Jump to content

Sprint to expand to Montana using shut down CellularOne sites


Recommended Posts

With a merger a multitude of options would become possible. They would also become necessary as roaming agreements would not likely be extended.

Endless possibilities if they merge. I wonder if T-Mobile would use band 26 in Montana, as well as other remote areas. Would they have to get licenses for it ? I mean they have band 12 and rolling that out rather quickly

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Sprint Montana License update

 

On 2/22/17 a technical document labeled "link budget supplement"  was added: https://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsEntry/attachments/attachmentViewRD.jsp;ATTACHMENTS=BCv8YzWThLhK1zgQjh11wWFTcrQSr3XQjLmCVXTQT0SPG2qgCBnG!-55596135!-1680248972?applType=search&fileKey=304721726&attachmentKey=20094125&attachmentInd=applAttach

 

The next day the status was returned to "Offlined for Expired License Review".  I checked another area where we have confirmed the LTE to be usable this past summer and have GCIs etc.  It was given the same treatment.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Sprint Montana License update

 

On 2/22/17 a technical document labeled "link budget supplement" was added: https://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsEntry/attachments/attachmentViewRD.jsp;ATTACHMENTS=BCv8YzWThLhK1zgQjh11wWFTcrQSr3XQjLmCVXTQT0SPG2qgCBnG!-55596135!-1680248972?applType=search&fileKey=304721726&attachmentKey=20094125&attachmentInd=applAttach

 

The next day the status was returned to "Offlined for Expired License Review". I checked another area where we have confirmed the LTE to be usable this past summer and have GCIs etc. It was given the same treatment.

 

I'm sure they're done in Montana work wise.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I was traveling through Montana this weekend, and received LTE service in Billings & Missoula. I didn't get screenshots as I was driving. The service was solid however. I'm using an iPhone 7 Plus.

Good to hear. What exactly do you mean by solid though?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I was able to use my phone while eating breakfast in Missoula with no issues. Check IG, Facebook, etc. I have to say the 3G roaming in WY and MT is reasonable as well, definitely usable until we hit the roaming cap on all our devices.

  • Like 5
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I was able to use my phone while eating breakfast in Missoula with no issues. Check IG, Facebook, etc. I have to say the 3G roaming in WY and MT is reasonable as well, definitely usable until we hit the roaming cap on all our devices.

 

A couple of things...did you have service from billings all the way to Missoula ? Or just service in both locations with roaming in between while driving ? 2nd how extensive was the coverage in both areas ?

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Link to comment
Share on other sites

There was only service in those cities, roaming everywhere else. I didn't spend a lot of time in either place as we were just passing through, but it seemed to be fairly consistent while passing through. I would say those two cities are probably covered decently well. Since my wife has relatives up there, I'll hope they expand this eventually.

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...

Spent some time recently in Billings MT.   There are spots of Sprint LTE and native 3G.   It all depends how close you are to the tower.  Feels like a few protection sites but not full-build.    i.e. Many places my phone showed Sprint native (LTE and 3G) where I could not place a call, send or receive a text or use data.  Roaming data in Billings preferred Nemont, which worked fine. 

 

For my travel in and around Billings, I was pleased to see my phone roaming because it meant it was at least working.  I am pleased to see the native service and hopeful it will improve over time.

 

-Dan

  • Like 10
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Speaking of a Sprint/T-Mo merger....

 

Recently spoke w/ T-Mo about coverage in Montana - they offer roaming that looks native, but rep said that they are "working on selling service in MT very soon" - haven't kept up on network buzz since that whole mess with Alltel/VZW/AT&T divested markets and then MTPCS tanking, but perhaps Sprint & T-Mo are plotting something...would make a lot of sense in the MT market where T-Mo has basic roaming w/ AT&T but wants native coverage. Dunno if they can even get licenses for the area....thoughts?

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

 

Coming back to this topic, and I know this is a two and a half month old comment I'm quoting:

 

T-Mobile is now selling service in one town, planning on more. All stores in Missoula so far are third-party stores, but it means they're committed, on some level. Wouldn't be surprised to see MetroPCS show up soon-ish either. The fact that they now have licences covering most of the state means they're definitely committed to expanding to the rest of the state. Could've been Sprint making the push, but guess they've been well past beaten to the punch now. 

 

In Missoula, they've still got just the one protection site. Still running pretty slow compared to elsewhere, but I can use data. Fun fact: download speeds are roughly equivalent to AT&T LTE here now. I set up a data-only AT&T GoPhone SIM for someone who will be visiting and needs internet around the whole state and did some testing with it, and got 2-3Mbps download speeds. This is on a plan with limited data, so it shouldn't have the throttle like the unlimited GoPhone plan does.

 

But that aside, that's how Sprint is looking. 

 

(I know, it's been ages since I posted anything. I thought of this again when I had a Japanese exchange student ask me to help set up his phone with local service. When I saw he was using SoftBank as his home provider and he was using an iPhone I told him he could just use his plan from home here at no extra cost and set up a TextNow or Google Voice number for people who need a US number to reach him at. I am now having second thoughts about that).

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

No changed in license status since February 2017 addition of Link Budget Supplement attachments. :clock:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Here's to hoping they merge with T-Mobile....that's the only way we'll see any kind of expansion and T-Mobile is committed to it and brand would probably survive.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Here's to hoping they merge with T-Mobile....that's the only way we'll see any kind of expansion and T-Mobile is committed to it and brand would probably survive.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

They've been adding towers here and there in high roaming areas (http://www.codyenterprise.com/article_804e6cec-35b9-11e7-8392-3b77677fda5d.html for example)...

 

...and they have over 200 active site leases in Montana...

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

They've been adding towers here and there in high roaming areas (http://www.codyenterprise.com/article_804e6cec-35b9-11e7-8392-3b77677fda5d.html for example)...

