madjammin

Loads better, like 10-15dbm better. The n5 is still the best rf performer on the market with the g3 coming close.

Thanks.  I'm trying to compare my Nexus 5 on Sprint's network to a iPhone 5s on T-Mobile's network.

Quick question?

How is the cell radio (reception?) compared to the iPhone 5s?

If Sprint isn't meeting your needs now, you should go. Things will improve along the timelines I listed above in this thread. Band 41 deployments are starting this quarter. But it will take some time to become widespread. Probably a year. Band 26 deployment will not begin until mid next year at the earliest.

 

For S4GRU members, most of us find that exciting. We like watching the progress. Monitoring permits and progress in the field. Seeing Band 41 work on this site and that neighborhood. We're wireless enthusiasts. So Detroit would be a fun place for us to sit back and watch the next year. And we'd be happy how the network has improved drastically from what it was while we were waiting for the next round. But we're a different animal.

 

Sprint has lowered prices to try to keep customers like you. If it's not enough to keep you around, or if Sprint doesn't meet your needs, then you should go to a Provider who does. We are not a Sprint service advocacy site. We are a wireless enthusiast site.

 

We have been frank and candid about the timelines of when things will get better for the Detroit area. Things are a lot better now than what it used to be. And if that's not enough, then the next wave of improvements to the point of being uniform across the whole market are another 1 to 1-1/2 years out. Detroit is a very different market than most.

No question about it.

Trust me, I think I can speak for many of us and we thank you for all the updates you provide. 

And I agree... Sprint has been very aggressive on their pricing as of late.

I have one question that I can hope you can clarify for me:

In the Ren Cen, I'm still having eCSFB type issues (LTE falling right back to 3G).  And I have that issue within a mile of the building (in downtown).  Last night, I went to Windsor, ON.  I was just on the other side of the river (right by Caesers Windsor, and could still get one bar of LTE.  It NEVER kicked back down to LTE.  Does that mean my phone connected to a different tower nearby that isn't experiencing eCSFB issue?  If that is the case, is there anyway I can report a specific tower to Sprint for them to analyze?

BTW... for anyone that isn't willing to wait out the 1-2 years for Sprint to fully build out, I just received my T-Mobile test drive phone in the mail.  I am going to every nook and cranny to see how it shapes up to my Sprint device.  Since this isn't the forum to report back another carriers' service, anyone that would like updates can PM directly.

Sounds like the site is having eCSFB issues

 

Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk

It's been over a week now too.

Is there any point to report this to Sprint directly? 

you are lucky then! All of macomb county sites less rural also need a second b25 carrier.

Agreed.  Like I said, especially Downtown Detroit. 

I have a new issue that maybe you guys can shed some light on.

I can't connect to LTE in Detroit.  If I throw it on Airplane mode, it will connect to LTE for about 30 seconds (and data runs much faster obviously).  Then, it automatically switches back to 3G. 

Any clue on how I can force it to keep it locked on LTE?

Thanks

Thanks guys.  I do have a question for Robert.

I'm curious why you said "  If I lived in Detroit, Sprint would meet my needs."

Without experiencing this issue first hand, I'm surprised you believe our service is adequate.

^{NV1.0 actually went pretty fast in the East Michigan market.  Faster than most.  LTE is straggling on some difficult sites for backhaul.  But they are making decent progress every month.  Also, better than most markets this far along.}

 

^{The issue with B26 is completely IBEZ related.  And they will have to go back and add 800MHz radios to each site too.  So it will not be as fast of an upgrade as B26 has been in other markets.  I think the soonest we could see B26 start going live in the Detroit area is late Spring 2015.  But I even hate saying that and possibly give false hope.  And then, even if aggressive, B26 would take 6-8 months to get full coverage.}

 

^{B41 is starting pretty much now.  We don't have particular dates for Detroit, but Samsung is under way.  You will likely start seeing them add B41 to existing Sprint LTE sites this Fall.  We hope that they fire up each new B41 8T8R site the moment it is ready.  But we haven't seen this in other markets really.  So we don't know what to expect.  In the absolute best case scenario, Sprint could have B41 fired up on every Detroit Area site by Summer 2015.}  

 

^{But B41 does nothing for additional coverage or in building performance.  It will just make a good percentage of the existing LTE coverage faster for Triband device holders.  It should also allow B25 to get a little faster too as traffic starts to be shunted on to the wider band.}  

 

^{Also, Sprint will add additional B41 infill sites in between B25/B41 combo sites to provide a more uniform B41 experience and add coverage/capacity to key areas.  But the additional sites will not start coming online until late 2015 and into 2016.  As adding sites is typically a long and difficult process in most cities.}

 

