Conan Kudo

I'd prefer Sprint buying all of the SoLinc assets and moving the current customers to an implementation of PTToLTE.

Nah. That's probably not a good idea. Besides, I wouldn't be surprised if SouthernLINC is doing this as a transitionary measure. After all, SouthernLINC doesn't have another network to fall back to while shutting down iDEN. Now, SouthernLINC can move customers to PTT over UMTS and start working on an LTE-based PTT network.

I don't think you every truly stop, it just gets watered down a good bit!

I guess that's good to know.

Correct me if I am wrong, but Softbank received 30mhz of 2.5ghz from Willcom in 2010 and as such, plans to deploy TD-LTE in that band with Speeds of 110mbps (up to 1gbps to fixed locations) coming to Japan shortly. Seeing as Sprint/Clearwire, Softbank and China Mobile are all in the market for making the 2.5ghz spectrum a viable 4g space, there are many synergies here and economies of scale that will bring overall costs down.

Yes, SoftBank did get the Wireless City Planning project from the Willcom acquisition. I mentioned it as "SoftBank+WCP" in an earlier post. SoftBank has plenty of experience to bring to the table for Sprint on LTE TDD.

The GTI initiative involves flooding the market with tons of GSM+UMTS+LTE devices that additionally support LTE TDD on bands 38, 40, and 41. Outside of the US, Japan, and China, the spectrum that "band 41" represents will be mostly used for FDD operations, though. That's why the initiative is so critical. For China Mobile, the whole point of the GTI is to get cheap devices made that support this technology. To that end, ST-Ericsson, Renesas, Samsung, Sequans, Marvell, Huawei, ZTE, and nVidia are making chips/phone designs for GTI member operators.

I wonder if that means the under Softbank Sprint won't be interested in the PCS H auction if it plans wider LTE deployments, as it less likely they would need more 1900 for LTE in rural areas, my buddy in Manchester TN (middle of no where) is getting 25x10 Mbps regularly.

PCS H is already a problematic chunk because there is interference between operations on PCS H and AWS-4. Unless Dish does nothing with AWS-4, PCS H is not going to be very desirable.

And the dual SIM configuration confirms that SouthernLINC will be using T-Mobile for high speed data even within the Southern Company's native footprint in the Southeast.

 

AJ

Who wants to bet that someone is going to try to use an iPhone 5 on SouthernLINC by cutting down the SIM and using it, now that SouthernLINC's UMTS service through T-Mobile has launched?

That's great until T-Mobile shifts all of W-CDMA onto PCS to make way for LTE carriers on AWS. Won't happen overnight but there can't be that many AWS-only (or non-1900 at least) handsets left on the T-Mobile network.

There's quite a lot. T-Mobile only started selling phones with AWS+PCS WCDMA in earnest in October 2011 with the Galaxy S II and the Amaze 4G. Most phones released after that date include both bands. That still leaves four years of UMTS devices with mostly only AWS WCDMA.

However, the XT626 will be fine. It supports AWS+PCS WCDMA. In fact, I think that's the only WCDMA bands it supports. It may support IMT WCDMA, but I doubt it. Nextel International ordered these devices to work on the various Nextel networks throughout Latin America. While most used AWS WCDMA, a few used PCS WCDMA. Nextel shared devices across its entire portfolio of networks.

 

While, I do not believe they will promise a superfast network, I do believe they will deploy TD-LTE for more than just capacity/hot zones. One of the main points Softbank made in their press conference was the fact that the US has very slow speeds,while buying the slowest nationwide carrier. Pair that with the fact that they actually bought clearwire, who we all know has a vast amount of unused spectrum; and that makes me believe that they are planning on deploying it in large amounts for speed.

 

I feel like they will likely deploy it similar to how Tmobile deployed their HSPA+ network. Urban/semi-urban/suburban areas will see TD-LTE coverage, while rural areas/highways will be regulated to LTE on 800 or 1900.

You're probably right. It benefits SoftBank for that to happen. Refocusing on LTE TDD on band 41 is something that I think SoftBank definitely wants to encourage Sprint to do.

So basically Clearwire has been pretty much chilling knowing that they never intended to make good on their "hot zone" projections, and were waiting to be bought and let Sprint, or whoever bought it do the work? Though realistically Sprint will most likely do a better job rolling out TD-LTE, I wonder if Sprint will gun for Speed vs Capacity.

It'll certainly be capacity. Sprint won't promise a "superfast" network. Instead, it'll promise that it can continue to handle unlimited over that network.

Deadweight or something to support legacy users who are profitable?

