MtnSierraSprint

Glad your still there. I am about to sign out, but do you have a couple of cross streets in Noe Valley so I can be sure I am looking at the correct small cell installations? "on the plus side you can get a ton of details about each site" - yes that is how I found all that info on the one over by Alta Bates on Ashby. "To my knowledge there aren't really any small cells planned in Berkeley (I know of 2 and they aren't in areas that need help, so they may not be built)." Unfortunately I am not surprised, but I was hoping.

Thanks for all of the information, it sounds promissing, and I will go take a look, both out of curiousity and also so I can identify them in the East Bay. Berkeley the hardest place on earth to get anything done is where I am crossing my fingers and hoping for the best. Was pleased to hear of the progress being made on BART.

I am unclear on expanding the base/expanding coverage in so far as when is a macro site called for and when will small cells do the trick in an urban area. Do they have multi band small cells, I only saw an example of a 1900 LTE pico cell? Can small cells make up for the lack of Spectrum here in the San Francisco Bay Area. Do small cells have the capacity and is the required density needed realistic?

Arysyn, When I first read your post I thought you were saying the R9 was going to have an integrated DAC and amp comparable to the HA-2. That got my attention, but after not being able to find any such specs, I reread your post and I think I understand you to mean you are considering the R9 in combination with the HA-2 vs the LG5 and its external amp. By the way I like that the R9 has an FM radio. I am getting into Apple Music on my 6S+ but I miss my FM radio in my previous Android device. I picked up some new headphones in December to get the best sound out of my 6S+. I was able to test just about all of the models I was interested in as well as a few portable head phone amps. In the end the head phones I liked the most (for $700 or less) were the Oppo PM3, Hi - Fi Man HE 400 and 600, Grado RS1e, and Audeze EL8(open). The EL8 were the best all arounders with and without an amp in my opinion. Without an amp plugged into the phone's headphone jack these sound the best. Add an amp and they just get better. The Hi - Fi Man headphones require an amp to sound as good, they need an amp. I liked the Grado RS1e a lot but I think the EL 8 offered a truer sound for a wider range of music. I did not have a chance to test the Oppo headphone amp but did test two good amps on either side of it in price/performance. I think every review I have read about the HA2 has been excellent; to the extent it is not perfect, that is relative to amps that cost considerably more. If I were to get one amp and buy it and forget about it , it would be the Chord Mojo: http://www.whathifi.com/chord/mojo/review http://www.head-fi.org/products/chord-mojo/reviews/14291 http://www.hi-fiworld.co.uk/index.php/cd-dvd-blu-ray/62-cd-reviews/776-chord-mojo-review.html Oppo HA-2: http://referencehometheater.com/review/oppo-ha-2-headphone-amp-dac-review/

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-10-16/at-t-verizon-named-in-u-s-probe-of-20-billion-data-market "Competing companies that need to rent the high-speed lines for their customers’ traffic, such as Sprint Corp. and Level 3 Communications Inc., have told the FCC they’re unfairly locked into long-term contracts and face large early termination fees." Ed McFadden, a spokesman for Verizon, said the plans “have been in place for years...." I am curious what specifically the high-speed lines are that they are talking about. I assume it is backhaul, but I thought Level 3 provided backhaul to the wireless carriers and certainly provides it for Verizon.

"Verizon and AT&T have been pushing back against T-Mobile's efforts to get the FCC to increase the amount of spectrum set aside for smaller carriers to bid on in the incentive auction." - The Fierce Wireless Article Definately a mixed message, as why would they care about the set aside if they have no interest in the auction. The second article sounds like ATT is trying to spook the TV stations into sitting out the auction and pressure the FCC. I hope ATT trips over their own bullying tactics and that the following possibillity ends up happening - "AT&T may be left out in the cold, cash in hand." This discussion regarding how this auction works and everyone's points of view has been informative, thanks... RE: "The 600MHz spectrum would also give carriers more reach, as the lower spectrum has a wider spread — but not the signal strength to carry LTE natively." What is the issue with 600MHZ and signal strength to carry LTE natively?

