Sprint continues to expand their 4G network as they prepare to launch their second 4G handset, the Samsung Epic, in the near future. Five new cities were brought online with 4G speeds including Modesto, Calif., Stockton, Calif., Jacksonville, Fla., Wilmington, Del., and Grand Rapids, Mich.

With the new launches, Sprint 4G is now available in 48 metro areas which cover nearly 50 million people. Sprint will continue to grow their 4G coverage area over the summer as the carrier plans to eventually cover 120 million people by the end of this year.

No launch date for the Epic 4G has been provided, but Sprint recently launched their teaser page for the Epic and Samsung also has a promo video. Sprint has been wishing they had more EVOs to sell to increase their 4G subscribers, so hopefully the Epic will appear in the next several weeks.