 

I am guessing you will see 1x on ESMR for a LONG time, probably a single 1x on PCS as well. In the long run, they'll probably leave those two along with one PCS EVDO channel and move everything to LTE.

 

If you are running LTE, why would you go backwards and deploy anything else? LTE seems like the way to go.

Because LTE will not be the primary choice for roaming or M2M for a very long time. The explosion of LTE bands makes it very difficult to suggest as a cheap M2M or roaming network technology. As GSM is retired globally (along with all the patents for it expire), UMTS will become the new "cheap" network technology. Since it only requires five bands for broad global compatibility, it only makes sense to get into that. Plus, the cost to enable WCDMA is incremental for Sprint. Network Vision technology already supports it.

In-bound roaming and M2M for UMTS are both very profitable businesses, especially with international events. Sprint's costs for devices would go down considerably thanks to a larger scale of economies. Sprint, SoftBank+WCP, China Mobile, and Bharti Airtel would be able to use the same devices with minimal software customization (the GTI RFP/spec supports GSM, WCDMA, LTE FDD, and band 38/40/41 LTE TDD). That's a win for Sprint in my book, since Sprint can afford better devices more cheaply this way.

However, I am not saying that CDMA should completely go away. CDMA1X will move to ESMR, and one PCS EvDO carrier may remain.

As wireless industry seems to be heating up and it seems even Verizon, is now (finally) interested in Clearwire, I did some Googling, and it seems that Clearwire last year had press releases that TD-LTE would be turned on in early 2013, with 31 hot-zones by summer of 2013. Is this still happening or has Clearwire been sitting on its hands doing nothing?

Clearwire doesn't do anything. Sprint, on the other hand, is planning on turning up LTE TDD on band 41 this summer.

Maybe once Sprint finishes NV and has LTE on essentially every tower and TMobile finishes there upgrade getting LTE where they want it, then you could talk about shuttering GSM and WCDMA moving those legacy technologies to CDMA/LTE equivalent and a merger/buyout would make sense. Remember that Softbank uses CDMA over in Japan, so its not going anywhere.

You've got your Japanese networks mixed up. au by KDDI has CDMA 850/2100 with LTE 850/2100. SoftBank has UMTS 900/2100 and LTE 1800/2100. NTT docomo has a pretty screwed up configuration with UMTS 850/900/1500/2100 and LTE 1500/2100.

Historically, SoftBank has aimed towards global compatibility (as Vodafone K.K., also known as Vodafone Japan, did). Thusly, it uses 3GPP technologies, just as Vodafone Japan did.

I have absolutely every reason to believe that SoftBank sees the CDMA2000 network as dead weight, since it is of little use to them.

Sprint uses 310-120 for their network.

 

Sent from my little Note2

Obviously Sprint's own MCCMNC numbers would be whitelisted.

AWS is great. Essentially almost as good as PCS except the uplink is in 2100. The problem we have with AWS is that you need to have enough of it to make it worth while to add an extra base band to phones. Sprint can't do that unless they merge with T-Mobile or buy most of it in the next auction.

 

LEAP is not enough AWS and neither is USCellular, etc. for Sprint to use.

Downlink on AWS is on 2.1GHz. Uplink is 1.7GHz. In fact, AWS should have slightly better propagation characteristics than PCS since it allows for higher power levels on downlink and the uplink is lower frequency than PCS. That being said, T-Mobile often gets some crappy cell site locations, which can negate these benefits.

If Sprint wants to use AWS, enter into a spectrum+network-sharing deal with T-Mobile or something. There's a ton of options to get into the AWS game.

Or don't get into it at all. Sprint's PCS G block, combined with Band 41 and ESMR should be enough for LTE. However, devices will get more expensive because Sprint becomes an island even further than before thanks to CDMA. Either go LTE-only (which is ill-advised), or go PCS WCDMA+PCS G LTE FDD+B41 LTE TDD+tri-band CDMA. SoftBank would boost the economic scale of such a decision because those devices could be made to be compatible with SoftBank Mobile+WCP and Sprint networks. SoftBank could order the same phones for both countries and just turn off non-Sprint CDMA roaming on SoftBank models.

What's a MCC block?

 

When I scan I can see T-Mobile and AT&T, I just can't connect because of the simlock.

Historically, CDMA operators in the US incorporate a block on the baseband software of so-called "global phones" that prevents them from authenticating to networks that have the MCC (Mobile Country Code) for the US. The MCC makes up one half of a UMTS network's identification. The other half is the MNC (Mobile Network Code). The US uses MCCs 310, 311, and 316. MCC 316 is reserved for Nextel, while MCC 311 is typically used by CDMA operators deploying LTE (though not always). MCC-MNC numbers are unique to the operator globally.