^{This is the complete 'why' background.  This is Sprint's plans going forward in your area.  And the big and most noticeable improvements are a little way off in Detroit.  The Sprint network is no longer bad for the most part around Detroit.  It is leaps and bounds better than what it was.  So, if you can hang out while Sprint continues the fight in Detroit, then that's good.  But customers who feel the new network as it is now is not good enough, well they won't see relief for awhile and should probably consider other options.  If I lived in Detroit, Sprint would meet my needs.  But it won't for everyone.}

 

^Robert

^{Impressive.  I really wish I could say I full understood you.  But, thank you for the detailed info anyways!}

^{I do have a dumb question:  Why are some outside sites (like where I live in Farmington Hills, Zip: 48334 about 20 miles NW of Detroit) basically up to normal standard LTE coverage and speeds (at least good enough for me) when 20 miles down the road in the proper city are lagging behind.  My city should also be affected since I live within the IBEZ zone.  I'm guessing the towers that would hit me are part of the "difficult sites to backhaul"?}

•  

  Yeah, if a B41 island near you can go live in less than 9 months you would be able to enjoy that.  But probably not less than 5 or 6 months.  You do not need to do anything to your Nexus 5.  It should use B41 when it goes live in your area.  It seems like the RenCen area would be near first, but with the Sprint deployment, it is never safe to say.

   

  Robert

   

  Thanks Robert.

• Can you guys speculate why it's taking longer than normal in this region?  Again, I'm just trying to compare apples to apples (Sprint vs. other carriers in the area).  Obviously, this is a large enough market  if ATT, Verizon, T-Mobile are on top of their game with their capacity and density.

•  

The IBEZ only affects 800MHz SMR band.  And thus only Sprint.  That's the first reason.  The second reason is that Band 41 will not really infill any areas for quite some time, it will just start getting a little better on islands around Detroit for Triband device holders.  Sprint may also start adding a second PCS carrier in the future.  Just none of this is going to provide relief in the near future.

 

Robert

Since I have a Tri-Band device (Nexus 5) there is a possibility that an island near me might be upgraded sooner than later (9months) correct?  Since I work in the Ren Cen (GM HQ) logic would say my island would be upgraded sooner than later (IMO).  Make sense? 

If that is the case, do I need to add a custom rom to be able to select Band41?

It will not be quick. Sprint will not be as good as the other providers in Detroit for awhile. Heck, T-Mobile will have their 700MHz A Block up and running in Detroit soon. Of course, you'll need a new device that supports B12 to get it.

 

It's not Baton Rouge bad, but Sprint will not get better in Detroit until the IBEZ will allow 800MHz and B41 is in a lot of places. Neither will happen in the next 9 months. So if the current isn't good enough for you to get by, you may need to switch.

 

Robert via Samsung Note 8.0 using Tapatalk Pro

Is there a reason why it will be bad for another 9 months?  Doesn't the IBEZ affect all carriers?

I am also worried on the lack on info on this specific board.  I haven't noticed any increase in speed in either of my home areas (Farmington & Detroit).  I did see a increase in cell strength in Detroit, but like I stated before, the speed is incredibly slow.

I'm using the stock rom in my phone.  Would you suggest that I customize it so I can access the specific bands.  Do you think that will help?

Thanks again.

Afternoon,

I've lost the LTE speeds in Downtown Detroit.

Over the last week, I'm averaging around .4 MB down.  LTE coverage is still pretty solid (4-5 bars).

I've updated my PRL and profile.  No difference.

Do you know if there is any work around the Ren Cen?
 

Thanks.

 

Over burdened sector, too many devices sharing too few mhz. Try forcing 3G and see if you have better throughput

 

Sent from my SPH-L720T using Tapatalk

Thanks.  I attempted a Speedtest on both bands this morning.

LTE:  2.75 down.  3.5 Up

3G:   .38 down.    .39 Up

Hopefully that LTE # keeps climbing.

What happened to this thread?  No updates since early May?  

I now have full LTE (4-5 bars) on the 15th floor of the RenCen in Detroit, but the speeds are terribly slow (under .5/MB).

Any explanations?

Thanks

I'd believe it has more to do with LTE not being active on 100% of the sites, those sites that are active possibly are overloaded, and site density causing sites to be overloaded.

 

Let's hope Sprint expedites Band 41 roll-out in the east side metro areas since we will be seeing no Band 26 (800MHz) action anytime in the foreseeable future.

what about the equally slow 3G speeds?  

Is there anyone at Sprint I could contact to check the area?

What a difference 1.5 miles makes.

12 mile/MiddleBelt = .2.-.5 MBs (can't stream Pandora properly) on 3G

1.5 miles away = 12 mile between Orchard/Farmington on LTE = 5-10 MBs

Same thing around the Ren Cen in Detroit.  Terrible 3G speeds for the longest time.  I can now catch LTE, but it's brutally slow too.

Anyone think the LTE slow speeds have anything to do with buildings/towers blocking the radio?

They made me bring mine in but they basically just took my phone, put the sim in and let me take it home and activate it.

