always_learner

How does a software update increase reception? I don't get it.

Yeah, I don't get it either, except it is definitely true.

For example, the nexus 5 originally came with an awesome radio in 4.4 kit kat that held onto LTE amazingly well. After 4.4.1/4.4.2 came included with a new radio version that was a little lackluster, a lot of people flashed the old radio back to their nexus.

Nice, update probably only a couple weeks away. Fingers crossed for an awesome radio!

Every once in a while if I switch the LTE(recommended) and global around and then do a prl update it will show LTE and then drop seconds or minutes after. I did a speedtest when it was on it came at 3.6 down and 1.5 up. But it was super fast I was able to stream Netflix which I never could on my poor 3g. I'm so confused and kinda frustrated I traded my note2 on because I would have LTE right now.

Is that how you forced LTE the other times?

If so, a better way to force LTE is by dialing *#*#4636#*#* , hit phone information , scroll down , and then select lte only mode from the drop down menu.

You should stay connected to LTE.

Return back to default after done with testing.

That makes sense.. a PRL update triggers a scan for available channels. Makes sense that putting B41 at the top of the list and forcing a re-scan would get you connected. But of course, doing a PRL update every time you want fast data isn't the most efficient way to get things done. Your download would probably be finished on band 25 well before that process completed.  -Mike

I ran a few speed tests with b41 after prl/profile update; each speed test was 40mb. Unlimited wont be around for too long. :-(

Mikejeep, I sent a diagnostic around 3.

I can tell you that on AT&T, you can put the SIM in a Nexus 5 and it will work on EDGE, GPRS, HSPA and HSPA+. However it will not work on LTE. You have to call AT&T or go into an AT&T store and have them add the MEID to their system for it to work on AT&T LTE. But AT&T will add any MEID to their system, no questions asked.

 

With Tmo, I have only used the Nexus 5 and Nexus 4. Neither of these did I need to call and have the MEID added to use LTE. But then again, Google may have supplied them the MEIDs and they already had them in the network.

 

Robert via Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

It seems hard to consider all Nexus 5 devices are the same regardless of place of purchase.  From reading some of this forum, this has been a moot point seeings as all Nexus 5 devices do share identical software and hardware characteristics.  However, there seems to be a little bit of a blunder with how Sprint handles the MEIDs in its database even from the beginning when the Nexus 5 came out and people who bought the 32gb from the Play Store could not activate their device on Sprint.  Now it appears that people buying their Nexus 5 devices from T-Mobile cannot activate them on Sprint.

With regards to this Spark update for the Nexus 5, the MEIDs play no part, correct?  That is, Google will roll out the update to every Nexus 5 manufactured?

I don't think 4.4.3 is out yet. Is it?-Luis

No it's not; I meant 4.4.2. My intent was not to point out any version in particular. I was just wondering if that notification could be removed

I had Band 26 and 41 on higher priority than 25 this weekend while in KC. Didn't notice any negative side effects. Never lost LTE once, remained on Band 25 the whole time. Though not sure if there is any Band 26 work going on around the metro like there is in Lawrence. Still on the original as well. Though I may give in soon, having the notification up there is driving me nuts.

 

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

Are you talking about the 4.4.3 update notification? If so, can't you just long press it and choose app info, disable notifications?

If not, please disregard.

I ordered my SIM on the 5th too, and I checked my order status tonight.  Still no shipping.  The chat window poped up asking me if I wanted help, so I asked where is my shipment... Hmm, i show it was canceled on the 19th, but I cant see why.  They told me to call escalations to get more info on my status.  They canceled my SIM order with out telling me, apparently.

Yea I am pretty irritated with the situation. I used to work for Sprint Corporate and was transferred twice so I just hit up a few old co-workers to track one down. I am willing to put money they canceled mine as well.

There must be a reason.  I believe I ordered mine the 12th through international chat, and I received mine a couple days ago.

Unfortunately, my nexus doesn't ship till the 11th (I also ordered the 11th so a month's wait makes sense).  I live in Joliet, IL, so the wait's even worse since I'm pretty sure there are plenty of live band 41 towers active.

People have repeatedly asked the differences between Sprint and Google play versions of the N5. They are identical. Besides the packaging and the sim card being included with the sprint version. 

I realize(d) this.

However though the devices are identical, sprint has them registered differently in their system.  Case in point, people had trouble activating the 32gb models with sprint.  Why?  Because sprint had not registered the nexus 5's bought from the play store.

Additionally, the sprint versions do say something about a software block allowing for only Sprint.  Again, I realize many people have successfully activated them on T-mobile regardless of Sprint's 'software block.'  However, I'm not sure if Sprint's software block is complete bs.  I mention this only to emphasize that Sprint may have loaded something different into Sprint nexus 5's as opposed to those from the Google play store.

