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[PSA] Sprint announces GEN3 (4th iteration) Magic Box

lilotimz

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Tim Yu
Sprint 4G Rollout Updates
Wednesday, September 12, 2018 - 12:45 PM PDT

[Edit] It has come to the attention of S4GRU that the Magic Box also supports CDMA Voice

Today, Sprint announced the newest Magic Box™ to the world. This Magic Box was first spotted in early summer and S4GRU did a quick write up on it here. Today's announcement formally revealed what new technologies this 3rd Generation public release will give to us.

The highlights:

Quote

The newest Sprint Magic Box is a free-standing unit that dramatically improves data coverage and increases download speeds on average by 250 percent[1] to provide nearby Sprint customers a better data and customer experience overall. The LTE Advanced-capable device uses 4x4 MIMO, higher order modulation (256QAM) and three-carrier aggregation within Sprint’s licensed spectrum for a reliable, sustainable experience.

The new unit also includes Wi-Fi backhaul so the device can work using a Wi-Fi connection if wireless coverage is not available. Sprint Magic Box has a color screen that clearly displays key information, two USB ports for charging devices, and an Ethernet port for future support of network devices

This is some huge stuff here especially for technology nerds!

Previous Magic Box's only utilized LTE UE Relay for backhaul up to 2 carrier aggregation at 2x2 MIMO at 64 QAM modulation. With 3 CA, 256 QAM, and 4x4 MIMO, this new Magic Box has the same capability as a Gigabit Class device on the Sprint™ network!

In addition the notes about Wi-FI connection working for backhaul are huge. Sprint Band 25 or Band 41 may not reach indoors or even in some neighborhoods due to macro coverage patterns even though a Magic Box is available to use in a region. By having the option to use locally supplied internet via WiFi as backhaul, this allows Magic Boxes to enter locations where LTE UE Relay does not work. In addition, the ethernet port tidbit may also be a hint that using ethernet backhaul could also be an option.

If so, this Magic Box would potentially support 3 choices of backhaul all in one unit; LTE UE Relay, WiFi, and Ethernet! Wow! 

With the coming arrival of VoLTE opt in in the near future, LTE coverage indoors is a huge concern. The now expanded reach of this new Magic Box into places previously unreachable is a huge step forward. Exciting!

Sprint and Airspan sure loves Magic!

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17 Comments

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mirskyc

With 4x4MIMO and 256Qam it won't be too hard to max out the 20mhz carrier that the MB broadcasts since its only 2x2MIMO and 64QAM

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imex99
7 hours ago, Paynefanbro said:

How do I give back my old one and get one of these lol?

Ask ur contacts.....

 

Hi Josh,

I’m more than happy to send you a new model once they are available. We are expecting a late November launch for the Gen 3 device!

 

Best,

 

Courtney 

 

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schmidtj
On 9/13/2018 at 2:10 AM, imex99 said:

I’m more than happy to send you a new model once they are available. We are expecting a late November launch for the Gen 3 device!

 

Best,

 

Courtney 

 

My current MB performance is very poor. Will the new one improve this? If yes I would like to swap it out if possible.

It's currently on Band 25 but occasionally I'll see it on Band 41 with an RSRP of -119 and CINR or 3.0 or less.
The Download/Upload speeds are about the same on 41 as on 25 fwiw.

See Attached.

IMG_5470-1.jpg

IMG_5471.PNG

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AcctDeleted_JG001

Hi. Good Day!  Will someone that has access to the Magic Box to Please kindly put me on the list for me to kindly receive  the GEN3 (4th iteration) Magic Box and please kindly prioritize  me  kindly on this list so I will  kindly receive the GEN3 (4th iteration) Magic Box. If you kindly need additional information, please kindly direct message me. I will kindly look forward to hearing from someone that has access to the Magic Box via direct message. Have A Great Day! Thank you

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belusnecropolis
40 minutes ago, AcctDeleted_JG001 said:

Hi. Good Day!  Will someone that has access to the Magic Box to Please kindly put me on the list for me to kindly receive  the GEN3 (4th iteration) Magic Box and please kindly prioritize  me  kindly on this list so I will  kindly receive the GEN3 (4th iteration) Magic Box. If you kindly need additional information, please kindly direct message me. I will kindly look forward to hearing from someone that has access to the Magic Box via direct message. Have A Great Day! Thank you

Baby you gotta call Sprint. This was the kindest message ever so I think if you keep that up when you call, you will get one for sure.

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lilotimz
2 hours ago, Thomas L. said:

It'll support CDMA voice as well! That's a big deal! 

It's an add on module. Same as the AIrave 4. 

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vryan44

 

On 9/27/2018 at 10:42 PM, Fordfx4 said:

You do know that you will be paying for wifi and cell service , so your paying twice just to use your phone 

True, but whether you had the magic box or not you'd still be paying for internet. Just have your phone connected to wifi at home when its in reach.

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burnout8488
On 9/19/2018 at 11:31 AM, schmidtj said:

My current MB performance is very poor. Will the new one improve this? If yes I would like to swap it out if possible.

It's currently on Band 25 but occasionally I'll see it on Band 41 with an RSRP of -119 and CINR or 3.0 or less.
The Download/Upload speeds are about the same on 41 as on 25 fwiw.

See Attached.

IMG_5470-1.jpg

IMG_5471.PNG

I don't see anything wrong with this. That's a pretty healthy upload too. (For Sprint in general) 

Is your phone experience impacted with these speeds at all? 

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schmidtj

The MB went back to B41 which it very much prefers even though speeds are poorer. My touchscreen no longer accepts input so I’m replacing the MB with a similar model. 

 

28436D33-F7A5-4303-A987-886291F79149.png

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SilentHippie

Hi! Newb to the magicbox. I just had one delivered. Easy set up.

Under the settings though, it gives me the opinions of:

LTE Backhaul

WiFi Backhaul

Ethernet Backhaul

I’m at a loss of which to choose. Ethernet is out because I can’t get to it. I haven’t found anywhere explaining why I would choose LTE vs WiFi.

 

Help?

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belusnecropolis
1 hour ago, SilentHippie said:

Hi! Newb to the magicbox. I just had one delivered. Easy set up.

Under the settings though, it gives me the opinions of:

LTE Backhaul

WiFi Backhaul

Ethernet Backhaul

I’m at a loss of which to choose. Ethernet is out because I can’t get to it. I haven’t found anywhere explaining why I would choose LTE vs WiFi.

  

Help?

LTE if you like, this uses the signal from the tower to supply data to the MB to rebroadcast a clean, local signal. I haven't heard of these being options. Sounds like you got a newer one. Neat! If you have a WiFi network you would like to use, give it a try. You can always reset these things. 

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