Sprint kicked off the beginning of its 4G network back in September of '08 with a WiMax network in Baltimore, and now it's expanding the network's coverage to 17 cities in states such as Texas, Washington, Idaho and North Carlina — to name a few. The 4G service is promised to have downlink speeds topping out at 10Mbps and performing at 3Mbps to 6Mbps on average, which would make it up to five times faster than Sprint's current 3G offering.

Sprint's 4G network can already be accessed where available through USB modems and broadband routers, at $70 a month for unlimited 4G data. (About $10 more than 3G.)

Of course, with a network that extensive, it only makes sense to have phones that can handle it — which has eyes turning toward Sprint's rumored dealings with Samsung on a new 4G phone. It's really just a matter of when and not if, though whether or not Sprint is first off the blocks — which the company appears well positioned to be — is anyone's guess.

Via Crave