To those in the tech world, one of the worst acquisitions ever to occur was that of Sprint and Nextel. Nextel was just so…old. The iDen network is a joke. The only reason it’s still here is because of it’s walkie-talkie feature. And even that isn’t unique to just iDen phones anymore. Virtually every major carrier now has their own push-to-talk solution. Further watering down iDen’s usefulness is the simple fact that it pales in comparison to even 3G technologies such as HSDPA/HSUPA and HSPA+, let alone 4G services. So it isn’t that surprising to hear Sprint CEO, Dan Hesse start shouting that the end is near for iDen/Nextel.
In regards to the Nextel iDen network, Hesse stated:
Over time, we’ll have fewer and fewer customers on the iDEN network. That allows us to use some of that capacity on the network that is freed up and use it for CMDA. It’s a gradual process. There will be an end date for all 2G, just like there was an end date for 1G.
Don’t worry yet, iDen users. Sprint can’t just go shutting off a network used by millions at the drop of a hat. But take heed, the end is near. In the following weeks and months, we’ll keep a close eye on this as something as simple as a start date for an iDen shutdown would be mighty helpful.
On the flipside, the spectrum gained from the shuttering of iDen services will open it up to more useful things such as 4G. For Sprint, that means more WiMax availability. Down with iDen I say!
Source: PhoneScoop
