Network Vision/LTE - Western & Central Pennsylvania Markets (Lancaster, Scranton, Erie, State College, Williamsport)

[124chase]

Sensorly showing new LTE north of Edinboro along rt 99 corridor. Perhaps Erie isn't far behind.

[burnout8488]

Sensorly showing new LTE north of Edinboro along rt 99 corridor. Perhaps Erie isn't far behind.

 

Interesting, can anyone drive out there to confirm a live site? Wonder if it's just an error.

[S4GRU]

Interesting, can anyone drive out there to confirm a live site? Wonder if it's just an error.

I'm checking with someone who'll know.

 

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[S4GRU]

Sensorly showing new LTE north of Edinboro along rt 99 corridor. Perhaps Erie isn't far behind.

 

Interesting, can anyone drive out there to confirm a live site? Wonder if it's just an error.

 

The site in Edinboro is a brand new site that is full build with LTE.  So it appears that Sprint will at least make all new sites in the market go full build with LTE from the beginning.  However, there is no new movement on upgrading the existing GMOs all over the Western Penn market to full build with LTE at this time.

[burnout8488]

What a neat development! So, the fiber is there in Western PA, but still a holdup on the full builds for reasons unknown.

[S4GRU]

What a neat development! So, the fiber is there in Western PA, but still a holdup on the full builds for reasons unknown.

 

I don't know how many sites have fiber in Western PA.  But I know at least some do, and they are currently holding LTE GMO's from proceeding, and they have not funded GMO to full build conversions in this market.  LTE will be limited to new sites for the time being.

[JustJasonErie]

I have been a Sprint customer ever since the Instinct in 2008. I have spoke with local elected officials and agencies about Sprint's wrong doing in Erie PA.

 

1. When are they going to turn it on? 

 

2. When are they going to stop lying to the customers in the stores? 

 

3. You do have 4G but it is in BFE the most eastern part of Erie County PA. 

 

4. Why has it taken forever and ever for this to happen? 

 

I know I have done my homework, research and talked to pretty much a lot business, technical support etc etc but still I get the same song and dance. Can some one please guide me to understand more of the craziness this company has done with the citizens of Erie and our residents. Sprint is the only one NOT turned on. In not so populated areas around Erie PA have 4G. I know Cleveland and Buffalo has something to do with it. When I even go to Pittsburgh I get it but barely even outside Alleghany County. I have traveled a lot all over the Great Lakes area and Erie my hometown is not connected. Can you help me? and how can I get it turned on? 

[jroepcke51]

I have been a Sprint customer ever since the Instinct in 2008. I have spoke with local elected officials and agencies about Sprint's wrong doing in Erie PA.

 

1. When are they going to turn it on?

 

2. When are they going to stop lying to the customers in the stores?

 

3. You do have 4G but it is in BFE the most eastern part of Erie County PA.

 

4. Why has it taken forever and ever for this to happen?

 

I know I have done my homework, research and talked to pretty much a lot business, technical support etc etc but still I get the same song and dance. Can some one please guide me to understand more of the craziness this company has done with the citizens of Erie and our residents. Sprint is the only one NOT turned on. In not so populated areas around Erie PA have 4G. I know Cleveland and Buffalo has something to do with it. When I even go to Pittsburgh I get it but barely even outside Alleghany County. I have traveled a lot all over the Great Lakes area and Erie my hometown is not connected. Can you help me? and how can I get it turned on?

I didn't see any wrong doing on behalf of sprint. Obvi, sprint is not the service provider for you.

[S4GRU]

I have been a Sprint customer ever since the Instinct in 2008. I have spoke with local elected officials and agencies about Sprint's wrong doing in Erie PA.

 

1. When are they going to turn it on?

 

2. When are they going to stop lying to the customers in the stores?

 

3. You do have 4G but it is in BFE the most eastern part of Erie County PA.

 

4. Why has it taken forever and ever for this to happen?

 

I know I have done my homework, research and talked to pretty much a lot business, technical support etc etc but still I get the same song and dance. Can some one please guide me to understand more of the craziness this company has done with the citizens of Erie and our residents. Sprint is the only one NOT turned on. In not so populated areas around Erie PA have 4G. I know Cleveland and Buffalo has something to do with it. When I even go to Pittsburgh I get it but barely even outside Alleghany County. I have traveled a lot all over the Great Lakes area and Erie my hometown is not connected. Can you help me? and how can I get it turned on?

