Sprint has long been rumored to be making the jump from WiMAX to LTE for its 4G network, but a new report claims that the Now Network will finally be making the switch early next year. According to "people familiar with the situation" speaking to CNET, Sprint is in the process of installing and testing LTE equipment in some portions of the country and is currently aiming to launch the service by the end of the first quarter or beginning of the second quarter next year. No details were given concerning which markets would get Sprint LTE first. A Sprint spokesperson wouldn't comment on the rumor, instead instructing us to wait for the company's "Strategy Update" event next week.

Although Sprint hasn't actually come out and said that LTE will be the topic of its "Strategy Update" event, CEO Dan Hesse has said that his company plans to make a major 4G announcement this fall. That statement, combined with the fact that Sprint recently signed an LTE-related deal with LightSquared, has led many to conclude that a switch to LTE is in the cards for the Now Network. What do all of you Sprint folk think of this news? Are you excited at the possibility of using LTE or would you rather Sprint stick to its WiMAX guns?

Via CNET