I'm new to this forum, and I've seen people mention cell sites with specific ID's (for example, SF33XC664). Is there any significance to these ID's, and is there a way to decode them? Also, how do I figure out what the cell site ID's are for towers near me?
Thanks! I'm excited to start talking on this site more 😀

Samsung Network Vision equipment are highly distinct and fairly easy to spot compared to the equipment that other vendors are deploying. Sprint is Samsung's first extremely massive American contract (baring Clearwire) so there  should be no issues in confusing these equipment for another carrier which happens often with Ericsson NV equipment.

Below are images of Samsung equipment which includes antennas, remote radio units, base stations, and their mounting configurations. 
 
Samsung antenna with eSMR 800 RRU & PCS 1900 RRU

A close look at a Samsung setup





Next Generation Samsung Configuration
RRH-P4 4T4R 1.9 GHz  | RRH-C4 4T4R 800 MHz| RRH-V3 2.5 GHz

Next Generation 8 Port Dual Band Antenna Setup 
4 port 800 MHz RRH-C4 800

(source: dkyeager)

(source: dkyeager)
Narrow beam setup

High Capacity Site with 2 Antennas & 3 RRUs (2x PCS & 1x SMR).
Second antenna is PCS only for now.


Canadian IBEZ (NO SMR)

Special Case PCS Only Setup for Canadian IBEZ




Close up of standard antenna connectors 

Samsung Cabinets

 
 
Powerpoint slides from Samsung / Sprint
*disclaimer - all  powerpoint diagrams and images were found through public municipality online databases and is by no means misappropriated through malicious means*
*Credit goes to those whom took pictures of these equipment. You know who you are*

Sprint announced at MWC trade show in Barcelona that 5G will go live with 4 cities starting in May  (Chicago, Atlanta, Dallas and Kansas City )
https://phys.org/news/2019-02-sprint-5g-network-chicago-atlanta.html
 

Sprint announced the MVNO Google Fi will use its network for 5G in a press release (that is, once there are actually 5G capable phones compatible with Google Fi someday):
https://newsroom.sprint.com/sprint-to-provide-5g-wireless-services-for-google-fi.htm
 
This is the first I've heard about Fi and 5G so far. Google has pretty much kept mum on the topic, so I'm somewhat encouraged.

Hi everybody I would figure I would start a Sprint volte launch thread. please keep the let's please keep it on topic.