rate plans as of 3/31/16 for 300MB, 2GB, 5GB, 15GB, 20GB, 25GB, 30GB, 40GB and 50GB. Discount does not include competitor promotional or sale prices. Plans exclude unlimited music and video streaming, data carryover, and cloud options that other carrier plans may offer. Offer/coverage not available everywhere or for discounted phones. Subject to new-line, up to $30/line activation fee, credit, valid port-in. Customer must choose from same porting carrier rate card.
3Via an American Express® Reward Card (less trade-in value) after online registration and new phone activation.

Contacts

Sprint
Adrienne Norton, 425-256-7014
adrienne.norton@sprint.com

Release Summary

Sprint’s reliability now beats T-Mobile’s and performs within 1% of AT&T and Verizon.

Contacts

Sprint
Adrienne Norton, 425-256-7014
adrienne.norton@sprint.com