Sprint has drastically expanded its available networks across the United States, and to put its money where its mouth is, Sprint is giving users a satisfaction guarantee. Sprint's also upped the ante on T-Mobile's free seven-day trial period with a risk-free trial of its own -- for 30 days.
The cellular carrier has announced it's added 28 new 4G LTE markets that include Seattle, Cleveland and San Jose. Sprint's total 4G LTE range covers more than 225 million people in 471 cities. The company is hoping to reach 250 million person coverage by the middle of 2014.
New Sprint Spark markets have been added in St. Louis, Winston-Salem, N.C. and Greensboro, N.C. Sprint Spark offers a super-speed LTE service built to deliver average wireless speeds of 15 Mbps and peak speeds of 60 Mbps. These three new markets bring Sprint Spark coverage up to 27 major cities. Also, Sprint's HD Voice, a new standard that improves a call's audio quality and eliminates background noise, is available nationwide effective immediately.
The big news, though, is the very intentional shot Sprint is taking across T-Mobile's bow. Sprint says that you can try out any device it sells and the new benefits of its enhanced network for a full month with no obligation. If you're not happy at the end of that period, Sprint will waive all service and activation fees and refund the price of the phone. It's an impressive gesture to be sure, but it's about more than just showing confidence in its overhauled network.
It was, after all, just one week ago that T-Mobile announced its 7-day "Test Drive" offer, which became available on June 22. Where T-Mobile's Test Drive locks users in to a single phone choice -- iPhone 5S -- Sprint allows users to choose from any phone it carries. When your week-long trial is over, you have to return the iPhone to a local T-Mobile store, whether you want to go with T-Mobile's services or not. Sprint, on the other hand, requires no additional action from users who decide they want to keep their new phone.
Clearly, the competition for lucrative mobile coverage plans shows no signs of cooling. All of this is pretty ironic considering Sprint's recent efforts to purchase T-Mobile outright. Regardless of what happens with the acquisition, the ball appears to be in T-Mobile's court on this current fight. Will T-Mobile fire back with an even better offer than the "Test Drive" service? Will it slam Sprint's obvious attempt at one-upmanship? Could all of this be passive/aggressive tactics relating to the negotiation process?
Let the games begin.