I don't know really.  I just can't wait for early 2014 with spark/nexus 5.

From browsing this thread, it still is unclear to me whether or not the Nexus 5 can connect to Band 41 even after enabling Band 41 in the settings. Because no one has successfully reported a connection, it seems that our phones cannot connect at this time. Is that the consensus? 

I would like to know too.  Also, would there be a difference in where you bought the phone (i.e. phones bought from sprint already have access to band 41 while those bought from the play store do not)?

I'm curious only because there's this thought in the back in my mind that even after 'early 2014' comes around and all nexus 5's get the update maybe they'll also have trouble connecting to band 41 as opposed to those nexus 5's bought directly through sprint.

My Nexus 5 gets here in 2 days but I'm honestly thinking about sticking with my G2. The battery life of my G2 is so awesome. Had a friend over the last two nights and he's been using my only charger each night for his Droid X2 while my G2 sits there barely sipping juice. Two hours and 45 minutes of screen time, 30hrs off charger, and still had 67% battery left.

 

Nexus 5 sounded good to me because of AOSP and RF performance but Idk. Usually when I have this uncertain feeling, I don't stick with the device for long. What's it called, buyers remorse?

 

Sent from my LG-LS980

Being able to experience both devices for a couple weeks will probably only make it a harder choice.

However, this community would greatly appreciate any comparison testing you would be able to provide, so regardless of your choice, at least some good would come out.

Hopefully there's no trouble with the activation. There's been a few reports of people not being able to do the activation online with SIM attachment (which only a rep would be able to fix). Hopefully no activation charge is mistakenly placed.

Your crazy logic tells me this won't happen.  Of course I want a tri-band LTE phone ASAP, but phones without contract upgrades are $500+.  How many people either will just pay out of the pocket for the phone, or have a contract upgrade coming anytime soon.  I guess its fine for new Sprint subscribers to assume they will have tri-band devices, but you know what, I am 1000x more tech savy than any Sprint customer, understand how much better my LTE could be if I went tri-band, and I still won't be upgrading for at least a year.  I will be sitting here expecting my GS3 with LTE 1900 to perform like LTE, and if it doesn't I will leave Sprint.  My next upgrade is Nov 2014, if the network doesn't work well on 1900 I will have 0% confidence that it would on 800/2600, and I am certainly not spending $500 before then to get the LTE I thought I was getting when I got the GS3 (when NV was announced).

Those were my thoughts.

However, the nexus 5 not only features tri-band, but it also features full compatibility with t-mobile and at&t.  The phone allows for testing Sprint's 'new' network, and it will also allow me to jump ship if my tests come out less than favorable.

The nexus 5 would be used on the new carrier, or it could just be sold.  The nexus line tends to keep its value very well, so not much would be lost.  There's also usually some really good offers for 'new' customers.

But if I'm satisfied with spark, my next upgrade would be sold to gain some profit.

Why go through the hassle?  I'm curious how well Sprint will do.

The Nexus 5 puts my friends GS3 LTE to shame. -99-103 dBm vs ~108-116 dBm at the same spot.

Do you have any guesses as far as whether or not the lte radio on the nexus will also have a strong band 41 rf performance? I'd dislike for it not to. I'd imagine band 25 would take over lte replacing 41 on the phone.

Looking at the menus, there's no way to disable band 25, right.

Well, I'm still kinda hoping for some band 41 sceenshots on the nexus 5. 60+ mbps?!

Seeing as all LTE devices have SIM cards, I don't see any difference if that is what you are referring to.

 

Without the proper authentication credentials on your device, connecting to Band 26 or Band 41 is impossible.

Coincidentally, band 41 appears.

Each device will get the update separately. They may come weeks or months apart. 

 

The band priority was an attempt to see if we could activate the bands on our own. It doesn't work.

 

When they are activated, it appears you can decide - to a degree - which band should be prioritized.

Yes. Unless you are out trying to find LTE 800. Once Band 26 is pretty ubiquitous, then leaving it as a higher priority is probably a good idea. However, everyone needs to understand that with Sprint's network management scheme now in place, they can force you off to another band than something you put as a higher priority.

 

For instance, you put Band 26 as highest and Band 25 is lowest. But Band 26 hits a determined network trigger point in traffic, you can be shunted against your will to another Band. Since the control is between your SIM profile and the network controls, there is nothing you can do about it.

 

All you SIM lovers who have been harping for years just discovered the achilles heel in the SIM system. You may be able to swap your card, and have an unlocked device, but now you are subject to the Draconian network controls of your wireless carrier. Band priority is neat, but the ultimate control is handled via the network now, folks.

