T-Mobile LTE & Network Discussion

[S4GRU]

 

 

Tmo LTE is now active in many places in ABQ. I have been doing some Sensorly mapping today. I have been averaging in the high teens, occasionally hitting around 30Mbps. Pings between 40-70ms most of the time.

 

 

I hit this speed test on Montgomery near I-25. I've never even been this high on even Verizon before. It hit as high as 56Mbps before settling just under 50.

 

uploadfromtaptalk1371419444380.jpg

 

 

Robert from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 4 Beta

 

 

Robert,

 

Are you running stock Andoid 4.2.2 or a different ROM?

On my Nexus 4, I'm running stock Android. I have not accepted any OTA's because I did not want to lose my ability to run LTE.

 

Robert from Note 2 using Tapatalk 4 Beta

 

 

[dontsh00tmesanta]

Looks like tmo beat sprint to lte in Fresno, ca

[maximus1987/lou99]

Looks like tmo beat sprint to lte in Fresno, ca

Since ATT just announced AIO has LTE, Tmobile has a problem.

 

The only value it adds now compared to AIO is its 0% financing.

[avb]

Since ATT just announced AIO has LTE, Tmobile has a problem.

 

The only value it adds now compared to AIO is its 0% financing.

 

I just signed up fo AIO last week here in Houston before LTE was announced, and then 2 days ago my phone started showing LTE.  Speeds are capped at 8 mb/s according to the website (which is more than fast enough), but since it goes through a proxy server ping times are on the high side for LTE, usually over 250 ms.

 

It's not the true AT&T LTE experience (my friends here in Houston regularly see 30+ mb/s and ping times in the 40-60 ms range), but for a month to month service I'm more than satisfied.

[maximus1987/lou99]

Can you post a screenshot of a speedtest?

[maximus1987/lou99]

 

 

Since ATT just announced AIO has LTE, Tmobile has a problem.

 

 

The only value it adds now compared to AIO is its 0% financing.

 

 

I just signed up fo AIO last week here in Houston before LTE was announced, and then 2 days ago my phone started showing LTE. Speeds are capped at 8 mb/s according to the website (which is more than fast enough), but since it goes through a proxy server ping times are on the high side for LTE, usually over 250 ms.

 

It's not the true AT&T LTE experience (my friends here in Houston regularly see 30+ mb/s and ping times in the 40-60 ms range), but for a month to month service I'm more than satisfied.

Can you post screenshot of speedtest?

[avb]

Can you post screenshot of speedtest?

 

 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/97640493@N02/

 

I'm at work and don't have an imgur account, but that's a screenshot from Flickr.  I'm using a Nokia 920 so this speedtest app is from Windows Phone 8.  The screenshot doesn't show ping times, but they were typically in the 250 -270 ms range, which is slow for LTE.  It probably goes through a proxy server so AIO can keep track of data usage.

 

We're starting to get off topic though, so it's probably better to create another thread if you want to discuss AIO or AT&T Go Phone LTE service.

Edited June 20, 2013 by avb

[HawaiiD]

 

But, but, but what about that great "4G" HSPA+ fallback that all the tech bloggers are writing about?

http://s4gru.com/public/style_emoticons/#EMO_DIR#/wink.png

 

AJ

Aj,

It is great going from 30MB DL lte to 20MB hspa+

If Somehow LTE drops out . It Doesn't skip a beat

At all.

I couldn't say the same for sprint when my wimax

Would hardly connect, then drop to 3g and get 26kb DL.

[WiWavelength]

Aj,

It is great going from 30MB DL lte to 20MB hspa+

If Somehow LTE drops out . It Doesn't skip a beat

At all.

I couldn't say the same for sprint when my wimax

Would hardly connect, then drop to 3g and get 26kb DL.

 

No, like the tech bloggers, you are missing the point.  And, living in Hawaii, you may not be in position to understand the true nature of T-Mobile network deployment, since you have just small areas of populated land that need coverage surrounded by Pacific Ocean that does not.

 

On the mainland, T-Mobile has deployed HSPA+ basically in islands -- pardon the pun.  Many cities have HSPA+, but some cities plus the highways and rural areas in between are stuck on EDGE or GPRS.  T-Mobile LTE deployment is following the same pattern.  Only those sites that already have HSPA+ because they have advanced backhaul are also getting LTE.  Thus, those areas without LTE will likely be without HSPA+, too.

 

So, the T-Mobile HSPA+ fallback is hardly the panacea that many make it out to be.  The only reason it should really come into play is LTE coverage failure because LTE is a more fragile airlink.  In comparison, Sprint is taking care of that problem by deploying LTE 1900 at full site density and utilizing LTE 800 for superior coverage.

