Marcelo Claure, Town Hall Meetings, New Family Share Pack Plan, Unlimited Individual Plan, Discussion Thread

[travismheim]

http://arstechnica.com/business/2015/11/t-mobiles-network-extender-lets-anyone-use-your-internet-bandwidth/ basically T-Mobile just made you a volunteer of there cell phone network at additional cost to you, I would say that this goes against some TOS of your ISP

It's not anymore a violation than other femtocell solutions that have been available for years. The only difference is they are making a newer unit with newer technology available. I'm really surprised about the backlash about the device.

 

Service in home is a deal breaker for almost everybody, its just another solution they have available for their customers. If it fits your needs, use it. If it doesn't they have the WiFi router, and the signal repeater also available which is more than Sprint has.

 

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

[kg4icg]

It's not anymore a violation than other femtocell solutions that have been available for years. The only difference is they are making a newer unit with newer technology available. I'm really surprised about the backlash about the device.

 

Service in home is a deal breaker for almost everybody, its just another solution they have available for their customers. If it fits your needs, use it. If it doesn't they have the WiFi router, and the signal repeater also available which is more than Sprint has.

 

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

I guess you really haven't read it, but basically they are making you a T-Mobile cell site for anyone that is with in range of the signal. And there is no way to restrict it. Which means someone can just come up and sit and suck away your internet bandwidth at will thru use of this device. So if you feel like paying for that privilege, go right ahead.

[Jones]

I must be the only one who likes this plan. The reason I don't like the sprint plan is I have to trust sprint to upgrade my town which is the worst performing in Orange County, Aliso Viejo. Who knows how long downtown or my neighborhood will take to even get LTE. The downtown has a chance, my neighborhood, not likely. By giving a consumer's a choice we get to perform the deployment for TMO. I already got my business on the pre-order list for this device about a month ago as well. This is a "disruptive" strategy at very low cost to Tmobile. I agree that it could violate terms of service though for consumer customers.

According to the ars article the femtocell has a range of 3000 feet, which is about the same as wifi. How is that disruptive?

 

I can see the utility in voice reliability as I didn't know about the ecsfb issue with airrave.

 

I think it's a joke t mobile is playing on its customers to see if they really can get them to drink the Kool aid

[KD8JBF]

Two questions on the T-Mo femto cell...

 

1. Does it still use your "Data Bucket" to use the Femto Cell that's on YOUR OWN internet connection. (Also a secondary though on this: Some internet connections are capped, so basically you're being charged twice...ie. Comcast Data Cap Trials)

 

2. Would this work on Fi when on the T-Mobile side? Good question

 

Just some thoughts...

 

Kris

[travismheim]

I guess you really haven't read it, but basically they are making you a T-Mobile cell site for anyone that is with in range of the signal. And there is no way to restrict it. Which means someone can just come up and sit and suck away your internet bandwidth at will thru use of this device. So if you feel like paying for that privilege, go right ahead.

I'm aware of how it works. I've used an Airave at home for years. Unless some one is camping out right in your yard or you live in an apartment complex its a non issue. The power on my unit is cranked up to 8000, and it barely extends 10' into my yard and my house is only 1200 sq ft.

 

I wonder if the inability to restrict access is technological, ie CDMA2000 vs UMTS/LTE. I've left my unit open for a while now, you can't really use it anyway unless you come inside my house because the macro network overpowers it easily.

 

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

[newboyx]

Two questions on the T-Mo femto cell...

 

1. Does it still use your "Data Bucket" to use the Femto Cell that's on YOUR OWN internet connection. (Also a secondary though on this: Some internet connections are capped, so basically you're being charged twice...ie. Comcast Data Cap Trials)

 

2. Would this work on Fi when on the T-Mobile side? Good question

 

Just some thoughts...

 

Kris

Yes, it comes out of your bucket.

 

Sent from my SM-T237P using Tapatalk

[derrph]

I think it's cool but in honesty it's just a cheaper way for T-Mobile to fill in coverage gaps via the customer so they don't have to put additional money into the network. I have a T-Mobile line and thankfully I don't have to use that cell get up.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Jones]

My apologies I thought I wrote 300 feet not 3000

[mozamcrew]

Please don't say terrifying things like that.  In parts of its coverage area, US Cellular has ONLY CLR spectrum.  My parents have B5 LTE on their hotspot.  Obtain the customers but then leave them with no service until Sprint decides to rip and replace the US Cellular equipment?  As the only carrier in the area?  Sounds like a terrible idea, especially since CLR is technically part of B26 anyway.