I was interested in why you think Verizon and ATT are not interested in 600MHZ. Is it because they already have enough low band spectrum and that higher frequencies offer greater capacity which is more important to them? or some other reasons., in addition to what you pointed out regarding propogation overkill and interference issues. I still wish Sprint would grab some for Nevada, Utah and areas of California.

I have been trying to get a 64GB Space Gray 6S Plus (1687 CDMA unlocked) at any one of the Apple Stores here in the SF Bay Area for the last three days. The 6S Plus has been pretty much selling out (accept for an occasional 16GB model) before I could get one. As of today 10/2 walking in and getting one is a long shot except maybe when the store opens. I am not one to wait in line or wait outside for a store to open, so I do not know if that would increase your odds of getting one. I got mine by Reserving one at a specific store for pick up. For the last three days every time I went online and tried to reserve one none of the half dozen stores in my general area had one. The Apple Store said the best chance was to make the reservation at 8AM as they give you two hours to go in and pick it up and the stores open at 10AM. I noticed that the Emeryville store seemed to suddenly have new inventory after 5PM the last couple of days so today when l checked right around 5PM I actually got one. None of the other stores had any left to reserve. I think Fridays may be a good day to try and reserve one as a couple of the stores told me they were restocked on Friday so they would have inventory over the weekend. So it sounds like they may release inventory in waves, but that is pure speculation.

Regarding my statement - "Although it sure sounds like Sprint/Softbank are heading in the direction of making some kind of deal with another player." It also sure sounds like they are going private, so this is one unpredictable circus to try and figure out.

Regarding bluffing the Federal Government, particularly a regulatory and enforcement agency like the FCC that knows who they are dealing with, would seem to be a misguided exercise. If I am the FCC I would be thinking - these weasel, card shark, poker playing wireless carriers expect me to believe they could not care less about low bandwidth spectrum - yeah right. The only reason I might postpone the auction if I am the FCC is because they think they can get more money later if they hold off. Then again, if there is any sincerity to the wireless carriers disinterest in the 600 MHZ auction it would be that they would rather not have to spend money on additional spectrum right now when they are all focused on building out and upgrading their networks. So as Robert suggested the feigned disinterest in 600 MHZ may just be the wireless carriers saying they have other priorities right now and their budgets and networks will be better able to take advantage of 600 MHZ spectrum in a year or two. If I am the FCC, improved quality of service is something I can accomodate and work with. A delay in the auction gives Sprint/Softbank time to make critical upgrades and be in a better position to put together funding for 600MHZ. Although it sure sounds like Sprint/Softbank are heading in the direction of making some kind of deal with another player. This would certainly be one more reason why if I were the FCC that I would not delay the auction, the more low bandwidth spectrum that winds up in the hands of those carriers that really need it the better. The problem is that both ATT and Verizon may prefer to not spend money on the auction right now, but they will not sit on the sidelines if this possible effort to delay the auction does not work. Sprint would seem to be in the worst position if they and Softbank really can not come up with the money. I bet those in charge of making decisions at the FCC have a much better picture of each carriers abillity to participate in the auction than we do. Which goes back to why it is distressing to consider Sprint might sit out the auction, because Sprint needs low bandwidth spectrum. When Anthony asked why all the doom and gloom, I would say it is because it gives the impression that Softbank may not be in it for the long haul, or willing to go all out to make Sprint a winner. For those who think it is game over, as has been pointed out this game is very much in play, and there are still ways Sprint can come out ahead.

Is that John Legere passing out in the Sprint server room again?