For example, AT&T Mobility typically uses 310-410 (which may also be written as 310-41) for the MCC-MNC number. That identifies AT&T. T-Mobile uses 310-260 (which could also be written as 310-26). That identifies T-Mobile as a network.

If the MCC value of 310 is blocked, then you can't authenticate to AT&T or T-Mobile.

Yeah, it's just a cheaper solution as I can get a DNA for fairly cheap nowadays.

 

Ideally, I would like to have a Sprint HTC One that I can run CDMA on and keep my T-Mobile SIM loaded and switch between CDMA and HSPA under settings as I desire. For 70/month I would have a far superior user experience than anything AT&T and/or Verizon could offer for more.

 

I called Sprint and asked if they would unlock my phone for international use. I am hoping that maybe, just maybe, I can use a T-Mobile SIM (guessing not).

If Sprint does continue the disgusting practice of incorporating an MCC block on the GSM/UMTS radio, then you probably can't. That being said, I have no idea since I don't have an HTC One.

Actually, I see one way to make this work (and a variant of this may have been suggested here)...

 

Step 1: Take all of T-Mobile's PCS network and merge it into Sprint's and offer current T-Mobile customers with AWS only devices select new PCS based devices free (like for like upgrades). TM customers with 1900Mhz devices that can support the G block will be re-certified to work on Sprint's core network. Immediately shut down all GSM/WCDMA/non-CDMA and create multiple 5x5 LTE carriers in the PCS spectrum. A 5x5 FD LTE carrier is more than enough for current mobile device usage and allows more carriers for redundancy.

 

Step 2: Spin the rest of T-Mobile into a subsidiary that runs what is left of it's network on AWS spectrum, keep the no contract, budget carrier, etc. Staring spinning this spectrum to at&t/Verizon in a deal that they won't oppose Sprint/rural carriers getting a significant chunk of 600Mhz and/or LTE roaming agreements. They get the customers in that area too. Eventually the problem goes away as spectrum is purchased.

 

Step 3: NV 2017 Build the ever living shit out the 600Mhz spectrum, allow roaming/spectrum sharing with rural partner carriers (Sprint always owns the Spectrum, but $0 leases it to the other companies to build out the physical network to Sprint standards). Sprint gets native usage of the network too.

Hold on. It would be monumentally stupid to shut down GSM/WCDMA. Not only does T-Mobile receive a lot of M2M money on the GSM side, it would be to Sprint and T-Mobile's benefit to switch to PCS WCDMA. It would align them with the rest of the Americas. G block could retain LTE, and AWS LTE should remain as well. ESMR could run CDMA1X and LTE, and EvDO could live on in any spare PCS spectrum.

PCS WCDMA and AWS LTE offer substantial benefits to a combined Sprint and T-Mobile. For one, being unified across the Americas allows for a broader range of devices. Two, you'd have the benefit of SIM-only plans that would actually be markedly useful. Three, you still won't lose CDMA 1X for those people who prefer it, since it would live on in ESMR. And four, 600MHz LTE would allow a further extension of LTE service.

And there's no way that the regulators would allow AT&T and Verizon to swallow all that AWS spectrum. Not after what's happened in the last two years. What's with the hate for AWS anyway? It has similar characteristics to PCS, and works quite well.

Did I forget to mention that PCS WCDMA and AWS LTE aligns well with Hesse's goal to make Sprint a premier roaming partner for the Americas (and the CCA in particular)?

Sprint could easily deploy PCS WCDMA throughout most of the country as-is, too. Network Vision equipment technically already supports it. It would require some rejiggering, but it could be done.

Hahaha the things said about those MS coast people once you get north of Jackson... I was a military kid, so I am not farm fed or magnolia braised. My family is from the coast, but i'm not the devil lol.

 

Sprint's reputation will improve only marginally due to NV in its current incarnation. The majority of the people using the network here now are low income or prepaid. Cspire is also the biggest detractor of rural expansion. Its way cheaper for Sprint to allow preferred 3G roaming on Cspire than it is for Sprint to try to compete in a majority rural state.

Well, good on you. Unfortunately, the coasties I've met up here tend to live up to the stereotypes (which sucks, but oh well).

As for NV and C Spire, I could definitely see that. Considering that C Spire and Sprint have been working hand in hand for a few years now, I'm not surprised. I also suspect that C Spire is using the same equipment Sprint uses in ALU markets for the state. I'm surprised that the newly announced roaming is only one-way, though. Sprint customers cannot roam on C Spire's LTE network, despite being a band 25 5MHz FDD network.

