cletus

So, a few interesting things are happening here: 1) Time Warner is upping speeds for free. See: http://bgr.com/2014/02/20/time-warner-cable-internet-speeds-austin/ 2) AT&T Gigapower (which is max 300 down so... not even close to giga-anything) is mainly downtown but reports lately are that even in areas with coverage people are waiting 30-45 days for service. 3) Grande has rolled out 1 Gig Fiber as well http://mygrande.com/austin/1-gig-fiber-internet/ but availability is super limited. 4) Google has started pulling work permits for SOUTH Austin. Here is the map of current permits: https://mapsengine.google.com/map/edit?mid=zKGIh6VixM7Q.kpvawAIdVCMA

I dunno, seems pretty fair to me compared to when Sprint announced Network Vision: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2404184,00.asp These articles seem little more than prepared PR pieces to me. No real questions or anything. Just what the plan is and a feel good quote or two from the company about how great it will be.

I wonder if there is a breakup fee in the Sprint-T-Mobile deal that if it doesn't get approved Sprint will have to pay T-Mobile. That way T-Mobile could actually fund something like this. Either way this is a clear signal that Sprint needs to pick up the pace and make progress no matter what it takes. I sometimes feel that Sprint in it's current state is a groggy drunk that is slow to respond to insistent prodding for action. Hopefully this will give them the splash of cold water they need... even if that comes from firing top executives.

The only thing I have ever heard about this MVNO has been about them frequently cutting people's service off days before payment was due or ran out so people have to shell money out early. Frankly, I expect that prepayd is at fault here as Sprint is usually very open to MVNOs.

I think you are mostly right but it comes back to how we define speed and/or fast. With LTE comes speed in the noticeable way to end users: Reduced latency. Sure, my 3g connection to Sprint is mostly adequate for browsing but when it takes 10x as long to start loading pictures due to the massive latency I can easily see someone saying that the Sprint service is slower and confusing latency with throughput. Actually, even when I really think about it latency is probably what annoys me on a day to day basis of using the Sprint network. I'd say that my 3g connections on Sprint have about 10x the latency of the LTE connections... 300ms+ vs 30ms and that makes a big difference in terms of end user experience.

If Sprint offered the fastest LTE service nationwide with the current unlimited plans and pricing there would be millions of people moving to Sprint. If anything, buying T-Mobile would be a bandaid fix to the currently underperforming Sprint network in the major metro markets that WOULD help steer people to Sprint. Really though the big problem is the public perception of Sprint is very low and the reports that continually showcase Sprint's data speeds as extremely low compared to the other 3 networks only reinforces this perception. Did anyone TRULY care that Sprint had more completed calls than the other 3 networks during the Superbowl? Nope but people were quick to point out the horrendous data speeds. I truly believe speed is Sprint's only future and while the current Spark projections look truly awesome if Sprint takes too long to get there the network might simply be average rather than revolutionary.

Probably because everyone realized the subscriber adds were all tablet plans.

I have to say that I really love this phone and how much I can do with it. Here is my current setup: Wallpaper album: http://imgur.com/a/7tFAf

I have to agree. Like I said, my sister moved to T-Mobile to get her ETF paid for and get a new iphone. Does she give a rats ass about T-Mobile making money? Nope. She carrier jumps almost every contract and in this case not even through a whole contract period. I am not sure this will be sustainable for T-Mobile in the long run but in the short run it appears to be working for them. It is easy to get the people who already dislike their service but it is a whole different ballgame to lure subs who have been happy at other carriers. Hell, Verizon added like 1.7 million subs from doing nothing and giving only lipservice by offering terrible upgrade deals.

Not sure why HTC insists on camera gimmicks.The EVO3D was a pretty poor camera even though it could shoot 3d (I had one before my current phone) and the while the HTC One takes good photos they are easily outclassed (in my opinion and others) by the LG G2 and S4. Why can't HTC just offer a normal camera for once and if they insist on screwing with something they can be the first one to noticeably improve front facing cameras.

So, my sister just switched from Verizon to T-Mobile (long story but she had a bad experience with Sprint and wouldn't consider it) and I went to the T-Mobile store with her. Every single person in there was switching from other carriers and walking around (okay, eavesdropping) most were from Sprint. I think people are really underestimating the effect that the ETF payoff will have on people under contracts. I know my experience is anecdotal but I was honestly shocked how many people were switching from Sprint. I fully believe the subscriber losses will exceed that 150,000 number in Q1 2014. I actually really like Sprint but it will be an uphill battle winning subscribers back.

The ability to use the Nexus 5 is 100% the only reason I am on the Sprint network (albeit at an MVNO). Sprint has an astonishingly asinine policy for newer model phones being brought to MVNOs (often over a 1.5 year wait) and unless you want to pay full price through the MVNO for an HTC One/S4/LG G2 the nexus 5 is really your only alternative.

Weird issue I am having: I get a "Failed to open selected file" error when trying to upload pictures from my gallery on Facebook or craigslist's mobile websites. Going to camera and taking the picture seems to work just fine though. Pretty annoying. Does anyone else have this issue? ES File Explorer is not even an option that appears when trying this and I absolutely refuse to download the abomination that is the Facebook App.

