Sprint is showing signs that its WiMax network will shut down.
As pointed out by CIO, additions to Sprint’s terms of service for new subscribers detail what will happen should the company discontinue WiMax service while subs are on contract.
Options for Sprint’s WiMax subs include staying on contract with the same WiMax device that will no longer connect to any 4G, migrate over to Sprint’s LTE or terminate their contract. Opting out of contracts won’t incur an early termination fee in this case, but staying on and moving over to LTE could net subs a free LTE device provided by Sprint.
Sprint said it reserves the right to migrate customers over to LTE but that it will give “reasonable advance notice” of any service changes.
The fact that Sprint is thinking about closing up shop on WiMax should come as no surprise. Sprint’s agreement with WiMax provider Clearwire, that first launched its service in 2009, has long been rocky. The two companies initial lead in the next-generation network race has totally eroded as Verizon and AT&T have jumped out to massive leads in LTE deployment.
