The desire is there, but the spectrum isn't. Sprint is still lagging behind, with 4G LTE currently only in 19 metropolitan areas. Sprint is at a disadvantage against Verizon and AT&T because it's tapping into LTE in a smaller slice of spectrum.

Sprint's official line: Eventually, the markets will fill in until coverage largely matches the existing nationwide 3G footprint. By the end of 2013, Sprint expects to have completed the nationwide build-out of the all-new 3G and 4G network.

Although it's encouraging to see Sprint sticking firm to its LTE launch commitments outlined in its Network Vision plan, Sprint is facing the tip of a double-edged sword, said Weston Henderek, principal analyst at Current Analysis.

"If one particular market sees a lot of uptake, Sprint's network is going to fill up more quickly than it would for a carrier who launched LTE in a wider spectrum band," Henderek told us. "That's the big drawback right now when it comes to Sprint."

Preparing for the Onslaught

Sprint has to move as fast as it can. According to Chetan Sharma Consulting, mobile data is expected to comprise 95 percent of the global mobile traffic by 2015. Sprint's network strategy, known as Network Vision, aims to meet these growing demands. Network Vision promises improved network reliability, better voice quality, and faster data speeds as the improvements are rolled out across the country.

"The mobile industry is going through an incredible change -- smartphones, connected devices, and the seemingly unlimited supply of new applications and services are changing consumer behavior in dramatic ways," said Chetan Sharma, founder and president at Chetan Sharma Consulting.

Sprint is also doing a complete overhaul of its 3G infrastructure so that customers can enjoy better wireless signal strength, in-building coverage, and fewer dropped and blocked calls. Dropped and blocked calls, though, could become a reality if Sprint can't move fast enough.

Remember the AT&T Drama?

Like many consumers, Henderek still remembers when AT&T had capacity issues, mostly in San Francisco and New York. Dropped calls led to complaints and even threats of lawsuits. Henderek said if Sprint's LTE network fills up too quickly, consumers will start seeing slower than expected data connections and dropped calls.

"If something like that were to happen it would be worrisome," Henderek said. "It hasn't happened yet, but by having less spectrum available for LTE, it's a question of whether Sprint can adapt quick enough to shift things around in a way that would minimize any potential service disruptions or increased in dropped calls."

Sad to leave Sprint:

Davehnj:

Michael:

DG79:

RRockstar: