Official Tmobile-Sprint merger discussion thread

[ingenium]

I noticed on my phone that T-Mobile has reordered the band priority moving B41 from second to third. Previously it went B25->B41->B26; now it goes B25->B26->B41. This explains why I have been connecting to B26 a LOT more often than I used to. My guess is this is part of the preliminary steps to phase out B41. 

The band priority on the phone itself is just the scan order. So if it loses service, or comes out of airplane mode, it will scan the bands in that order. Once it's connected to the network, the phone has absolutely no say in which band it's on (other than reporting signal strength of neighbor cells back to the tower so the tower can decide where to put the phone). It's completely controlled by the network, and within a minute or less it will move you to where it wants you. All you can do is completely disable bands on the device if you want to avoid it.

 

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[dkyeager]

1 hour ago, ingenium said:

The band priority on the phone itself is just the scan order. So if it loses service, or comes out of airplane mode, it will scan the bands in that order. Once it's connected to the network, the phone has absolutely no say in which band it's on (other than reporting signal strength of neighbor cells back to the tower so the tower can decide where to put the phone). It's completely controlled by the network, and within a minute or less it will move you to where it wants you. All you can do is completely disable bands on the device if you want to avoid it.

 

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I have been in remote places where band order determined real order, but never in urban areas.

[Abdual Rodriguez]

17 hours ago, RedSpark said:

Any news come out of this today?

 

These are simply pep rallies, nothing of any substance is ever presented. Its a good opportunity to take a nap during these nonsense rallies. My 2 cents 

 

21 hours ago, dkyeager said:

 

 

I would think Sprint network employees would be most vulnerable when the Sprint network is eliminated.  Up to that point they need to keep both networks operational. I have heard reports of some work still being done on Sprint sites since April 1 just to retain Sprint customers (like maintenance or increasing backhaul to make a site function). In some markets the T-Mobile network staff has a lot of former pre-merger Sprint network employees.

Your post is on the publicly visible side of S4gru.com, which could threaten your or other posters if employed now by T-Mobile.  You might want to donate do you could post inside the paywall. 

Most people are this site for technical information so there might be better forums.

Thanks for your advice. 

[Grabber5.0]

 
 
I would think Sprint network employees would be most vulnerable when the Sprint network is eliminated.  Up to that point they need to keep both networks operational. I have heard reports of some work still being done on Sprint sites since April 1 just to retain Sprint customers (like maintenance or increasing backhaul to make a site function). In some markets the T-Mobile network staff has a lot of former pre-merger Sprint network employees.
Your post is on the publicly visible side of S4gru.com, which could threaten your or other posters if employed now by T-Mobile.  You might want to donate do you could post inside the paywall. 
Most people are this site for technical information so there might be better forums.

Or at least use a non-obvious user name. [emoji16]

[Bennyjet29]

Hey, y’all I just finally received the Sprint/T-Mobile network upgrades email this morning and actually saw a tower on I-390 being consolidated as it had 4 sets of antenna bars but only has 3 now with a wire/cable going down to the ground!
Later on, I drove up to the tower and saw two engineers working on it. Not sure if you’re able to zoom to the top but there is an engineer looking down and probably wondering why the hell I was taking a pic lol. 

[dkyeager]

 

19 minutes ago, Bennyjet29 said:

Hey, y’all I just finally received the Sprint/T-Mobile network upgrades email this morning and actually saw a tower on I-390 being consolidated as it had 4 sets of antenna bars but only has 3 now with a wire/cable going down to the ground!
Later on, I drove up to the tower and saw two engineers working on it. Not sure if you’re able to zoom to the top but there is an engineer looking down and probably wondering why the hell I was taking a pic lol. 

 

Good observation.  Seems a bit windy given the curve in the climbing rope.  Most tower hands will talk with you if you tell them your a hobbyist and like tracking signals. Mention S4gru.com if they seem skeptical.  Typically they don't want their pictures taken but don't mind you taking pictures of equipment.  Stay out of the drop zone.  Bring a hard hat if you have one, but don't wear it initially.  Just ask them whose rack they are working on, etc.  Installing is often done by a different crew then demolition.  Limited work is still occurring on Sprint equipment to keep up their network.  Expect mostly additions to T-Mobile, especially Band 71.

What kind of phone do you have and what did the email say?

[Bennyjet29]

11 minutes ago, dkyeager said:

 

 

Good observation.  Seems a bit windy given the curve in the climbing rope.  Most tower hands will talk with you if you tell them your a hobbyist and like tracking signals. Mention S4gru.com if they seem skeptical.  Typically they don't want their pictures taken but don't mind you taking pictures of equipment.  Stay out of the drop zone.  Bring a hard hat if you have one, but don't wear it initially.  Just ask them whose rack they are working on, etc.  Installing is often done by a different crew then demolition.  Limited work is still occurring on Sprint equipment to keep up their network.  Expect mostly additions to T-Mobile, especially Band 71.

