Regardless of the type of service (2G, 3G or 4G), Sprint's coverage does not match the big two. Verizon seems to be the best but I believe AT&T is as good as long as you don't pay attention to what kind of service you get (2G, 3G or 4G).

I have friends with Sprint iPhones and when we compare "bars" and performance, they never win. In fact, I have let them jump on my hotspot on more than one occasion so they could check their e-mail messages!

If Sprint has sufficient towers to match the big two, perhaps it's just a matter of upgrading them all with consistent equipment and service capabilities (time and money). If they simply don't have the towers and cannot afford to add or contract go get the towers, how will they ever match the big two and expect to get their premium prices?

I'm willing to accept less coverage for unlimited data and better prices. I'm not sure I can accept less coverage for unlimited data and the same price. Perhaps if I had unlimited data, I'd change my usage patterns but good coverage is probably more important than spotty, unlimited data at the same price.

For me, Sprint's proposition only works when they offer me a better price and unlimited data. If I'm like others and they get rid of both of these competitive advantages, they cannot compete and they will die. Maybe if they give away the newest smart phones they'd steal customers but if the phone is free and you are always challenged to use it because coverage is poor, what good is it? The free phone would also lock you into their network for multiple years and then you are stuck!