Jump to content

FreedomPop WiMAX coverage different than Sprint WiMAX coverage?


rwong48

Recommended Posts

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?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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 :)

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

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

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 7 months later...

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.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 5 months later...

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.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest
This topic is now closed to further replies.
  • large.unreadcontent.png.6ef00db54e758d06

  • gallery_1_23_9202.png

  • Posts

    • Hopefully this indicates T-Mobile hasn't completely abandoned mmwave and/or small cells? But then again this is the loop, so take that as you will. Hopefully now that most macro activity is done (besides rural colo/builds), they will start working on small cells.   
    • 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 specific 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.
  • Recently Browsing

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