 

AJ

[cletus]

No, like the tech bloggers, you are missing the point.  And, living in Hawaii, you may not be in position to understand the true nature of T-Mobile network deployment, since you have just small areas of populated land that need coverage surrounded by Pacific Ocean that does not.

 

On the mainland, T-Mobile has deployed HSPA+ basically in islands -- pardon the pun.  Many cities have HSPA+, but some cities plus the highways and rural areas in between are stuck on EDGE or GPRS.  T-Mobile LTE deployment is following the same pattern.  Only those sites that already have HSPA+ because they have advanced backhaul are also getting LTE.  Thus, those areas without LTE will likely be without HSPA+, too.

 

So, the T-Mobile HSPA+ fallback is hardly the panacea that many make it out to be.  The only reason it should really come into play is LTE coverage failure because LTE is a more fragile airlink.  In comparison, Sprint is taking care of that problem by deploying LTE 1900 at full site density and utilizing LTE 800 for superior coverage.

 

AJ

This is correct and 100% in line with my experience in Austin and San Antonio when I tried T-Mobile out. In the very core urban areas T-Mobile is great but there were times in Austin where my coverage went from LTE (admittedly they are still rolling out the network here) to HSPA and then shortly to edge. The fact of the matter is that the T-Mobile LTE rollout and their current HSPA network are incredibly limited outside urban areas and T-Mobile has NO PLANS to further expand it's native coverage, full stop. So going to HSPA was in my experience just a way of T-Mobile letting me know that I would on edge or roaming very, very soon. The T-Mobile network is very fast when you have access to it but in the case of Austin, when you even get into the east side of town you quickly drop to Edge. If you think the drop from Sprint 4G (both WiMax or LTE) to 3g was bad, try going 30 down to a roaming connection instantly. Unless you never, ever, leave the interior metro area of a city I would never recommend T-Mobile after my experience.

 

edit: As an aside, Sensorly shows native coverage for WIMAX in Austin is close to the native coverage 2g/3g of the T-Mobile network here and Sprint LTE native looks to be about 50% more coverage than T-Mobile 4g coverage. So, yes, T-mobile doesn't have just islands it has an archipelago within cities themselves.

[Deval]

 

On the mainland, T-Mobile has deployed HSPA+ basically in islands -- pardon the pun. Many cities have HSPA+, but some cities plus the highways and rural areas in between are stuck on EDGE or GPRS. T-Mobile LTE deployment is following the same pedit: As an aside, Sensorly shows native coverage for WIMAX in Austin is close to the native coverage 2g/3g of the T-Mobile network here and Sprint LTE native looks to be about 50% more coverage than T-Mobile 4g coverage. So, yes, T-mobile doesn't have just islands it has an archipelago within cities themselves.

 

Best line ever!

 

Sent from my Sprint iPad using Tapatalk HD

[maximus1987/lou99]

While I agree there is little reason for T-Mobile to do a rural build out there is no reason why you can't stay in contact as you travel city to city. T-mobile should at least endeavor to cover the major interstates.

There's an excellent reason to do a rural buildout: the high-value urban/suburban customers won't go with TMO BECAUSE it doesn't have rural coverage.

 

It doesn't matter if they - suburban customers - NEVER use that coverage; it's about the marketing perception.

 

I know I've stated this before but it needs to be reiterated.

[centermedic]

So I was reading on how AT&T is copying verizon (as always) and moving to a 24 month device renewal.

 

The comments, as per usual are "i hate them and want to go to t-mobile but tmobile coverage sucks" and "tmobile is great in the city but terrible in the country"

 

As I have zero experience with tmobile, I cant say if this is true or not.

 

I know the reason sprint has good coverage is due to roaming agreements.

 

Is tmobile doing anything to expand into rural areas, via new towers or roaming agreements?

There is only one national roaming partner for T-Mobile and thats AT&T and they are not playing ball. Years ago T-Mo had a roaming agreement with Cingular IIRC. After the Cingular/AT&T merger those agreements were allowed to expire.

[MacinJosh]

 

 

So I was reading on how AT&T is copying verizon (as always) and moving to a 24 month device renewal.

 

The comments, as per usual are "i hate them and want to go to t-mobile but tmobile coverage sucks" and "tmobile is great in the city but terrible in the country"

 

As I have zero experience with tmobile, I cant say if this is true or not.

 

I know the reason sprint has good coverage is due to roaming agreements.

 

Is tmobile doing anything to expand into rural areas, via new towers or roaming agreements?

 

 

There is only one national roaming partner for T-Mobile and thats AT&T and they are not playing ball. Years ago T-Mo had a roaming agreement with Cingular IIRC. After the Cingular/AT&T merger those agreements were allowed to expire.

