So how is Sprints coverage / service

[drfundy]

I understand thay sprint folks can roam on to the Verizon network for both voice and data.

How is the quality when roaming on to Verizon? How about when you are on the Sprint network?

Does GPS still work when you roam on to Verizon? I ask because of this line on the Sprint coverage map page "Music store, Location Based Services (GPS), Ready Link, and Data Link may not be available in roaming areas. "

I am sold on the EVO just not sold on Sprint yet.

 

[rawdawg]

I'm with you. I'm absolutely sold on the device, but have never had experience with Sprint Service. I'm in Upstate SC and according to some co-workers with Sprint, the service is good.

I currently use the iPhone 3G with AT&T and have not service issues. I used the Mototola Droid for a few months and am sold on the Android operating system. I'm ready to say goodbye to Apple. I'm sure that the next iPhone will be very good, but in many ways it seems like Apple is just playing catch-up with Android.

Anyway, anyone in Upstate SC that can chime in on Sprint Service?

 

[rawvega]

well Sprint's coverage and service, like any other carrier's, will vary depending on where you spend the majority of your time. I've found the voice quality on the Sprint network to be quite good. Yes, when totally absent of Sprint native service, you can roam onto other CDMA carriers; Verizon most often, but also US Cellular and a multitude of others, again depending on location. When you roam onto VZW the quality is however good VZW's quality is for that area. As a roamer, you're the lowest priority so in the unlikely event that the tower gets overloaded, you'd drop a call before native VZW users. I have found that some Sprint specific services generally work while roaming, but are not guaranteed to. In some VZW areas that used to be Alltel, you can even get EVDO roaming too instead of just 1x. The coverage maps are a good place to start, but of course they don't always tell the full story. So perhaps if you provide your location someone can chime in with anecdotal information specific to your area.

 

[MOE-GUNZ]

I have no issues when doing everything you stated. Sprint coverage is top notch for me, and when I roam its still great.

I live in NY tho

 

[RedhddOne]

Just out of curiousity ... have you checked

Sprint - Nationwide Coverage

While it doesn't give that "personal" affirmation, I believe it's a good resource as to coverage you receive.

 

[drfundy]

Just out of curiousity ... have you checked

Sprint - Nationwide Coverage

While it doesn't give that "personal" affirmation, I believe it's a good resource as to coverage you receive.

Yes that is where I pulled the quote from about not all data serviceable working while roaming.

I wonder if Sprint and Verizon will stop their roaming agreement now that they are rolling out competing 4g services.

 

[xorg]

^Sprint has a 10 year roaming agreement with Verizon for 2g/voice and a 10 year agreement to roam on pre-VZW Alltel 3G areas. It was set when VZW acquired Alltel.

 

[drfundy]

^Sprint has a 10 year roaming agreement with Verizon for 2g/voice and a 10 year agreement to roam on pre-VZW Alltel 3G areas. It was set when VZW acquired Alltel.

That is good to know. I would most likely go with a one year contract so that if the service became unbearable I could get out with a low etf.

 

[MOE-GUNZ]

I doubt you will experience an unbearable service. Sprint coverage is underrated.

 

[cst516]

Sprint service has always been great for me. My job takes me all over the mountains of Colorado where Verizon is the ONLY service available in some areas, and my phone will always roam just fine. I have had my service not work a few times and I always just stare at the phone in disbelief because it always works. Now when I had my iPhone well that was a whole different story.........

 

[drfundy]

A few people at work have complained about dropped calls with Sprint. I guess its possible that they are on Verizon towers that get overloaded.

I imagine that situation will only get worse with all the folks who will no doubt be switching to Sprint and Verizon due to the incredible and Evo.

 

[Husker Z]

I've had Sprint for 10 years now here in Kansas City and it is night and day better now than it was 10 years ago. I used to struggle with dead spots in and around the city, but NEVER anymore. I travel a lot throughout Kansas, for work, and I can go into pretty remote areas of the state and never lose a call, either on the Sprint network, or roaming. My parents have iPhones and they drop almost every time I'm on with them and they are moving, it's a joke.

 

[Mild Mannered Jones]

I have never had a problem with my sprint service but i live in nyc as well. But traveling to and from, atlanta, jersey, maine, los angeles, st louis and other places i have always had use of my phone. I have had to roam while in the poconos and had zero hiccups using the phone and all of its services. I have had the service for 10 years now and coverage has only gotten better as well as customer service. All phone companies have their own set of horror stories, but i think sprint is a very good option as your provider.

 

[swazedahustla]

Been with sprint over 10 years since they were just nextel. Originally with the i60, i90 models with the direct connect I would get dropped calls. I moved on to a blackberry once the sprint/nextel merger and ever since I don't get dropped calls. Their network is AWESOME in my area (Baltimore). I have friends with iphones and droids and when were in my basement, they get choppy signals, but I consistently get fast download/upload speeds. I rub that in their face alot too.

 

[drfundy]

How is the 2g speed when roaming? Can you stream music via pandora / slacker?

 

[domer]

I also have been with Sprint for over 10 years, and use my phone for business (and personal), and haven't had any major problems w/their service. I live in the Washington, DC area, but also travel up to New York and out to Indiana somewhat frequently. I've had dropped calls of course, but nothing I would consider out of the ordinary. My friend on the other hand (who lives in the same area as me), is constantly having dropped calls and network issues on AT&T.

 

[fupayme]

I have been with Sprint's network for the last 8+ years. I have lived in Minneapolis and as small as a 15k town in WI (not on I94). I don't have any experiences with unbearable service. There have been times where I don't get a great signal, but I almost always am able to get whatever I want done. I have had an issue with GPS service but only in a know "dead spot" Go 5 more miles and boom signal comes back.

 

[kudosmog]

Just thought I'd throw in my .02

I've had ATT, Nextel, Verizon, T-Mobile and Sprint in the following states:
Oregon (ATT, Verizon)
California (ATT, Verizon)
New Jersey (ATT, Nextel, Verizon, T-Mobile, Sprint)
North Carolina (Verizon, T-Mobile, Sprint)

I've also taken road trips from NJ to VT, NJ to OR, NJ to FL
Etc etc, blah blah.

I'm quite happy with Sprint's coverage.
Multiple occasions I've had two lines of service running at the same time with different carriers and I got the opportunity to test out the voice and data signals.

VZW was the only company that ever beat the signal I got for Sprint, and it was rare.
ATT was terrible for me in all areas
Nextel was pretty spotty, and I had a lot of problems with call quality
T-Mobile was great in NJ but terrible at the time in NC (It seems this is no longer the case and the service is better here)

Sprint on the other hand has been consistently great, anywhere I've been.
On vacations with friends to outerbanks nc, vermont, myrtle beach or florida, if I didn't have a signal they generally didn't either. Very rarely however, VZW would have a small signal when I would have no service.

But, with that said Verizon also costs a ton more and I really feel Sprint is the better value all around.

 

[Mitalis]

How is the 2g speed when roaming? Can you stream music via pandora / slacker?

drfundy, your chances of streaming over 2g speeds are unlikely... At the maximum, 2g speeds can run at 153kbps, but in a real world scenario, you'd be at about 60-100kbps which is barely enough bandwidth to keep a stream going.

 

[bere09]

I stream pandora on my jailbroken iphone on 2g with TMobile with no problem. Not that it's Sprint but it can be done.