The Samsung Epic 4G update Sprint had promised would roll out on September 30th has failed to materialise, with the carrier blaming an “administrative issue” in getting the software onto Google’s servers.  The new firmware, which is said to address problems with the Epic 4G’s 3G upload speed, issues sending large emails, excess WiFi battery drain and problems downloading Amazon MP3s over 4G, was to come just as the 30 day return window for early adopters of the smartphone was expiring.

“We  were planning to release an update for your Samsung Epic 4G on 9/30.   The file was delivered and on track for distribution but late this  afternoon, we learned that an administrative issue prevented Google from releasing the update as we had planned.  We are working to resolve the  issue and will provide an update as soon as we understand the new  delivery schedule.

We  would like to clarify that the timing of this update has nothing to do  with the 30 day return window that many of you on these blogs have been  discussing and that this delay has nothing to do with any last minute  changes within the release package itself.  The delay is simply due to  an administrative issue that we are working to resolve.” Sprint statement

There is no new timescale for the firmware’s release, but it will now inevitably come outside of that window for some owners.  No details on the particular administrative problem have been revealed.