I'm having a strange issue that just started happening 1-2 weeks ago. I have a Pixel XL (1st gen), and as I move around the city (walking, car, bus, el, etc.) I will lose LTE data -- the signal strength bars will be just an empty outline. A few seconds later, it'll be full strength but roaming with an "R" next to it, then empty outline again. Then it will come back up full strength LTE. This repeats frequently-- every 1-2 minutes. It doesn't seem to be an issue when I'm stationary at home or at work.
After performing all self-troubleshooting I could (remove/clean/reseat SIM card, reset network settings, *#*#SCRTN#*#*, factory reset entire device, etc.) I contacted Sprint for assistance last night. I was transferred to level 2 tech support in OKC.
The tech said that it was because there were so many magic boxes that have come online in my area, and that's straining the network; she said all of the cells around me were "2.5g, slow data only, with the nearest full LTE tower 2+ miles away", and when I clarified-- 2.5 GHz LTE or truly 2.5 G data speeds, she said the latter. That doesn't sound right to me-- I've never had issues like this anywhere in the city, and this was happening to me all over. Edgewater, Lakeview, Lincoln Park, even on the south side along the Dan Ryan. But, isn't happening anywhere else outside the city. Was in Central Illinois all weekend and didn't have a single issue once I got out of Chicagoland.
I also did a search online, and found some people complaining about something similar back in 2016 in Chicago and Indy, but nothing in the last 1.5 years. It's just strange this started happening, and I am not sure if the tech support person I spoke with either fully understood the issue or provided me with the correct answer. She basically said, "I'll put in a ticket, but there's nothing else we can do right now."
After having experienced this for almost 2 weeks, I'm wondering if there is value in trying to call back and speak with someone else for a second opinion. Could an influx of new magic boxes really be causing this problem for me? And am I the only one experiencing this?