We have said this for a long time, but Sprint wiill not be adding LTE to the Erie area for a long time. Only brand new sites (like the new one in Edinboro) will be getting LTE in the foreseeable future. But there will not be many of these.

 

It's possible Sprint may do GMO LTE in the Erie area. But if they do, it wouldn't be until the end of the year. And it is questionable about how well that would work. If you live in Erie and 3G is not cutting it, you should find another provider than Sprint. Erie and Sioux Falls, SD will be the last markets in the country to get LTE from Sprint.

 

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[Galaxyguy]

We have said this for a long time, but Sprint wiill not be adding LTE to the Erie area for a long time. Only brand new sites (like the new one in Edinboro) will be getting LTE in the foreseeable future. But there will not be many of these.

 

It's possible Sprint may do GMO LTE in the Erie area. But if they do, it wouldn't be until the end of the year. And it is questionable about how well that would work. If you live in Erie and 3G is not cutting it, you should find another provider than Sprint. Erie and Sioux Falls, SD will be the last markets in the country to get LTE from Sprint.

 

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At least it will get done someday.

 

Sent from my Note 4.

[JustJasonErie]

When I purchased the 4G EVO for 3 years they had billboards on Peach Street, Bayfront and other locations about that phone and 4G in the area. They lied. They closed down the corporate store on Peach Street. Now you have to travel to the big three to go to a corporate store. Those who live in Erie with out a car have to spend more money to fix a problem. They at least left a third party store to fix things but it is not the corporate store itself. Posting things in Downtown Erie, along the Bayfront and at Presque Isle State Park is slow or there is no signal. Erie County has close to 300,000 residents and the City, plus a couple townships combine has 200,000 residents. When I go into the store they do talk about 4G and how Erie will get connected. I have spoke to technical support specialist across the region and on the phone. Rumors are that there are towers that have 4G LTE but they have not turned them on. Along the border with New York you can easily pick up 4G and as you head towards Buffalo. Along the border with Ohio you can get some 4G LTE but you'll have to travel Ashtbula and the RT 11 Intersection Interchange. Heading South to Pittsburgh you can pick it up around the Cranberry / Turnpike Interchange. Why would they open in small markets like York, Lancaster and way smaller towns then Erie, Altoona and Scranton? State College home of Penn State does not even have it which is a joke because Erie has 5 colleges in the area. 

[burnout8488]

When I purchased the 4G EVO for 3 years....

 

You should read this thread from start to finish - Erie's Sprint issues are well documented here and it is likely one of the last markets in the United States that will receive Sprint 4G LTE.

 

For the most part, it's a mystery as to why. But we understand how frustrating it is, trust me. The horse has been beaten to death.

[Galaxyguy]

State College is in the same market you are, Western PA. York and Harrisburg are in the Shentel market. Scranton and Lancaster are in the Central PA market. Different markets get prioritized differently. As s4gru said, if you need 4G service, you should probably consider a different provider in the short term and then maybe consider coming back to Sprint when they finish the upgrades in your area.

 

Sent from my Note 4.

[S4GRU]

When I purchased the 4G EVO for 3 years they had billboards on Peach Street, Bayfront and other locations about that phone and 4G in the area. They lied. They closed down the corporate store on Peach Street. Now you have to travel to the big three to go to a corporate store. Those who live in Erie with out a car have to spend more money to fix a problem. They at least left a third party store to fix things but it is not the corporate store itself. Posting things in Downtown Erie, along the Bayfront and at Presque Isle State Park is slow or there is no signal. Erie County has close to 300,000 residents and the City, plus a couple townships combine has 200,000 residents. When I go into the store they do talk about 4G and how Erie will get connected. I have spoke to technical support specialist across the region and on the phone. Rumors are that there are towers that have 4G LTE but they have not turned them on. Along the border with New York you can easily pick up 4G and as you head towards Buffalo. Along the border with Ohio you can get some 4G LTE but you'll have to travel Ashtbula and the RT 11 Intersection Interchange. Heading South to Pittsburgh you can pick it up around the Cranberry / Turnpike Interchange. Why would they open in small markets like York, Lancaster and way smaller towns then Erie, Altoona and Scranton? State College home of Penn State does not even have it which is a joke because Erie has 5 colleges in the area.

