WillieFDiazSF

It seems that people here all want unlimited data, but at the same time want to do the wireless provider a favor by offloading. Trust me, Sprint does not care if you offload or not, they will do what they want to do regardless if you offload and show there is less network resources used, likely by implementing caps. If you are going to offload, and not want to use the network for what you pay for (by the way, I do not feel I abuse the network because I chose to use it extensively for a lot of different purposes), then why not move to another carrier that offers higher data speeds as well as a data cap of 2GB, 3GB, 4GB, 5GB, 10GB? I mean, after all if you are only going to offload, why worry if your data is going to be unlimited, right? This is like saying, people at home should think about Comcast, or AT&T and maybe not watch Netflix until after 11PM just so everyone else on the block can enjoy some internet. Well in the real world, it isnt quite like that. Many people, majority in fact, in my city, and neighborhood in particular happen to use AT&T and Verizon as their provider. There is more stress and strain on those networks (which by the way outperform Sprint in 10 out of 10 data tests) than there is on Sprint. Reason I have crappy service is the towers I use happen to be placed next to a major highly congested freeway, and Sprint has admitted that since that tower is mainly used in bursts, the normal capacity is limited since the only time it needs it is at certain times of the day... With that said, if I am using a ton of data, the physical amount per month is irrelevant, just how long and how much of it I use during a crunch time for freeway travelers does - really again, does not matter since I am expendable since voice (something MOST drivers are using over data anyway) takes priority, moving my data connection to the back seat of priority. Also, since the tower in off-peak time isnt really being used, I take priority - and not many other people in the neighborhood (by comparison of Sprint to AT&T and Verizon users) are doing the same. Its not like Im taking up the whole city capacity. So in essence, you are asking me to offload to wifi for something that I really need not, in hopes that I give others capacity, when in fact, they do not need it, already have priority to it when they need it, and Sprint wont add extra just cause I want to use a little more - which I understand. That is to say, why would Sprint see the need to add extra capacity in my city, if the incumbant network Duopoly has majority share of subs (68% of all wireless subs), in addition that was another thing they mentioned to me. They have no reason to boost capacity more if they feel the network is working fine under the conditions it is set, with limited capacity, and slower speeds, because they rarely get complaints on it anyway. Yes, they said that. None of my data usage however affects anyone else in any other site in the city. So me going hog-wild on data, really is fine. In high traffic areas, like Downtown, where there is a ton of people, many tourists and non-locals that may be using Sprint as well as AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile, there is a major boost in capacity, but then again, there is also a site on every corner and every other tall building, so I can understand capacity in those places, but again, Sprint built their network with data in mind that people in these areas would use it, and the promote themselves as "Unlimited Data No Caps No Throttles" in my area, in high traffic areas. I think your guys complaints is null and void.

One of the issues of Dark Fiber as it is called is that the companies that own them, or operated them are no longer in existence. Trying to find the owners of the fiber may also prove hard since the company doesnt exist, records of where the fiber is, how much of it, or exactly who has claimed it since are gone. Also, for a company not in existence to attempt to sell the fiber would open a new whirlwind. Ive had brief conversations with the CEO of Sonic.net - a company who is laying new fiber and asked him about Dark Fiber and he mentioned in so many words what I say above, when I asked him "Why dont you just claim the dark fiber". So even though it is laid out, most of the entities that laid them are long gone, and trying to find out how you can have access to their property (technically and legally it still belongs to the defunct entity), is almost like trying to find a single needle in an entire state full of hay.

I've been doing many Sensorly tests while out and about in the Downtown/Civic Center area of San Francisco, and have found some new coverage the last 3 days. Market Street near Hyde (SF Public Library area) has intermittent LTE (as in, it pops in and out of connectivity), and also along Grove Street from SF Public Library through City Hall area and into the park/garden of the Opera House and Herbst Theater. While the speed is slightly faster than Sprint 3G, it definitely is on par with what their 3G used to be like nearly 5 years ago - but thats slower than LTE should be anyway. So if you look at the map in SF and see coverage from Civic Center to Hyde and then along to 11th, that was me... So awesome I can help contribute.

In my experience, eHRPD vs EVDO has performed better with not only faster speeds, but 2-3x less latency. Even you said it yourself routing traffic in a different direction - that can mean faster in many areas, I have done speed tests on CDMA-Only as well as CDMA/LTE (which uses eHRPD) and I have been able to determine that it really is faster. Not saying the technology is that much different, but the fact that it will route through a different way using the eHRPD means is definitely a bonus for me, who used to get 50-300kbps regularly, I easily see 600-2500kbps. Also, that is not off topic if I am responding to how and why it works.

Seems that LTE is very similar to WiMAX in that comparison of fragile, thresholds of speed, etc. I should be extremely used to that by now too..haha..

I do pay for internet at home, it is WiFi, however, I dont have LTE at home, nor will I likely have it in the next few years anyway, regardless of Network Vision plans. Sprint told me "Oh yes, you WILL for sure have WiMAX indoors at your home location today, but we also are expanding so you will have it even stronger than you do already." verbatim only a few weeks after my trial was over to say "Oh, sorry, we arent expanding WiMAX so you will only get it a few blocks from your house now." So with that, I know Sprint wont really bring LTE to my house anytime soon, and if they do, Ill have to purchase a new device full price to get LTE on 800 ESMR anyway if I want to go that route. As for the internet at home, yes I do pay for it, yes, I do use it, though it is slower than LTE (being far enough away from the CO) at only 8-10mbps, however, I pay next to nothing for it. Yes, it is unlimited as well, no throttle, no caps, just good old independent DSL company in my area. My issue is that if my mobile bill costs double my home bill (of internet, phone, electric, gas, etc combined) then yes, I want to get my values worth and use the shit out of it.

