Sprint today announced results for the fourth quarter and full financial year of 2011. The third-ranked U.S. carrier added 1.6 million net new subscribers in Q4, reaching its highest level of customers ever – a total of 55 million.

The Now Network still suffered a net loss of $1.3 billion because of expenses and investments related to launching the iPhone and investing in Clearwire, the company that built the 4G WiMax network Sprint uses (Sprint owns a majority share of Clearwire but it operates as an independent company).

Sprint will spend even more of that money later this year as the company builds its 4G LTE network. Sprint expects to have LTE in select markets beginning in mid 2012. Today, the company added Baltimore and Kansas City to the list of cities that can expect to see a new 4G LTE network and enhanced 3G service this year. That brings the total number of launch markets to six, including Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio.

The first 4G devices will be the previously-covered Samsung Galaxy Nexus and LG Viper. It will be interesting to see if either device will convince Sprint subscribers to opt for Android instead of the iPhone, a proposition most don’t embrace these days. Of the 1.8 million iPhones sold in the fourth quarter, 60 percent were from existing customers. Those subscribers previously would have chosen between Sprint’s top Android handsets. The lack of 4G on the current iPhone didn’t deter customers, so the lack of LTE on the next version probably won’t either.

The Samsung Galaxy Nexus is going to be the inaugural smartphone for Sprint’s up and coming 4G LTE network.  The Galaxy Nexus represents an enticing smartphone option for die-hard Android enthusiasts as well as casual smartphone users looking for a top-notch device.

Initially, information about the Samsung Galaxy Nexus on Sprint leaked when Sprint published an ad for the Ice Cream Sandwich device on a CNET blogpost.  At CES 2012, the wireless carrier confirmed the device’s existence and its launch later this year when its 4G LTE is running in multiple markets.  The specs are mainly going to stay the same as the Verizon Wireless model, but there are rumblings of a possible faster processor (dual-core 1.5GHz vs dual-core 1.2GHz) and a bigger battery.  However, we will have to wait for Sprint’s confirmation on the exact specs when it launches in the coming months.

As of a few days ago, Google decided it was appropriate to launch a “Coming Soon” teaser page in which interested consumers can leave their information to be notified when Sprint is going to launch the Galaxy Nexus.  Typically, carriers do not post coming soon pages until the device launch is right around the corner, so hopefully Sprint has good news for its loyal customers in the near future.

Again, if you are interested in learning more about the Galaxy Nexus on Sprint, then you can leave your information at the link below.

[Google Galaxy Nexus Teaser Page]

The HTC EVO line of smartphones is not exactly the most popular right now, not running Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich and coming with mid-range technical specifications. However, for a limited time, Sprint is offering the entire EVO line at special prices, which might boost HTC’s sales considerably.

The cheapest of the bunch is the EVO 3D 4G in Plum, made available for 9.99 dollars with 2-year contract. This gadget sports a 4.3-inch 3D qHD touchscreen with 960 x 540 pixels resolution and features a 1.2 GHz dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, as well as 1 GB of RAM, GPS, Bluetooth, Wireless, 3G and 4G connectivity.

The dual 5 MPx cameras are clearly the nicest and most original feature you get on the HTC EVO 3D, while the most important weak points are the Android 2.3 Gingerbread OS and the 1 GB internal storage space (even with the included 8 GB microSD card). All in all, though, for just ten bucks you get plenty, if you ask me.

If however plum is not your favorite color (I know mine isn’t), the HTC EVO 3D 4G in black is itself discounted and goes for 49.99 bucks with a two-year contract. The specs and features are the same.

The HTC EVO Design is the third smartphone on sale right now and goes for $39.99. For that kind of cash, you get a gadget with a 4-inch qHD touchscreen, a single core 1.2 GHz Qualcomm chipset, a 5 MPx rear-facing camera, a 1.3 MPx front-facing webcam, Bluetooth, Wireless, 3G and 4G connectivity.

The smartphone once again runs Android 2.3 Gingerbread and comes with 4 GB of internal storage, as well as an included 8 GB microSD card.

Last, but not least, the HTC EVO Shift goes for 29.99 dollars right now, featuring extra functionality, with a slide-out full QWERTY keyboard, but not as much speed and power as its siblings. There’s only a 800 MHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor under this smartphone’s hood, as well as 512 MB of RAM. Also, the EVO Shift ships with Android 2.2 Froyo, which is pretty bad, but the device is upgradeable to 2.3 Gingerbread, so all in all things are at least decent.

As I already mentioned, the sale is set to take place for a limited time, but the guys at Sprint are yet to announce an official end date. However, as they are insisting this is a special Valentine’s Day offer, the phones might only be discounted by mid-February.