 

Sent from my Nexus 5

Just got the Red Nexus.  It's more "Hunter Orange" than red.  It's damn bright though!

Anyways, I took mine to the store.  I said "just give me the SIM and I'll activate it myself" but the tech said that since it's an inventory piece, they can't let me walk out without it being activated.

One piece of advice:  If the tech tries to scan the back of your phone for the IMEI # and it comes up invalid, tell him to scan the box instead.  For some reason, the box worked, but the back of the phone didn't.

I didn't have time to go through the unlocking and rooting process.  I'm going to attempt it this weekend.

Love the phone so far. Glad to FINALLY pickup LTE in the Detroit area.  

As dedub said, unlock ASAP so you don't have to factory reset after you set it up. There are instructions on xda. And your warranty is "deactivated" while the boot loader is unlocked, but you can "re-activate" it by relocking. Which is just as easy as unlocking.

Thanks for the info.  I'm not sure if I want to root my found, but I'd like to unlock the bootloader.  If I do one (unlock) do I need to do the other (root).  Again, the rooting process looks complicated to me (just worrisome with my skill level).  Unlocking the bootloader looks pretty straightfoward.

Thanks again guys,.

The nexus line is the easiest to get into rooting with. None of the crap I had to deal with when I rooted my OG EVO! Plus nexii are nearly impossible to brick. And I'm sure you've heard this already, but unlock the bootloader the moment you are able to. If you set up the phone and then unlock the bootloader, you'll have to factory reset. Best to do it ASAP.

Thanks guys.  Are you saying I should unlock the bootloader right when I turn on the phone for the very first time?

Like I said, I'm going to do more research, but does it void the warrenty?  There is a possiblity I might only use the phone for a few months and I might want to resell it.

Would you suggest I head to XDA to find the step by step instructions?

Thanks again.

I just ordered a red one. 16GB.  Should be here Monday/Tuesday.  Excited!

I've never rooted/ mod a phone.  From what I've read, it only makes sense to root this one.  I'm going to have to do more research this weekend.  The last thing I want to do is break (brick) a brand new phone.

Morning,

Can I assume that since a majority of the legacy towers have been upgraded, that LTE issues plaging a tri-band devices are gone (even with the lack of 800).

I haven't seen many people with tri-band devices posting on this EAST MI thread.

Thanks

I've noticed increased speeds on 3G (Galaxy SII) in Farmington Hills, MI.  1.5MB

Question:  A lot of people on Sprint.com's forum board has been complaining about voice/txt issues over the last 6 months (I'm sure due to tower upgrades).

I have to be honest... I haven't ran into any voice issues.  I've had slow data, but that is understanable.  I've noticed that most people complaining about voice issues are newer devices (Note 2/S3, Iphone 4 and above).

Is there any reason why my older device seems to be functioning fine while newer devices are struggling?  I'm not saying I've never dropped a call, but it seems like world it collapsing according to some of these posts. 

I also wanted to know if anyone with tri-band devices have been hit with voice issues?  I haven't seen a post where a Nexus 5 or G2 owner complained.

Thanks.

Another big update for our market. One more legacy network pocket knocked out and more LTE coming online!

What about the CSFB issue in the metro area?  Anyone with tri-band devices still have issues?

I certainly can't blame you for being frustrated. There are times when I'm right there with you. Just make sure that you make an informed decision whatever you ultimately decide to do.  Sprint isn't going to be the be-all-end-all in our market compared to the majority of the country. Be sure to take into consideration competitor price, coverage and caps.  As cranky as I get with Sprint, the employer discount I get plus the amount of data I use (~10GB/month)  pretty much puts the competition out of reach. 

I hear ya.  I'm 95% certain I'm going to pull the trigger on Nexus 5 and give Sprint another month or so.  Worst case, I'll jump onto T-Mobiles prepaid $30 plan.  I think i can get away with 5GB of 4G.

So, now with the CSFB issue and the lack of LTE on 800, there is no way anyone can predict when we will get 100% coverage. 

I agree with most posters that the CSFB issue will be solved, but it's taking away the LTE backhaul.  I'm assuming there is no time table on the CSFB correction?

I know there are a handful of LTL upgraded towers up and running, but with the lack of 800, it's going to take even more than any other market to achieve coverage necessary to make an impact.

I'm not going going to take anymore guesses on 100% coverage.  It's futile and frustrating.  Like I said in my previous post, I attempted to do it last year and it was painful to hear how slow the updates rolled out (even before any CSFB delays)

I know I sound like a majority of posters that needs to vent, but there comes a breaking point for each individual.  I tried my best to hold on as much as I possibly could. I was thrilled when I didn't upgrade to the HTC One because of the lack of Tri-band, but as long as I live here, I can't even take advantage of it.

Maybe I'll grab a Nexus 5, and give it another month until jumping ship (since I have no plans to join Verizon).  That will probably be my last fiber of hope.