madjammin

I got this impression from a few sources. This site, Sprint.com's forums (when asking for updates from Sprint Reps) speaking to Sprint reps in stores. My post (#940 I believe) which I took the Anticipated Completion from the Network Forum: Do you guys still believe this is accurate? Jan 2014? East Michigan Status: Partial LTE Launch/Full Builds Continuing NV Sites Accepted = 51% LTE Sites Accepted = 37% Anticipated LTE Launch = Summer 2013 (Flint/Saginaw launched 7/2013) Original Scheduled Completion = September 2013 Current Production Rate Completion = January 2014 Now, I didn't say I was expecting it to go live. I said "I thought the new year was supposed to bring more active towers online." Basically, from what I gathered, Samsung was making a push to activate as many towers as possible by the New Years. I guess I was wrong. Just like everyone else, I'm just frustrated and I was a little concenred when I didn't see any activity on this forum (East Michigan) for the last couple of weeks. I was up for an upgrade in Jan 2013. I told myself I wouldn't get one until LTE was online. I thought Q2 (when the S4 was about to launch) was the time. Then (after doing more reading) Nov would be the date. Then (after even more digging) I thought Jan 2014 would be the the absolute latest. It's 2014. I've never had any type of 4G (I bought an S2 one month before they cancelled the WiMax build out), and every competitor in this area does. I thought it would be worth it to hold out for Tri-Band, but now that I live 100KM from Canada, my phone, at best, would be dual-band. The only reason I've held on this long is because I'm still on SERO. I can't hold on any longer. I'll probably book a flight to space before I get Sprint LTE in this area. Thanks to all for the updates. Maybe I'm the bad luck, and once I cancel my Sprint Service, LTE will light up like a Xmas tree. Take care everyone.

No updates from users? I thought the new year was supposed to bring more active towers online.

A co-worker of mine said he was having massive dropped calls issues last week. He made a complaint and was told that it was due to tower upgrades. He was given a completion date of the 25th. It seems like that's the big rumor going around with all the reps. Completion by Xmas/End of year. P.S. He was given a discount off his bill too.

How does that affect any of us near the border? Is there any talks about an agreement in the near future? Thanks

Thanks for the recap. I know this is all speculation and rumors, but I spoke to a local Sprint rep. He told me he heard that Samsung wants all towers done by the end of the year. Again, this is coming from a store rep so take it whichever way you want to.

Thanks. I hope the rumor is true. Is there any % of completion up to this point?

I'm confused. Why do say say there is a lack of LTE progress BECAUSE Samsung is on top of their game? I've been conteplating picking up a Nexus 5, but I figured there's no reason until there are signs of actual progress. It seems slow and sporadic.

Straight from Sprint.com pre-order site: "Who will love it: Tech-savvy users looking for the ultimate Google phone experience. Get the one up on your friends when your phone boasts Android™ 4.4 (KitKat) on a beautiful 5-inch HD display run with blazing speed and efficiency on a 2.3 GHz quad-core Snapdragon™ looking for a stripped down, bloat-free phone. " Are they saying that the Sprint.com sold phone won't have anything preloaded from Sprint? Will it truly be the identical phone that's coming from the Play store (minus a 2-year contract).

Looking for opinions: I'm off contract on the SERO-P in the Detroit Metro area (NO LTE). Would you: A. Buy this on the Google Play store for $440 shipped B. Buy this for $200-ish (32GB) and renew the 2-year contract. I can't see myself leaving Sprint (even though LTE hasn't arrived yet), but for $200 would it be worth it to have the unlocked phone? I don't plan on doing the iPhone upgrade and sell on Ebay trick. And I know this has been asked a few times, but what are the chances Sprint will put their own software on this phone. That might be worth $200 right there. Thanks all.

Do you guys still believe this is accurate? Jan 2014? East Michigan Status: Partial LTE Launch/Full Builds Continuing NV Sites Accepted = 51% LTE Sites Accepted = 37% Anticipated LTE Launch = Summer 2013 (Flint/Saginaw launched 7/2013) Original Scheduled Completion = September 2013 Current Production Rate Completion = January 2014

Question: Since our area wasn't a WiMax enabled area, does it make sense for me to order a Tri-band phone now?

