Sprint Network Vision

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Sprint Network VisionIEEE Santa Clara

Michael FineganManager, ESG Solutions Engineering


What is Sprint’s Network Evolution PlanKey Plan Elements

• Replacement of multiple platforms (CDMA, iDEN, WiMAX) with a single multi-modal platform

• Integrated chipset on devices making services seamless to end users

• Harnesses technology advancements improve the reach and overall of performance of our radio signals

• Optimization and improved utilization of vast spectrum holdings across 800MHz, 1.9GHz, and 2.5GHz

• Move from hardware solutions to software solutions

• Integral support for next generation Push-To-Talk network

Customer Benefits• Expected improvement in coverage and capacity (In-building coverage gets significant boost)

• Simplicity (device & network automatically chooses best service type and frequency)

• Rapid network deployment and coverage expansion

Sprint Benefits• Lower cost for Sprint• Improved operational efficiency and reliability

• Future technology protection• Environmental sustainability

(via reduction in power consumption)


Sprint’s Wireless Networks Today

Backhaul

• T-1 or many T-1’s depending on # of carriers and data consumption

• Significant OpEx• Revenue to Vz & ATT

• Microwave rings between towers with dark or leased fiber at one to three centers

• Connections to Internet (Sprint link) bandwidth changes depending on # of channels and data consumption

• Lower CapEx

A Simplified View

CDMA1.9 GHz

iDEN800/ 900 MHz

WiMAX2.5GHz

Network Spectrum

iDEN Towers

CDMA Towers

CDMA & iDEN Co-located

Cell sites dedicated to WiMAX

TowersNetwork Use

PTTVoice

Some data

Voice 1xRTTData Rev ACDMA PTT

IP Data only

T-1

T-1

T-1

Microwave

The Sprint wireless network is made up of CDMA and iDEN technologies. These networks are deployed independently, but in some cases can share network hardware. In addition, the 4G network being builtby Clearwire shares some network hardware.


Vision: Building Blocks to Evolution

Core Network Modernization

Consolidate MSC’s / Update Infrastructure

RF Performance Enhancement

Reduce intra-footprint roaming

Push-To-Talk ModernizationExpand CDMA PTT platform, operate on 1x,

enhanced features, iDEN migration

Capacity IncreaseImplement 1x

Advanced

Spectrum RedeploymentEffectively reuse

spectrum to support current &

future technologies

BackhaulDeploy

microwave infrastructure

Site ModernizationSingle Cell Site

Platform


Evolution: A Single Site

1.9GHz

Today: • Separate networks with a

technology and spectrum linkage:iDEN at 800MHz, CDMA at 1.9GHz, 4G in 2.5GHz

Future: • Decouple network/ frequencies relationship• Multi-modal platform utilizes all frequencies

for any technology and any purpose (voice/data)

1) Technology advancements mean greater reach and efficiency for each frequency2) Utilization of all frequencies means more efficient use of capacity (e.g. 2.5GHz) and

reach (e.g. 800MHz)

2.5GHz

800MHz

800MHz2.5GHz 1.9GHz


Evolution Dramatically Reduces OpExCell Site

(Current state)

Power & HVAC

Cell Site (Future State)

CDMA Voice

EVDO

WiMAX

4G 2.0

PTT

OPEN

Evolving to the site of tomorrow, network technologies are consolidated into a single hardware element, each

technology becoming a blade or card instead of its own unique

infrastructure

Blades or cards in a single box for each

technology

Separate boxes for each technology

Power & HVAC

iDEN 1xRTT EVDO WiMAX


Sprint’s Wireless Networks in The Future

800/ 900 MHz1900 MHz

2.5GHz

Network Spectrum

Towers Backhaul• Consolidate traditional T-

1 backhaul to microwave where feasible

• Use traditional wireline backhaul on a site by site basis

• Leverages Sprint’s core IP network for transport

• Little or no capital expenses over traditional methods

Network Use

CDMA VoicePTT

CDMA EVDOWiMAX4G 2.0

Microwave

T-1

• All towers use all spectrum

• All towers support all network uses

• Able to reduce number of sites by one third and provide more services

Enhanced service levels means higher customer satisfactionMicrowave backhaul provides fast network growth flexibility

Broader coverageBetter in-building coverage

Sustainability - Network footprint for the futureGreener network design

Customer Value


Conclusion• A significant customer benefit of a multi-mode network infrastructure is improved coverage and

quality. • A major contributing factor to this improvement is the planned deployment of CDMA 1X

Advanced. This CDMA upgrade is expected to improve the reach and overall performance of CDMA radio signals, while providing landline quality voice service.

• In-building coverage should improve as a result of repurposing a portion of iDEN spectrum (800 MHz) for CDMA services, giving customers the benefit better coverage and quality inherent with 800 MHz spectrum.

• The transition to a multi-mode platform provides the opportunity to offer devices with integrated chipsets that can receive radio signals from multiple frequencies.

Sprint Network Vision

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