S4GRU

I just checked the database, and it is marked 3G/4G. In searching through the docs and import files, they only show that this site was 3G accepted back in late October. I don't know where the error occurred in the update process. But I've fixed it now. Robert

You're right. Getting CDMA 800 on an iPhone in an urban area is tough to impossible. Robert

You're basically correct. Except that with Samsung, they started a push in early Fall working on getting the hardware installed at all sites in their areas. We have seen huge clusters of Samsung sites go live. Usually what happens with these new Samsung clusters is all the 3G is turned on at once. Then they go back and fire up all the LTE at sites that also have upgraded backhaul. Then they pick up all the remaining sites one at a time as backhaul arrives. However, the City/County of San Francisco may not be a cluster launch this way. It seems there is something else holding up everything there. Getting Band 41 fired up there will help a lot. But even that is not happening in a big way. It almost feels like a Doctor Who episode. As if there is some alien villain living off the Sprint network that prevents it from being upgraded. If the Tardis shows up, maybe it's a sign that the Sprint San Francisco problem may soon be nigh. Robert

This was always a nightmare in New Mexico. Getting easement across Native American lands. Robert

Doubtful, at least in the immediate sense to resolution. It would take time. It needs a Sprint policy reversal. This is a deep rooted issue. All the way to the core of how Sprint does business. Robert

Airlink is the connection between the device and the antennas at the site. The site and your device uplink/downlink back and forth through a channel. Once a channel exceeds capacity, performance starts to degrade. Sprint EVDO carriers (channels) can be added for more capacity. Up to the point where Sprint has used up all the available PCS spectrum they have licensed in that market. However, if a site has backhaul problems, the airlinks will not likely be saturated because people stop using the site. The airlinks will likely be well under capacity. But when the backhaul does get upgraded and the 3G EVDO is connected to it, usage may go up to the point that capacity will need to be added to. So they will have to monitor the situation after backhaul. Robert

It's cool that you guys are holding a S4GRU Meet & Greet. Wish I could be there. Have a great time! Robert

I like the thought of a phone with a flexible plastic screen that will be much less likely to break. I just wish it was a little smaller. Robert

There are 20 Sprint sites in the Olympia/Lacey/Tumwater area. As of yesterday, there were 12 having LTE accepted as complete. Maps of these sites are available in the Sponsor area of the site. http://s4gru.com/index.php?/topic/1195-information-about-s4gru-sponsorship-levels-and-how-to-become-a-sponsor/ Robert

I think I may pick up a G Flex to try on AT&T once they drop down to about $350. It may be soon since LG devices don't hold their value. Robert

This is true. None of the sites in Lima are complete yet. They are in progress. We keep maps in our Sponsor section that will show you every site in the Lima area and the current stage they are in with upgrades. When LTE goes live, it will appear on the maps. For more information about how to become a Sponsor, visit this link: http://s4gru.com/index.php?/topic/1195-information-about-s4gru-sponsorship-levels-and-how-to-become-a-sponsor/ Robert And to S4GRU!

You will get both. First Band 25 (1900), then Band 41 (2600). Sprint has committed to building out Band 41 LTE in the Top 100 markets in two year. They are starting that work in the 2nd quarter this year. Since the Buffalo/Niagara area is the 49th largest market in the U.S. it is slated to get Band 41. Additionally, the Buffalo market will likely get Band 26 (800) eventually. Once an agreement can be reached with the Canadians about sharing, Sprint will likely be able to deploy a 3MHz LTE channel there. It won't win any speed awards. But it will allow for some extra capacity and the ability to get an LTE signal in hard to cover places inside buildings and at the edge of service. I think the earliest this could happen in your market is at least 2 more years though. Robert

I responded to this in the 800MHz thread. Robert

You are roaming on 850 Cellular. Most likely US Cellular which owns the Cellular B block in Beckley. Robert

It looks like they just point up and down Paseo. You probably wouldn't pick it up on Coors unless you are stopped at the light there north bound. Robert

Actually, in looking at Google maps, the Sprint site is located on a wooden power pole along the eastbound Paseo off ramp going down to Coors. It's pretty close to the marker on our maps. Robert

The bottom is a classic AT&T looking site. I don't think I see Sprint stuff at all. If memory serves, the Sprint site here is inside the three sided cross structure. Robert

