Sprint coverage questions

[wesleY2g]

I bought this phone already aware that the signal i was going to get wasn't going to be excellent as I had looked at the coverage map before hand. I haven't activated it yet, i've just been walking around checking the bars occasionally to see what the signal i would get is like. It seems to vary from 0-2 bars depending on where I am at at the time. I rarely ever make calls and I can access wifi at my house So i was just wondering if one bar is enough to send and receive text messages? Oh and also, does the amount of bars i have relate to the broadband signal I am getting at the time from sprints towers?

 

[MissJennell#IM]

First off, what phone? Secondly, if you haven't activated it then how do you know what the service is like?

 

[wesleY2g]

It's the LG optimus S............................................and the phone tells you how many bars of signal you get even if you don't have service on it. You just can't recieve/make calls/texts or get on the internet with out wifi.

 

[MissJennell#IM]

It's the LG optimus S............................................and the phone tells you how many bars of signal you get even if you don't have service on it. You just can't recieve/make calls/texts or get on the internet with out wifi.

Mine shows bars without it being activated but half as much as when it is activated. Weird. I would say activate it and try it out and see if it works for you.

 

[verwon]

I have to agree, I don't think it's accurate on an unactivated device. I have way more bars on my Evo, than I do on my old Pre.

Sent from my eVo

 

[wesleY2g]

ehh, I guess I'll just go ahead and sign the contract and see if the signal gets better. Thanks for your help everyone.

 

[MissJennell#IM]

ehh, I guess I'll just go ahead and sign the contract and see if the signal gets better. Thanks for your help everyone.

You have 30 days too. So if it doesn't work for you then you can cancel.

 

[dchawk81]

You don't need any bars to send and receive texts/calls/data. You just need to be connected. You'll know if you're not connected. The number of bars isn't directly related to data speeds either. Your battery may drain faster when you have fewer bars though, as it's an indication that the phone is struggling to receive the airwaves.

It doesn't make sense in my mind, but that's been my experience.

 

[Verdes8891]

You don't need any bars to send and receive texts/calls/data. You just need to be connected. You'll know if you're not connected. The number of bars isn't directly related to data speeds either. Your battery may drain faster when you have fewer bars though, as it's an indication that the phone is struggling to receive the airwaves.

It doesn't make sense in my mind, but that's been my experience.

Umm since when having no bars can you do anything with the network? If you have no bars. You dont get anything from calls text or data.

Sent from my EVO using Tapatalk

 

[dchawk81]

You can have no bars but still be connected. It happens to me quite often. The phone will actually tell you when you lost connectivity.

 

[RUSH]

You don't need any bars to send and receive texts/calls/data. You just need to be connected. You'll know if you're not connected. The number of bars isn't directly related to data speeds either. Your battery may drain faster when you have fewer bars though, as it's an indication that the phone is struggling to receive the airwaves.

It doesn't make sense in my mind, but that's been my experience.

Really.. On my EVO when I leave my house to a friend house where 4g or 3g is terrible - My phone find it hard to do both. Connect on the internet or make a voice call.

 

[dchawk81]

Well the weird thing is the opposite can be true. You can be sitting there with all your bars and the bloody thing wont connect.

The bars themselves aren't really much of an indicator of anything, IME. I pretty much ignore them.

 

[Verdes8891]

Well the weird thing is the opposite can be true. You can be sitting there with all your bars and the bloody thing wont connect.

The bars themselves aren't really much of an indicator of anything, IME. I pretty much ignore them.

Well according to how signals in genral work period, the less signal you have, the less you can do, and vice versa.

Sent from my EVO using Tapatalk

 

[dchawk81]

Yes, theoretically it should be that simple, but it's not.

 

[wesleY2g]

You don't need any bars to send and receive texts/calls/data. You just need to be connected. You'll know if you're not connected. The number of bars isn't directly related to data speeds either. Your battery may drain faster when you have fewer bars though, as it's an indication that the phone is struggling to receive the airwaves.

It doesn't make sense in my mind, but that's been my experience.

You're right, I went to the store yesterday to get it activated. After getting home and playing with the phone a little I was surprised that I was actually able to make calls and send texts EASILY with 0-3 bars. The quality of the calls was flawless too, I was just thinking how do these bars even play a role in relation to the service If my experience is nearly perfect with only 0-3 bars. Also the internet speeds varied. Thanks again for everyone's help

 

[dchawk81]

No problem. It's not an Android thing either, if anyone is wondering. My BlackBerry was the exact same way.