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FreedomPop WiMAX coverage different than Sprint WiMAX coverage?

rwong48

By rwong48
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rwong48 Member Level: iDEN *chirp*

rwong48

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For those who don't know, FreedomPop launched their free service not too long ago with Sprint/Clear's WiMAX network (please correct me if I'm wrong.) http://slickdeals.ne...h-49-99-deposit

 

I'm in an area with generally weak WiMAX outside, and usually none inside. In particular, it's not available at my workplace (indoors nor outdoors). I've tried this with my EVO Shift and a coworker's EVO Design.

 

However, the FreedomPop device gets a great signal and great speeds (7-9Mbps down, 1-1.5Mbps up). I thought they were both running on the same network.. does anyone know what's going on here?

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S4GRU Member Level: LTE Advanced

S4GRU

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Coverage is definitely not different. I bet the Freedom POP device has a much stronger radio. This was definitely noticeable with some WiMax hotspots being vastly superior to the EVO.

 

Robert via Moto Photon Q using Forum Runner

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rwong48 Member Level: iDEN *chirp*

rwong48

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Thanks guys. I figured there may have been some radio difference, but not to the extent of "great" vs "zero" coverage outdoors where I am.

 

What device are you comparing the Evo Design and Shift to? Perhaps it has better radios...

I'm using the Freedom Spot Photon (portable hotspot). Basically the same as the Clear Spot Voyager.

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iansltx Member Level: 4G WiMax

iansltx

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Thanks guys. I figured there may have been some radio difference, but not to the extent of "great" vs "zero" coverage outdoors where I am.

 

 

I'm using the Freedom Spot Photon (portable hotspot). Basically the same as the Clear Spot Voyager.

 

...and that, to be honest, is a weak WiMAX hotspot. Though it's mobile. I swapped mine for a Clear desktop modem and both reception and data speeds are much better on the much (MUCH) larger device :)

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S4GRU Member Level: LTE Advanced

S4GRU

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Thanks guys. I figured there may have been some radio difference, but not to the extent of "great" vs "zero" coverage outdoors where I am.

 

The maximum threshold for WiMax is around -85dBm RSSI for most smartphones (some were even limited to -82dBm). So if you were getting between -82dBm and -85dBm on your previous WiMax device, then you likely had pretty mediocre service that didn't want to stay connected. If your new device is getting even just -78dBm to -80dBm, the difference would be night and day.

 

If you think about a conventional WiMax deployment, there were so many places where you didn't think you had a signal, but you did, but it was too weak for you to know it was there. Each site had dozens or even hundreds of square miles with -85dBm to -95dBm signals that your device did not detect. If you had a stronger radio, a good portion of these no signal areas could now be live to you.

 

Robert

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  • 7 months later...
reedacus25 Member Level: 1x Advanced

reedacus25

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Figured I might resurrect this thread instead of posting somewhere else erroniously.

 

Does anyone know if Freedompop customers have access to Clear protection sites? I am getting the Overdrive to have some cheap data in the car for my iPad on the EvDO side of Freedompop for $4.

 

Still would be nice to have access to WiMax at home, which is served by a protection site.

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drir Member Level: iDEN *chirp*

drir

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Does anyone know if Freedompop customers have access to Clear protection sites

 

Yes they do. I am able to connect to the protection sites here in Arizona with my Freedompop account.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone 5 using Tapatalk

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  • 5 months later...
njjdnt Member Level: eHRPD

njjdnt

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Can you explain? What is a protection site? I am a Clear user.

 

 

Sent from my iPod touch using Tapatalk

They were WiMax "islands" sites setup just to cover population to protect the license from being pulled by the FCC.

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