mmark27

So to keep a long story short, the Network Vision consists of 4 major parts. 1) voice/data 1x800SMR 2) LTE 1900 3) LTE 800 4) LTE 2600 (band 41) Basically, we know the towers have the equipment up there for 1x800SMR, 1900LTE and 800LTE. When they test the towers, sometimes they just go with LTE1900 first if the backhaul is in place. Sometimes, they will test and approve the 800SMR first if that is in place and there is no backhaul. And still other times they will test 800SMR, 1900LTE in consecutive days and then turn the whole shebang on a couple days later. (source: lots of other threads here at S4GRU) So the reason why I'm excited is A) this means that the teams are working on integration of towers and no longer putting up equipment (as most of its up) and SOMETHING IS ACTUALLY DIFFERENT On the flip side, seeing 1x800SMR everywhere may mean that the backhaul is not in place for many of these towers....however, I'm less likely to believe that theory. Finally, if you use Signalcheck Pro application, when the 800SMR is broadcasting, it appears as though the tower is telling you its TRUE location and address. Before this NV, the towers all gave you an address that was in between 2-3 serving towers.....now the addresses are dead on (when its broadcasting any new tech).

Not going to post all the screen shots but I'm getting 1x800 from McFarland, Cottage Grove, Monona and others cycling through my Signalcheck just in my own neighborhood. What's going on? Are these real? Excited for the acceptance reports today. Poof and like that it's gone. Now I'm on EV-DO not eHRPD? Hopefully this continues today. Update: tower by Camp Randall is spewing 1x800 and I picked up LTE on Monroe, which is notoriously a dead zone. Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk

Fish Hatchery and the beltline tower Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk

Usually it takes 2+ weeks to roll out all updates. Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk

Whelp, here's the 2nd Fitchburg tower just now started chiming in..... Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk

Me thinks this testing is catching on......

The more I use this phone with 4.3, then more I'm impressed. Overall speed is much faster, voice to text is better, data connectivity is a lot more stable, WiFi improved, etc., etc. Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk

Testing much? From in my house, picking up the further Fitchburg tower 1x800. The base ID is right on, address wise. That tower is quite a bit away with a few hills between us. That's exciting! EDIT: something is afoot with that tower. I was picking up 1x800 from the Irish Ln Fitchburg tower all the way downtown next to Camp Randall (approx 8 miles). Signal was very weak and it bounced in and out. Anyone else on the south side of Madison seeing connection with that? If you cycle airplane mode or update PRL?

http://qbking77.com/google-nexus-5/activate-nexus-5-sprint/

Well, I can't edit my topic any longer but adding to the post here: http://s4gru.com/index.php?/topic/1983-network-visionlte-milwaukee-market-including-madison/?p=232271 I did hear back from Dan Hesse's office. She took down the information I gave her and said they'd look into the Crown Castle and the DAS nodes at Camp Randall......not that I expect anything to happen on that end. However, I did press her on the area and what's going on with updates, after I finally cut through the typical company line BS. She said that, looking at what information they had available to her on her computer, that "testing" for our area should be complete within the month. She did say, and rattled off several addresses that matched our mapped towers, that equipment has been installed and tested already. These were the tower down here by Camp Randall, the one on State Street, the one on West Washington, the one in Fitchburg by the city hall, the one at the church towards middleton, pleasant view golf course, and a few others. She wasn't sure why they weren't already live like the one at Rimrock, Middleton and Commercial Ave. I didn't feed her these addresses (except the University Ave one and West Wash), so whatever she's seeing on her end had seemingly reasonable information. Unfortunately she said the expected launch date for our area is listed as January, but she also said they've been beating those estimates by a couple months in most areas. So some more information to take with a grain of salt and lead us on further. With all that, I hope we start to see some acceptances soon in our area? Might match up information that a few others have gathered (napali, etc.)? Sure like to see something else go live here.....and Milwaukee, I'll be there Dec 7th, downtown.

I assume you're up with this thread already: http://s4gru.com/index.php?/topic/4989-lg-nexus-5-users-thread/ Seems like its pretty straightforward to activate as long as you don't get an idiot rep

Let me know how that goes, I think you need a SIM from Sprint?? Truth to that?

