Device shortages hamper Sprint's 4G plans

What's the problem with Android phones? iPhone 4 fans would have a long list of items, but Android fans would probably say that the long wait for popular Android phones is a major hassle. It is, in fact, affecting Sprint's 4G rollout.

While Sprint announced on Monday that it had added seven more metro areas to its list of 4G regions (Rochester, NY, Syracuse, NY, Merced, CA, Visalia, CA, Eugene, OR., Tri-Cities, WA., and Yakima, WA), bringing the total to 43 markets, it's hard to use 4G without a 4G phone, and the only such device, the Sprint EVO 4G, is currently sold out (unless you want to pay a ton extra at eBay or other such site).

Sidebar rant: for those of us in California, it's interesting to see both SF and LA both bypassed as the first areas in California covered. We understand that its easier to build out the infrastructure in a small region, but Visalia and Merced?

Indeed, Sprint does sell data cards for computers, but what people want is smartphone use. As it is the only carrier with 4G service already rolled out, Sprint had a big opportunity, and it seems that it is seeing something we have complained about for some time (a lack of phones) prevent them from getting a big lead in that area.

As Sprint CEO Dan Hesse told the Wall Street Journal last week, "We thought we would have more of a head start than we'll end up having,"

However, Verizon Wireless expects to light up its new 4G LTE network in some markets by the end of 2010. AT&T plans to start rolling out its LTE technology next year.

Sprint is squandering its lead, although the next 4G device, the Samsung Epic 4G, might help. It is a different OEM, and may lessen pressure on HTC, which seems to have Android handsets coming out of its ears.