[citation][nom]sykozis[/nom]While the data isn't limited....the coverage area very much is.... They currently have no 4G network....yet they actively market their "4G" smartphones, placing emphasis on the "4G" capability of said phones. Sprint's 3G network has less coverage than AT&T's 4G network, which is pathetic at this point. Their phone selection sucks compared to their competitors (including pre-paid cellular services)... They try to charge customers to replace phones that are covered by a manufacturer's warranty... There's really very little Sprint actually does right....[/citation]
Actually you are very very very wrong. Sprint has had actual 4G coverage for a very long time, and is more widespread than Verizon's and ATT. If you look closely at verizon's ads you'll see that it says it has the nations largest "4G LTE" coverage. Take note of the LTE coverage because if you drop those three letters, sprint has the largest TRUE 4G coverage using WiMAX.
ATT's 4G coverage isn't actually 4G, it's HSPA+ 3G which they simply call 4G as there is no standard. Using that protocol, their phones will say 4G even though they are working at 3G speeds, at least that's the way it is in my area. Speeds of 100-400kbps and the phone says 4G? Att is launching it's 4G LTE coverage same as sprint, except sprint has more leverage in that it can convert it's 4G WiMax systems to run 4GLTE which will make for faster set up time than ATT. Verizon is ahead in LTE coverage, but sprint will catch up very quickly. Wimax coverage is still very good in all major U.S. cities.
Unfortunately there is no true map of actual 4G coverage because there is no standard. It would be nice to have a map of data coverage of area's >1Mbps vs which standard they use. A name is just a name, calling it 4G because you use a 4G capable protocol doesn't mean you'll have good speed, especially if the back-haul doesn't have a high speed data connection to the cell towers in your area. It's like having Z rated high speed tires in a car with a crappy 3cylinder engine. One is useless and just for show without the other. That's called good advertising.