Via AmazonWireless.com

A few days ago, an update was released to the HTC EVO 3D on Sprint and it removed two apps — namely HTC IQAgent and IQRD, both of which have been linked to Carrier IQ.  About a month ago, we reported that there was some chatter regarding Sprint contemplating removing Carrier IQ from its high-profile devices.  With the update from HTC happening just a few days ago, we can now confirm via HTC that Carrier IQ is being phased out across HTC devices on Sprint.

According to TheVerge, an HTC spokesperson had this to say:

HTC can confirm that we’re working with Sprint to provide maintenance releases that will remove Carrier IQ and provide security enhancements and bug fixes beginning in January.

If you own the HTC EVO 3D, then you can expect an update on your phone to remove the two applications in next couple of days.  It will be interesting to see which other HTC smartphones on Sprint receive the same update to remove the network diagnostics software, but also which other OEMs remove the app from their devices.

As of now, Sprint has not issued any statement suggesting which other devices will receive the same treatment, but at least Sprint is making clear progress on the issue at hand.

[TheVerge]

Even though an official announcement from Sprint has yet to occur, the promotional page for Sprint’s up and coming 4G LTE network spilled the beans on the Galaxy Nexus.  Several days ago, an advertisement showed the Samsung Galaxy Nexus on Sprint as its first 4G LTE phone.  Currently, the Galaxy Nexus is only available through Verizon Wireless, but that is set to change within the next couple of months as Sprint plans to launch the high-end device as its first 4G LTE offering.

The promotional page announces that the first four markets for Sprint’s 4G LTE include: Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, and Atlanta.  In addition, the Samsung Galaxy Nexus is going to be the flagship phone for the 4G LTE network, but it is going to be accompanied by the LG Viper 4G LTE and Sierra Wireless portable hotspot.

The LG Viper 4G LTE, which should be announced later during CES, features a 1.2GHz dual-core processor, 4 inch display, Android 2.3, NFC, Google Wallet, a 5MP rear facing camera, and a front facing VGA camera.

The Sierra Wireless portable hotspot brings support for Sprint’s 3G, 4G, and 4G LTE networks.  It supports up to 8 devices being connected simultaneously.

Again, we’re expecting Sprint to officially announce all three devices and its 4G LTE markets in the coming days, but its nice to see this promotional page give away the details early.

Sprint will soon have the top Android device to join the top iOS device in its portfolio, putting the wireless company in a good position with its unlimited data to gain subscribers.

[Sprint]

Yesterday, Sprint CEO Dan Hesse made comments that suggested that the company throttles the top 1% of its customers who use the most mobile data. That was in direct contradiction to the massive ad campaign that Sprint has used since 2010 to say that its ”Truly Unlimited” plan is truly unlimited.

After a number of blog posts stemming from a Dow Jones Newswire story that first spotted the comments, Sprint has clarified that it does not throttle anyone accounting for heavy traffic data on its network. The key phrase there being on Sprint’s network. The only people who experience policing, according to Sprint, are those who are roaming or in rural areas and “abuse” the system by reaching excessive levels. There’s no clarity on what qualifies as excessive.

Here’s the full statement refuting claims that it throttles users.

Reports that Sprint throttles the top one percent of data users are false. Here are the facts:
• Sprint does not throttle any postpaid phone data users for on-network or off-network usage. Sprint is the only national carrier offering smartphone users truly unlimited data with no throttling, metering or overages while on the Sprint network.
• Sprint does have terms and conditions which prohibit certain types of data use that may impair other customers’ usage or harm or interfere with the network. At yesterday’s investor conference, Sprint CEO Dan Hesse was referring to Sprint’s right to terminate service of data abusers who violate Sprint’s terms and conditions. Customers who abuse our network by violating the terms and conditions will be contacted by Sprint in an effort to have the customer change their usage to comply with their subscriber agreement. Customers who do not change their usage and remain in violation of the terms and conditions may be subject to actions reserved by Sprint, including but not limited to termination. Consistent with our advertising, engaging in such uses will not result in throttling for customers on unlimited data-included plans for phones.

There have been multiple occasions that while tethering at events, I have used more than 20 gigs of data, and never faced any issues or warnings from Sprint. I was always on WiMax or 3G, so I would not have fallen into the abuse categories as outlined by Sprint. The question is…how high would I have to go on Sprint’s network before the definition of abuse is stretched to include on-network data?

At the moment, there doesn’t appear to be an on-the-record glass ceiling for that to happen.

Sprint via AllThingsD

A Galaxy Nexus, which has so far been available in the United States only for Verizon Wireless, is supposedly coming to Sprint. We’ve all heard some rumor or suggestion that this might happen, but the latest thing sparking this talk isn’t the famed “unnamed sources” or “people close to the matter” – it’s an ad supposedly taken out by Sprint.