Band 41 deployment starts on Network Vision sites in 2Q 2014. Sprint is committing that the Top 100 markets will be fully covered with Band 41 in two years. Not just a launchable amount of service. That includes additional macro sites and pico cells for total coverage. That's huge. Likely, the existing Network Vision sites can be up and running much sooner than that. In the short term, Band 41 doesn't need to be on every Network Vision site. It is needed on every under performing LTE site as soon as possible. If the Band 25 site is performing 8Mbps or better, then Band 41 can just show up when it's ready. But if the Band 25 site is languishing, it needs to be a high priority Band 41 deployment on that site. I believe Sprint will do this though. They are targeting the WiMax conversions in order of the highest data use. I believe they will do the same with Band 41 additions to NV sites. Robert

This is one of the few areas where AJ and I do not agree. I completely accept his basic tenet that we aren't exactly sure of why the Tmo purchased N5's are not in the system. It may even be that Tmo requested that the MEID's not be released to other carriers. We should not immediately assume this is a failing by Sprint to this point. And we don't even know if Sprint is aware of this issue or only recently became aware of this issue. However, where I probably divert with AJ is that I believe Sprint should allow Nexus 5 MEID's to be manually added to the database. If a customer can come to a store with the device and it can be verified as not stolen, Sprint should add the MEID and make the device usable on the Sprint network. It's possible that Sprint is planning to do this, but trying to determine the best way to do that. Because it is probably not a good idea just to allow it to be done on the basic call center level. If Sprint is going to go through all this trouble to allow an open device on their network and then to draw an artificial line in the sand that prevents new customers from coming into your sandbox is not very wise. It goes against the very nature of the intent of Framily. To get new customers from other providers and the ability to BYOD off contract. Especially when you consider the opposite is not true with other providers. Sprint is setting up a bad scenario where a Sprint customer leaves and goes to Tmo. Purchases a Tmo N5. Hates Tmo spotty coverage and non existent rural coverage and decides to go back to Sprint with the N5. Sprint tells him to pound sand. He then goes to AT&T. This is an awful scenario for Sprint. And Sprint can do something about it. It may take some time to implement it, but it is in their best interest to do it. And beyond even Sprint's best interest, the only entity that not allowing Tmo N5's on the Sprint network hurts is Sprint. It helps Tmo. And it even helps AT&T. By allowing Tmo N5's to grace the Sprint network, it sends a big middle finger toward Bellevue and Master Legere. And it removes an advantage for Tmo that they do not deserve. Robert

In most instances, 3G speeds go up when LTE goes live too. The primary reason why Sprint 3G speeds are so slow is that they are connected to antiquated and overburdened T1's for backhaul. When new high speed backhaul is brought to a site for LTE, they also will connect the 3G services to that new, much faster backhaul. If there is another 3G problem, like the airlink is over saturated, then it may not shoot up to normal speeds. But it will allow them to diagnose that problem and add more capacity. As for a good suggestion of where to read up, I can't think of any resource than S4GRU. I'm probably too close to what's going on that I cannot even begin to think of how to wrap my mind from the outside looking in. Robert

Remember that the FCC only gave Sprint permission to start 800 the very end of November. That is only like 30 business days ago. It's probably being worked on now. Also, the last Florida 800 update I received was when I posted the Gainesville site. There could be dozens accepted since then. I will post more Florida 800 acceptances when I get them. Remember, I don't get 800 acceptances daily like I do CDMA & LTE 1900. Robert

The cost probably doesn't have the pay off since it will only help a handful of people. If there is a market that is suffering under overly burdened Band 25, Sprint needs to do the other things in its arsenal to have a much bigger impact. Like Band 26 or Band 41. Robert

Pittsfield's sites were upgraded over 12 months ago with LTE capable equipment. For some reason, either Sprint has not been able to get new high speed backhaul to their sites, or decided Pittsfield is a lower priority. According to the Sprint update database, all the sites in the Pittsfield/Lanesborough area are supposed to have Band 25 LTE active in less than 90 days. The only exception being the site on top of the hill by the ski area/airport. Robert via Samsung Note 8.0 using Tapatalk Pro

It seems I'm gaining an hour or two from BatteryGuru. Robert via Samsung Note 8.0 using Tapatalk Pro