harvickchick
Android Enthusiast
Haven't found any 4g up here in Kernersville 
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Network vision & LTE rollout
- Thread starter kingtheproducer
- Start date
EHokie
Android Enthusiast
The University area is hit or miss for me. Nice to see some Charlotte residents here though
thebryceee
Android Expert
So I just got this from Sprint
"Get ready for improved service across Baltimore! We're building an all-new network to give you better service than ever. Our advanced network equipment has been designed to give you a more reliable connection to voice calls, emails, apps and the internet, along with other improvements such as: * Expanded coverage in your area * Faster downloading, surfing and streaming * Improved indoor/outdoor signal strength * Enhanced voice quality * Fewer dropped calls
To see improvement happening in your area, visit sprint.com/network"
I was thinking that I was really going to get improved service, but since I have purchased the GS3 all I have noticed is more dropped calls, loss of signal and an increase in unsent text messages. I work near windows in my office and I am constantly roaming until I step outside. Seems to me that the network has become worse and I am stuck for two more years. Anyone else have this problem?
"Get ready for improved service across Baltimore! We're building an all-new network to give you better service than ever. Our advanced network equipment has been designed to give you a more reliable connection to voice calls, emails, apps and the internet, along with other improvements such as: * Expanded coverage in your area * Faster downloading, surfing and streaming * Improved indoor/outdoor signal strength * Enhanced voice quality * Fewer dropped calls
To see improvement happening in your area, visit sprint.com/network"
I was thinking that I was really going to get improved service, but since I have purchased the GS3 all I have noticed is more dropped calls, loss of signal and an increase in unsent text messages. I work near windows in my office and I am constantly roaming until I step outside. Seems to me that the network has become worse and I am stuck for two more years. Anyone else have this problem?
NYCHitman1
Gun for Hire
Buddy of mine picked up LTE in the Boogie Down yesterday on his way to class. Reported speeds during peak hours of 9 mb/s D & 3.5 mb/s U. Anything over 7 is more than enough.
just a guess..
maybe it is the Samsung Radio.. there are talks/rumors that the radios in samsung phones are not as strong as htc or moto.
what was your phone before the S3?
do you have a friend at work.. that has Sprint, but not using a samsung smartphone?
I had the HTC Evo prior to the GS3. Same problem at the work place with the signal being weak and roaming, but at least I wasnt getting so many dropped calls on my way home and text messages went through 99% of the time.
A coworker has the GS3 on AT&T and hers works fine. Another Coworker has the iphone 5 on Sprint and is having the same signal problem as me. I could see if we worked in thick walls undergroundm, but I am literally next to a window.
If they were going to advertise that they are improving the network, I would expect it to show.
NYCHitman1
Gun for Hire
They are improving the network, but it takes a little bit of time. Some areas are being improved faster than others, but it is what it is. Just be a little patient and you'll see that Sprint is here for the long haul, and worth every penny you spend per month to keep their services.
ScandaLeX
Wasn't Me
I applaud your post but given how long Sprints 3G has gone downhill it's kind of hard to be on the receiving end of "hang in there." Currently, if it weren't for WiFi I couldn't use my phone for internet or anything else that requires a connection. Mine is practically non existent.
I can remember when 3G was phenomenal and when it started decreasing I assumed a tower was either down or they were working on it. I sincerely thought the degrade was temporary. I want LTE just like so many others but the wait is right up there with watching paint dry.
NYCHitman1
Gun for Hire
That stinks. I see some disgruntled Sprint customers from various parts of the country, yet I have no idea what you guys suffer from because I have not experienced it in the slightest.
Hitman.. you are lucky!
i am in Dallas/fort worth texas area. i do not have a LTE phone yet.. OG evo!
and when i first got the evo.. 3G was about 1-1.8 mbs. this was usable.
then about 1.5 yrs ago.. the speed started dropping..
they talked about the NV plan... and it will be great when finished for all data networks. because LTE will take some of the heat off of 3G. and better towers would mean better speeds and coverage too.
so for more than 1 yr... my speeds on 3G have been below 500mbs.. average 100 - 500 kbs
you now what is funny..
my friend on ATT.. is grandfathered on unlimited data .. but is throttled after he hits 5GBs... guess what his speed is when it is throttled! and he biiitches and complains...this is soooo slow.. he hates ATT for this throttled speeds!
he gets 400-500kbs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NOW THAT IS EMBARRASSING!
i am in Dallas/fort worth texas area. i do not have a LTE phone yet.. OG evo!
and when i first got the evo.. 3G was about 1-1.8 mbs. this was usable.
then about 1.5 yrs ago.. the speed started dropping..
they talked about the NV plan... and it will be great when finished for all data networks. because LTE will take some of the heat off of 3G. and better towers would mean better speeds and coverage too.
so for more than 1 yr... my speeds on 3G have been below 500mbs.. average 100 - 500 kbs
you now what is funny..
my friend on ATT.. is grandfathered on unlimited data .. but is throttled after he hits 5GBs... guess what his speed is when it is throttled! and he biiitches and complains...this is soooo slow.. he hates ATT for this throttled speeds!
he gets 400-500kbs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NOW THAT IS EMBARRASSING!
NYCHitman1
Gun for Hire
That's pretty sad. I've never once seen my 3G speeds dip under 1 meg. Call me lucky, but I'm really happy with Sprint and even more excited about what is to come in the foreseeable future with (new) Sprint.
