Sprint LTE Plus posts strong gains in network reliability, beats T-Mobile and pulls within 1% of Verizon and AT&T

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (BUSINESS WIRE), June 02, 2016 - 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.

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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