The future of cellular Internet launched in Baltimore last September when Sprint became the first to get its so-called 4G technology off the ground (See last September’s report “When is Sprint’s 4G Internet coming to O.C.?.”)
But today’s list from Sprint of future 4G cities leaves out the Los Angeles area (OK, let’s face it, L.A. trumps Orange County when it comes to our area’s national identity).
Sprint’s 4G service uses WiMax technology, so users can roam a large area and still be connected to a fast Internet connection. Sprint’s XOHM service, with download speeds of up to 12 Mbps, is expected to launch this year (2009) in these cities:
- Atlanta
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Dallas
- Fort Worth
- Honolulu
- Las Vegas
- Philadelphia
- Portland
- Seattle
And then in these cities in 2010:
- Boston
- Houston
- New York
- San Francisco
- Washington, D.C.
What are we? A land of luddites? I guess there’s always the possibility that O.C. will sneak in before the end of 2010 but I haven’t heard back from the company explaining the Southern California snub. So let’s hope that we’re on the list for at list a 2011 launch!
For historical purposes, Sprint was kinder to O.C. for its 3G Internet launch. That service came to the county in December 2006 (see “Sprint launches next-gen Internet“), which was just over a year from the initial launch in San Diego.
Perhaps competitor Verizon Wireless will take note and launch its 4G service in O.C. sooner! Verizon won’t confirm if O.C. is one of the 25 to 30 cities on the list for a 2010 launch (see the earlier “Forget 3G, Verizon Wireless to offer faster 4G service in 2010“).
Check out the Gadgetress Guide to local cell phone services. Recent headlines:
