In an effort to create a better wireless experience for its customers, Sprint (News - Alert) has doubled its 2011 capital investment over 2010 and made tens of thousands of capacity upgrades for different markets. These investments are part of the company’s Network Vision program.

Announced in December 2010, the Sprint Network Vision was created with the aim of consolidating multiple network technologies into one seamless network with the goal of increasing efficiency and enhancing network coverage, call quality and data speeds for customers.

According to industry experts, smartphone penetration is likely to double over the next four years. The Network Vision program has been devised to make it easier for data to travel. The high speed enables the smartphone customers – who use on average 10 times more data than feature phone customers – to use their devices the way they were intended. With this network improvements across the country, Sprint customers can expect to see better performance on their smartphones, mobile broadband connection cards and mobile hotspots when using the Sprint 3G network.

Sprint claimed that its customers are likely to enjoy a number of benefits relating to performance improvements which include faster data speeds, better signal strength and fewer dropped calls.

The enhanced speed enable instant web access for news updates, HD viewing and game-playing, quicker video downloads and clear video chats, while better signal strength results in enhanced voice quality, while making a call.

“With the network investments we made in 2011 and as the only national wireless carrier to offer truly unlimited data plans while on the Sprint network, we continue to offer better value than Verizon (News - Alert), T-Mobile and AT&T. But our commitment to an exceptional wireless experience doesn’t stop there,” senior vice president of Network at Sprint Bob Azzi (News - Alert) noted. “Sprint's on an aggressive path to roll out Network Vision, and in collaboration with our partners, have already achieved many significant milestones that offer improved customer experience on the Sprint 3G network, and we expect to maintain and even accelerate this momentum in 2012.”

Throughout 2011, Sprint achieved a number of significant milestones in the deployment of Network Vision. Nationwide, Sprint claimed to have overhauled its entire network and replaced existing equipment with the newest, most advanced equipment available in the industry through its Network Vision program.

Earlier this month, Sprint announced a comprehensive multiyear marketing partnership with the National Basketball Association (NBA). With this, Sprint today announced that will make Sprint the Official Wireless Service Partner of the NBA. As part of the partnership Sprint will reach the broad and passionate fan base of the NBA through a wide array of assets, including marquee league events, television and digital exposure, and customized NBA mobile content for its customers.