Blackberry Playbook Will Not Get Sprint WiMAX, RIM Focusing On LTE Instead
The Wall Street Journal reports that the Sprint Network has cancelled its plans to bring WiMAX to the Blackberry PlayBook, leaving Research in Motion to focus on new plans involving LTE instead. Sprint’s surprising decision means the tablet has yet to secure support from the three largest U.S. wireless carriers, which includes AT&T and Verizon Wireless.
Representatives from the Now Network blamed an overcrowded tablet market and poor adoption rates among business customers as one reason for the move to cancel the PlayBook sales. Sprint also adding that the decision will have “no impact” on their current relationship with RIM. RIM had this to say in response to Sprint’s decision,
RIM has decided to prioritize and focus its 4G development resources on LTE. We remain excited and committed to delivering innovative and powerful 4G tablets to the US market together with our carrier partners. Testing of BlackBerry 4G PlayBook models is already underway and we plan to enter labs for network certifications in the US and other international markets this fall.
