4g in New York City first time impression

[kegacide]

4g working full bars for me now in college point at my job, it wasn't working here a month ago last time i checked... speed tested 9.5Mbps/1

 

[Rigmaster]

Did anyone noticed that with the 4G signal being so strong lately and constantly on that the battery doesn't drain as fast as it used to when it was searching for a signal.

TS out

Not exactly. Usually 3G or wifi are active when searching for 4G but no signal is available so it's probably more that the toggling between them has been eliminated. So really it's probably not the 4G uses any less than it is the other signal sources simply not being active unless needed (eg. 3G for an incoming call).

Right

 

[pastafarian]

Finally, my Evo has tasted the pseudo 4G that is wimax. In playing around I had left 4G on and while on the upper east side yesterday, there was the 4G icon. Just as expected, I was underwhelmed. A little bit faster than 3G, but not by enough to be significant in web browsing. It might make a difference in d/l's, but I tend to do those at home or occasionally at work where I have even fasted wifi available. Still, it's nice to know that I spent $10 this month on something.

 

[Rigmaster]

Finally, my Evo has tasted the pseudo 4G that is wimax. In playing around I had left 4G on and while on the upper east side yesterday, there was the 4G icon. Just as expected, I was underwhelmed. A little bit faster than 3G, but not by enough to be significant in web browsing. It might make a difference in d/l's, but I tend to do those at home or occasionally at work where I have even fasted wifi available. Still, it's nice to know that I spent $10 this month on something.

Here's what I found. Speedtest.net range of 2-6 down and a steady 2 up but not significantly worse than what you get from cable ISP during normal periods. Not fabulous, but way better than 3G and completely satisfying given I was walking or driving the whole time I did my firsthand observation. What difference did it really make? Well, here's what I observed:

1. While on 4G, I could finally surf and find places while talking on the phone. While on the move between World Financial Center and Times Square, I checked email, surfed, and took calls simultaneously. I never expected this to matter to me, but it did since I had to find a few places and some information while on the phone.
2. While on 4G, SprintTV was crystal clear. 100% voice and picture sync, no lags or skips, and the a/v experience was vivid.
3. Sent an uncompressed photo via email, forwarded emails with large file attachments and integrated graphics, and checked email much faster than I've ever been able to on 3G under optimal conditions.
4. Coverage extended into NJ and was available almost continuously from exit 14 A/B/C to exit 7A. Can't say continuous because I did not have signal from 11 to 8A.
5. YouTube video watching was actually fun this time on 4G. Minimal load time to start videos and 0 in-video pauses for buffering or skips.
6. If using 4G, it's a battery death blow to not shut off wifi or not have setting allowing notification of open networks on. I left mine on just to test how much wifi + 4G damage could do to the battery. Based on what I saw, I can imagine a fully charged battery not even lasting 2 hours with both on.

The big downside was that 4G definitely drew battery faster - I'd say 25% faster. I think that's because 3G never actually shuts down because that's how much of the data exchange over the network and GPS location services seemed to work. It doesn't matter though. I always carry at 4400mah or 8000mah portable charger.

Once 4G is more steady and available, it's going to be as nice as anticipated.

 

[EVU]

Was in NYC for this past holiday weekend - mostly Midtown & lower boroughs this past weekend & was pleasantly surprised we were mostly covered in 4G.
Came in handy using Easytether & 4G to save on the wifi charges in my hotel.

Thanks SPCS NYC!