The reason for this is that both LTE and CDMA are not only one chipset, but also both the same frequency, just different blocks, so Id see no reason this should deplete battery life. If anything, running on the eHRPD via CDMA/LTE rather than EVDO on CDMA-Only would be a better experience since eHRPD runs over LTE backside, thus faster data to look up what you want, even by only a bit, meaning less time the phone is being used by having data running, screen on, etc, meaning a longer battery life in the long run. Aside from this, Sprint Optimization Manger in the phone will periodically turn on for brief periods of time WiFi, 3G, 4G, etc to see if it can connect to a better signal, turn off the other radios, and save battery life that way. It will not keep the radios on searching like previous WiMAX devices (which eventually were set to turn on, scan a few times, then power down but not off totally)...This way is better, however, it does have a bad habit of connecting to "log-into WiFi Network" hotspots quite often. Turning it off however will enable all radios to be on, if they are set to be on. So be sure to turn off radios that are not needed. In this case, CDMA-Only with WiFi OFF would be the battery saver, however, possibly negated by the slower data, requiring the phone screen and radio to be in active mode more, so.....

That sounds more of a moral issue than a contractual issue. The way I look at it is like this... I pay for unlimited use on my phone, and I should use as much or as little as I chose, for whatever apps I want to. Matter of fact, a lot of the music I like to listen to, TuneInRadio no longer works over WiFi signals, and ONLY works over 3G or 4G networks. Because of this, I have to turn off my WiFi when I want to listen to music at home. With respect to watching movies or YouTube videos, I may occasionally watch them over 3G or 4G, especially if I am in strong 4G areas, I will 90% of the time use the network. WiMAX is dead, so I have pretty much used all I can before upgrading to an LTE device. Since LTE is not offered where I live, (well it is but not at my house, work, or any part in between), I continue to offload to WiFi. Not for the sake of anyone else, but for the sake I want my data to stream fast, or in HD. The moral issue here is should someone who has the opportunity, offload their data onto WiFi if it is available, for the sake of others? Others will use that as a reason we should do so for their benefit so they can use more data, speedy data, or even drive prices lower, unfortunately, this is extremely lopsided. If you pay for it, you should use it as you see fit. Anytime you see fit. It would be like telling a car owner not to drive in-town and take a bus so that way other people can use the roads and prevent traffic. When you look at it like that, it simply does not work. Roads will get bigger the more people travel on them, same with wireless, the more people using it, the more there may be measures taken to ensure traffic flows normally, but also the larger the lanes will be. So if you are paying for it, you are paying for the upgrades for the future. Why do you think Verizon and AT&T have been able to expand so fast? More people paying, more people using the network. Until recently, majority of Sprint users did not use the network as much as we do (since the EVO launch), now that we are, Sprint has to scramble to upgrade the network for the usage. Something they could have done a long time ago, had we been using it all along. So no, offloading to WiFi is not my idea of something to do, unless you REALLY feel obligated to do so, but contractually no, its not required. Sprint however is making it easier for the consumer by having Optimization Managers in new phones to allow offloading, 3G or 4G connectivity when and where it is strongest, that way it is fair, blindly managed by the carrier. However, I think if Sprint REALLY cared that much about offloading, they would pull an AT&T and T-Mobile and opt for WiFi in many high traffic areas, and have the phones automatically, seamlessly authenticate and connect to their O&O WiFi hotspots. They can still monitor the usage of where new towers and sites need to be, but offload heavy usage in high traffic areas to them instead. Of course, none of this matters if it is not a seamless experience, and WiFi to Cell and vice versa is definitely far from that. Will I be obligated by someone elses issues to offload, absolutely not. I pay for what I think should be unlimited, offered as unlimited and definitely I manage myself for myself, not for others.

This is off a pre-launch tower in my neighborhood. Unfortunately it is beam directed and is not covering my house just 3 blocks away (3 very short blocks)... But at least it is in my area, just like WiMAX is... just not at my house. I should also disclose that I did not take a screenshot at the time I was in 4G LTE area, I did it after I got home with intent to post here, so thats why it shows a WiFi signal in the status bar, but the test was clearly LTE. https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&safe=off&q=37.75453+-122.40455&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.r_qf.&bpcl=39650382&biw=1366&bih=600&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wl That is the location this was taken. So you can see round about where LTE is active.

There is limited 4G LTE coverage near my house, actually about 3 blocks away, over the freeway area Mission/Potrero in SF. Directly at SF General Hospital, however, the speed there is 4x slower than WiMAX in the same area, and slightly slower than the eHRPD speed just a block away. So it definitely is testing, however there is connectivity up and downlink. Unfortunately, in Downtown SF there is no coverage at all, and along the Embarcadero, while there is coverage, it only works for a few seconds to authenticate the device (since these are testing sites) and then stops connectivity for data, even though the device will remain connected to LTE. Kinda pointless if you ask me. I'd post my speed test results, but I can't find a place to attach a file.