Sprint LTE / Alcatel-Lucent Network Vision Solution Overview (AKA the Power behind the Tower)

By now you've seen the video below, which gives the friendly face of the new 'Network Vision' for Sprint...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_ejv9Ud9Uw

Sure, that's all nice and pretty, but have you ever wondered what happened behind the scenes? The 'Power behind the Tower', so to speak. Are you super nerdy? or just super bored? Well, if you have 2+ hours to kill this weekend, or need something playing in the background while you are working on that honey-do list, here's something for you! Each video is around an hour long, and it's the Alcatel-Lucent Presentation that details what is behind LTE and the 'Network Vision' for Sprint:

Alcatel-Lucent Network Vision Solution Overview Part 1:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDcPAsS8QKs

Alcatel-Lucent Network Vision Solution Overview Part 2:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CpQ5ZWSI0s

iDEN/Nextel Coverage Changes: Albuquerque, Phoenix, Tucson/Yuma, Oregon, Washington

Our normal Monday/Wednesday Update for iden tower decommissionings:

• In preparation for Network Vision, Network Ops will continue decommissioning a number of existing iDEN towers throughout the country..
  
  
  
  • On the evening of 5/21/12, in the following markets: Albuquerque, Phoenix, Tucson/Yuma.
  
  
  • On the evening  of 5/23/2012, the following markets will experience coverage change: Inland Northwest, Oregon/ SW Washington, West Washington.
  
  
  
  


• Tower decommission continues every Monday and Wednesday evening through June.

Network Vision:

• Decommissioning eliminates excess capacity and has minimal customer impact.


• Retuning/decommissioning towers WILL NOT shutdown the iDEN market service in 2012.


• Customers who rely on in-building coverage near a decommissioned tower may experience in-building signal strength changes but street/in-car coverage should remain the same.

Bye, Bye iDEN - Devices no longer available for purchase

Starting 5/18/12, iDEN devices will be completely removed from Telesales, Sprint.com, Consumer Care, SWAC and Sprint Retail Stores. After Friday, the only place to purchase an iDEN device will be a 3rd Party retail store that carries Boost Mobile devices. In the interest of keeping the mole-hunters at bay, I'll post the iDEN FAQ sheet from Boost Mobile below - it has the same facts as the one for Sprint, with a few words changed, and the addition that Boost retailers can still order and sell the devices if they choose to. 

Also, as of 7/4/12, no more iDEN activations will be allowed in the system. So those that have an iDEN phone activated before then can use it until next summer, but after that it's bye-bye-bye.

From the Boost Retailer FAQ:

Should I still sell iDEN devices?

• Yes. If the customer is a “heavy” iDEN walkie-talkie user, you can still sell iDEN devices, letting the customer know that the iDEN network is projected to shut down in mid-2013. Offers may be available at a later date to migrate the customer to another device.


• However, if a customer is a “low” or “no usage” walkie-talkie user, suggest the customer purchase a Boost Mobile CDMA device so they can start taking advantage of our CDMA network improvements.


• Starting July 10, we will no longer allow new activations onto iDEN, however the existing


• iDEN customer base will still be able to use their handsets and perform equipment changes and network swaps until the projected network shut down in mid-2013.

From the Sprint FAQ:

• Sprint is completely phasing out the iDEN network by 2013 so this is the customer‘s opportunity to get a jump on migrating to CDMA.

• Proactively offer the opportunity to migrate to a CDMA device.


• Tell upgrade eligible iDEN customers about the great offers available for CDMA devices and the benefits of the CDMA network.


• Tell iDEN push-to-talk users that they will experience the same convenience using the Sprint Direct Connect feature. 

And there's one more gem hidden in the box: Effective 5/18/12, the iDEN International Direct Connect add-on will increase from $10 per month to $15 per month. Existing impacted customers were sent postcards and bill messages to notify them of this change

Download the FAQ here: iDEN FAQ Document 04_25_12 - ISN

or view below:

[scribd id=93665385 key=key-26j1guzc5vj9o1npj19q mode=list]