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4G LTE is based on GSM technology so as devices get more and more bandwidth heavy most of the network load will be on GSM derived technology. There are likely infrastructure differences on the switching side between TMobile/Sprint but the RF technology is the same since Sprint is moving away from WiMax based 4G to GSM 4G LTE.

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LTE has handover capabilities with CDMA, EvDO, GSM, and UMTS. The handovers are simpler for GSM and UMTS though since LTE is also a 3GPP standard.

Can a single LTE node/tower/whatever handle handover for both CDMA and GSM? In other words, could a hypothetically-merged company provide the LTE part of the service to both TMobile and Sprint customers using the same equipment?

T-Mobile already does something similar in the US with their MetroPCS network. They've started to open the old MetroPCS network up to T-Mobile users and vice versa by broadcasting multiple MNC (mobile network codes) from the same antennas. If a phone call comes through, it'll hand off to T-Mobile's GSM network or the old MetroPCS CDMA network.

I think Orange and T-Mobile do something similar in the UK with their shared EE network and Verizon with their LTE in Rural America partners in the Great Plains/Maine/etc.

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