WiWavelength

Just remember, if you activate Project Fi on your Google account, you lose Google Voice for that entire account. AJ

For license protection purposes, there is an isolated Sprint site just outside of Concordia. That was your native Sprint coverage. It has CDMA1X 800 deployed, so if the site is a boomer, you could have Sprint signal much of the way south to Salina. AJ

The article? No. Our staff spotted the Sprint variant in the FCC OET database several days ago. We keep close tabs on new authorizations. AJ

Sprint's history and T-Mobile's history are the same length in New York City. The difference is that Omnipoint had very few markets -- while Sprint already had acquired most of its nationwide footprint. So, Omnipoint could or even had to concentrate more on its New York MTA market. How much difference that should make 20 years later, though, is up for debate. AJ

Saying that New York City is T-Mobile's "flagship market" is a reasonable conclusion. After all, Omnipoint was awarded the New York MTA PCS A block license as a Pioneer's Preference even prior to the first FCC auction in 1994-1995. So, no other market has a longer history of T-Mobile presence and site establishment. Now, as for which is Sprint's "flagship market," that is certainly debatable. Based on recent spectrum acquisitions and deployment, Chicago would have to be in the running. But Kansas City would enter the conversation, too. AJ

See The Wall: http://s4gru.com/index.php?/blog/1/entry-385-use-the-4th-lg-may-the-4th-be-with-you/ AJ

by Andrew J. Shepherd Sprint 4G Rollout Updates Friday, May 8, 2015 - 12:15 PM MDT Update: A week after the Sprint variant LG G4 original authorization documents were released at the FCC OET and S4GRU published this RF performance article, a Class II Permissive Change filing was added to the G4's docket. In writing the article last week, we did not detect anything amiss with the original filing, so this represents an optional change, which the filing discloses as hardware modification affecting the main antenna. Interestingly, none of the previous antenna gain figures have been altered, but the ERP/EIRP figures have increased or decreased. See the smoothed and averaged differences below: Band class 0: -1 dB Band class 10: -2 dB Band 4: -3 dB Band 5: -2 dB Band 12: -2 dB Band 26: -2 dB Band 41: +2 dB So, you win some, you lose some. Overall, the Sprint variant G4 has become weaker in tested RF performance. Those negative differences, however, are limited mostly to lower frequencies in the 700-1700 MHz range. The 1900 MHz range is unaffected, and the 2600 MHz range is increased. The other win is that a Class II filing before a device is released generally means that release is imminent. Look for the G4 on shelves and online soon. Yes, I know it is no longer May 4th. And we are not in a Samsung Galaxy far, far away. But this is episode IV in the LG G handset series, just four days removed from May 4th. That should be enough of the number four to satisfy anyone. Even if this isn't the Motorola Droid you're looking for, is the LG G4 a new hope for a flagship Sprint handset this spring? S4GRU staff has been watching the FCC OET (Office of Engineering and Technology) authorization database over the past week as different G4 variants were revealed. The VZW variant came earlier in the week, and the Sprint variant ZNFLS991 documents were uploaded yesterday. Of course, we are going to write an article about it, so let us get started. Right away, the G4 adheres to what has become the standard Sprint variant configuration: tri band LTE, non SVLTE, single RF path with e/CSFB. Additionally, it covers the CCA/RRPP LTE bands. And it was tested for domestic GSM/W-CDMA bands -- phone unlockers rejoice. Finally, it does officially support downlink carrier aggregation as its lone Release 10 feature. More on CA later. Next, it is fairly well known and somewhat controversial that the G4 opted not for the top of the line Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 but for the lesser Snapdragon 808, taking some performance hits in graphics and memory departments, for example. S4GRU does not involve itself in that debate -- that is not the place of this cellular RF focused article. But the chipset choice is relevant because both the Snapdragon 808 and Snapdragon 810 incorporate the same Category 9 X10 LTE baseband on die. So, rest assured, the choice of the Snapdragon 808 does not lessen any RF capabilities. On that topic, if you need a refresher on the new Qualcomm LTE baseband naming/numbering scheme, see this sidebar from our earlier article on the HTC One M9 and Samsung Galaxy S6: Back to discussion of CA support, we have stated previously that FCC OET authorization filings are not required to disclose downlink CA -- because that is only reception, not transmission. But the G4 filing does include an explicit attestation letter, stating its inclusion of downlink CA. What the G4 filing does not divulge is specifically 2x or 3x downlink CA support in band 41. For various reasons, S4GRU believes the former, that the G4 is capable of band 41 2x CA. First, the Snapdragon X10 LTE baseband natively supports up to 60 MHz of 3x downlink CA. However, that requires some help. An RF transceiver sits ahead of the baseband, and presently, the Qualcomm WTR3925 can handle 2x CA -- but 3x CA necessitates the inclusion of a second transceiver. See this excerpt from an AnandTech article on the new Snapdragon chipsets: Moreover, the other G4 variants that support CA are explicitly limited to 2x CA, suggesting that all variants are using the single WTR3925 transceiver. This is all educated conjecture, barring a teardown of the Sprint variant that probably will never happen. But if you are waiting on 3x CA, that likely will require a next generation Qualcomm transceiver to do 3x CA all in one. Finally, straight from the horse's mouth, Sprint CTO Stephen Bye stated the following in a recent FierceWireless article: Now, honestly, most read our FCC OET authorization articles for ERP/EIRP figures and analysis. So, without further ado, here are the numbers: Band class 0: 22 dBm Band class 1: 26 dBm Band class 10: 23 dBm Band 2: 25 dBm Band 4: 24 dBm Band 5: 22 dBm Band 12: 17 dBm Band 25: 25 dBm Band 26: 22 dBm Band 41: 23 dBm For reference, the above figures represent our best averaged and rounded estimates of max uplink ERP/EIRP -- with uniquely Sprint frequencies receiving heavier weighting, if possible, in band class 10, band 25, and band 26. Of course, the usual disclaimers about lab testing versus real world performance apply. As for analysis, max RF output looks quite healthy across the board, comparing very favorably with that of the One M9 and soundly thrashing that of the disappointing Galaxy S6. In particular, the power output for CDMA2000 band classes is a good 3 dB higher than most. Note, if you are using the smart cover for wireless charging, though, ERP/EIRP is affected roughly -1 dB across the board. I am not a fan of wireless charging because of the power inefficiency involved, but the RF loss from the smart cover on the G4 appears considerably less than what we have seen from some previous handsets. If there is any caveat about the G4's RF capabilities, that would be its antenna gain, broken down by frequency range as follows: 700 MHz: -5.9 dBi 800 MHz: -7.1 dBi 1700 MHz: -5.2 dBi 1900 MHz: -3.5 dBi 2600 MHz: 1.7 dBi Except for 2600 MHz, all are negative, significantly negative. And for comparison, again except for 2600 MHz, the VZW variant antenna gain in all bands tracks about 3 dB higher. The head scratcher, however, is that the lab performance between the two variants is remarkably similar, despite the differences in antenna gain. We have seen something like this before -- an LG handset that showed strong lab power output yet weak real world performance. Remember the LG Viper? That is the challenge in interpreting lab results. Low output always indicates weak performance. However, high output can be a mixed bag. But LG has a pretty good Sprint track record since the Viper, as the LG Optimus G, LG G2, and LG G3 were all at least average to good in the real world. And the LG manufactured Nexus 5 was practically a Jedi knight for its RF performance at the time. In the end, only many trials on Dagobah will tell if the G4 lives up to its powerful promise. Use the 4th, LG, use the 4th. Source: FCC, AnandTech, FierceWireless

