WiWavelength

I disagree. The Google Voice plus GrooVe IP open system has been great because it is not limited to just one "Wi-Fi calling" handset. Ringing through to tablets, laptops, and other devices is pretty cool. AJ

All of the providers are moving toward eliminating equipment subsidies. So, in due time, you will not have that choice. Already, T-Mobile has no upgrade advantage over Sprint. As for Easy Pay, that is not your only option. You can just outright buy a handset -- be it new or used. AJ

One likely effect of wireless providers eliminating subsidies is that device prices will become more competitive. That $600 handset is $600 in part because the price is artificially propped up by subsidy. I could see high end handset prices falling below $500 over the next few years. AJ

That might be enough channels for one market, but it fails to account for adjacent channel interference within that market and co channel interference from surrounding markets. In other words, the number of channels needs to be several times the max number of stations. AJ

Yes, do not make a post just to announce that you are going to leave. S4GRU is not Sprint, and we do not host Sprint complaints here. AJ

I think that you are just baiting me. No matter, you know that I can come through... AJ

In some markets, eventually, yes. In other markets, no. So, the general answer is no. AJ

Yes, "Blurred Lines." At times, I am both the hottest and most technical @#$%^ in this place. AJ

No more Totes Magotes? AJ

Oh, I know. We poke, and we prod. That is half the fun here... AJ

As for this thread, Masayoshi and Dan, I know that you are listening... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7O6m79FdUlk AJ

Is it just me, or is Mike becoming more and more recalcitrant -- like Bill Belichick? AJ

Agreed, it is. But giving away the farm to existing subs does not set a good precedent. Finding a balance is key. And after all, T-Mobile subs are no longer under contract. So, if they are not happy with magenta's notoriously inconsistent to nonexistent coverage, they are free to return to Sprint. AJ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HY-03vYYAjA AJ

I will remember that reason if/when I have to file for unemployment from S4GRU. AJ

I love the "fool's errand" turn of phrase. I have not heard that in a while. Whether or not the T-Mobile acquisition happens, I do not think that it will turn out to be a fool's errand, though. Now, the magenta lovers think that their Sonny Crockett CEO will be able to swindle SoftBank-Sprint out of another big cash and spectrum breakup fee. But that is not going to happen again. AJ

That is unfortunate. I read the rumors a few months ago, but I half expected GrooVe IP to escape the executioner -- since it really latches onto Google Chat, not Google Voice. That said, I have actually used GrooVe IP forwarding to my tablets all of I think four times in the last 18 months. When I am available, I just do not make or take that many phone calls. On one hand, I feel for snrb Labs, since it is losing a paid app. But on the upside, if Google is reportedly taking VoIP in house, then likely it will employ a more efficient codec. Google Chat forwarding to GrooVe IP uses G.711, which produces a 64 kbps voice payload, then TCP/IP routing data for a total of 80 kbps each direction. A more modern codec should be able to produce similar "toll quality" voice at a much lower bit rate. And that would be better for use over mobile airlinks. AJ

I have heard about third party developers being shut out of the Google Voice API. You are certainly better versed in that realm than I am. But are you sure that GrooVe IP will be affected? AJ

I do not recall all of the specifics, but USCC is not privately owned. It is a subsidiary of TDS -- a publicly traded corporation. And I believe the founding family still holds a supermajority share in all of the above. So, it largely controls what happens to TDS and USCC. AJ

If in a hidden menu you ever see "Korea mode" -- I still have not determined what it is -- do not select it. I learned the hard way some years ago. AJ

Not to be glib, but Sprint already has Wi-Fi calling. It is Google Voice integration plus GrooVe IP. AJ

I will use a few personal anecdotes to draw my point... The more direct one is this -- I have a Nexus 5 purchased through Google Play and activated on Sprint. But Sprint ostensibly does not know that. My online account does not recognize the identity of my current handset, and it prevents me from adding/changing optional services because those may be incompatible with my unrecognized handset. Now, many of you want Sprint to open its arms to an even larger Nexus 5 pool. In my opinion, you are just asking for Sprint to exceed its level of competence. You are just asking for a big bag of hurt. The less direct but still relevant analogy is the burrito biz in my college town of 100,000 people. At the end of January 2013, Freebirds World Burrito opened a location here. And it just closed after less than a year in business. Roughly the same happened to Qdoba here a few years back. Meanwhile, Chipotle has recently built a third location -- fully three locations, again, in my city of only 100,000 people. Now, until last week, I had not eaten at Chipotle in years. I find its quite limited menu to be dull and predictable after more than one or two visits. Freebirds, on the other hand, has a far more expansive menu -- filled with many more interesting options and combinations than Chipotle offers. But Freebirds failed here because it bit off more than it could chew. It leased an unnecessarily large space and tried to provide a menu that is simply too sizable to do everything as solidly well as Chipotle does with its far more directed fare. Likewise, many of you seemingly want to see Sprint expand its menu. But can you recognize the risk? Sprint already goes out of its comfort zone for the Nexus 5 and struggles with support for that existing Nexus 5 base. Now, you want Sprint to go even further??? My suggestion is that you understand the Peter Principle. AJ

You work those local Sioux too hard, Robert. AJ

USCC has basically shifted gears from band 12 LTE 700 to band 5 LTE 850. The Lower 700 MHz A/B/C block spectrum is held primarily or exclusively by King Street, a USCC partner. I suspect that spectrum will get sold off to T-Mobile now, as USCC should have enough spare Cellular 850 MHz A/B block spectrum in most of its markets to incorporate LTE. Honestly, for USCC being a largely rural operator with plenty of Cellular 850 MHz spectrum, the Lower 700 MHz spectrum purchase was a bit odd. But I suppose at the time in 2008, Lower 700 MHz looked to be the new direction the industry was headed. Now, refarming spectrum for LTE is becoming more commonplace. AJ

If you are disappointed, too bad. My post was largely in jest. But you have also long been an "unlimited" data apologist. And you seem to be arguing against observations that do not support your viewpoint on data usage. AJ