Sprint Direct Connect will replace iDEN with CDMA, launch late this year

Looks like Sprint is gearing up to take another shot at its seemingly unsinkable (but aging) iDEN push-to-talk network that it inherited from its Nextel acquisition -- which is a good thing seeing how it's only signed up for another three years' worth of maintenance. The new so-called Sprint Direct Connect service is slated to launch in the fourth quarter of this year using CDMA underpinnings, a throwback to the QChat-based push-to-talk network that Sprint launched back in 2008 but never gained traction. Presumably, Sprint thinks that it knows how to make the transition work this time around, promising wider coverage, better in-building signal strength, user availability notifications, support for up to 200 chat participants, and -- of course -- far faster data services than iDEN could ever deliver. Sprint says that it'll offer "an ultra-rugged camera flip phone" along with a QWERTY Android device this year, with more devices in the pipe for 2012.

Sprint announcing Nexus S 4G, EVO 3D, and EVO View tablet at CTIA?

The media -- yours truly included -- has been trying to figure out why Sprint has booked an insane two-and-a-half hour slot at CTIA later this month. That's not the kind of event you throw together just to rehash the devices you've introduced over the last half year -- something's up, and if our source is correct, they're up to something big.More info after the break...

Sprint increasing 3G data plan pricing by $10/mo, calling it 'premium data'

Oh, Sprint, you sneaky devil. The nation's third-largest carrier just announced that it's tacking on an extra monthly $10 "premium data" charge to its 3G Everything data plans -- in effect, charging 3G phone owners the same total price that Evo and Epic owners pay now for 4G service. It's especially weird because Sprint's hidden the price increase in a press release entitled "Smartphones Drive Wireless Data Explosion" that initially appears to be about increased use of data before shifting abruptly into a defense of the additional charge and potshots at tiered data plans -- we know no one wants to talk price increases, but let's have some gumption, guys. Existing 3G Everything plan holders won't see their rates go up until they "upgrade or activate another smartphone," which doesn't sound great for family plans, but we'll get some clarification on that and let you know. Either way, we'd say picking up a non-4G Sprint phone just got real silly.

SPRINT TO UNVEIL FIRST 4G NEXT WEEK

Sprint Nextel Corp. is expected to unveil the first U.S. phone compatible with a fourth-generation mobile network next week, according to people familiar with the matter. The device, dubbed the Supersonic by HTC Corp., represents Sprint’s latest and biggest bet that its WiMax network and promises of a speedier wireless connection will reverse the struggling carrier’s fortunes. The company is racing to make WiMax services, run by partner Clearwire Corp., available to more people as it hopes to exploit its temporary lead over the next-closest carrier with 4G aspirations.
“It’s now or never,” said Avi Greengart, an analyst at Current Analysis.”They won’t have an exclusive on the 4G marketing message indefinitely.”
The device is expected to be the centerpiece of a presentation made by Chief Executive Dan Hesse during the CTIA Wireless trade show Tuesday.