An Engadget reader noticed that a page on CNET was showing ads for a Galaxy Nexus 4G LTE phone headed to Sprint. The page has since switched to an ad for MaxPreps, but a screen shot grabbed previously reveals that the device should have a 4.65 Super AMOLED screen, 1.5 GHz dual-core processor, and be the first LTE phone on Sprint. Yes, that’s the same Sprint LTE network that was just revealed to launch in select southern cities in the first half of the year.

So what gives? Sprint has previously said that it would have LTE devices in 2012, but who would have thought that they’d start off with a Nexus? And one cranked up to 1.5 GHz at that? (Speaking of which, either the TI OMAP will get a boost or this baby could be from another chipset manufacturer. Maybe Samsung’s keeping it in-house with the Exynos.)

This is a strange occurrence, especially so close to CES, but I’m sure more details will trickle in. At the moment, it just looks like someone from Sprint pushed the wrong LTE advert prematurely.

[CNET] via Engadget

Even though LTE provided a better long-term solution to provide customers faster speeds, Sprint chose WiMax for its 4G network because it allowed the company to be first carrier with 4G marketing. But with AT&T and Verizon both turning to LTE for their 4G strategies, Sprint is shifting to keep up with America’s top two carriers.

Sprint announced today the first markets that will see 4G LTE technology, and it’s a familiar list of places. Just as Texas was home to one of the first WiMax rollouts, Sprint will begin LTE coverage in Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio first. Atlanta was the only non-Texas city named in the initial rollout phase.

LTE should arrive in the first half of 2012. Sprint says that a users in the previously-mentioned markets should experience better voice and data performance on phones, tablets, and mobile hotspots. That’s thanks to a simultaneous upgrade taking place that should improve 3G CDMA networks. As for new devices that are equipped to access the LTE network and take advantage of those speeds, Sprint has previously stated it will have LTE devices in play later this year.

Be sure to read our previous post on Sprint’s updated network strategy for more information.

“Within the first half of 2012, Sprint customers should experience first-hand the wide-reaching improvements we have made in terms of boosting voice and data quality. With advanced smartphones and sophisticated wireless modems, our customers are using more and more mobile data, and one of our top priorities is to provide the best technology possible to improve our customers’ experience.”

- Bob Azzi, senior vice president – Network, Sprint

If you are a fan of dirt-cheap Android smartphones and you are looking to get yourself a nice and affordable present for…uh, Martin Luther King Day, we have two good news for you, both regarding the eco-friendly Samsung Replenish.

The 2.8-inch smartphone, available up until now only at parent-carrier Sprint, has started receiving an Android 2.3 Gingerbread update and will be available starting January 16^th at prepaid Sprint subsidiary Boost Mobile.

While for most of us, Gingerbread is already obsolete and a thing of the past, if you take a look at Replenish’s price tag, you will get why the 2.3 update is actually a big deal. The entry-level smartphone from Samsung is available for one penny at Sprint with a contract and will go for 99.99 dollars at Boost Mobile with the $55 Android MonthlyUnlimited plan with shrinking payments.

The Replenish sports a 2.8-inch capacitive multi-touch display with 240 x 320 pixels resolution, is powered by a 600 MHz processor and features a physical QWERTY keyboard, as well as WiFi, 3G and Bluetooth 2.1 connectivity, onboard GPS, a 2-megapixel camera and a microUSB port.

With the help of the new Gingerbread update, the smartphone will benefit from increased speed and better power management. Also, it goes without saying that there are a bunch of preloaded apps on the device, as well as Android Market access. The update should be ready now. If you own a Replenish and didn’t yet receive the OTA, don’t panic, because you will most likely get it in the following couple days or so.

As far as carrier availability goes, according to Sprint’s official statement, the Replenish should be made available at a couple of additional national retailers by the end of February. Also, if you are looking to get the smartphone from Boost Mobile, you should know that you have a buyback program available, allowing you to trade in an old device in exchange for account credit, credit that can be afterwards used for buying the gadget.

Via Androidcommunity.com and Sprint.com

Just yesterday, we saw a render of the Samsung Galaxy Note fitted with an AT&T logo displayed proudly across the top of the device.  According to most reports and rumors, AT&T is expected to be the lucky carrier to launch the popular Samsung Galaxy Note in the United States.  However, according to a rumor, AT&T may not be the only carrier on the block with the large and sleek Galaxy Note.

Citing a “proven source,” SprintFeed claims Sprint may launch the Galaxy Note and a proper introduction could occur as soon as CES 2012, which is just days away at this point.  Even though Sprint is steadily trying to migrate away from 4G WiMAX to 4G LTE, the Samsung Galaxy Note could still launch with 4G WiMAX support.

At this point, we’re going to have to wait for the official Samsung announcement at CES 2012; perhaps we’ll see Samsung introduce the Galaxy Note for both AT&T and Sprint.  If that’s the case, it will be interesting to see which carrier offers it for cheaper and if customers prefer Sprint’s unlimited data or AT&T’s reliable and larger network.

[SprintFeed]