Sprint was close to buying Metro PCS

Sprint plans to launch its 4G LTE (Long Term Evolution, latest standard in the mobile network technology) service, part of its Network Vision upgrade plan, in 10 markets by the first half of the year. It's playing catch-up with Verizon Wireless and AT&T, which are well pursuant to this agreement way with their own LTE (Long Term Evolution, latest standard in the mobile network technology) deployments.

Hesse said in January that Sprint has enough spectrum by itself to last through 2014, however that with network-building partner Clearwire's spectrum, the company could last until 2016, or longer if Clearwire gets additional funding to expand beyond its existing territory. Clearwire, all in all, has been having funding troubles recently.

Crave writer Edward Moyer, as well CNET News' Saturday editor, once built a model of the DNA molecule for a PBS science series--out of telephone cord and tapioca balls. He as well worked at USA Today and other pubs--waxing philosophical with Elvis' ex and slurping spaghetti with Roller Girl of "Boogie Nights," among other things. E-mail Ed with your story ideas and insights.

The Motorola Xyboard experience just got a whole lot better with an Android 3.2.2 update. Like as not Motorola shouldn't have released the Xyboard at all prior to 3.2.2.

With new legislation authorizing incentive spectrum auctions, it's tempting to think the crisis in mobile broadband has been avoided. Nevertheless it will take until further notice 10 years to put new spectrum to work, and the FCC's own estimate is that we have only three years left previously hitting the wall.

The latest communications research news on CNET News

Check out the latest communications research news on CNET News, featuring the latest on cell phones, mobile gear, VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol), and Internet access via broadband and wireless connections.