Updates from Sprint.com's Forum mods Thanks for getting back to me. The towers within the zip code of 48243 (Detroit/Ren Cen) are scheduled for LTE upgrades to start within 180 days. However; the towers to the west of that location are scheduled to have LTE upgrades start within the next 90 days. For 48334 (12 mile & Orchard Lake in Farmington hills) the tower near STANSBURY BLVD is scheduled for LTE upgrades within 180 days, but the tower to the west of it near W. 12 MILE RD has already received LTE upgrades. For 48331 (12 mile & Drake in F. Hills)) the tower near ENTERPRISE CT is currently scheduled for LTE upgrades within 90 days. So, the towers at the GM HQ is still 5 months away. My home area is still 3-5 months away. Those are the scheduled dates, so i don't know how long it take once scheduled. I'm guessing it won't be turned on until 2014.

What about closer to the city? According to Sprint Forum reps, they are still a few months away from upgrading. What is the standard time frame from starting the upgrade process to completion?

I asked for an update from the Sprint.com forums room on 2 areas in particular: No problem! I can look that up for you. The towers that support the Renaissance Center area are scheduled for both Network Vision and LTE upgrade within a couple months. For Farmington HIlls, MI: Cross Roads: 12 Mile/Orchard Lake, we have a LTE tower that is near Hamilton Ct, so if you travel to the west you should be able to detect LTE there, but the tower that would provide stronger coverage that is located near STANSBURY BLVD, is also scheduled for LTE and Network Vision upgrades within a few months. Morris L. Sprint Social Media Care So... take "a couple of months" and "within a few months" with a grain a salt. I don't think I'll see a full LTE until 2014, which is a shame in my book.

Seems like a slow down in updates in our area recently. Would that translate to a slow down in tower creation/updates? Around April/May, I felt pretty confident that we would have some type of official word from Sprint. I was really hoping we would some type of better news when the S4 and HTC One came out. Am I just being extra cautious?

What is the frequency of the 4G signal in that area? How is the signal strength? I only ask because I live there!

A co-worker was able to grab LTE from the 15th floor of the Ren Cen facing the city side (towards Comerica Park/Ford Field) today.

According to the Sensorly map, there is a big gap around Farmington HIlls/Southfield and then Detroit. I live around 696 at the Orchard Lake exit and work at the Ren Cen. Is there any sites I should keep an eye out? Keep me posted and I can take some pics.

That's great news. I'm patiently waiting for this much needed upgrade in my area. I'm crossing my fingers it will be fully operational by April.

I hear yeah. "I've been promised "soon" so many times, it's like crying "wolf" in my book. But, a fully operational LTE tower carries a lot of weight. I'm probably going to hold out until more towers go online since the timetable still shows Sept 2013 as the "completed peroid" for SE MI. Thanks again.

Thanks for the info. Here's the thing. WiMax was never offically launced in the Detroit area, and this WiMax signal is very weak and I can only receive it my office building (15 stories up). The rumor I heard was this tower was put up and turned on for licensicing issues. I cannot receive WiMax anywhere else (home,road, etc). I'm getting excited, but I don't want to jump the gun. I think I will hold out until it is official like you stated. I was thinking of jumping ship and going to another carrier, but I will stay the course with Sprint.

Morning all, Long time lucker... I finally decided to sign up. 3 questions and 1 comment: 1. I think this has been discussed before, but with the LTE/NV rollout, does 3G and cell coverage also improve (speeds and/or strength) 2. Based on previous LTE/NV rollouts, what is the average time period from first the first tower being lit up (Howell in this case) to the next one? Is it a domino type of effect, where the towers just start lighting up all quicker? 3. (Comment/question). I'm still getting a WiMax signal in Detroit. I use it at work to stream Pandora. Will that WiMax signal ever be shut off? Would the loss of the signal be a sign that LTE will be switched on? I've been holding off getting an LTE phone untill I see some more progress. I got burned buying my WiMax phone over a year ago, and I don't want to be burned again. Thanks all.