dkyeager Posted March 4, 2016 Share Posted March 4, 2016 ....Outbound calls frequently failed after a short beep sound.... Airaves emit a beep when you make calls. Perhaps a neighbor had one. They can cover a 1/2 mile radius or more when there is no other signal. I had one in operation that covered most of a college campus while the cell tower was down for NV upgrade. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S4GRU Posted March 4, 2016 Share Posted March 4, 2016 Just back from visiting Billings MT for a week. Our Sprint iPhone 6 roamed PCS on SID 5230. Worst cellular service I've ever experienced. Failure to complete or receive calls. Data didn't work at all despite the Sprint Extended 3G display. Outbound calls frequently failed after a short beep sound. Couldn't make SMS or iMessage work. No data of any kind. Weird and bad is what one sees there at the moment. This is a far cry from the days we had the old Qwest sites marked as native and much of Alltel marked as native. Roaming or no for billing sake, the network in Billings is very definitely broken. The only saving grace is we had WiFi much of the time, and enabled WiFi calling or it would of been even more ridiculous than it was. Anyway, sad to see things decline to the current level. -Dan Sprint is actively deploying on old Chinook Wireless sites in the area. Thankfully what you report is coming to an end. Likely this year. Using Tapatalk on Note 8.0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mozamcrew Posted March 4, 2016 Share Posted March 4, 2016 Just back from visiting Billings MT for a week. Our Sprint iPhone 6 roamed PCS on SID 5230. Worst cellular service I've ever experienced. Failure to complete or receive calls. Data didn't work at all despite the Sprint Extended 3G display. Outbound calls frequently failed after a short beep sound. Couldn't make SMS or iMessage work. No data of any kind. Weird and bad is what one sees there at the moment. This is a far cry from the days we had the old Qwest sites marked as native and much of Alltel marked as native. Roaming or no for billing sake, the network in Billings is very definitely broken. The only saving grace is we had WiFi much of the time, and enabled WiFi calling or it would of been even more ridiculous than it was. Anyway, sad to see things decline to the current level. -Dan You should have been able to roam on Verizon 1x CDMA for calls and SMS.... or maybe Sagebrush Cellular. http://s4gru.com/index.php?/topic/5684-sprint-to-join-rural-operators-roaming-hub-cca-and-rrpp-thread/?p=303898 http://www.nemont.net/pdfs/Nemont-local-wireless-coverage.pdf Do you have Boost/Virgin mobile instead of Postpaid Sprint, or maybe you had roaming disabled on your phone? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rawvega Posted March 4, 2016 Share Posted March 4, 2016 SID 5320 shows up as grandfathered to Montana PCS Alliance A M. I believe that may have been Alltel at some point in the past. If I had to guess, I'd say that it's probably some deprecated roaming network that Verizon (or AT&T?) is doing the bare minimum to maintain in order to finish honoring an Alltel agreement. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dalbrich Posted March 4, 2016 Share Posted March 4, 2016 You should have been able to roam on Verizon 1x CDMA for calls and SMS.... or maybe Sagebrush Cellular. http://s4gru.com/index.php?/topic/5684-sprint-to-join-rural-operators-roaming-hub-cca-and-rrpp-thread/?p=303898 http://www.nemont.net/pdfs/Nemont-local-wireless-coverage.pdf Do you have Boost/Virgin mobile instead of Postpaid Sprint, or maybe you had roaming disabled on your phone? Our Sprint phone is my wife's and she's on another trip so I can't easily check the PRL version at the moment. I can say that I ran the ##UPDATE# and got a success message in a strong Sprint native area (Eugene, OR) before we left. I realize the PRL may have several entries by priority-- and I do assume that Verizon is one of them. Verizon being very strong in Montana. Anyway, default behavior was to connect to the busted SID... I have a screenshot of the debug screen if helpful. SID # was definitely 5230-- and no I couldn't find that one either. Someone in Howard Forums indicated it was formerly a Cellular One SID. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S4GRU Posted March 4, 2016 Share Posted March 4, 2016 Looks like Sprint LTE is live in parts of Missoula according to Sensorly and someone's post on Reddit. Sent from OnePlus 2 using Tapatalk 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rawvega Posted March 4, 2016 Share Posted March 4, 2016 I have a screenshot of the debug screen if helpful. SID # was definitely 5230-- and no I couldn't find that one either. http://www.howardforums.com/showthread.php/1880438-Sprint-in-Billings-MT-FYI?p=16495571#post16495571 I couldn't find SID 5230 either, but it definitely looks like 5320. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dalbrich Posted March 5, 2016 Share Posted March 5, 2016 http://www.howardforums.com/showthread.php/1880438-Sprint-in-Billings-MT-FYI?p=16495571#post16495571 I couldn't find SID 5230 either, but it definitely looks like 5320. yes, very sorry about the typo. It is/was definitely 5320... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAvirani Posted March 5, 2016 Share Posted March 5, 2016 SID # was definitely 5230-- and no I couldn't find that one either. Someone in Howard Forums indicated it was formerly a Cellular One SID. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkyeager Posted March 11, 2016 Share Posted March 11, 2016 Found this in a FCC filing showing Montana sites: Map: https://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsEntry/attachments/attachmentViewRD.jsp?applType=search&fileKey=844893847&attachmentKey=19885577&attachmentInd=applAttach paperwork: http://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsApp/ApplicationSearch/applAdmin.jsp?applID=9525108# Still looking for more.. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkyeager Posted March 11, 2016 Share Posted March 11, 2016 (edited) More MT map coverage: https://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsEntry/attachments/attachmentViewRD.jsp?applType=search&fileKey=655753655&attachmentKey=19885669&attachmentInd=applAttach https://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsEntry/attachments/attachmentViewRD.jsp?applType=search&fileKey=1016177891&attachmentKey=19885623&attachmentInd=applAttach https://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsEntry/attachments/attachmentViewRD.jsp?applType=search&fileKey=1959570548&attachmentKey=19885602&attachmentInd=applAttach Edited March 12, 2016 by dkyeager 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkyeager Posted March 12, 2016 Share Posted March 12, 2016 Map of Sprint Possible LTE Areas in Montana Based on Sprint FCC filings show above. Blue Balloons = only on FCC Maps Green Balloons = Also on Sensorly or Sprint Coverage Maps 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brynn0823 Posted March 20, 2016 Share Posted March 20, 2016 Looks like Sprint LTE is live in parts of Missoula according to Sensorly and someone's post on Reddit. Sent from OnePlus 2 using Tapatalk Completely off topic but important question but my girlfriend lives in Marquette MI and it says roaming area for coverage. She said that lately she's been seeing more sprint commercials whereas before she hadn't. Now I'm curious why would sprint have local advertising in an area that offers no sprint coverage ? I assume they don't plan on expanding in Marquette anytime soon if at all ??? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkyeager Posted March 20, 2016 Share Posted March 20, 2016 Completely off topic but important question but my girlfriend lives in Marquette MI and it says roaming area for coverage. She said that lately she's been seeing more sprint commercials whereas before she hadn't. Now I'm curious why would sprint have local advertising in an area that offers no sprint coverage ? I assume they don't plan on expanding in Marquette anytime soon if at all ??? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk https://www.dropbox.com/s/bpuuj8mvatev170/Sprint%20coverage%20map%20updated%20Jan%2010%202016.JPG?dl=0 This Sprint coverage map was last updated January 10, 2016. The area is covered by Cellcom under 3G & more. Let us know if you get LTE. Next time start your own thread. The Upper Peninsula of Michigan is a long ways from Montana. Maybe a moderator will do this for you. . 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarshieZ Posted March 20, 2016 Share Posted March 20, 2016 Completely off topic but important question but my girlfriend lives in Marquette MI and it says roaming area for coverage. She said that lately she's been seeing more sprint commercials whereas before she hadn't. Now I'm curious why would sprint have local advertising in an area that offers no sprint coverage ? I assume they don't plan on expanding in Marquette anytime soon if at all ??? https://www.dropbox.com/s/bpuuj8mvatev170/Sprint%20coverage%20map%20updated%20Jan%2010%202016.JPG?dl=0 This Sprint coverage map was last updated January 10, 2016. The area is covered by Cellcom under 3G & more. Let us know if you get LTE. Next time start your own thread. The Upper Peninsula of Michigan is a long ways from Montana. Maybe a moderator will do this for you. Please follow up with us on what you experience in Marquette. I have the U.P. towers in my premier thread and I'd like to officially update the stats with the information. Brynn, do you still have an iPhone 5? Or have you upgraded? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkyeager Posted March 20, 2016 Share Posted March 20, 2016 Please follow up with us on what you experience in Marquette. I have the U.P. towers in my premier thread and I'd like to officially update the stats with the information. Brynn, do you still have an iPhone 5? Or have you upgraded? Although I don't Marquette is in the Green Bay BEA, most of Cellcom is definitely around the northern Wisconsin Market. Thus this makes sense. Sent from my LGLS991 using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sprke Posted March 21, 2016 Share Posted March 21, 2016 I'll be in MT next weekend. There is a Chinook tower about a mile from where I'm staying I'll be sure to check for activity. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAvirani Posted March 21, 2016 Share Posted March 21, 2016 I'll be in MT next weekend. There is a Chinook tower about a mile from where I'm staying I'll be sure to check for activity. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Where in Montana are you headed? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sprke Posted March 21, 2016 Share Posted March 21, 2016 Where in Montana are you headed?~40 miles east of Billings Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brynn0823 Posted March 21, 2016 Share Posted March 21, 2016 Please follow up with us on what you experience in Marquette. I have the U.P. towers in my premier thread and I'd like to officially update the stats with the information. Brynn, do you still have an iPhone 5? Or have you upgraded? iPhone 6S plus Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarshieZ Posted March 22, 2016 Share Posted March 22, 2016 iPhone 6S plus Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Thanks, definitely follow up with us and/or shoot me a PM with any screenshots or information you have. Also be sure to update your profile on here so it says 6S Plus and not 5! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkyeager Posted March 22, 2016 Share Posted March 22, 2016 Helena now has Sensorly LTE tracks from this month. Map updated: http://s4gru.com/index.php?/topic/6296-sprint-to-expand-to-montana-using-shut-down-cellularone-sites/page-12&do=findComment&comment=472376 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dalbrich Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 Just a quick followup to my Billings visit and terrible Sprint roaming. I was there 5 days. I traveled over town. My experience wasn't limited to any one location. I was actively testing at different spots-- so, no air rave issue (or if so, doesn't account for other locations in town). I'll be curious if Sprke will be able to use his phone at all for any purpose save WiFi. It was really, really bad. I had better experiences back in the analog days roaming, no exaggeration. But let's see what the report is. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkyeager Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 Just a quick followup to my Billings visit and terrible Sprint roaming. I was there 5 days. I traveled over town. My experience wasn't limited to any one location. I was actively testing at different spots-- so, no air rave issue (or if so, doesn't account for other locations in town). I'll be curious if Sprke will be able to use his phone at all for any purpose save WiFi. It was really, really bad. I had better experiences back in the analog days roaming, no exaggeration. But let's see what the report is. This appears to back some limited root metrics results. No wonder it is not on the coverage maps yet. Lets hope the continue to improve it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkyeager Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 Just a quick followup to my Billings visit and terrible Sprint roaming. I was there 5 days. I traveled over town. My experience wasn't limited to any one location. I was actively testing at different spots-- so, no air rave issue (or if so, doesn't account for other locations in town). I'll be curious if Sprke will be able to use his phone at all for any purpose save WiFi. It was really, really bad. I had better experiences back in the analog days roaming, no exaggeration. But let's see what the report is. Were you getting good signal. What RSSI or RSRP or signal bars. Perhaps the issue is backhaul. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.