Speaking for myself, I guess I would sum it up this way. Locking in some 600 MHZ would put this valuable spectrum in the bank, and eventually take away the advantage that ATT and Verizon have with indoor propagation and coverage in difficult terrain. I concede I am not an expert as far as in depth knowledge of Sprint's existing spectrum and how effectively it can be deployed to match the coverage indoors or in hilly terrrain for example. I am still waiting to test Sprint's coverage, but the feedback I have been getting from people around me is that coverage is often spotty and that goes for TMobile too and it would seem the key difference is the amount of low band spectrum that ATT and Verizon are able to deploy. If ATT and Verizon which outspend Sprint by 200% - 300% annnually have difficulty providing coverage in areas with their larger networks and more low band spectrum. I wonder how Sprint can compete on B41 alone. I want to beleive they can, but I can tell you just from walking a couple of mile radius around where I live ATT has the most cell sites, with Verizon second in number although best in terms of location. "Sprint has more spectrum than any of its competitors.” Claure agreed noting that the company has a big advantage over Verizon. "We have half their customers and twice the amount of spectrum,” - Tower-Pro.com This is true and needs to be taken into account when looking at differences in capex between the carriers, but I wonder how Sprint can fill in areas that seem to require low band spectrum. I am in one such area, although TMobile can reach the basement without low band spectrum with an antenna about 250 meters or 1/7 of a mile away. I am skeptical that Sprint is going to be able to deploy B41 close enough to everyone that needs close proximity to be able to use it. That might be a good way to reduce people's concerns regarding sitting out the 600 MHZ auction and that is examples where Sprint has deployed B41 effectively and how dense that deployment is so we can have a sense of what needs to be done in areas where that doesn not exist yet. I spoke to this reagarding nextgencpu's comments regarding NYC. Although residential neighborhoods are not as convenient as commercial buildings when it come to deploying small cells. In fact I was just reading about Verizon's effort to get small cells deployed for Lollapooloza in Chicago - "obtaining the rights for small cells can take 12 to 18 months" and Verizon is spending way more than twice than Sprint even though Sprint may have half the customers. I'll stop here and welcome some discussion.

Regarding the stock price, it will be interesting if it actually goes up. Anyway I do not own Sprint although I came close when it was 3.25 It is a little too speculative for my risk tolerance.

I would expect this announcement to cause shares of Sprint, S , to drop. They pumped up the price with talk of becoming the number one or two wireless providor and Softbank's announcement that they were buying back shares. Announcing that they are not going to participate in the 600 MHZ auction does not support their claims of becoming one of leading carriers, so I would expect shares to sell off, which at some point is advantageous to Softbank if they continue to buy back shares.

My guess is Sprint/Dish if Dish picks up some 600MHZ. Although I would rather Softbank opens its checkbook and provides the necessary funding for densification and 600MHZ.

Right, I do not think a TMobile / Sprint merger is going to happen, and Sprint not participating in the 600 MHZ auction does not make sense long term. So something like what you suggest must have a very high degree of likelyhood. Not saying it will be with US Cellular but that would certainly be the kind of candidate that would work. One would think that if Sprint has a firm idea of a company to merge with that it will be one that bids on 600 MHZ. I sure look forward to the day this all settles out and we can have some degree of confidence our four national wireless carriers are here to stay and that they are all able to provide good coverage to their customer base.

This point of view has merrit short term, but low band spectrum capacity is the key adavantage that ATT and Verizon have. I just think Sprint/Softbank have to find a way to do both densification and lock down some 600 MHZ spectrum. I have not crunched the numbers, and would not know the values to crunch, I just hope there is a way that makes financial sense, even if that means Softbank foregoes higher returns from other investments. Softbank owns Sprint now, and I hope they are better off making Sprint a winner than sitting on it and trying to figure out how to get rid of it. What is so dissappointing to me is that it looks like A) Masayoshi Son still thinks he can find a way to complete a merger with TMobile, Or they have thrown in the towel in terms of committing the necessary resources that it will take to achieve competitive advantage. I would love it if densification was the answer, but the competition is not standing still and they are adding the capacity and coverage that can keep them ahead of Sprint and ultimately allow them to siphon off Sprints business. I do not envy the position Softbank is in, but they do have a company in Sprint that can compete and gain market share if they are willing to spend the money.

