S4GRU

straight shooter Robert via NOVO7PALADIN Tablet using Forum Runner

Chorus Line

by Robert Herron Sprint 4G Rollout Updates Tuesday, April 10, 2012 - 1:31 AM MDT Sprint 4G Rollout Updates has completed announcements on the first two rounds of Network Vision, naming just over 40 of Sprint's 97 markets as slated to begin deployment before the end of 2012. Sprint's Network Vision and LTE Deployment are in full swing with First Round markets cranking out production. Even some Second Round markets will begin deployment as soon as May. S4GRU has recently been apprised of some additional Network Vision information. As you may recall, when Sprint originally announced Network Vision details and explained their change to LTE for its 4G technology, Sprint also said that planning/design/permitting is under way at the first 22,000 sites. S4GRU has now been able to see information on those initial 22,000 sites. Sprint originally said that these sites were the first sites to receive Network Vision upgrades. In the data for all these sites, there were not many surprises. But two things immediately jumped out. Or, I should say, two markets. All of the markets comprising the 22,000 sites are in the first two announced rounds, except two. There are two markets that it appears Sprint is proceeding with complete site planning and design that have not been announced to date by S4GRU. Missouri and Oklahoma Missouri/Oklahoma. There are over 1,175 sites in the Missouri and Oklahoma Sprint markets. The Missouri and Oklahoma markets are included in Sprint's initial 22,000 sites planning. However, in a cross check, these two markets are not in the Sprint schedule for the first two rounds. It's quite possible since all the planning and permitting for these two markets will be done in advance, they may actually be moved up in to the second round. We cannot say with any certainty at this time. This should be seen as good news though for the folks living in these two markets. We do not have any more details than this to report on these two markets currently. S4GRU will keep pushing for all the latest information for you on Sprint's Network Vision and LTE Depolyment. Stay tuned to S4GRU.com for breaking Network Vision news. Photos Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

Fishing net

Big Sky

Attention all S4GRU Members! Interactive Google Maps showing all 38,000+ Network Vision sites for all 97 markets are now complete. You can zoom in and click on every single site. Follow this link to access the maps: http://s4gru.com/ind...ive-s4gru-maps/ You must be a S4GRU Sponsor to get access to this forum. If you are not a S4GRU Sponsor, you should consider becoming one today! Not only do you get access to additional premium content, but you also get to financially assist one of the best sites on the internet! Robert Example of the Site Map, showing all 38,000 sites nationwide. S4GRU Sponsors can zoom in and look at any of these sites in the country.

Rapid City and Pierre are Sprint roaming areas. Once you get west of Sioux Falls, Sprint is roaming all the way until you get to Jackson, Wyoming near the Idaho border. Most likely the issues of Swiftel are financial related. As for affiliates...it was a bad idea. That's why Sprint bought almost all of them out. Shentel is a good affiliate and didn't need to be bought out. Swiftel is public owned and can't be bought out. And Sprint definitely learned its lesson with Clearwire. That's why Sprint is deploying its own LTE nationwide on its own spectrum. They are only using Clearwire for additional capacity where needed in areas Sprint already has LTE coverage. Also, it is not advisable to use any wireless carrier for your personal ISP. Especially AT&T and Verizon. If you are going to do something like that, then Sprint is often your best option. But given your circumstances in South Dakota, a home ISP is probably your best option. Because Sprint under performs, and AT&T/Verizon have data caps. Robert

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I have reported the issue to Tapatalk. Also, Moderators are supposed to have access to the Writers section. I just verified the settings. Perhaps another issue? Robert

