S4GRU

We are still waiting on any confirmation that Network Vision has started in the Memphis market. No word yet. Robert

Corn Palace

Yes, it can. However, you traveled to the Sprint store and had a problem there too, right? On a completely different site? I think you may be having an intermittent problem with your device. Just my opinion. I have been wrong a lot today, though. Robert

Interesting. Not something I have ever thought about before. Robert

It definitely is. However, the work that is required to upgrade the 3G in the future is pretty minimal. Although I do not know for certain the cause for this, it almost always happens in Ericsson markets where 4G is being completed and not 3G at the same time. I can only deduct it is related to equipment. Maybe Ericsson does not have the 1x/EVDO carrier cards, yet? There are only a handful of Ericsson sites that have 3G completed. The early sites in the Waco FIT and in the far NW Houston exurbs. Robert

To expand on Brad's comment above, Sprint's site network.sprint.com shows maintenance upgrades being performed under their maintenance contract with Ericsson. On that site they show additional capacity adds for voice and data and additional speed upgrades (via additional T1 lines). These are not related to Network Vision/LTE deployments. Robert

As a Sponsor, you have access to the NV Sites Complete map. In that map you can see that some sites are marked 3G, 4G, 3G/4G, and even some show 800 too. In a site that shows 4G only, it means only the 4G has been upgraded to Network Vision. The 3G is still on the legacy network. It will be upgraded later. In a site that shows 3G only, it means only the 3G has been upgraded to Network Vision. The 3G may, or may not, be connected to new backhaul (especially in Chicago). 4G will be installed later. Sometimes a few weeks, sometimes a few months. If a site shows both 3G and 4G, then the legacy network is no longer in operation and only running on Network Vision. It is believed in all cases where the site shows 4G is complete that new backhaul is in place. If a site shows 800, then the CDMA 800 (1x) is operational on at least one 800MHz channel. 800 is complete with 3G, or sometime after, but never before. Robert

Once you have a 4G LTE connection, open the app. Click on "Map Trip" in the lower right hand corner. In the next screen, click the start button. Let it run and collect 4G data points. After a few minutes, you can press stop. It will then log all your 4G connection points to the Sensorly server and it will appear on their maps in an hour or two. You can view other Sensorly uploads here: http://sensorly.com/map/4G/US/USA/Sprint/lte_310sprint I contributed most of the data around the Waco area. It would be great if you could start it again the next time you are out an about in Fredericksburg, so it can log all the places around town that have a signal. Thanks for contributing! Robert

Any chance you can download the Sensorly app and plot this coverage? It would be great for it to appear on their maps for our tracking. Thanks! Robert

One other additional caveat that now comes to mind is hot swap. At some sites they cannot install NV and legacy side by side. Usually because of space limitations on the ground or on the tower. When that happens a hot swap is required. Then they actually remove the legacy equipment and put back NV equipment in its place. And there is no cohabitation when this occurs. However, this a rare thing and happens at less than 1% of sites. Robert

One thing to note, the post Network Vision site photos used in PR's can be misleading. There are three different vendors for Network Vision. Samsung, Ericsson and Alcatel/Lucent. All three have varyingly different looking equipment. From panels to cabinets. To answer some of your questions, if only the LTE is upgraded at the site, it is assumed that 1x/EVDO are still being broadcast from legacy equipment and only the LTE is on NV equipment. But we are not 100% certain. However, if they did move over the 1x/EVDO to Network Vision equipment, then likely, it would be marked as not just LTE 1900 complete, but CDMA 1900 too. So, that is why we make this assumption. So in a LTE only upgraded LTE site, you would have both legacy and NV panels together on the tower, and NV/legacy base cabinets. The legacy equipment would not be removed until at least 45 days after CDMA is finally switched over. At a site where LTE and 1x/EVDO are both complete to Network Vision, then the legacy equipment stays in place for at least 45 days after switch over. So initially you see the Network Vision and legacy panels and base cabinets together. But eventually, they will come back and remove the legacy equipment. I have to think that removal of legacy equipment is pretty low priority as it does not effect current operations at all. At a site where only 1x/EVDO is complete to Network Vision, they will keep up legacy equipment at least 45 days after switch over. And some time after that they will remove it. This is regardless of LTE install dates. Because the LTE does not use any part of the legacy network, it does not matter if it is completely removed before they start LTE work at the site. Hopefully I have understood your questions and responded. Robert

The physical work is likely complete. However, the only way you'll know is if the 4G icon appears on your Sprint LTE device. Hopefully, they won't block the LTE signal like they often do in pre-launch markets. Robert

This is an extremely small minority opinion. I've not met one person who has seen my GS-III that has said it was ugly. I constantly hear that it looks sexy. Even most iPhone owners drool over the case design. However, I would think you would love the GS-III. It looks just like an iPhone, right? That's why I bought it. I can't tell the difference. Robert via Samsung Galaxy S-III 32GB using Forum Runner

credit check Robert via CM9 Kindle Fire using Forum Runner

Where are you located? The nearest cross streets, please. Robert via Samsung Galaxy S-III 32GB using Forum Runner

bad call Robert via Samsung Galaxy S-III 32GB using Forum Runner

According to Sprint FIT reports I've seen, they reference a 25dBm difference. So that is what I have been using. And based on my observations in Waco this past weekend, I tend to think it's accurate. Robert via Samsung Galaxy S-III 32GB using Forum Runner

It's not going to happen. Sprint has said they will announce market launches 30-45 days in advance. Besides, they do not have nowhere near enough LTE sites complete yet. Mid October is the absolute earliest at this point. Robert via Samsung Galaxy S-III 32GB using Forum Runner

There are two cores in the Chicago area. However, the network is designed that any site can be routed through any operational core dynamically. But I don't know if that feature is operational yet. Robert via Samsung Galaxy S-III 32GB using Forum Runner

Codie is right. Deployment will not begin in the Cincy market until sometime in 2013. Robert via Samsung Galaxy S-III 32GB using Forum Runner

Those two different sectors are on the same site, but on different sectors and channels. Interesting. Keep us posted on the differebt variables. Robert via Samsung Galaxy S-III 32GB using Forum Runner

Jail house Robert via Samsung Galaxy S-III 32GB using Forum Runner