Cingular and T-Mobile were in a network sharing agreement in California, Nevada, New Jersey, and New York. When the AT&T Wireless merger occurred, Cingular gave up their part of the partnership to T-Mobile.

 

 

Sent from Josh's iPhone 5 using Tapatalk 2

[WiWavelength]

When the AT&T Wireless merger occurred, Cingular gave up their part of the partnership to T-Mobile.

 

That was true only in part and only on the West Coast.

 

AJ

[MacinJosh]

When the AT&T Wireless merger occurred, Cingular gave up their part of the partnership to T-Mobile.

 

 

That was true only in part and only on the West Coast.

 

 

AJ

Really? I understood that New Jersey and New York were included. Guess the info I read back during the Cingular/AT&T merger was wrong.

 

 

Sent from Josh's iPhone 5 using Tapatalk 2

[WiWavelength]

Really? I understood that New Jersey and New York were included. Guess the info I read back during the Cingular/AT&T merger was wrong.

 

Nope, the network in the NYC metro belonged to T-Mobile (Omnipoint). Cingular (SBC-BellSouth) was a national operator but had no native presence in NYC and several other major markets.

 

AJ

[MacinJosh]

Really? I understood that New Jersey and New York were included. Guess the info I read back during the Cingular/AT&T merger was wrong.

 

 

Nope, the network in the NYC metro belonged to T-Mobile (Omnipoint). Cingular (SBC-BellSouth) was a national operator but had no native presence in NYC and several other major markets.

 

 

AJ

Ok. I get it now. Thanks for clarification.

 

 

Sent from Josh's iPhone 5 using Tapatalk 2

[HawaiiD]

No, like the tech bloggers, you are missing the point. And, living in Hawaii, you may not be in position to understand the true nature of T-Mobile network deployment, since you have just small areas of populated land that need coverage surrounded by Pacific Ocean that does not.

 

On the mainland, T-Mobile has deployed HSPA+ basically in islands -- pardon the pun. Many cities have HSPA+, but some cities plus the highways and rural areas in between are stuck on EDGE or GPRS. T-Mobile LTE deployment is following the same pattern. Only those sites that already have HSPA+ because they have advanced backhaul are also getting LTE. Thus, those areas without LTE will likely be without HSPA+, too.

 

So, the T-Mobile HSPA+ fallback is hardly the panacea that many make it out to be. The only reason it should really come into play is LTE coverage failure because LTE is a more fragile airlink. In comparison, Sprint is taking care of that problem by deploying LTE 1900 at full site density and utilizing LTE 800 for superior coverage.

 

AJ

Aj,

I understand what your trying to relay.

However,

I think your missing my point...

I was just responding to your post "But But but what about that 4G Hspa+ fallback'

 

This is simply my experience with how T-mobiles

Fall back to hspa+ from lte is working out for me.

Weather it is different on the mainland from Hawaii?

I don't know? I can't speak for others. But for

Me? It's working out fine.

I'm not trying to add or misinterpret your post.

It was just a straight answer to your question?

[S4GRU]

Aj,

 

I understand what your trying to relay.

 

However,

 

I think your missing my point...

 

I was just responding to your post "But But but what about that 4G Hspa+ fallback'

 

 

This is simply my experience with how T-mobiles

 

Fall back to hspa+ from lte is working out for me.

 

Weather it is different on the mainland from Hawaii?

 

I don't know? I can't speak for others. But for

 

Me? It's working out fine.

 

I'm not trying to add or misinterpret your post.

 

It was just a straight answer to your question?

The point we're trying to make is that when/where Tmo is deployed with LTE, there really is no fall back. Because Tmo is overlaying its LTE on top of HSPA+ coverage.

 

I also have Tmo. They are deployed over 60% of ABQ. I never fallback to HSPA+ inside LTE coverage. I only fall back when I leave coverage. And when that reaches 100% conversion, I will probably never fall back to HSPA+ again.

 

If T-Mobile had upgraded their entire network to HSPA/HSPA+, then falling back to those networks when off LTE would be useful. But instead, most Tmo customers nationwide will be falling back to 2G EDGE or GPRS. Want to talk about falling off a cliff!

 

I'd rather fallback to Sprint 3G. Sprint 3G is faster than EDGE on 3/4 of their sites, and probably 95%+ of rural sites. And faster than probably every GPRS site.

 

Robert from Note 2 using Tapatalk 4 Beta

 

[WiWavelength]

It was just a straight answer to your question?

 

The problem is that my question was sarcasm and did not warrant a "straight answer."  Did you not see the winking smiley?