I guess that's possible. But I wouldn't bank on it. Robert

Sprint's T1's do not provide enough bandwidth to help a Clearwire WiMax site one iota. Most Sprint T1's are limited to 1.5Mbps. Some ILEC's give them faster T1's...but not many. Robert

family jewels

Most likely Sprint is tied until the end of their current contract. There was no Network Vision or LTE deployment plans when they signed their last agreement. Their current contract likely includes the types of services Swiftel has now. So they will not be in breach of the contract as it is now by not jumping on the NV/LTE bandwagon with Sprint. However, Sprint will likely try to get Swiftel to agree to an amended contract now. That's what Shentel did. Shentel agreed to modify their contract before expiration because Shentel wants Network Vision and LTE. If Swiftel is content letting the clock run out on their agreement and not upgrade to Network Vision and LTE, then Sprint's hands are tied. However, Sprint would then likely not extend Swiftel's agreement past its current expiration. But doing that will only result in Sprint customers losing native coverage in South Dakota. And Sprint will not likely come back in and build out their own network there for years. It's a catch 22. All the bargaining advantage really is on Swiftel's side, and they know it. There's not an easy situation at all if Swiftel doesn't want to come on board with NV/LTE with Sprint. Robert

I sympathize with your position being in South Dakota. Swiftel (a Sprint regional affiliate) has not provided the type of service area with the newest technologies that customers in most others get to appreciate. Sprint bought out all but two of their affiliates because of issues like these. However, Sprint cannot buy Swiftel, since they are a public utility. Unfortunately, Sprint only has two options with Swiftel... Work with them and try to convince them to come on board with Network Vision. Send them packing at the end of their contract. Hopefully, Sprint will be able to get Swiftel on board with Network Vision upgrades. However, I am slightly less than optimistic that will happen. I don't think Swiftel is swimming in the money, being a quasi-government agency. Sprint's only other remaining affiliate, Shentel, has agreed to joining Network Vision and a complete LTE deployment over its entire coverage area. Swiftel has made no deal with Sprint to date (at least not announced publicly). However, I completely disagree with your assessment that Sprint is 5-10 years behind the competition. Sprint was the first with a 4G network, that is hardly 5-10 years behind the competition. Also, Sprint is deploying its LTE network just slightly behind AT&T and in front of every other wireless carrier except Verizon. Also, Sprint is taking its LTE coverage nationwide over its entire footprint. AT&T is not even doing that. So, even though South Dakota is definitely in a unique and bad situation at the moment, the circumstances that exist there are not nationwide. Have you ever contacted Swiftel to find out about their Network Vision plans, if any? Robert

Oh my! *said like George Takei* Robert via NOVO7PALADIN Tablet using Forum Runner

7.2Mbps is still normal download speed performance. Robert via NOVO7PALADIN Tablet using Forum Runner

I don't know if they still do. But I played with an EVO in their store on launch day. Fully active. Robert

Meanwhile, we are posting LTE coverage maps of Olathe, Kansas and Atlanta, Georgia around here. And they will talk about that a long time from now as if it will be new news. Robert

This is the store I bought my EVO from: http://www.unitedcellular.net/ They have a Sprint branded store in Bernalillo, New Mexico. Has the Sprint logo on it. You don't know it's not a Sprint store until you see the invoices at checkout. Kind of crappy set up. I actually had lots of issues dealing with them. Sprint ended up giving me a complimentary contract price upgrade to keep me from walking at the end of my 30 day cancellation period (as well as many other goodies). Robert

There are places in the legacy Sprint network that perform just fine. Especially newer sites. Also, there are many others that have received temp improvments in advance of Network Vision. These are the ones shown on network.sprint.com. With performance like this, you will likely not see much improvement out of Network Vision in 3G, except for probably a slight signal increase. The biggest thing that will affect you will be LTE availability once it comes online and you upgrade your iPhone to use it. Robert

As long as I don't use my E4GT with the newer modems, then the battery seems to last forever. I unplugged at 6AM this morning I am still at 81%. But I have only used my phone 15 minutes all day. However, if I am stready using my E4GT, battery life has been pretty lousy in general on FD05. Running between 70% and 85% the amount of time it ran on EL29. But definitely not prohibitive, just noticeable. However, I am now not having any bug issues on these last builds. Very happy. And now that I am used to ICS, I cannot go back! Robert