Before I picked up the SGS3, I was using WiMAX pretty heavily on my 3VO, which would see consistent speeds around 9-13 mb/s down. Fairly well blanketed in terms of coverage too.
drexappeal
Extreme Android User
I think what has been most disappointing to me is, in a major city like LA, I would've hoped that Sprint would have found the urgency in catering to those areas...but, I can't say they necessarily do that in L.A. WiMax has always been completely spotty. In fact, it picked up signal with the original EVO, prior to it officially launching. After it officially launched, I was never able to connect near my work (the only place, aside from the airport that I knew had strong 4g signal).
Thing is, even with the slower speeds lately, I'm not all that disappointed in Sprint. I'm happy with the amount I pay per month for 3 phones. The speed is enough for me to get by, while I'm out and about. The only time I really get frustrated is when I should be in an extremely strong signal area, but for some reason just keep dipping in and out of roaming (full signal, to roaming, to no signal). That's where most of my battery drain with all my devices have come into play.
Bottom line for me has been the reliability of use at my house. None of the other carriers, including Verizon, has as consistent signal at my house as Sprint. Had Verizon's signal been stronger, I might've moved over to them a while ago (when they still had unlimited plans)...but you'll never see me having a fit over Sprint, unless it's to the point that I don't have signal anywhere. Bottom line for everyone else, I just think that people should go with what suits their needs the most. There are some that just enjoy complaining, but I have too many other things in my life to be thankful for to do that.
I had an EVO 4G and never experienced WiMAx (except in a Sprint Store) and now I have an EVO LTE and do not have LTE (and I MUST use an Airave to have a signal in a strong Sprint area).
Please, Sprint, help us! I am the optimist that the "New Sprint" will succeed (as a customer as well as a shareholder!)!
Please, Sprint, help us! I am the optimist that the "New Sprint" will succeed (as a customer as well as a shareholder!)!
simcha
Android Enthusiast
I picked up LTE in Jack London Square this past weekend. The photo won't upload. I got 5200kbps down and 7100kbps up with ping at 95ms.Hopefully, speeds will get better when it officially launches. Meanwhile I have service that cuts in and out at work despite spending hours on the phone with Sprint Customer Service, Sprint technicians, and Supervisors.
drexappeal
Extreme Android User
Woah.. I'm outside using my GNote2 look at the top bar while multi-tasking and I see the 4g emblem pop up. Hollywood near Wilshire and Fairfax. Speed doesn't seem blazing fast, but good.
SurrealOne
Android Expert
Can you do a speed test and post ? Woo Hoo calif getting faster.....
drexappeal
Extreme Android User
LOL...I will when I get a chance. Barely have had my GNote2 for a little less than 24 hours, so I still haven't really set it up, yet. Once I do, I'll test it out.
drexappeal
Extreme Android User
Can't do screen shot right now, but this is what I got inside my office (so, building penetration is definitely better than WiMax was)
ping - 51
download - 4.18 mbps
upload - 1.97 mbps
ping - 51
download - 4.18 mbps
upload - 1.97 mbps
drexappeal
Extreme Android User
Checked this out in the afternoon, while outside, and it's the same. WiMax was always very spotty in my area, but seems like LTE is more consistent. Now, I just hope to see better speeds soon.
NYCHitman1
Gun for Hire
I don't think you will see speeds that are that much improved, honestly. Sprint's LTE isn't made to be similar to VZW's or AT&T's. They are using half the amount of carriers, but on more towers so there is expanded coverage zones that overlap. At least, that is how it is supposed to be. In any event, I anticipate that you'll see a bump to maybe 7-8 on the downlink.
With all due respect, NYCHitman, I beg to differ. There are post after post of users users at S4GRU posting speeds in the 20 to 30bmps range on the downlink, including where Drex is, in LA. A 5x5 carrier, I believe, is capable of speeds up to 37mbps, which there are also numerous sightings of at S4GRU (which Sprint is deploying a 5x5 now on 1900mhz, and another 5x5 next summer on 800mhz.) Since LTE speeds are highly signal strength dependent, Drex is likely in an area with low LTE signal strength. Even if the "bars" on the phone show full signal, the phone could be pulling LTE off a distant tower and 1x off a close tower. Although that may appear to be full strength when looking at the "bars", and it is in regards to the 1x signal, it very well may not be the LTE signal strength. Based on Drex's speeds, I'd bet this is exaclty the case. Remember, the bars show your 1x signal strength, not LTE or EVDO. In other words, if he has "full bars," that is his 1x signal, but his LTE signal could be weak, resulting in low speeds. As more and more towers get upgraded, and the active LTE towers (essentially) become closer to the device, the speeds will increase as the signal gets stronger. (Hopefully that makes sense.)
However, you are spot on in regards to "more towers." Since Sprints network has their towers spaced based on 1900mhz spectrum, the towers are relatively close, resulting in small cells. Therefore, less users will be on each tower than the other providers, namely VZW and ATT. This will result in less load per tower and, thus, the ability to maintain data speeds. This is because each tower will have a relatively light load since the tower density is high. Furthermore, when Sprint starts adding 800mhz carriers as they shut down NEXTEL next summer, it will get even better, at least in regards to Sprint's network being able to handle even higher loads and, not to mention, the improved signal strength indoors and area covered. (In fact, in some markets, they are already using 1x at 800mhz. Chicago is one market that comes to mind and has been confirmed by numerous users at S4GRU and the exact location of each tower can be seen in the sponsors area that has 800mhz on 1x. Its amazing what the maps over at S4GRU show. They scored a major hook up, as they get a list of the exact location (GPS coords) of each tower Sprint has upgraded on a weekly basis, and its 3G, LTE, and/or 800mhz status. Then he takes the time upload them into Google maps.)