They have NEVER said they have 4G coverage in the Erie area. In billboards or otherwise. And they have never shown 4G on Sprint coverage maps. And I am telling you it will be years. And I have been telling people since 2012 it will be years. And I am telling you we will not host your complaints about it.

 

If enough people in Erie complained in official customer service channels, Sprint may reprioritize Erie. However, Erie has been the lowest priority market from the beginning. And that is likely because Sprint has a very low market share there. And that's why not enough people are complaining to Sprint to get them to change.

 

But let me be clear to you. Erie is a low priority. It's not going to be soon. We do not host Sprint complaints, and we all already know here that Erie is stuck in 3G Hell for a long time. So continued complaining here will be seen as rants that violate our posting guidelines.

 

I don't mean to be harsh. And I get your frustration. I wouldn't be a Sprint customer if I lived in Erie. And you probably shouldn't either. Don't get angry and ranty. Just do what's right for you. Move on to a provider that meets your needs.

 

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[cdk]

Do we know if they have plans to upgrade the back haul (before beginning full build conversions) in Western PA? Even if they don't convert the GMOs for a while that would at least improve the 3G experience.

[S4GRU]

Do we know if they have plans to upgrade the back haul (before beginning full build conversions) in Western PA? Even if they don't convert the GMOs for a while that would at least improve the 3G experience.

The last update I heard was there was a massive marketwide backhaul initiative under way. But it will likely take a few years to be market wide. I believe CenturyLink is a major backhaul provider in much of Western PA communities, if memory serves.

 

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[JustJasonErie]

I have been observing this website and I never found this thread. I know about complaining and calling Sprint to rethink Erie. I know and I have been asking people who are on Sprint to do complain to them.  I will have to dig up the "billboards" I have seen and where it does say "4G" in Erie. I am not getting confused with the marketing of that phone or marketing period. I am yeah tired, exhausted and very very disappointed. I truly want Erie to become Pa's 3rd largest city again and I am trying to make sure Erie has 4G in my hometown and region period! 

[S4GRU]

I have been observing this website and I never found this thread. I know about complaining and calling Sprint to rethink Erie. I know and I have been asking people who are on Sprint to do complain to them. I will have to dig up the "billboards" I have seen and where it does say "4G" in Erie. I am not getting confused with the marketing of that phone or marketing period. I am yeah tired, exhausted and very very disappointed. I truly want Erie to become Pa's 3rd largest city again and I am trying to make sure Erie has 4G in my hometown and region period!

Sprint customers in Erie deserve LTE. Keep advocating for your city. Keep pushing Sprint. Just do so while not violating the rules here and all will be good.

 

 

 

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[andrewc2]

I Have LTE in Matamoras, Pa! I wish I knew where the tower is though. It's also surprising cause of how small this area is.

[joshnys8913]

Check out a spot of LTE in Western PA getting first LTE!!

[JustJasonErie]

Any update on Erie getting upgraded or updated to 4G or LTE or anything? 

[S4GRU]

Any update on Erie getting upgraded or updated to 4G or LTE or anything?

It will not happen this year. Sprint has not funded converting the GMO sites in the Western PA market to full build conversion to support LTE.

 

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[powinmo]

Hello all.  First post here.  Thanks to the staff and posters that keep threads like this updated with any information that might be relevant. 

 

Note that I've been with Sprint for a very long time, back when it had regional affiliates like Horizon PCS (if anyone remembers and how Sprint acquired them, and others likewise).   I go through the western PA - primary the areas between Pittsburgh and Erie - market area for many years now.  I have always wondered why Sprint's demarcation for 3G, and now LTE, is always been delayed and/or non existent...