 

...and they have over 200 active site leases in Montana...

We don't know when or if they'll ever go commercially live. It's pretty spotty at best in a few cities in Montana. Not enough for them to update their coverage maps.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Link to comment
Share on other sites

We don't know when or if they'll ever go commercially live. It's pretty spotty at best in a few cities in Montana. Not enough for them to update their coverage maps.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

One tower per city. I unfortunately can't speak on what is to come.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hopefully SoftBank merges Sprint with T-Mobile is all I can say

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Doubt a deal happens. But if it does, there will be a lot of headaches as both networks are combined into one. Then there's the issue of which network they'll shut down. CDMA or GSM?

 

Shut down GSM and you'll lose reliable fallback for VoLTE. Shut down CDMA, and you'll lose 1x800 which is more reliable than lowband VoLTE.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Doubt a deal happens. But if it does, there will be a lot of headaches as both networks are combined into one. Then there's the issue of which network they'll shut down. CDMA or GSM?

 

Shut down GSM and you'll lose reliable fallback for VoLTE. Shut down CDMA, and you'll lose 1x800 which is more reliable than lowband VoLTE.

 

Plausible arguments. It's more probable then doubtful. Let the speculation begin

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Doubt a deal happens. But if it does, there will be a lot of headaches as both networks are combined into one. Then there's the issue of which network they'll shut down. CDMA or GSM?

 

Shut down GSM and you'll lose reliable fallback for VoLTE. Shut down CDMA, and you'll lose 1x800 which is more reliable than lowband VoLTE.

The best/smartest choice, in my opinion, would be to shut CDMA down completely except 1x800.

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Doubt a deal happens. But if it does, there will be a lot of headaches as both networks are combined into one. Then there's the issue of which network they'll shut down. CDMA or GSM?

 

Shut down GSM and you'll lose reliable fallback for VoLTE. Shut down CDMA, and you'll lose 1x800 which is more reliable than lowband VoLTE.

 

It doesn't matter given both CDMA and GSM are going to be gone within the next 5 years or so, maybe sooner.

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

:ot:  Actually I would love to comment on this, but this needs to be in another thread.  Save this for Sprint in Montana.   With any merger, the companies involved need to operate in their usual fashion. 

 

Sprint paid good money for its options in Montana.  They seem to have more money now.  Perhaps their plans will be revisited.

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.


  • large.unreadcontent.png.6ef00db54e758d06

  • gallery_1_23_9202.png

  • Posts

    • This has been approved.. https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/fcc-approves-t-mobiles-deal-to-purchase-mint-mobile/  
    • In the conference call they had two question on additional spectrum. One was the 800 spectrum. They are not certain what will happen, thus have not really put it into their plans either way (sale or no sale). They do have a reserve level. Nationwide 800Mhz is seen as great for new technologies which I presume is IOT or 5g slices.  T-Mobile did not bite on use of their c-band or DOD.  mmWave rapidly approaching deadlines not mentioned at all. FWA brushes on this as it deals with underutilized spectrum on a sector by sector basis.  They are willing to take more money to allow FWA to be mobile (think RV or camping). Unsure if this represents a higher priority, for example, FWA Mobile in RVs in Walmart parking lots working where mobile phones need all the capacity. In terms of FWA capacity, their offload strategy is fiber through joint ventures where T-Mobile does the marketing, sales, and customer support while the fiber company does the network planning and installation.  50%-50% financial split not being consolidated into their books. I think discussion of other spectrum would have diluted the fiber joint venture discussion. They do have a fund which one use is to purchase new spectrum. Sale of the 800Mhz would go into this. It should be noted that they continue to buy 2.5Ghz spectrum from schools etc to replace leases. They will have a conference this fall  to update their overall strategies. Other notes from the call are 75% of the phones on the network are 5g. About 85% of their sites have n41, n25, and n71, 90% 5g.  93% of traffic is on midband.  SA is also adding to their performance advantage, which they figure is still ahead of other carriers by two years. It took two weeks to put the auction 108 spectrum to use at their existing sites. Mention was also made that their site spacing was designed for midrange thus no gaps in n41 coverage, while competitors was designed for lowband thus toggles back and forth for n77 also with its shorter range.  
    • The manual network selection sounds like it isn't always scanning NR, hence Dish not showing up. Your easiest way to force Dish is going to be forcing the phone into NR-only mode (*#*#4636#*#* menu?), since rainbow sims don't support SA on T-Mobile.
    • "The company’s unique multi-layer approach to 5G, with dedicated standalone 5G deployed nationwide across 600MHz, 1.9GHz, and 2.5GHz delivers customers a consistently strong experience, with 85% of 5G traffic on sites with all three spectrum bands deployed." Meanwhile they are very close to a construction deadline June 1 for 850Mhz of mmWave in most of Ohio covering 27500-28350Mhz expiring 6/8/2028. No reported sightings.  Buildout notice issue sent by FCC in March 5, 2024 https://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsApp/letterPdf/LetterPdfController?licId=4019733&letterVersionId=178&autoLetterId=13060705&letterCode=CR&radioServiceCode=UU&op=LetterPdf&licSide=Y&archive=null&letterTo=L  No soecific permits seen in a quick check of Columbus. They also have an additional 200Mhz covering at 24350-25450 Mhz and 24950-25050Mhz with no buildout date expiring 12/11/2029.
    • T-Mobile Delivers Industry-Leading Customer, Service Revenue and Profitability Growth in Q1 2024, and Raises 2024 Guidance https://www.t-mobile.com/news/business/t-mobile-q1-2024-earnings — — — — — I find it funny that when they talk about their spectrum layers they're saying n71, n25, and n41. They're completely avoiding talking about mmWave.
  • Recently Browsing

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...