What kind of phone do you have and what did the email say?

iPhone 11 Pro Max, been doing the iPhone Forever program since the iPhone 6 but did hold onto my 8 Plus for two years as I wasn’t sold on the XS Max’s Intel XMM 7560 modem.

 

Sprint has joined the T‑Mobile family and we’re working tirelessly to improve your network experience and keep you connected - not years from now, but today. We have expanded your current coverage by adding access to T‑Mobile’s network which provides coverage to 99% of Americans coast-to-coast. We now have double the towers and resources than before, which means even more reliability to keep you connected when and where you need it. Since April 2nd, 11 million Sprint customers have used these newly available T‑Mobile towers. We won’t stop there. By bringing our two networks together, we will be building the best network in America. With more towers, more engineers, and more bandwidth than ever before, your network will be even more reliable in rural communities, big cities, and beyond. And as part of T‑Mobile, you have access to America’s largest 5G network included in your plan*. Our 5G is the most reliable for coverage - going to more people and places with reliability indoors and out. As we combine our network resources, this 5G network is going to get even bigger and better. We’ve wasted no time deploying our newest enhanced 5G signal in Philadelphia with New York and other cities just around the corner.  As the new T‑Mobile we are committed to giving you the best network and the best prices. We look forward to continuing to share updates as we build out our network experience. The best is yet to come! Sincerely, Sprint, part of the T‑Mobile family Find out more

Edited May 9, 2020 by Bennyjet29

[dkyeager]

8 minutes ago, Bennyjet29 said:

iPhone 11 Pro Max, been doing the iPhone Forever program since the iPhone 6 but did hold onto my 8 Plus for two years as I wasn’t sold on the XS Max’s Intel XMM 7560 modem.

 

Sprint has joined the T‑Mobile family and we’re working tirelessly to improve your network experience and keep you connected - not years from now, but today. We have expanded your current coverage by adding access to T‑Mobile’s network which provides coverage to 99% of Americans coast-to-coast. We now have double the towers and resources than before, which means even more reliability to keep you connected when and where you need it. Since April 2nd, 11 million Sprint customers have used these newly available T‑Mobile towers. We won’t stop there. By bringing our two networks together, we will be building the best network in America. With more towers, more engineers, and more bandwidth than ever before, your network will be even more reliable in rural communities, big cities, and beyond. And as part of T‑Mobile, you have access to America’s largest 5G network included in your plan*. Our 5G is the most reliable for coverage - going to more people and places with reliability indoors and out. As we combine our network resources, this 5G network is going to get even bigger and better. We’ve wasted no time deploying our newest enhanced 5G signal in Philadelphia with New York and other cities just around the corner.  As the new T‑Mobile we are committed to giving you the best network and the best prices. We look forward to continuing to share updates as we build out our network experience. The best is yet to come! Sincerely, Sprint, part of the T‑Mobile family Find out more

I have hear rumors of iPhone users being offered to have improved phone service, which means changing from Sprint to T-Mobile.  Great if T-Mobile is better at your key places, else no so good. See Samsung Galaxy S20 thread or merger thread to see why. iPhone would not be as easy to correct.  Basically best done once they have actually converted T-Mobile sites by adding n41, which you will have to wait for at least the next version of iPhone.

[Bennyjet29]

I have hear rumors of iPhone users being offered to have improved phone service, which means changing from Sprint to T-Mobile.  Great if T-Mobile is better at your key places, else no so good. See Samsung Galaxy S20 thread or merger thread to see why. iPhone would not be as easy to correct.  Basically best done once they have actually converted T-Mobile sites by adding n41, which you will have to wait for at least the next version of iPhone.

I always speculated if that would be the case as it always seemed like Android devices performed better on Sprint/Verizon CDMA networks but iPhone performed better on AT&T/T-Mobile GSM. Seems like the New T-Mobile should offer equal performance to both device platforms if they make use of Sprint’s equipment and do not try to replace all of the tower hardware. Hopefully, they'll keep Band 41/2.5 GHz signal live for LTE so us folks with iPhones can take advantage of it until we upgrade.


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[Cardsfan96]

22 minutes ago, dkyeager said:

I have hear rumors of iPhone users being offered to have improved phone service, which means changing from Sprint to T-Mobile.  Great if T-Mobile is better at your key places, else no so good. See Samsung Galaxy S20 thread or merger thread to see why. iPhone would not be as easy to correct.  Basically best done once they have actually converted T-Mobile sites by adding n41, which you will have to wait for at least the next version of iPhone.

Are you saying some sprint customers with iPhones are getting offered the update to prioritize the T-Mobile network?

[Bennyjet29]

Are you saying some sprint customers with iPhones are getting offered the update to prioritize the T-Mobile network?

That would make sense but for only customers who have the iPhone XS/Max or newer as those iPhones can utilize Band 71 & Band 41 right now.