 

S4GRU mentioned that this area (Erie) is pretty much at the absolute bottom of Sprint's priority list for LTE.  I think I can speculate why:

 

If you google for "Erie, Clearwire, Sprint  FCC" - you'll find many FCC filings containing the Diocese of Erie PA being part of groups attempting to block various Softbank and Sprint transactions regarding Clearwire assets.  If you look at the PA counties that the Diocese covers, it clearly overlays where LTE and/or SPARK stop towards the Pittsburgh area.  Sure there are a few tiny LTE/SPARK blips in those areas, but insignificant in the scheme of things in my opinion.

 

Again, pure speculation on my part.  But the many FCC filings make for good reading and possibly why Sprint/Softbank just do not care for this part of Pennsylvania.  The other interesting tidbit is why a Diocese would even be part of FCC filings in the first place, but I'll leave that for everyone else to ponder and read.

 

Here's hoping someone at Softbank or Sprint read this, and if this is true... forgive and forget please.  Let the kind folks of northwest PA have a better glimmer of hope then just little GMO activity here and there.

[S4GRU]

Hello all. First post here. Thanks to the staff and posters that keep threads like this updated with any information that might be relevant.

 

Note that I've been with Sprint for a very long time, back when it had regional affiliates like Horizon PCS (if anyone remembers and how Sprint acquired them, and others likewise). I go through the western PA - primary the areas between Pittsburgh and Erie - market area for many years now. I have always wondered why Sprint's demarcation for 3G, and now LTE, is always been delayed and/or non existent...

 

S4GRU mentioned that this area (Erie) is pretty much at the absolute bottom of Sprint's priority list for LTE. I think I can speculate why:

 

If you google for "Erie, Clearwire, Sprint FCC" - you'll find many FCC filings containing the Diocese of Erie PA being part of groups attempting to block various Softbank and Sprint transactions regarding Clearwire assets. If you look at the PA counties that the Diocese covers, it clearly overlays where LTE and/or SPARK stop towards the Pittsburgh area. Sure there are a few tiny LTE/SPARK blips in those areas, but insignificant in the scheme of things in my opinion.

 

Again, pure speculation on my part. But the many FCC filings make for good reading and possibly why Sprint/Softbank just do not care for this part of Pennsylvania. The other interesting tidbit is why a Diocese would even be part of FCC filings in the first place, but I'll leave that for everyone else to ponder and read.

 

Here's hoping someone at Softbank or Sprint read this, and if this is true... forgive and forget please. Let the kind folks of northwest PA have a better glimmer of hope then just little GMO activity here and there.

It's an interesting theory. Could be a sour grapes kind of thing. I wasn't aware of the Diocese problems. Thanks for posting.

 

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[mrknowitall526]

Hello all. First post here. Thanks to the staff and posters that keep threads like this updated with any information that might be relevant.

 

Note that I've been with Sprint for a very long time, back when it had regional affiliates like Horizon PCS (if anyone remembers and how Sprint acquired them, and others likewise). I go through the western PA - primary the areas between Pittsburgh and Erie - market area for many years now. I have always wondered why Sprint's demarcation for 3G, and now LTE, is always been delayed and/or non existent...

 

S4GRU mentioned that this area (Erie) is pretty much at the absolute bottom of Sprint's priority list for LTE. I think I can speculate why:

 

If you google for "Erie, Clearwire, Sprint FCC" - you'll find many FCC filings containing the Diocese of Erie PA being part of groups attempting to block various Softbank and Sprint transactions regarding Clearwire assets. If you look at the PA counties that the Diocese covers, it clearly overlays where LTE and/or SPARK stop towards the Pittsburgh area. Sure there are a few tiny LTE/SPARK blips in those areas, but insignificant in the scheme of things in my opinion.

 

Again, pure speculation on my part. But the many FCC filings make for good reading and possibly why Sprint/Softbank just do not care for this part of Pennsylvania. The other interesting tidbit is why a Diocese would even be part of FCC filings in the first place, but I'll leave that for everyone else to ponder and read.

 

Here's hoping someone at Softbank or Sprint read this, and if this is true... forgive and forget please. Let the kind folks of northwest PA have a better glimmer of hope then just little GMO activity here and there.

How bizarre! I have no idea why the church would have any interest in that at all. It certainly hasn't hampered things elsewhere in the country! Unless they were trying to put a site on several diocesan properties or something like that.