 

- Trip

 

Selling AWS the 700Mhz licenses would make sense, but they definitely should keep the cellular licenses.

[Yuhfhrh]

Selling AWS the 700Mhz licenses would make sense, but they definitely should keep the cellular licenses.

 

Since all Sprint devices are going to sport B4/B12, and the equipment is already deployed, might as well keep it up and shoot for being the dominant player in the area.

 

Either way, I don't see this merger happening any time soon with either T-Mobile or Sprint no matter how much we wish it.

[JonnygATL]

I really thought (hoped?) that we'd get more information on NGN on today's earnings call. Aside from that gripe, overall good news. Now, if Sprint can return to profitability, that is the elusive key. #daybyday

[RedSpark]

I really thought (hoped?) that we'd get more information on NGN on today's earnings call. Aside from that gripe, overall good news. Now, if Sprint can return to profitability, that is the elusive key. #daybyday

 

Me too. They were pretty mum on NGN. Hopefully the 2H 2015 and 1H 2016 RootMetrics results speak for themselves as Carrier Aggregation is deployed across the country.

 

Sprint has established a good foundation getting churn down to a record low (The lowest in Sprint's history). Next step is to control/cut costs and keep the quality Postpaid adds coming. The Profits will come.

[Dkoellerwx]

It's not anymore a violation than other femtocell solutions that have been available for years. The only difference is they are making a newer unit with newer technology available. I'm really surprised about the backlash about the device.

 

Service in home is a deal breaker for almost everybody, its just another solution they have available for their customers. If it fits your needs, use it. If it doesn't they have the WiFi router, and the signal repeater also available which is more than Sprint has.

 

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

 

There are some cases where this device makes sense, mainly businesses. I just don't see how this is a good home solution. Is WiFi calling really that horrible? Once Sprint worked out some of the kinks, WiFi calling works fine for me for the 1 or 2 calls a week that I actually make. 

 

Why is LTE coverage so important in the home anyway? If you have a weak LTE signal, chances are you have a more than adequate signal to make a phone call.

 

If/When people have a strong LTE in their house, the less tech savvy tend to leave their WiFi off, so this is a great way for people to wrack up data usage on a network that is using their own internet connection. That just doesn't make sense.

[Terrell352]

Me too. They were pretty mum on NGN. Hopefully the 2H 2015 and 1H 2016 RootMetrics results speak for themselves as Carrier Aggregation is deployed across the country.

 

Sprint has established a good foundation getting churn down to a record low (The lowest in Sprint's history). Next step is to control/cut costs and keep the quality Postpaid adds coming. The Profits will come.

I'm not to sure about 2nd half 2015 results. They used just a okay band 41 performer and started testing in the beginning stages of the CA rollout so alot of these cities didn't get the full benefit, also all of the cities with no band 41 at all is really bringing Sprint's speed scores down to the point where CA isn't enough to make up for it. Also sites with CA are not prevalent enough. Sprint only won 2-3 data scores. Sprint is opening up a can of John Cena with text and call but that's not going to be enough. Maybe in 2017.

[cletus]

I'm not to sure about 2nd half 2015 results. They used just a okay band 41 performer and started testing in the beginning stages of the CA rollout so alot of these cities didn't get the full benefit, also all of the cities with no band 41 at all is really bringing Sprint's speed scores down to the point where CA isn't enough to make up for it. Also sites with CA are not prevalent enough. Sprint only won 2-3 data scores. Sprint is opening up a can of John Cena with text and call but that's not going to be enough. Maybe in 2017.

Well, after seeing how my Nexus 6p performs in Austin I fully expect a first or second place data speed finish here. I do agree though that markets without CA active will continue to hold Sprint back in overall rankings though. 

[Terrell352]

Well, after seeing how my Nexus 6p performs in Austin I fully expect a first or second place data speed finish here. I do agree though that markets without CA active will continue to hold Sprint back in overall rankings though.

That's the thing though. Your Nexus 6P is miles ahead of the Note edge in rf and they are not using a Nexus 6P.

[travismheim]

 

 

There are some cases where this device makes sense, mainly businesses. I just don't see how this is a good home solution. Is WiFi calling really that horrible? Once Sprint worked out some of the kinks, WiFi calling works fine for me for the 1 or 2 calls a week that I actually make.

 

Why is LTE coverage so important in the home anyway? If you have a weak LTE signal, chances are you have a more than adequate signal to make a phone call.

 

If/When people have a strong LTE in their house, the less tech savvy tend to leave their WiFi off, so this is a great way for people to wrack up data usage on a network that is using their own internet connection. That just doesn't make sense.