I may not be writing the article. But I will confirm that the LG G4 supports band 41 carrier aggregation as its only Release 10 capability. AJ

Yep. Staff has been on top of it since this morning. We hope to have an article posted on The Wall later today or tomorrow. AJ

Yep, you get a break. It is called a two week ban for cursing at staff. Come back if you like, but first read the rules, which have been provided for you. Another member reported your post -- because it broke the rules. S4GRU is not Sprint. S4GRU does not host Sprint complaints that have dragged down several other Sprint focused sites. And S4GRU does not host repeated slow speed tests. AJ

Please do not post slow speed test screenshots. They serve no productive purpose other than as a form of complaint, and S4GRU does not host Sprint complaints. If you think that something may be wrong with your device or service, contact Sprint. That may not get you anywhere, but posting slow speed test screenshots here definitely will not get you anywhere. http://s4gru.com/index.php?/topic/1197-s4gru-posting-guidelines-aka-the-rulez/ AJ

What in the world is "the true lte experience"? Wait, never mind. Coming soon to a wireless network near you... The True LTE Experience™ Now, we shall see which wireless operator wants to license it from me. And, maximus, you are hereby prohibited from using my trademarked phrase. AJ

Mine is also a failed attempt at haiku -- albeit, much better than yours. Here is a real one for you... Broadcasters say this But they want mega money Auction may backfire AJ

The intersection of S4GRU and S4GRU? It must be the nexus of the universe... AJ

Is this your failed attempt at haiku, maximus? Try this... I yearn for 2016 Will auction succeed? Or will it even happen? AJ

Take some words of wisdom from Jim Gaffigan: AJ

To see Fierce Wireless getting called out for a biased headline, read the comments following this article: http://www.fiercewireless.com/story/sprint-clings-no-3-carrier-spot-q1-tablet-customer-additions-mask-phone-los/2015-05-05 AJ

I still say that Craig lacks adequate objectivity in viewing data and formulating opinions -- at least, regarding Sprint. For a parallel, imagine if a TV analyst always picked against the Patriots. Would you value that analyst's opinion? And, as you insinuated beyond my quoted portion of your post, maybe Craig is on his way out of relevance. He is no longer at Sanford Bernstein. He left, possibly under duress, and ventured out on his own. My hope is that his Chicken Little act about Sprint gets deep fried soon. Robert certainly would appreciate that. AJ

irev210, I have no grudge with you. I appreciate your input. But your over the top response is silly. Of course, analysts offer opinions for a living. However, those opinions should be based on objective analysis. And I as I believe the stock market is a farce, I really do not give a whit what most analysts say about Sprint. But now that Joan Lappin has gone quiet, there is one notable exception. For years now, Craig Moffett seems to be on a vendetta against Sprint. High, low, good times, bad times, he is always doom and gloom about Sprint. He has a negative fixation on Sprint, more so than any analyst should. Can that pathological opinion possibly be based on objective analysis? I say not. It is based on emotion. I think he wants Sprint to fail. Of course, that is my opinion. AJ

Analysts should be objective. But, seriously, Craig Moffett just despises Sprint. There is little other explanation for his pathological behavior over the course of many years now. AJ

Pipe + Dream = Zero So, you and Neal can give it up. AJ

S4GRU's own monitor? Maybe call it Jub-Jub? AJ

We are sorry to hear that, Mr. Barkley. AJ

USCC is not a national operator. It is a regional operator, hence in a different category. AJ

And if you are from the South, just be careful with your pronunciation. Do not call in and ask for an "Asses rooter." AJ