It is encouraging to hear comments like nexgencpu's regarding NYC, but certainly in the Western U.S. I feel that Sprint can not compete without a good size chunk of 600 MHZ spectrum, not to mention the issue of indoor capacity, and coverage in less than ideal terrain. If they can not afford the spectrum then I wonder how they can afford the level of densification that will be required to match coverage and quality of service that ATT, TMobile (with 600 MHZ), and Verizon will be providing. The only way I can see any possibility of Sprint's strategy working is if they have enough agreements that allow for native coverage while roaming on other carriers including those who do purchase 600 MHZ spectrum. That does not seem likely nor a very secure or competitive long term position to be in. I think Masayoshi Son completely misunderstood the regulatory setting here in the U.S. which correctly has mandated that there be at least 4 Tier 1 carriers. I think he still continues to misunderstand and misjudge it. So now I wonder if he is playing chicken with US regulators where he is essentially saying if you will not let me merge then see just how competitive the 4 carrier mandate will (not) be. He could not be more clear, that he is not going to make the necessary financial commitment for Sprint to rise above the competition. Sprint is Softbank's company and right now it seems like they have decided that if they can not get a merger, they sure as hell are not going to double down on their initial investment and pay more money for spectrum to the US government that is standing in the way of their intentions. It would seem they have decided to circle the wagons and park Sprint in break even mode if they can achieve that. Recent stories in the WSJ regarding questions about Soft Bank's ability, not to mention resistance to increase spending on Sprint together with current market conditions is discouraging. "fixing Sprint is turning out to be staggeringly expensive. Sprint doesn't have the money for a once-and-for-all fix, Son concedes, and SoftBank's covenants with banks prevent sinking more cash in." http://www.ibloomberg.net/japan-telcos-tumble-after-abe-considers-lowering-mobile-phone-fees-barrons-blog/ http://bigcharts.marketwatch.com/quickchart/quickchart.asp?symb=BABA&insttype=Stock&freq=1&show=&time=9 ATT and Verizon are spending at least twice on capex as Sprint and TMobile every year. It is more like three times more, but Sprint has some creative arrangements with partners in addition to its own capex. Money talks, bravado along the lines of we are going to use our brains and outsmart the competition is just not convincing given all three Tier 1 carriers are leaving Sprint behind and have smart people executing their strategies. TMobile must be popping the champagne in celebration of the prospect that they will be able to get more 600 MHZ for less. Say what you will about John L., but I am sure it was not lost on him, that Sprint might not be able to show up for the 600 MHZ auction. I would say TMobile's management has understood and played the regulatory game to its advantage much better than Sprint. Me personally I thought Softbank understood the task at hand, and was prepared to follow through with the necessary funding including the purchase of 600 MHZ spectrum. I agree with everyone who has expressed disappointment because Sprint's current capex, and this news do not equate with a winning game plan that moves Sprint ahead of the competition, and like everyone here I want to see Sprint win. Yes, I just am not encouraged by this approach.

Progress! Thanks again for your help, and for "teaching by doing". This is interesting technology and you guys have created a wonderful community in which to learn about it.

Thanks I have been back and forth between the "How To Spot FAQ's" and the many other articles/examples that exist. I am getting there, but this is an "in my spare time pursuit". I did find the Sprint facility nestled in amongst the ATT, Verizon - Yes/No ?, and possibly TMobile panels (thanks for that link) at this location that serves the 24/13 interchange. It is about a half mile west down canyon along Rt. 24 from the green panels I posted above. The two panels in the image below are pointing west straight down 24 towards the bay. There may be more panels on the other side of the building but there is no public access as it is fenced off past this point. So I think this is an 8T8R in the shot below (right side of image), which is not present in the green panels up the canyon by the tunnel (so I guessed incorrectly with the green panels). I am not seeing the RRHs labeled in the example/FAQ photos that identify them specifically by model or function. Where there are two units/RRH what is the purpose of each one? Excuse me if I am misunderstanding how they work, but I assumed since there were two units there was one for each LTE band B25 & B26. Then there are CDMA Bands1 & 10. Maybe one RRH is for LTE and the other for CDMA. So I am still trying to figure out how to identify those differences, if you can tell the difference by the equipment that is visible. If they use a specific unit/RRH for LTE/CDMA or each band B25, B26, and B41 plus the CDMA bands that would be a useful set of photos. The setup below matches the FAQ/example of NV 1 + 2.5. Thanks for pointing me to AJ's tutorial "What's the Frequency... Pt 1 - 3" . I have been trying to find the equivalent of MAN pages for iOS's Field Test but all the articles on it do not go into any depth regarding the full extent of the information that is presented. I still have not decided yet whether I will stay with Android or switch. I am leaning towards supporting the platform that offers and promotes greater privacy.

