Mobile Broadband Carrier offer from Sprint in October

For the past week the gossip mills have been on overdrive regarding a Sprint iPhone. Heck, for the past year rumors have been swirling that Sprint was getting the coveted device. But the buzz went into a frenzy last week after news broke that the carrier will begin carrying the iPhone 5 as soon as this fall.

“We don’t comment on rumor or speculation.”

What’s ironic is that if the carrier does in fact get the Apple device it could hurt their case for opposing the multi-billion dollar AT&T acquisition of T-Mobile. In the past, Sprint has argued that the wireless market has been dominated by AT&T and Verizon, and that has limited their access to high profile devices such as the iPhone.

Now with the super popular gadget so close to their lineup of phones it’s almost a double edged sword: Great for sprint customers and those looking to escape the clutches of AT&T and Verizon, but it could tank their monopoly case.

Sprint just announced that the company will hold a media event on October 7th to update journalists on Sprint’s strategy for the future.

If the event timing seems familiar, it’s because October 7th is the date we expect for an iPhone 5 release. This date isn’t a set in stone iPhone 5 release date, but the Sprint timing gives more credibility to the data and to the fact that the company will carry the iPhone 5.

According to Boy Genius Report, Sprint is holding the event on October 7th in New York with presentations from Sprint’s senior management.

Sprint's Strategy Meeting May Coincide With an iPhone 5 Release.

Sprint has been mum on the arrival of a Sprint iPhone 5, going so far as to tell employees to say no comment.

Sprint is holding a special event on Friday, October 7th to provide a “Strategy Update” on its future plans. If you’re unfamiliar with those names and what they mean to Sprint, read on.

LightSquared is in the business of building wireless and satellite data networks and then selling network capacity to wireless carriers — like Sprint. Last month, Sprint entered into an agreement with the company to “deploy and operate a nationwide LTE network.” Under the plan, Sprint could then “purchase up to 50 percent of LightSquared’s expected L-Band 4G capacity [...] should Sprint elect to incorporate the L-Band LTE capability as part of its 4G offering.” Clearwire also has a plan to deploy LTE. However, Clearwire’s timeline is “subject to additional funding,” money which Sprint might be tired of doling out. In fact, Clearwire has been in dire straits of late, partially because investors have noticed Sprint’s newly cozy relationship with LightSquared. So as we said, whatever Sprint’s 4G future is and whichever company Sprint partners with, some explanation is definitely in order. It’s incredibly unlikely that Sprint is going to suddenly drop WiMAX, leaving you with only 3G. Long term, though, it’s looking ever more likely that LTE is in Sprint’s future. As further evidence, Sprint has recently been touting new “Network Vision” multi-mode base stations; they are advanced cellular base stations capable of supporting multiple radio technologies in smaller, energy-efficient boxes.