Sam OliverIn an interview with GigaOm, Dan Hesse of Sprint said that his company has seen an increase in demand for its 3G and 4G Overdrive wireless hotspot since the iPad launched this year. The chief executive of the third-largest carrier in the U.S. said that most iPads being sold are the Wi-Fi-only model, and those users are relying on devices like the Overdrive for connectivity on the go.
In April, after the iPad launched, Sprint was quick to capitalize on the initial success of the device, offering a "4G case" for the tablet. The case holds a user's iPad, as well as a 4G Overdrive mobile hotspot for connectivity shared over Wi-Fi.
Sprint earlier this year also featured the iPhone in a commercial for the Overdrive. The TV spot touted that Sprint's 4G connectivity is up to 10 times faster than AT&T's 3G speeds.
While Sprint has sold Overdrives and cases specifically for the iPad, the carrier still does not have the right to sell Apple's touchscreen tablet. This week, the first two U.S. carriers to sell the iPad — Verizon and AT&T — began offering the device at their retail stores.
Like Sprint, Verizon's wireless network is not compatible with Apple's iPad model that includes built-in 3G connectivity. To get around that, Verizon has bundled its own MiFi hotspot with sales of the device. The nation's largest wireless carrier also offers 1GB of data for $20 per month for iPad users.
GigaOm also asked Hesse about the possibility of the iPhone appearing on his company's network. The CEO, however, declined to comment, and noted that his company does not reveal conversations it has with third parties.
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26 Comments
With Sprint going the wimax route I don't think we'll ever see the iPhone on their network.
With Sprint going the wimax route I don't think we'll ever see the iPhone on their network.
I think by the time Apple goes the LTE route Sprint will have announced they will be adding LTE, too. My previous comment assumes Sprint wishes to be viable in the future and that they aren?t managed by manatees with idea balls.
GigaOm also asked Hesse about the possibility of the iPhone appearing on his company's network. The CEO, however, declined to comment, and noted that his company does not reveal conversations it has with third parties.
Ah, looks like they have been trained, finally!
Very smart. Dont fight progress, jump on it.
Of all the big 4 Carriers in the U.S. I think Sprint is very important. ATT served a real big purpose in letting Apple dictate most of their direction. It has been a great if not anxious ride for ATT though. I am sure many a times they wondered , "What in the Hell have we done?"
But Apple has actually paid of handsomely for them. They will probably be the biggest company pretty soon again. (Take that Verizon).
But back to Sprint again. Because of falling numbers. And also because Hesse enjoyed being considered a very important 'Player' in the tech field. He knows that the only way Sprint can stay in competition with the other big 2. Will be in Pricing. They almost had the upper hand with WiMax.
If not for LTE being pushed on so hurriedly by the big 2, Sprint would have been sitting really pretty. They even had Google on board. To bad Android went heavy the Verizon route. Imagine what would be if it would had gone WiMax instead.
Well they cannot cry over spilled milk. Even though I think LTE is gonna be somewhat crippled by
Verizon and or ATT. For sure they are gonna try to overprice it. Don't believe for one minute that they are doing it for our benefit.
But that is why Sprint still can be very relevant. They, more than any of the other guys, know that it will be pricing that can somewhat level up the playing field. Its to bad that they did not cover more of the U.S. with WiMax, (I know, they need money, investors and the like).
But they could continue in the WiFi thru WiMax offering. Or even the MiFi deal. Right now, all my Internet needs are being covered by the Virgin MobileMiFi that they own. Can't beat that on price.
Come On Sprint. Keep bringing the prices lower and lower. The other guys will have to follow you. If not you can still get a lot more customers.