I once was required to bleed maroon, white, and gray, but that's been a very long time ago, now, and cell phones were still not generally handheld, at least for most of the population. I can't imagine how much the proliferation of technology has changed things, there.

Well, I'm bleeding maroon here... I wonder how long it will take to stop bleeding maroon once I leave?

And a big HELLO from Hattiesburg to you. Another member from the obesit- AHEM hospitality state is a welcome addition. There are very few of us

Indeed. Unsurprising, given how much revulsion a lot of people I've met have for Sprint here. It used to be that way for T-Mobile too, but that's changing (slowly). I look forward to seeing if Network Vision will improve Sprint's reputation here.

But Hattiesburg...? You're very nearly a coastie! Hopefully, you aren't like the coasties!

Where I am, the area might as well be splashed in maroon with bulldogs running around everywhere...

I've had a few WiMax Protection Sites that I could not authenticate with and get a data connection. I've always wondered if Clearwire users would have had the same problem, or if it was a network authentication issue that some sites were not configured correctly.

 

Also, with the OG EVO and Epic 4G, you could not connect to a Protection Site while the device was roaming. Originally, it was set up with WiMax that some part of the authentication cycle on Sprint devices used the Sprint network. No 1x Sprint connection, meant no WiMax connection. It was OK to lose Sprint native coverage after connecting, but if you weren't connected to the Sprint network when trying to acquire a WiMax connection, then you could forget it.

 

Later WiMax devices like the EVO 3D and Motorola Photon did not have this issue. And I believe the OG EVO and Epic were fixed in a later OTA that allowed them to connect to WiMax regardless of any other connection.

 

Robert

I've verified with the Samsung Galaxy S II Epic 4G Touch and the Motorola Photon. Clearwire is actively blocking Sprint connections to the Clearwire protection site here. I was never sure if that was intentional or not, but I benefited from it quite nicely (I ran a server through a CLEAR Stick Atlas for months, since I was literally the only user who could access the site).

 

Glad to see you've already found your way around here. The water cooler is in the back. We hang out there a lot, but we only stock Sprint Lemon Kool Aid in it.

 

Come Neal, drink the Kool Aid.

 

Robert

The Kool Aid is soooo tempting! But... I JUST DON'T KNOW!

Welcome to the site, I occasionally sneak a case of blue moon in.

I'll be sure to stay clear of that. The result of me drinking alcohol would probably not be too pretty...

I think what you are actually trying to say is "you only live One."

 

AJ

You only live for One, so go for it!

Yeah, yeah, I'm totally late on the "welcome" topic! But better late than never, I say...

I've lurked for a couple of years, but I signed up last year because of... things.

Anyway, I'm definitely looking forward to finding out more about Sprint's network. Hopefully some of that trickles my way...

Too many bulldogs around here, though...

WiMAX is in Fort Wayne. Clear operates three license protection sites.

 

See for yourself...

 

http://www.clear.com/coverage

 

AJ

I'm actually lucky, myself. Clearwire has a license protection site deployed no less than 2 miles from where I live. Also, Sprint users are forbidden from accessing it. Using CLEAR 4G service with it (which was a challenge to get, since they wouldn't sell to me normally), I get some decent speeds.

Had to add that in. 2g Edge is no better than legacy 3G in many cases and is what T-mobile falls back upon if the area don't have LTE. T-mob LTE is an overlay of their existing HSPA+ footprint. If you don't get T-mobile LTE then you probably won't get HSPA+ which mean you get Edge which is a huge shocker in comparison to Network Vision 3g or unburdened legacy 3g sites in the rural.

If you have to be explicit about "if you get it", then that still applies to Sprint too. EvDO Rev A where I am tops out at a measly 90Kbps down and 60Kbps up. Even T-Mobile's EDGE beats that at a solid 200Kbps down and 90Kbps up. That being said, I do have access to HSPA+21 here, though I frequently access EDGE-only locations, too.

The "Premium Data fee" was already included in my pricing. Sprint's base price is 69.99 + 10 premium data fee. I just rounded to 80 to make it simple. Sprint has recently included the premium data fee in their pricing from the start. They are probably doing it to not confuse customers. My math was not incorrect in that matter.

Ahh, I see. Well, then, I guess Sprint is a slightly better value in terms of pure pricing then. That is, of course, if you ignore unlocked phones and used phones. Then T-Mobile can work out to be a better value. Pairing it with a $350 Nexus 4 makes it a better value than Sprint with the Galaxy Nexus.

Regardless of pricing, T-Mobile's data network performance is typically much better than Sprint's, so that may tip the scales in favor of T-Mobile.