Interesting tid bit of information this AM that pertains to our area. At Camp Randall Sports Complex (the Shell) where I work out on UW Madison's campus (obviously) they are putting in piping and such so I asked the worker what they were installing. Turns out they are installing "cell phone" antennas that can be used by 6-9 different carriers and is work that is paid for by the carriers, not the UW. They have already completed work inside Camp Randall for this new system. The previous system that was installed in Camp Randall was in place for AT&T only in conjunction with UW, apparently there was a squabble between Verizon and AT&T over the area and equipment, so they decided as a group (under the directive of UW) to install all new equipment that can be used by all carriers at the same time. The worker said that he heard that ATT, Verizon, USCC and Sprint would be using the new equipment inside Camp Randall and in the CRSC (which is a bomb shelter of a facility really), but of course he didn't know any of the details. He also wasn't the antenna guy, he was just the electrician that was installing the wiring and the conduits all over the CRSC. He said that crew would be along next week most likely or whenever he's done. So, question is, how would I find out more about this from anyone at Sprint? I think I'll send an email to Hesse's account and see what they say about it. EDIT: I sent an email to Hesse, we'll see what they say. probably nothing. But I did learn through some google searching that the system is brokered by Crown Castle Communications, who installed the DAS system at Camp Randall and such. Apparently Verizon is already taking advantage of the new system from articles I've read. EDIT #2: Spoke with DoIT's tech officer a few minutes ago. He said that Verizon is the only carrier currently on the system. AT&T will be using it by next football season. USCC and Sprint have yet to approach them. He said that AT&T users complained so much that's why they are getting on the system.....so, I think it's clear what we all need to do here.......(email Dan@sprint.com and tell them to add to this system because service is so piss poor there and I doubt that NV will save it, but who knows, maybe it will??)

For me, I'd rather carry a slim battery in my pocket knowing that I'm seconds away from a full charge. I go to quite a few conferences in a year and this is a big deal for me. I wish more manufacturers didn't get away from this option, it's limiting now. I ran CM for a long time on my EVO and Epic 4G Touch. Haven't had the need on the S3 or S4. I prefer some of the things Samsung does, especially their camera app. I like your break down though. Man knows his hardware! Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk

G2 is a pretty legit phone with a great camera. Played with one on Verizon. I'd probably go with a N5 though if I didn't care about removable batteries. Alas, I do, so Samsung is the only horse in that race. Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk

These guys must like to drive Cherokees....the crew I've been chasing around Madison doing the installs drives a Cherokee with Minnesota plates. Eitherway, that's good intel! Hopefully he's right, actually I hope he's wrong and it goes live sooner! It's nice to hear something though, whether or not its true.

Nope. That isn't accurate.

I'm really hoping that they (Samsung or Sprint) do some sort of good price trade for the S4 non-tri-band (SPH-L720) when this Tri-band comes out. I will probably try to purchase this phone if the difference comes out near/under $200 as I already have the supplies as long as the battery and dimensions configuration is the same to the SPH-L720. I'll have an upgrade due in March and then again in July if necessary as well though. I didn't fully understand the situation when I bought the S4, I was such a greenhorn to this site.....oh, if only I read more back then.

For the "sites in progress", we need 2 things to be posted in that thread in the sponsor section. 1) site ID 2) picture proof of new equipment (panels/antennas or fiber backhaul or cabinets or everything) Must have both pieces for it to get on to the in progress map. For guys like Rickie, Dkoellerwx and Robert to update them to white pins. Sponsorship can literally be $5 if that's all you have. I give what a can periodically in small lumps of cash. What I lack in large donations, I try to make up in contribution in knowledge (limited) and pictures! :-) Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk

Oof, - 117dBm? Probably Middleton tower. Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk

Those are root related only. My WiFi rocks now!!! If you're stock, do it! Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk

Same picture twice?? Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk

What issues?

Madison folks, I checked out the tower on the near West of the Capitol. It's on a big building, very difficult to get an angle to see up there. Best shot would be from the Capitol observation desk onto that roof. If anyone was thinking of visiting the Capitol this weekend please let me know, let's try to get that shot! Otherwise, I can't tell from the ground. There's one fat newer looking antenna but it could be any carrier's antenna for all we know. It's probably pointless at this stage, there are only 2-3 towers left without NV equipment and we're not going to get acceptances for a while most likely, but I like to complete projects! And it's sort of an obsession.....I'd like to think once were 100% on visible equipment, then we'll start to see acceptances. Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk

LOL, I was in college when that came out. There are a lot of nice improvements with 4.3, most relevant to this forum is that the modem seems to be a bit better at holding signals and not bouncing in and out of roaming as much. The WiFi is also improved on multi access point systems like at Universities and Businesses with enterprise securities. I think the hang up with the IPv6 addressing, but eitherway that's fixed. Bluetooth's improved, heating is far less, battery consumption appears to be better as well (probably tied to new modem). Now, back to your regularly scheduled Milwaukee Market updates........