SeriesOfTubes

Just got my Nexus 5X up and running. Just from my house with my old phone was getting about 4/1 on 4g. On my 5x I'm getting about 40/10 on 4g now. Yes, 10 times faster with Carrier Aggregation.

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

Well, an HTC One M7 on Sprint looks like it is going for ~$80 on Swappa and a nexus 5x 16 GB is $379 so $300 out of pocket (unless you are on a subsidized phone plan in which case go nuts).

Sent from my HTCONE using Tapatalk

Note Edge

LG GFlex 2

LG G4

Galaxy s6

S6 edge

HTC one m9

Note 5

S6 edge plus

iPhone 6s

iPhone 6s Plus

Nexus 5x (2015 version)

Nexus 6 (2015 version)

HTC one a9

 

I think that's it.... Not including hotspot devices

Sent from my HTCONE using Tapatalk

Do we have a list of devices that support LTE+?

I just chatted with a Sprint rep and she said the list was not available yet, despite the fact that the news release says Sprint has 13 devices that support LTE+ currently available.

I think your misunderstanding what "carriers" means in this case. Carriers as Vince mentions has nothing to do with companies (mobile carriers) involved but rather the technology behind capacity of the Sprint network.

 

Here is a quick explanation of carrier aggregation..

 

http://www.3gpp.org/technologies/keywords-acronyms/101-carrier-aggregation-explained (I know its a lot to take in)

 

 

Bottom line, as Vince mentioned, Sprint has a TON! of capacity that your device cannot access. 

So if I am understanding right, there can be phones that work on all three bands but do not have carrier aggregation and thus can't get as fast of speed as a phone that works on all three bands and utilized carrier aggregation as well?

Is there a list of Sprint phones that have CA?

Your phone can only receive band 25 LTE. For about 2 years now, Sprint has been selling tri-band LTE devices (three bands). You're missing band 26 (sometimes referred to as 800mhz), and band 41 (sometimes referred to as 2500mhz). Band 26 is for distance and better indoor signal. Band 41 is for high-capacity and high-speed LTE.

 

In the Chicago market, Sprint is operating 2 band 25 carriers (which you're currently receiving), 1 band 26 LTE carrier, and 2 band 41 carriers. Sprint is also utilizing carrier aggregation which bonds both of those band 41 carriers into one downstream, giving users a huge speed boost. You appear to not upgrade very often, so make sure you at least get a device that offers carrier aggregation.

 

You mentioned you're using the HTC one, and from what I've read here, and other places, the new m9 is no good, so proceed with caution on that one if you plan on sticking with HTC. There are plenty of threads both here, and elsewhere about which Sprint devices are good performers. I'm an iPhone guy, so I can't really point you towards the best of the crop right now. Maybe someone else can steer you in the right direction.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone 6s

Thank you.  You are super helpful, I really appreciate it!

Does Sprint also operate a band 2 LTE?  The wikipedia list of LTE networks has the bands you mentioned but also has Sprint on Band 2. 

Also is there anywhere that I can see how many carriers Sprint is operating on in each band in specific metro areas? 

Yes! The difference would be monumental.

Dude, yes. Yes times a million. Simply put: Chicago has 5 LTE carriers, and you're missing out on the 2 most important ones--big time speed/capacity, and the extended reach network. Also, make sure that phone has carrier aggregation (most phones released this year).

 

 

Sent from my iPhone 6s

These two carriers you are talking about, are they specific 4G bands/frequencies that my HTC ONE is missing?  What should I be looking for when I look at a phone's specs in order to ensure it can get these two extra carriers?

Is anyone else in Lakeview?  I've been getting about 2 mb down 3 mb up even when I'm outside on 4G.

Would switching to a Spark enabled phone help at all?