The SCORE 2014 Issue 3 2014 | Page 24

4 FBS FBS Sapphire Sponsor: Sprint All-new network gains momentum with nationwide launch of HD Voice, expansion of 4G LTE and Sprint Spark service. June 23, 2014 - Sprint today announced nationwide availability of HD Voice, as well as 28 new 4G LTE markets and three new Sprint Spark™ markets. After a complete rip-and-replace overhaul of its 3G network and the deployment of 4G LTE in 471 markets, Sprint has transformed its network to deliver faster data speeds and improved call quality, with a marked decrease in dropped and blocked calls. New market launches, coverage expansions, and technical network advancements will continue in the coming months. Today’s network milestones include: • Nationwide availability of Sprint HD Voice, a new Sprint standard for crystal-clear voice calls. Sprint’s HD Voice provides a fuller, more natural-sounding voice, plus noise-canceling technology that virtually eliminates background noise from places like busy roads or crowded restaurants. Sprint currently supports 28 HD Voice-capable postpaid smartphones and 33 prepaid phones. The company estimates approximately 16 million customers are currently using an HD Voice enabled device. • • 2014 Issue 3 | the SCORE 22 4G LTE in 28 new markets, including Seattle, Cleveland, and San Jose, bringing Sprint’s nationwide 4G LTE footprint to 471 cities covering more than 225 million people. Sprint expects to reach 250 million with 4G LTE coverage by mid-year. Sprint Spark in three new markets (St. Louis, WinstonSalem and Greensboro, N.C.). Sprint Spark is an enhanced LTE service that’s built for data and designed to deliver average wirele