Nickel and Dime Ya Wireless

[jdk2]

...[snip] Looks like Verizon will earn back what they gave away last year from the rest of us this year.

...every penny of it and then some...

 

[humpagardengnome]

.....So, here we are at bandwidth. I am very sorry to say, bandwidth is only important "If you have service!" This is one of those informed considerations needed before choosing a carrier. Spectrum, frequency, & bandwidth are important. These spectrums were mostly auctioned off over 100 years ago, around ham radio times. Occasionally the government auctions off another spectrum though. FYI, this is exactly why AT&T wanted T-Mobile, for their spectrum. You can't just buy these things and there aren't more and more. Frequency is how spectrums are divided. It's like changing the channel on your car radio, and like AM & FM, different frequencies have different properties. Like distance and penetration. This is a good part, VZWs goes further and has better penetration but less bandwidth. And if you are really looking for bandwidth? Sprints slower, shorter distance, less penetrable frequency carries a much bigger load "bandwidth", hence its, lol, short comings. This is why Sprint is #3 and you pay a bit more at VZW, its called network capabilities.
So with 4g lte there will be some changes, we'll have to wait and see... VZW seems to have had a few issues with roll out, a few nation wide outages. If Sprint can change some of their ways they might change the game a bit. After working there though... I have little confidence in their network techs. I personally believe these guys are a big make it or break it, I mean they either know how to keep a network going strong or the towers crash....

Sprint could give a crap about the current network. They just need to stay afloat and hope Clearwire stays on schedule, things may change dramatically for Sprint by 2015. People can mock them now w/ WiMax, but Clearwires advanced LTE network is really the only network that will offer "true" LTE speeds in the States. It's already pushing over a 100+ mbps and if they straighten out some wrinkles and get gps to play nice w/ it. It could get very interesting.

....One last talking point. I agree with everyone. A lot of the rest of the world has a much better system of purchase for devices and services rendered. And we need to migrate in that direction. So Google just started selling unlocked GSM aka AT&T or T-Mobile Galaxy Nexus's on the Play Store. Here is everybody's chance to put their money where their mouth is, show the carriers we want the change. But remember no more subsidized devices, full price! Whatever that is; $400 $500 $600 whatever.
Anyhow maybe a bit more than 2? but people need to know what they are getting dollar for dollar, carrier for carrier, service for service.
Peace, out!

Your idea would be easier to swallow if Google offered more than just a one off device annually. As it stands if all the forum members who would do that are a speck on reciepts to VZW. We'd barely register as a demographic among the masses who could care less.

 

[A Lex and Er]

Sprint could give a crap about the current network. They just need to stay afloat and hope Clearwire stays on schedule, things may change dramatically for Sprint by 2015. People can mock them now w/ WiMax, but Clearwires advanced LTE network is really the only network that will offer "true" LTE speeds in the States. It's already pushing over a 100+ mbps and if they straighten out some wrinkles and get gps to play nice w/ it. It could get very interesting.



Your idea would be easier to swallow if Google offered more than just a one off device annually. As it stands if all the forum members who would do that are a speck on reciepts to VZW. We'd barely register as a demographic among the masses who could care less.

Sprint and Clearwire have parted ways... Clearwire had to repay Sprint the money they had givin' them. Like $65 million or billion or whatever.

At least Google is "still" trying to correct the market. I'll likely never use GSM either. However if a large enough percentage can make a dent maybe Google will put up a CDMA version.

 

[humpagardengnome]

Sprint and Clearwire have parted ways... Clearwire had to repay Sprint the money they had givin' them. Like $65 million or billion or whatever.

At least Google is "still" trying to correct the market. I'll likely never use GSM either. However if a large enough percentage can make a dent maybe Google will put up a CDMA version.

No ish, when did that happen? Sprint decided to part ways?

 

[anon(94115)]

I am not finding that...they broke up in 2007 but got back together at the end of 2011

 

[A Lex and Er]

Sorry about that folks. Yup, I have my companies mixed up... Light Squared had to pay back Sprint $65 million. Sprint is giving Clearwire 1.6 million or billion.

I see the reason I had it mixed up is because Clearwires contract with Sprint expires at the end of the year. I don't believe it has been renewed and that seems to be a concern. The reason is Clearwire seems to be in a little financial trouble. If they sell off all of their assets, their spectrum, the company can stay afloat but without spectrum???

I love the Tech world, it's like Hollywood for 1's and 0's ... this bit byte that giga. Watt?