It appears so. https://www.serve.com/what-you-get/ You will only be reimbursed for the amount charged to your eligible Card; coverage is limited up to $1,000 per occurrence; not to exceed $50,000 per Card Member account per calendar year. You may be instructed to send the purchased item to us. This product provides secondary coverage. This means it pays eligible benefits not paid by any primary insurance that you have. For full terms and conditions, see americanexpress.com/PPterms.

Yup. https://www.americanexpress.com/us/content/prepaid/american-express-prepaid-card/cardmember-agreement.html#purchaseProtection

For sure I totally agree with you. This was actually partially one of the reasons I bought a Nexus 5! For AMEX users buying the phone has even better benefits. If you use an AMEX to buy it they cover your phone for 90 days. Then if you pay with a wellsfargo or Citibank card to pay for the actual bill you are covered the rest of the time. Also of note, the AMEX protection also extends to the prepaid debt cards!

No insurance for me even though I am on an MVNO. Know why? My cellphone is covered by my credit card. https://www.wellsfargo.com/credit-cards/features/cell-phone-protection/ Fine print: Protection is subject to a $25 deductible and maximum benefit limit of $600 per occurrence. Protection covers cellular telephones billed to your Wells Fargo Credit Card, subject to a maximum of two claims, per twelve-month period, per Wells Fargo Credit Card account number. Protection covers the primary line and up to the first three additional lines listed on your provider’s monthly statement. Cellular telephones that are stolen or damaged are protected. This benefit does not cover cellular telephones that are lost. So, with that in mind why pay $11/mo for a high deductible insurance?

That would be best case scenario. Well, that is definitely not too great of a deal for me then even after then 23% discount I have through work. So before insurance and taxes: (25+7.7) (25+15.4+21) for 94.1 total best case or (50+7.7) (50+15.4+21) for $144.1 worst case.

I don't think Sprint can afford to sit back and let T-Mobile take all the new subs in the market. And don't be mistaken.. the new ETF+phone payoff that T-Mobile is offering will definitely move people into considering T-Mobile. I overheard 2 AT&T users and 1 Sprint user at work today discussing it quite seriously. As soon as Sprint drops all contract requirements things will go better for them while also stopping the leakage of subs lured in by ETF payoff deals. The new Framily plans are really quite interesting and are a step in the right direction. I actually really, really like the offering of 1GB/3GB/Unlimited. It is a really good step forward. I have been disappointed by Sprint's Network Vision progress where I live but it is mainly the delay that is causing that disappointment rather than the speed of the upgraded areas. It is easy to blame the delays on past Sprint decisions but how long can that excuse really be used? Lack of program execution on Network Vision is squarely on the shoulders of the current management and I do wonder how long that shortcoming can last before Softbank decides to really make big management changes at Sprint. I feel like Sprint right now is this huge bear waking up groggily from a long hibernation and stumbling side to side as it struggles toward the cave exit (a fully functional modern network). It will get there and it will be formidable, absolutely, but San needs a glass of water and a whip to wake Sprint up and get it really moving. As an aside, I think Sprint should end the preferred retailer/reseller program. Every time I have an issue and stop at these stores they redirect me to a Sprint corporate store. Additionally, the training feels really lackluster at the stores near me. I guess I feel like Sprint lacks control over these locations and how they present themselves and it shows in the experience I have there.

Hmm... this is really interesting and might be the reason I end up back at Sprint rather than MVNOs. Frankly the new device embargo is frustrating. I am currently on Ting paying ~$40 to $65 depending on the month for my Wife and I's 2 lines (I actually have ~$200 in Ting credit remaining right now from posting a referral link on reddit 4 months ago). I have a Nexus 5 but she has an older EVO3d and is keen to move to an iphone. So, my situation looks like this if I join a Framily (ugh that name) and it gets the price down to $25. (Me)Line 1: $25+$10 (already have a nexus 5 and don't expect to use above 3GB) (Wife)Line 2: $25+20 (wants an Iphone and also uses a surprising amount of data when we don't govern it with the Ting account tools) Can someone explain upgrade pricing for that $20 unlimited data? Do I pay the $199 or whatever downpayment and the rest of the cost of the phone is included in that $20 for annual upgrades? If I get her a new iphone a year later do I pay the $199 again? Thanks guys!

Try ##data# and then go to LTE record then LTE scan frequency? I think that was posted earlier in this thread./edit Never mind.. Just went and got my nexus 5 and that option isn't there

Ah I didn't see that edit until you pointed it out. I think part of the problem is that historically Sprint has been the "wait and see!" network which means I and many others went through this with wimax. I am excited for the future of Sprint but delivering on promises has been and continues to be a weak point. Explaining to friends why Sprint service has gotten worse before it can get better can be exasperating.

I don't think I am being contradictory. The earlier response was about the current state of the network I live in whereas this response was because I felt like he was blaming Sprint when that has not been the case. My being aware of the reason delays are happening doesn't mean Sprint is anything but the deep 4th place carrier in Austin. Knowing Sprint is going to "make a better network" does not mean the network is better.

LG G2 has a really, really superb camera. I have a Nexus 5 and it has a decent camera. A few pics I took yesterday: http://imgur.com/a/cSNLF. The LG G2 will also have much better battery life if that concerns you. Remember that the Nexus 5 has a non removable battery. That being said I love my Nexus 5. It was a HUGE upgrade from my EVO3d.