S4GRU

AT&T Robert

We have a LA market update article coming soon. Stay tuned. Robert

We also will have a Charlotte article soon. In general, you hang out in good areas for Sprint LTE this year. Robert

I find that I appreciate WiMax in event situations. Where the 3G just crumbles to single digits in kilobits per second. Sporting events, festivals, concerts, etc. Even though the WiMax takes a hit too, it usually is far faster than 3G is during those peak times. The last concert I went to, 3G was 6kbps, but WiMax was around 900kbps...which was usable. Robert

3G speeds should improve dramatically in post NV converted sites. Sprint's average posted 3G speeds should be exceeded (600k to 1Mbps). So far, in post NV sites where the backhaul has been upgraded, we are seeing speeds between 1.4Mbps and 2.6Mbps. But peak times on heavy used sites will likely fall around 1Mbps. Robert

We reported that in lab testing, the EVO LTE had a connectivity issue with the LTE network. They did not have it worked out before they shipped the device. We believe that an OTA is coming soon to fix the issue, and Sprint is blocking LTE connections to prevent the issue from becoming known. We already had a member who ran the EVO LTE and Galaxy Nexus side by side for a day or so when connected to Sprint 4G LTE in Atlanta. At first, the EVO LTE had no issues and actually performed better than the GNex. But after a few hours, the EVO LTE would not connect to LTE at all. It was almost like the LTE signal was not there anymore. However, his GNex could connect to the LTE still and ran just fine. He tried rebooting, cycling through airplane mode, LTE mode, etc. but could not get the EVO LTE back on the LTE network. The GNex was unaffected and continued to connect and run fast on Sprint LTE. Later, on its own, the EVO LTE came back and connected to the LTE network again...but several hours later. Our member would have had no idea there was an issue with the EVO had he not also owned a GNex. He would have assumed that the tower was just taken down or blocked during the period where the EVO LTE did not get a signal. So we are taking this episode (and another one reported) as anecdotal evidence in support of the LTE Connectivity issue we reported. I don't think we will see Sprint stop LTE blocking until they can fix the problem with the LTE Connectivity issue. Hopefully, Sprint/HTC can issue a fix soon. Robert

Sascha Segan has been a good supporter and advocate of S4GRU. I bet there is a good chance that the subject of S4GRU came up in his field testing with Sprint last week. I would have loved to been a fly on the wall during those exchanges. Robert

This isn't far off from projections now. The market won't be complete then, but if Sprint discontinues their blocking of LTE connections, there will be live sites in the JAX market then. We will have a Jacksonville update article soon. Stay tuned. Robert

Yes, that is correct. They will not hook up LTE to legacy backhaul, only new backhaul. They will, however, hook up 3G to legacy backhaul if the new backhaul is not installed and ready when they complete a site. And when that happens they will come back and finish up the final LTE connection and testing afterward. Robert

I believe this is the hold up. However, I have no new information other than anecdotal evidence from our members. Robert

The 4G is actively being deployed, they are just not handed over to Sprint, yet. We only post sites that have been handed over to Sprint. There are many reports of people getting 4G signals in the Chicago area. Especially in the Hammond/Merrilville area. And at this point, while Sprint continues to block LTE connections, it doesn't much matter. Robert

I have now heard this rumor from two sources, but nothing in a written document. This is consistent with our article: http://s4gru.com/index.php?/blog/1/entry-265-kansas-network-visionlte-deployment-schedule-update/ I've also heard the same rumor about Atlanta too. But I have not received any confirmation of that one, at all. Robert

Waco has to be put into one of the 97 Sprint markets. The way the Sprint network is configured, it makes the most sense to put Waco into the Austin market than the other Texas markets. On your other point, you must be misreading the maps. We do not show any live sites in Austin. We only show live sites in Waco. The map that shows Austin depicts the sites that are expected to be converted to NV/LTE by the time the market formally is launched by Sprint. Robert

That makes sense, Ericsson Network Management Services would help their client Clearwire in their LTE FIT. And Clearwire may hire Ericsson to deploy their LTE network as a whole, I don't know. However, it would be unusual for an OEM to not install their own equipment. It creates problems. Robert

I have not attempted a Custom PRL for the EVO LTE, yet. You will need to Google how to do it. There are a few methods out there. But I don't believe you have to be rooted. But you will need your MSL #. Robert

Yes. I know. Your comments do not address my points at all. You must not understand what I have said. Robert

I think you may be mistaken that Ericsson is deploying the new LTE network if it is a different OEM. That would be highly unusual. Typically, the OEM installs their own equipment as part of the contract. That is the way it is working in Network Vision, as well. Samsung is installing Samsung equipment. Alcatel/Lucent is installing AlcaLu equipment and Ericsson is installing Ericsson equipment. It is true that Ericsson is the network manager for Clearwire, but that does not make them the LTE deployer by default. If Ericsson is the successful company to deploy Clearwire LTE, they would almost certainly deploy Ericsson equipment. Clearwire would be crazy to put out to bid their LTE network with a specified OEM, and not allow the bidders to use their own equipment and only use the specified equipment. If there ever was an issue with failures or warranty work, you would have a finger pointing fiasco. You definitely want the same OEM installing for a more cohesive and manageable system. Afterwards, you can have any firm manage the network. Like Ericsson does now for Clearwire. Robert

Sprint's LTE will penetrate about the same as their 3G does now. Much better than WiMax. Next year, Sprint will start deploying LTE on 800MHz. That will penetrate even better. Robert

If you have a device that supports CDMA 800, then you can install this PRL: http://s4gru.com/index.php?/files/file/18-cdma-800-testing-prl-21086xprl/ But if memory serves, the EVO 4G does not support CDMA 800. Robert

Done. And now it is no longer off-topic. Please do not flame this thread. Keep to your points, label opinions clearly and do not get personal. Let's try to keep emotion and personal biases out of this. I know S4GRU members can have an intellectual conversation about such dramatic differences. Prove me right. Otherwise, we will close the thread, if necessary. Robert

Mobile Alabama

I don't think blocking is going to continue much longer. Since Sprint invited PCMag out to one of their sites to experience LTE, I imagine that's a sign that they are going to open it up soon. Robert