Sprint Corporation
Company History
Sprint Corporation was a major American telecommunications company that operated from 1899 until 2020, when it merged with T-Mobile US. Originally founded as the Brown Telephone Company, Sprint evolved through various mergers and acquisitions to become one of the "Big Four" wireless carriers in the United States.
Sprint was known for its innovative approach to wireless technology, being one of the first carriers to deploy WiMAX technology and later transitioning to LTE. The company's merger with T-Mobile in 2020 created a combined entity with enhanced network coverage and spectrum assets, significantly strengthening T-Mobile's position in the market. At the time of the merger, Sprint had approximately 54 million subscribers, which were integrated into T-Mobile's customer base.
Network Technology
Sprint operated a comprehensive wireless network utilizing multiple technologies:
4G LTE Network: Sprint's 4G LTE network was built on its extensive 2.5 GHz spectrum holdings, which provided excellent capacity in urban areas. The network utilized technologies like Carrier Aggregation, 8T8R (8 transmit, 8 receive) antennas, and advanced MIMO to deliver high speeds.
Legacy Technologies: Sprint operated a CDMA-based 3G network and maintained support for 1xRTT and EV-DO technologies. The company also had a WiMAX network in some markets, though this was eventually shut down in favor of LTE.
5G Development: Before the merger, Sprint was beginning to deploy 5G services using its 2.5 GHz mid-band spectrum, which provided an excellent balance of coverage and speed. This spectrum became a valuable asset in the T-Mobile merger.
5G Network Deployment
Before merging with T-Mobile in 2020, Sprint was actively deploying 5G services using its extensive 2.5 GHz mid-band spectrum holdings. Sprint's 5G network strategy was unique among major carriers, focusing primarily on mid-band spectrum rather than low-band or mmWave.
Mid-Band 5G: Sprint's 2.5 GHz spectrum was ideal for 5G deployment, providing an excellent balance of coverage and speed. The company had deployed 5G in parts of major cities including Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, New York, Phoenix, and Washington D.C.
5G Coverage: At the time of the merger, Sprint's 5G network covered approximately 16 million people across 9 major metropolitan areas. The network utilized Massive MIMO technology and advanced antenna systems to maximize the potential of the 2.5 GHz spectrum.
Post-Merger Integration: Sprint's 2.5 GHz spectrum assets became a cornerstone of T-Mobile's 5G Ultra Capacity network. This mid-band spectrum, combined with T-Mobile's low-band 600 MHz holdings, created one of the most comprehensive 5G networks in the United States, covering over 260 million people with high-speed 5G.
Network Infrastructure
With over 1.48 million cell towers, Sprint had built a substantial network infrastructure across the United States. The company's network was particularly strong in urban areas, where its 2.5 GHz spectrum provided excellent capacity for high-speed data services.
Sprint's network assets, including its extensive 2.5 GHz spectrum holdings and infrastructure, were integrated into T-Mobile's network following the merger. This integration significantly enhanced T-Mobile's 5G capabilities and network capacity, particularly in densely populated areas.