 

Robert

any ideas as far as if the lg g2 would have more control over band priority compared to the nexus 5,taking into consideration what S4GRU said in his last paragraph? Or is the lg g2 in the same category as the nexus 5 as far as the sim control?

As far as authorization with the other bands, I get a feeling a S4GRU member with a nexus 5/lg g2 will probably spot non-1900 lte before their respective updates, though logically it seems unlikely.

No, neither bands are authorized yet. Until Sprint pushes out the update, you will not be able to use either.

 

That makes sense. There was a focus on band priority in both the lg g2 thread and the nexus 5 thread, though. Why was that? Regardless of their settings, the block would still not allow them access to the other bands, correct?

Also after the mini, for example, receives it's early update to become authorized, would sprint still block lg users from the other bands?

I guess it might not be important since by January spark will be fully up and running.

edit:in most of the Chicago market at least

I know the other thread is locked but the phone appears to be $50 on contract at amazon...

 

Is it still $150 at sprint? I see it is $50 at sprint, but that may be s $100 credit for new sub's.

 

Sent from my EVO using Tapatalk

Amazon has it for $50 on contract for any sprint account holder.

Looking at the off contract price ($500) is confusing though.

Edit: http://www.amazon.com/Google-Nexus-5-Black-Sprint/dp/tech-data/B00GCLZJ1G/ref=de_a_smtd?tag=viglink121875-20

How did you get your MSL? My normal go-to root app MSL Reader doesn't seem to work.

try ##443336772# in your dialer.  This works in the optimus g.

 

From:

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=46006443&postcount=11

Didn't work in my phone. Probably because the ATT SIM is in it right now.

 

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

try using *#*#443336772#*#* its a nexus.

no dice.

I've had mixed results with sprint reps as far as getting the msl.

Some dialer codes work on some devices only, and in some case depend on which carrier's SIM one has in the phone.

However when on a sprint and swapping devices (through online without a rep), sprint has always sent me the msl of my newly swapped phone.  Maybe swapping back to an old phone then swapping back to the nexus 5 would get you the msl.

here's a screenshot of what sprint sends (the activation code being the msl).

How did you get your MSL? My normal go-to root app MSL Reader doesn't seem to work.

try ##443336772# in your dialer.  This works in the optimus g.

From:

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=46006443&postcount=11

Dialer codes work on Sprint SIM, but not on ATT SIM

 

uploadfromtaptalk1383600815372.jpg*#*#4636#*#*

uploadfromtaptalk1383600858298.jpg*#*#DATA#*#*

uploadfromtaptalk1383600891686.jpg*#*#DEBUG#*#*

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

 

In the *#*#4636#*#* screen under "Phone Information," is "LTE only" one of the option for you to choose as your network (when your sprint sim is popped in).

Thank you.

Hmm, so the phone info screen is there in the background, but something is blocking access to it.  That is roughly what I was expecting, as I could never get *#*#INFO#*#* to work with the Optimus G.

 

The benefit of the phone info screen is that a menu contained within can allow you to set the radio stack to LTE only, LTE/CDMA1X only, etc.  Since the screen does appear in the background, I imagine that a workaround can be found.

 

AJ

I loved that feature.  Even when I had a really weak 4g signal that my Optimus G refused to hold, I just switched it to LTE only mode and 4g became stable.

There was an OTA update that locked the phone info page.

I hope there's a workaround especially since I believe the LG G2 has the same limitation.

Tried the Radio Info menu item in SignalCheck? That might be a back way into that screen.

That system shortcut is essentially the same as going through the dialer (*#*#4636#*#*), which was blocked by the update.

Any other suggestions?  It's annoying that LG blocked lte only mode knowing that every other sprint lte phone has the mode easily accessible.

Thank you

Hi,

 

Before that update, I was able to dial *#*#4636#*#*, go into phone information, and then be able to toggle LTE only mode.  Now I get this "Note This application does not work on this device."

 

Is there any way to get around this to be able to easily access LTE only mode?

 

Notes, I have the MSL for my phone, but I dislike going through that ##3282# menu because it makes my phone restart.  I prefer only to root as a last resort.

 

Thanks

Forget it, I figured it out.  3845#*970#   is the code to get into the secret menu. Find IOT Hidden menu -> System Selection->Network mode -> LTE Only

 

 

Anyone know how to put the phone just in LTE mode. 

I just read the post; I got to the menu, but I see no option for "System Selection."

Fix for sms issues and some other stuff.

 

 

Hi,

Before that update, I was able to dial *#*#4636#*#*, go into phone information, and then be able to toggle LTE only mode.  Now I get this "Note This application does not work on this device."

Is there any way to get around this to be able to easily access LTE only mode?

Notes, I have the MSL for my phone, but I dislike going through that ##3282# menu because it makes my phone restart.  I prefer only to root as a last resort.

Thanks