S4GRU

I was already corrected about this further up the thread. I had never heard of nTelos before, and thought all that area covered by nTelos was part of Shentel coverage. However, if you want to join the chorus, it's fine. Robert

The wireless carriers are quoting 5-12Mbps (for VZW) and 5-8Mbps (for Sprint), not because of expected site usage burdens, but because of signal strength. Because LTE performance is so signal strength dependent, carriers know that they have to quote the outer third of a cell's performance as the stated network performance, and the inner third as peak for LTE. In the Sprint FIT reports, they reference several times that the LTE speeds they will advertise are based on performance in the outer third of a cell in good conditions. Not based on anticipated heavy usage loads. I believe VZW is doing the same with their speeds. Their cells are just larger. Also, based on Sprint LTE FIT reports, burdening the sector had little impact on performance until approximately 75% of the sector capacity was used. I think it was in the ballpark of a 20% performance drop from 0% to 75%. Once the sector reached 75% usage capacity, then performance steadily dropped off from 75% to 100%. At 100% capacity, performance declined approximately 75%. At 125%, the sector was suffering significant problems. The reports also stated that this was based on expected tonnage per user. And that higher amounts of light usage or lighter amount of heavy usage could yield differences. With that said, if VZW LTE is dropping by this much, it would appear that VZW is at least exceeding a 75% of sector capacity (where these speeds are plummeting), and maybe more. So the threshold to failure appears to be much closer than you may realize, especially considering LTE usage is not static and VZW is adding LTE customers left and right. And then consider the iPhone onslaught about to occur. So, to wrap up, in a well functioning LTE sector, signal strength is the most important factor for performance. And once speeds start dropping due to congestion, the sector is already running out of capacity. Pass/fail on a LTE carrier is a narrow threshold. In my estimation, VZW needs to keep adding capacity via additional LTE 750 sites at a very frenetic pace. Robert

Like I mentioned in another thread, Sprint is working toward having every market launched before the end of 2013. However, it will not be 100% complete with all sites until later in 2014. Robert

There is already a topic created for this: http://s4gru.com/index.php?/topic/2063-sprint-ceo-dan-hesse-says-that-sprint-may-raise-prices-when-lte-footprint-gets-competitive/ Please check for existing topics before making new ones. Thanks! Robert

If you can stop safely, and they are in a safe location to speak, you should stop and ask. I find most are forthcoming and enjoy talking about what they do. No harm. And be sure to report back whatever you hear. Thanks! Robert

Wow. See what happens when the Admin degrades the conversation. It really opens the door for things to go bad. Robert

I hate AT&T too. However, I never would use my Johnson on AT&T. I would be afraid of the disease I may get. Please refrain from the F-word in future posts. Thanks. Robert

I'm starting to feel that I am getting crowded on Verizon's LTE network sometimes in some places. Speeds are definitely dropping in many congested places at certain times a day. Robert

Well, when you say it that way... Robert

Sprint is bringing LTE over its entire footprint, including Yorkville. We have Sprint site maps that show every single Sprint site in the country over in our Sponsor section. This thread provides more info about becoming a Sponsor http://s4gru.com/index.php?/topic/1195-information-about-s4gru-sponsorship-levels-and-how-to-become-a-sponsor/ Robert

I too will likely pay full retail price for this when it comes out. I just need to scrounge up another seminar to teach. Robert

I have no information about nTelos and their plans. I hadn't even heard of them until this past summer. They are not even a Sprint affiliate. I am not hopeful. Robert

I do not have any details about the delays in South Florida. I hear they have really big Ospreys in Florida that love cell towers. Robert

We have had confirmed report of a LTE connection in Hagerstown and the results posted on Sensorly. It must have just been up for a day. Robert

I moved this post out of another thread. I figured it deserved its own thread. Robert

People can always disagree with me. No problem. I just always ask that they do so courteously and use clear points and facts. In response, I'm sure that the LTE network is more secure than most WiFi networks. Especially public WiFi networks. But my argument was not a comparison of privacy superiority, just that for people who have strong feelings and concerns for security, well, they will not be able to take comfort that LTE is a secure data network. It is far from it. The security problems with LTE are not so much as they provide more security, it's just that there are less people with the know how and/or desire to breach it. Robert

Thanks for your clarification. I wasn't sure what you thought as a bottom line in this discussion until you clarified. I wasn't sure you did, until now. And I certainly wouldn't give John Q. Cell-Customer the benefit of the doubt on this subject. Sure reminds me of Ross Perot. Is he in, or is he out of the race? Robert

Use it whenever you need it. I just believe that using it when you have other options, especially at home, is rather ridiculous. It's my opinion. And an opinion of most of us wireless enthusiasts. You all are entitled to be wrong. It's OK. But this is something I am concerned about. Sprint's LTE network is going to perform better than the home ISP of half its customers. If even half start using Sprint LTE for all their home smartphone data, it's going to cause problems. So you folks who think "I paid for it, so all the network resources I can muster are mine" better hope that everyone else in your sector doesn't feel the same way. Or you will have to go to another carrier who will daily beat you over the head with data caps to prove the point how wrong you were. As it states in my profile, "I desire what is good. Therefore those who disagree with me are traitors." - King George III Robert

Backhaul is not going to have any noticeable increase in voice call quality performance. T1 backhaul is more than sufficient to handle voice demands. I typically have great Sprint voice call quality down to -104dBm. What is going to help call quality in the Chicago market is the deployment of CDMA 800 carriers. These will provide stronger voice signals. But backhaul should not be an issue at all on voice calls. Robert

No one should be using the LTE network if they are concerned about data security. Seriously. Neither are secure networks and both are shared resources. Robert

Good idea. Done! Robert

WiMax technology

Same info. Work will start in the market this December and launch some time in the Spring. Robert

Sprint is deploying over every site in its network. They are not picking and choosing like AT&T and Verizon. Robert via Samsung Galaxy S-III 32GB using Forum Runner