 

Additionally, you pulled a three month old post completely out of context.  Go back and read my quote of lilotimz's post.  Or, better yet, read all of lilotimz's post two above mine.

 

AJ

[HawaiiD]

 

 

It was just a straight answer to your question?

 

 

The problem is that my question was sarcasm and did not warrant a "straight answer." Did you not see the winking smiley?

 

Additionally, you pulled a three month old post completely out of context. Go back and read my quote of lilotimz's post. Or, better yet, read all of lilotimz's post two above mine.

 

AJ

Aj,

I haven't been around these forums much lately, however, I do drop by from time to time. I was directed to this topic via a link on the android Central Forums from a member there . So even if the post 3 months old or not I don't See it as a problem?I just read and replied. upon your sarcasm as you put it.

 

Robert,

My reply was based on

What happens when the lte here

Drops out.

Maybe it's not the same as how it is in New Mexico?

But that's how Tmobile has it setup here.

And if it's just an overlay?

Why do I still get hspa when lte drops out? Wouldn't they both drop out and put me back on edge? If it was just an overlay?

 

Ever since lte went live here about a month ago? I don't seen 2g edge anymore. Currently It is only 4G lte or 4G. Signals and speed are pretty good where ever I have been so far. Even 2 stories underground at work where our company nextel never did aquire a signal nor my evo with Sprint.

Just to let you know... Sprint in Hawaii is still very, very, very slow.

Hope that all changes when softbank takes over though.

 

 

 

Sent from my Coconut Wireless HTC One

 

 

[avb]

 

Aj,

I haven't been around these forums much lately, however, I do drop by from time to time. I was directed to this topic via a link on the android Central Forums from a member there . So even if the post 3 months old or not I don't See it as a problem?I just read and replied. upon your sarcasm as you put it.

 

Robert,

My reply was based on

What happens when the lte here

Drops out.

Maybe it's not the same as how it is in New Mexico?

But that's how Tmobile has it setup here.

And if it's just an overlay?

Why do I still get hspa when lte drops out? Wouldn't they both drop out and put me back on edge? If it was just an overlay?

 

Ever since lte went live here about a month ago? I don't seen 2g edge anymore. Currently It is only 4G lte or 4G. Signals and speed are pretty good where ever I have been so far. Even 2 stories underground at work where our company nextel never did aquire a signal nor my evo with Sprint.

Just to let you know... Sprint in Hawaii is still very, very, very slow.

Hope that all changes when softbank takes over though.

 

Sent from my Coconut Wireless HTC One

The real issue is currently, where TMobile has HSPA+ and it drops to Edge, the other carriers are still on their respective 4g or 3g networks.

 

[S4GRU]

 

 

 

 

It was just a straight answer to your question?

 

 

 

 

The problem is that my question was sarcasm and did not warrant a "straight answer." Did you not see the winking smiley?

 

 

 

Additionally, you pulled a three month old post completely out of context. Go back and read my quote of lilotimz's post. Or, better yet, read all of lilotimz's post two above mine.

 

 

 

AJ

 

Aj,

 

I haven't been around these forums much lately, however, I do drop by from time to time. I was directed to this topic via a link on the android Central Forums from a member there . So even if the post 3 months old or not I don't See it as a problem?I just read and replied. upon your sarcasm as you put it.

 

 

 

Robert,

 

My reply was based on

 

What happens when the lte here

 

Drops out.

 

Maybe it's not the same as how it is in New Mexico?

 

But that's how Tmobile has it setup here.

 

And if it's just an overlay?

 

Why do I still get hspa when lte drops out? Wouldn't they both drop out and put me back on edge? If it was just an overlay?

 

 

 

Ever since lte went live here about a month ago? I don't seen 2g edge anymore. Currently It is only 4G lte or 4G. Signals and speed are pretty good where ever I have been so far. Even 2 stories underground at work where our company nextel never did aquire a signal nor my evo with Sprint.

 

Just to let you know... Sprint in Hawaii is still very, very, very slow.

 

Hope that all changes when softbank takes over though.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sent from my Coconut Wireless HTC One

 

 

 

 

Since LTE is not complete being built out on Oahu, you will likely drop to HSPA+. Urban Hawaii is an anomaly and not like the rest of America. Tmo probably doesn't even have EDGE or GPRS only sites there. However, for the rest of us, leaving the city limits on Tmo means sub 30-100kbps speeds.

 

Robert from Note 2 using Tapatalk 4 Beta

 

 

[gangrene]

I find it disturbing that T-mobile is beating Sprint to the punch on in its LTE deployment of Long Island despite the months-long lead time Sprint has had in NYC and adjacent areas.