WiFi calling is not supported on every Sprint phone, and with more and more fully unlocked handsets available directly from the manufacturer I see more and more devices not supporting it unless Sprint manages to upgrade their WiFi calling to what is being included in aosp.

 

When LTE is weak, eCSFB can and does fail resulting in a missed call. It also prevents the current Airave from doing anything, handsets will not connect to it for calls (incoming or outgoing) if there is any LTE available.

 

It wasn't a problem until eCSFB handsets became the norm. It sucks having a call drop or not come through because I forgot to change the network mode on my phone when I get home. My nexus loves to hang onto a -123 to -125 B25 signal in my house.

 

The LTE femtocell is just the next evolution for in home calling solutions. No, its not necessary but it would be nice to have and could solve a lot of headaches with the device they currently issue.

 

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

[cletus]

That's the thing though. Your Nexus 6P is miles ahead of the Note edge in rf and they are not using a Nexus 6P.

Maybe? My N6P performs better than my N5 in terms of holding b41 but the actual speed from a non CA tower is almost identical. Not sure about the RF performance of the Note Edge but the important thing is that it also supports B41 CA.

[Terrell352]

Maybe? My N6P performs better than my N5 in terms of holding b41 but the actual speed from a non CA tower is almost identical. Not sure about the RF performance of the Note Edge but the important thing is that it also supports B41 CA.

I have also noticed towers with 2 carriers not showing the extra speed benefit. 6 occasions to be exact. I will have my Nexus 5 and Note 5 and make sure CA is on the note yet speed is almost the same. I wonder if they are firing up CA on some sites with insufficient backhaul to support it? Seems likely.

 

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[JonnygATL]

I'm not to sure about 2nd half 2015 results. They used just a okay band 41 performer and started testing in the beginning stages of the CA rollout so alot of these cities didn't get the full benefit, also all of the cities with no band 41 at all is really bringing Sprint's speed scores down to the point where CA isn't enough to make up for it. Also sites with CA are not prevalent enough. Sprint only won 2-3 data scores. Sprint is opening up a can of John Cena with text and call but that's not going to be enough. Maybe in 2017.

"opening up a can of John Cena"?!!?!  Now, that made me literally laugh out loud.  I needed that. 

[cletus]

I have also noticed towers with 2 carriers not showing the extra speed benefit. 6 occasions to be exact. I will have my Nexus 5 and Note 5 and make sure CA is on the note yet speed is almost the same. I wonder if they are firing up CA on some sites with insufficient backhaul to support it? Seems likely.

 

Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

Yes I have seen that on towers here. I haven't had time to look into it but it seems like only Clearwire towers (I used to get wimax off of them on my evo3d) seem to be supporting CA. These towers also tend to have higher LTE speeds to begin with so it is pretty easy to test the 3 or 4 locations that already had higher speeds. I often see b41² around town but when tested it only nets the same 20 Mbps that I used to get on my nexus 5. I am happy with those speeds of course but it is interesting nonetheless. 

[tybo31316]

I didn't want to make a new thread to ask this question so I'll ask it here.

 

If I want to trade in my current device through Sprint. Can I use the amount that Sprint gives me as a bill credit and apply it towards the easy pay balance of my new device?

 

Sent from my Nexus 6

[Terrell352]

Yes I have seen that on towers here. I haven't had time to look into it but it seems like only Clearwire towers (I used to get wimax off of them on my evo3d) seem to be supporting CA. These towers also tend to have higher LTE speeds to begin with so it is pretty easy to test the 3 or 4 locations that already had higher speeds. I often see b41² around town but when tested it only nets the same 20 Mbps that I used to get on my nexus 5. I am happy with those speeds of course but it is interesting nonetheless.

Yeah speeds are fine but something is not right. My experience is the opposite. All Sprint band 41 sites I have tested have the same speeds as non CA devices even late night. Lack of backhaul is the only thing I can think of. If rootmetrics ran into this problem enough times I could see scores not being all that.

 

Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

[Terrell352]

I didn't want to make a new thread to ask this question so I'll ask it here.

 

If I want to trade in my current device through Sprint. Can I use the amount that Sprint gives me as a bill credit and apply it towards the easy pay balance of my new device?

 

Sent from my Nexus 6

Good question. You could call Sprint and ask? I dont see why you couldn't though.

 

Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

[tybo31316]

Good question. You could call Sprint and ask? I dont see why you couldn't though.

 

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I asked 3 different reps and received 3 different answers.

 

Sent from my Nexus 6