Can you tell which bands the site with the green antennas/pannels is capable of? I am getting the feeling the panels used by the different carriers look the same but that the "boxes"/RRH are what are more unique. In the photo of the green Sprint site I posted above, that lilotimz identified, the RRH unit looks to me to be like the ones in the "How to Spot Sprint 8T8RTDD-RRHs". Another thing I thought I would mention is that TMobile just upgraded the RRHs on their telphone pole top site on Tunnel Rd yesterday. I just happened to be walking by and asked one of the guys whether it was 700MHZ Band 12 (I am not even sure if Band 12 is allowed yet in the Bay Area), and he rattled off a number that I did not recognize that I assume was the model number for the new RRHs they were putting in. They were in the middle of raising and attaching things, so it was not possible to ask a bunch of questions. I thought he did say they were putting in another band. The reason I mention it is because this is an example of a carrier upgrading a site, and I do not see any application for a permit on the city site. So maybe modifications that do not change the physical appearance significantly are allowed, or have a quicker and easier path towards approveal. Finally regarding the Sprint Regent St. upgrade at the site noted above the following additional information is included in the application. "Sprint Site Number: FN03XC065 2.5 Sprint proposes to modify the existing wireless facility (3 ‐ sector rooftop design with 3 existing panel antenna, one GPS antenna, and 2 equipment cabinets) as follows: Install three (3) new 72in H x 12in W x 6in D panel antennas. Install six (6) remote radio units (RRUs). TOTAL OF SIX PANEL ANTENNAS, 1 GPS ANTENNA, 2 EQUPMENT CABINETS, AND NINE RRUs WILL BE ON THE ROOF. Sprint’s sites are very low maintenance. They are only serviced if there is a technical problem with the site, which rarely occurs. " Based on that information can you tell what we can expect from this site when they finish, what it will be exactly? Also I wanted to note this serves a high traffic area in particular Ashby Av./Rt. 13, Alta Bates Hospital, Whole Foods Market, and the Elmwood District of shops and restaurants along College Av, in addition to the lucky area residents who are Sprint customers who should be about to experience significant improvement in their quality of service. The B41should be able to handle peak traffic when it occurs (traffic on Ashby and College as well as people at all the restaurants and shops) and relieve B25 and B26 in the surrounding areas even if they are too far away to use B41. That is my theory anyway, and why that location is a perfect place to be getting an upgrade like this.

Thanks. Like I said it is nice to see them adding it in areas where it does not exist yet, but I would think the Berkeley Permit and Zoning Application site would have a lot more applications in the pipeline if the necessary buildout were taking place. I know Berkeley is about as difficult as it gets when it comes to getting approveal for antennas. Maybe Sprint is waiting for Verizon to hammer the Berkeley City Council into submission with their current law suit, which the City of Berkeley is expected to lose at a cost of $1 million dollars.

I have been wondering about how well the iPhone 6s allows you to check radio frequency and network/connection data. It seems to me there is a "Field Test" setting that displays some info on the home screen as well as more complete information when you access Field Test directly. I am an Android user currently so I have no hands on experience with the iPhone. "And I can report after trying my T-Mobile prepaid SIM that the standard dialer codes with the Sprint SIM are blocked. The same is likely true with a VZW SIM or AT&T SIM. There may be workarounds with shortcut makers or root access. But nothing is guaranteed." I had a related question on this and Apple SIM in the Josh McDaniel and your iPhone 6s article. There is probably no way to know until someone gets there hands on one (iPhone 6s), but this seems to be an issue that lets the air out of actual cross carrier compatibillity of phones that would otherwise work. I am still trying to understand with either the iPhone 6s or Moto X Pure does changing the SIM (including swapping the SIMs back and forth) still allow you to use the phone on the carrier you got the the SIM from? Then with iPhone 6s there is the question of Apple SIM as well as e-SIM (Apple & Android).

Here is one more. It looks a little like some Sprint photos I have seen, but my guess is it is Verizon, becuase my signal strength was increasing as I approached it. It is perfectly located in a high traffic area. The other antennas mounted on an adjacent structure have ATT signs posted on the fence. I would think all 4 carriers must have sites around here, so I am continuing to look.

Thanks lilotimz. I was not sure what you meant by "Drop and jump images" but I got it figured out. Also now that I have looked at it more closely will post the links to each image next time rather than the way I ended up doing it.