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[1dante]

I got the same e-mail this morning. I have an iPhone 8plus. 

[Bennyjet29]

I got the same e-mail this morning. I have an iPhone 8plus. 

Sounds like T-Mobile is wrapping up network upgrades in the big metros and moving onto the small metros. Rochester and Gainesville must be in the first 100 cities with tiered 5G.

 

 

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[1dante]

Gainesville, FL?

[PhillipJames89]

2 hours ago, Bennyjet29 said:

iPhone 11 Pro Max, been doing the iPhone Forever program since the iPhone 6 but did hold onto my 8 Plus for two years as I wasn’t sold on the XS Max’s Intel XMM 7560 modem.

 

Sprint has joined the T‑Mobile family and we’re working tirelessly to improve your network experience and keep you connected - not years from now, but today. We have expanded your current coverage by adding access to T‑Mobile’s network which provides coverage to 99% of Americans coast-to-coast. We now have double the towers and resources than before, which means even more reliability to keep you connected when and where you need it. Since April 2nd, 11 million Sprint customers have used these newly available T‑Mobile towers. We won’t stop there. By bringing our two networks together, we will be building the best network in America. With more towers, more engineers, and more bandwidth than ever before, your network will be even more reliable in rural communities, big cities, and beyond. And as part of T‑Mobile, you have access to America’s largest 5G network included in your plan*. Our 5G is the most reliable for coverage - going to more people and places with reliability indoors and out. As we combine our network resources, this 5G network is going to get even bigger and better. We’ve wasted no time deploying our newest enhanced 5G signal in Philadelphia with New York and other cities just around the corner.  As the new T‑Mobile we are committed to giving you the best network and the best prices. We look forward to continuing to share updates as we build out our network experience. The best is yet to come! Sincerely, Sprint, part of the T‑Mobile family Find out more

I got the same email

[dro1984]

3 hours ago, 1dante said:

I got the same e-mail this morning. I have an iPhone 8plus. 

I got the email here north of Detroit,  yesterday....     It's not just "Apple" devices ...    i have an Android phone.      City-by-city... network conversions continue.   Has nothing to do with your phone.        My device is still favoring and staying on Sprint's signals.. so I'm not even sure that email means anything.   

[1dante]

30 minutes ago, dro1984 said:

I got the email here north of Detroit,  yesterday....     It's not just "Apple" devices ...    i have an Android phone.      City-by-city... network conversions continue.   Has nothing to do with your phone.        My device is still favoring and staying on Sprint's signals.. so I'm not ever sure that email means anything.   

You’re most likely correct. I’m still on the Sprint network too. I haven’t roamed on T-mobile at all. Only once back around November in east Gainesville. 

[Bennyjet29]

Gainesville, FL?

Yes, you’re a smaller metro that’s similar to Rochester in size. I wouldn’t be surprised if New T-Mobile targets small metros/cities that have multiple colleges/universities as college kids will be trying to save $$$ while wanting a popular device.


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[1dante]

11 minutes ago, Bennyjet29 said:

Yes, you’re a smaller metro that’s similar to Rochester in size. I wouldn’t be surprised if New T-Mobile targets small metros/cities that have multiple colleges/universities as college kids will be trying to save $$$ while wanting a popular device.


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That definitely makes sense. I hope they are upgrading the area. 

[Bennyjet29]

That definitely makes sense. I hope they are upgrading the area. 

That’s all I could come up with for Rochester as it’s always been a fierce competition between Verizon, AT&T, Sprint & T-Mobile going back to the 4G rollout days. We’re a small city that somehow has seven colleges and word of mouth is the best form of advertising as it’s free. You being in FL means there should be retirees who will want to save $$$ as most are on fixed incomes.

 

 

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[Bennyjet29]

Another tower conversion is underway in Greece, NY by I-390 and Lake Ontario Parkway.

 

 

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[Tengen31]

Another tower conversion is underway in Greece, NY by I-390 and Lake Ontario Parkway.
 
 
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Sprint site or TMO site?

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[Bennyjet29]

Sprint site or TMO site?

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Honestly could not tell you, however, I do recall seeing four sets of antennas on that tower as of last week.


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[PhillipJames89]

Can I purchase the one plus 8 and activate on sprint? 

[dkyeager]

6 hours ago, Bennyjet29 said:

Sounds like T-Mobile is wrapping up network upgrades in the big metros and moving onto the small metros. Rochester and Gainesville must be in the first 100 cities with tiered 5G.

 

 

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The email you received match ads I have seen on TV. 

One customer with the latest iPhone told me his phone had a message on it to get improved service basically matching the S20 offer. He declined since no n71 has been found in our market and no n41 on T-Mobile sites has been spotted. I have personally been told there are n41 sites in Ohio in a few out of the way places with no hints given.  None spotted so far, and almost no new T-Mobile permits.

West of Rochester NY into Ohio would benefit from band 71 as Sprint is limited to 1x800 due to Toronto having priority.