ingenium

Not likely, it self configures and picks a frequency in the license range (hence the need for GPS). This would only be an issue in areas where Sprint has less than 60-80Mhz of B41 spectrum (assuming they gave 2-3 carriers on the air). There are some areas, such as SF, where Sprint has enough spectrum, but not more than about 70 MHz contiguous. So they only have only 2 B41 carriers on air. This still leaves another big chunk of spectrum free that isn't currently being used since it can't be aggregated with the first 2 carriers, but would work perfectly fine for a magic box. That being said, there are a few areas where Sprint is legit spectrum constrained for B41, but they're pretty rare I think. Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

Just got the UPS tracking info (via UPS My Choice) for a 12 pound package from Sprint. Arriving Monday. Guess I'm getting a magic box. Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

As an FYI, using Magisk root with EARFCN logging causes a lockup and kernel panic on the Pixel XL the second time SCP is launched after a boot. Unsure why it only happens after the second time... Really we just need an app update that uses the native earfcn method. Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

The Pixel does the same thing. I think the radio is just more "tuned" to the PCC's frequency when CA is not actively engaged, which is a logical thing to do. When I'm on the middle carrier, the first and third both are about 10 dbm weaker. The adjacent carrier always shows 10 dbm weaker. It doesn't seem to really impact speed tests though (I don't remember if the rsrp equals out when CA engages, but my NSG screenshots show the SNR is about the same during a speed test, so I'm assuming the radio adjusts) Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

I think it's the CDMA network becoming congested. This has been happening to me for years in SF and now Pittsburgh, across 4 devices, and has been progressively getting worse. Used to be 1x800 was always like that (back when 800 was prioritized) and 1x1900 was fine, but now that they're shutting down CDMA carriers to make room for more B25 the problem is becoming more widespread and consistent. Only solution is VoLTE. My call quality on Sprint is shit. For good sounding calls I have to use an airave or use my Google Voice number via Hangouts VoIP (I'm not gvoice integrated and keep them as separate numbers). Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

Wow, some of those have lots of antennas per sector. One of the sites looks like it has 4 of the same antenna per sector. Are those narrow beam / split sector high capacity sites? Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

My Pixel often will be shunted from B41 to B26 as soon as I turn on tethering and stays there. So it could be a network thing. Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

Here are close ups of a 3 sector B13/B4 site. Couldn't really see the RRUs https://goo.gl/photos/4fs3HDHpuhkGqJMW6 It's right down the street from my house, on top of a Verizon corp office building. So when they rebuild the site I can get new pics. Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

Yup rooted. Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

It's not on the Pixel with the current beta. Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

Doesn't work on Pixel either. It shows it LTE-A is available on a given site. But that doesn't mean CA. Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

In my experience 3G means unthrottled HSPA. My guess is they'll just leave it unthrottled on LTE. You only get 1GB for free (sometimes), otherwise it's $30/GB. There's no incentive for them to throttle it. It's actually probably cheaper roaming costs to be on LTE. The LTE networks in some countries aren't being fully utilized yet. Maybe not enough of the population has LTE capable phones. The HSPA networks are often overloaded. Some countries in Southeast Asia actually have two data buckets, one for LTE only and another smaller one that can be used on LTE, HSPA, or GSM. Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

I see it as their new last mile broadband solution, as a replacement for VDSL or fiber or coax. Then they don't have to wire each house, especially in neighborhoods with all underground utilities. It's probably cheaper to put a radio every so many utility poles and put a receiver on the outside of each house (similar to how an ONT is installed for fiber). Then it'll likely give you an Ethernet port inside that you plug your router into. It would also likely work well for apartment complexes. No need to rewire. Makes it easier to compete with Comcast/Spectrum/etc. I don't see this as a replacement for mobile broadband or wifi really. But it's pure speculation on my part. Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

What carrier is it roaming on? Engineering screenshots would be perfect! I was there last year and it was HSPA only. This would be big news if Sprint added international LTE roaming Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

According to an early post on Reddit, a user claimed 3xCA wasn't enabled for T-Mobile either (same situation as we are on Sprint, it was "supposed" to be enabled in this update). That's just one user and there may be newer reports of it working now. So who knows... Sent from my Pixel XL

Yes, just waiting on the software/profile update. It's the same modem as the Galaxy S7, same capabilities. Sent from my Pixel XL

No 3xCA in 7.1.2 Sent from my Pixel XL

They may have added a small cell nearby to take some load, or maybe a Clearwire site was converted to a mini macro (adds another carrier, more capacity). So either network capacity increased, or perhaps you just did the test at a low usage time. My home site varies from 30 Mbps during the day with 2xCA to 80-100 at night. Averages in the 50-60 range. But at the same signal level but further away, I'm lucky to hit 10-15. Many variables, so when comparing tests it's important to do them in the exact same location. Sent from my Pixel XL

Check the engineering screen, or use Network Signal Guru if you have root (my preferred method). Keep in mind the phone will only engage CA during an active downstream session (ie a speed test or other download). The instant it finishes (say to do the upload portion of a speed test), it drops the second carrier. Screenshots from NSG showing 2xCA on Sprint and 3xCA on AT&T: Sent from my Pixel XL

The Pixel is 3xCA capable, but it has not been enabled yet for B41. I have seen 3xCA with it on AT&T though. There's a strong possibility 3xCA on Sprint will be enabled with the update that will be released on Monday. Sent from my Pixel XL

Probably a speed test, or be familiar enough with a spot where it consistently hands off from B41 to B25 or 26 and compare. See if the HPUE device passes that handoff point, by how far (what is the other device's B25 RSRP at that location?), and what the speeds are. Otherwise I don't know if there's really a good way to determine it. I know some spots where I can reliably drop from B41 with my Pixel, while another device hangs onto it until I use data (then it drops to B25 or 26). I'm sure others know of similar spots where they can test. Sent from my Pixel XL

I haven't noticed them, but they might. I just check the above site leading up to any planned trips to see which countries have roaming and which carriers (you can manually select the carrier you're using depending on coverage and capacity at a given location. Pretty convenient). Sent from my Pixel XL

Looks like roaming in China and Egypt was recently added. Along with additional roaming partners in Cambodia, Malaysia, and Indonesia (and likely others). https://www.sprint.com/popups/pop-gprsCarriers.html Sent from my Pixel XL

Nope, that's what the SIM card is for. PRLs are CDMA only, and control non-roaming connectivity as well (prioritizing some channels over others, some carriers over others, etc). The device will not connect to a network, or even channel on a network, via CDMA that isn't in the list. The SIM controls what GSM (including LTE) networks your phone connects to. It may have some defaults to scan for (Sprint starts with B25 or B26 I believe) or other "smarts" on the SIM microcontroller, but if it doesn't find native service (and the phone doesn't "remember" a previously connected network), then it starts cycling through all the bands it supports looking for something. It'll attempt authentication on every network it finds, if it fails, then it moves on. Usually once on a roaming network that network takes over and can move the device to another band or technology (say GSM to UMTS/HSPA). The modem does sort of keep a memory of connected sites and bands, and tends to scan for them first. So when entering a new country it will often take a bit (several minutes) for it to find roaming service. Once it does though it'll remember and quickly hop back on it if you reboot or airplane toggle or anything. Sent from my Pixel XL

Most of Sprint's international roaming partners aren't CDMA. If your phone supports the HSPA or GSM bands of the roaming partner, it *should* work. GSM and HSPA don't use a PRL. Sent from my Pixel XL