irev210

Grandfathered Verizon customers with unlimited data have total freedom with their SIM. For example, for better or worse, Verizon lets you take a grandfathered unlimited account sim card, put it in a MIFI and enjoy. AT&T nixed all unlimited plans, so grandfathered users are limited to 3GB but at least you can use it however you want. The most ironic part is - with an unlocked Nexus 4, you have the ability to create a mobile hotspot built right into Android.

Oddly enough, AT&T and Verizon (nor do T-Mobile MNVOs) block Nexus 7 IMEIs. Very lame. I took the time to tweet John

I can confirm that T-Mobile blocks the Nexus 7 IMEI from being used on phone plans. You have to get a T-Mobile tablet plan in order to use this device. AT&T and Verizon do not block the IMEI, This is just a bummer.

Translation: AT&T decided that as it buys rural operators, it would be too costly to offer replacement handsets and more efficient to offer interoperability and offer additional spectrum that AT&T can use.

I wondered this as well. Given what Google is doing, something sounds like it is up. I would LOVE the ability to swap between T-Mobile and Sprint. Ideally, I would keep my T-Mobile $30 prepaid 100min/5GB data plan in the nexus 7 LTE I just ordered and put my sprint SIM in the Nexus 5. Combined, I would be spending $80/month - two plans and still less monthly cost vs. blue and red. Given the fact that Sprint was the ONLY carrier left out of the Nexus 7 LTE fun, it doesn't sound surprising that Sprint changed its tune on the Nexus 5.

Swap one sprint SIM with another sprint SIM between devices. I would be happy even if Sprint let me just use 4G. That would be great - but it didn't work.

I think the point is - Sprint is/should be more focused on one market before it considers moving to other international markets. It seems more realistic that Softbank would take the lead on any other international ventures and allow free roaming between various global networks. Sprint's current network needs to be fixed before they can consider expanding within the USA, let alone in Canada or Mexico.

So - is this potentially the first phone where you can take a Sprint SIM, toss it in, and be up and running (similar to Verizon)? I tried swapping sims/accounts on a Sprint HTC One and Sprint GS4 and was met with failure. I would LOVE the ability to buy an unlocked Nexus 5 and switch between my T-Mobile SIM and my Sprint SIM.

Bigger question is how much CLWR debt are they going to refinance. Those 12% CLWR bonds in 2015 are going to go bye bye.

You should write an article on the wall about the coverage maps. It's a crime. Sprint has to know that they are not realistic. I am guessing they do it so they can tell investors and Softbank that they cover millions more PoPs than they really do. Near my home, outside, at a major train station I get one bar of voice, not even evdo can keep a connection... Yet sure enough, that area is yellow with LTE. Obviously this will be solved with ESMR... But it's wrong for sprint marketing to have maps show they coverage that they do. Honestly, I can't see how unrealistic maps are good for sprint.

Half of the cuts are coming out of Texas. I suppose it makes sense given the additional headcount they got from Clearwire (it was previously disclosed that some consolidation would occur). Regardless, it's never any fun and I hope anyone that is effected by this on S4GRU can transition to another roll at Sprint or another position quickly.

you should check out the smallnetworkbuilder reviews. He has the best test process/methodology. I would go with the Asus RT-AC66 - there is a reason why netgear is suing Asus over it (and why it out-performs every other AC router out there).

It's a bummer, but as a business, it's no surprise. I am sure they tested sprint tablets and tested verizon tablets and the extra cost was worth the performance they wanted. I am curious how much was promised to the customer by the account manager vs. what the customer actually experienced.

This has already been talked about under the sprintlink thread. The press release was on april 15th.

It makes sense - looks like they want to "simplify" the rate structure. I don't know if it is the simplest thing in the world, but it definitely "evolves" the plan to match what other competitors are doing. At least it helps make a better comparison when customers are shopping. I've been thinking about it for a while and this is probably a step in the right direction for Sprint's general consumer. I don't think that Sprint will modify existing rate plans any time soon - their churn is already too high and they are probably happy with their existing subs. Even the low-churn-leader, Verizon, hasn't messed with grandfathered unlimited customers (outside of taking away their upgrade, which was aggressive as it was).

This is starting to become much more common. I'm starting to see omnidirectional antennas on top of telephone polls in my neighborhood. They are very stealth looking. I'll snap some pics later and share.

Sounds good to me! Intel has a lot of catching up - this probably helps a lot. Full story: http://www.fiercewireless.com/story/intel-buys-fujitsu-rf-unit-beef-lte-expertise/2013-08-13

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Robert, I am currently looking to get a cell phone. Which provider is the best? I'm really torn between Immix and The North-Eastern Pennsylvania Telephone Company... I am leaning towards NEPTC just because they offer me the CAT B10... http://www.nep.net/index.php/wireless/phone-details/cat_b10

As far as density is concerned in Boston and the surrounding areas of Boston, T-Mobile has greater site density than Sprint. However, in rural areas, T-Mobile is either EDGE or nothing while sprint tends to thin out but still have coverage. Ultimately, you get rural enough and neither one have coverage (you need US Cellular, AT&T or Verizon to have coverage). This has been my experience, at least in my neck of the woods. As many have said - each carrier has its pros and cons. Regardless, once Sprint fires up LTE on ESMR, Sprint's lack of coverage in areas that it provides service will be long gone. I picked up channel 476 for a bit on my EVO 4G LTE and I gotta say, it was IMPRESSIVE. I had a nice ~ 10dB pickup in coverage inside a 1935 solid masonry/concrete building with lowE glass. T-Mobile must win 600MHz if they stand to have a chance.

Sorry, where is the nexus 4 on Verizon? There isn't one. Last nexus was the Galaxy Nexus, which is rather old at this point. It used a really junky VIA CDMA baseband, to boot. Avoid at all costs.

If Legere wasn't delivering, I could see your point. But you are trying to poke a company that has recently done very well - certainly outperforming sprint (technical reasons aside). Save the ammunition for next year. It's going to be a different ballgame.

We are not going to see another nexus phone on Sprint. This has been discused at length. Google only will sell unlocked and low priced handsets for GSM/UMTS/LTE operators.

I am wondering if NEC will ever bring their equipment to the USA. Now THAT would be interesting.

No, channel 476 is in the ESMR band. Now that nextel is shut, they've started to broadcast a lot more w/ 1x advanced on ESMR (old nextel). This means much better coverage for voice. ##DEBUG# on the dialer if you are using an evo - you can see what channel you are on