Sprint Tri-Band LTE Phone Discussion Thread aka Sprint Spark

Re: Official Sprint Tri-Band LTE Phone Discussion Thread aka Sprint Spark

and costs about 50% more I pay 48 bucks per line minus the subsidy i pay 34.5 a line Tmobile can't touch that
 
Re: Official Sprint Tri-Band LTE Phone Discussion Thread aka Sprint Spark

I live in Jacksonville, Florida. Before network vision started I had all the problems that most of you here on these forums have. Slow data, dropped calls, and no signal etc.. When Sprint started network vision project in my city it was spotty to no LTE citywide. Over the last 9 months Sprint has really picked up the pace and has gotten alot of work done. I had a decision just like most people here. Do I leave and get better service somewhere else and possibly pay more or Do I stay and ride the out the storm? I must say at this point today I must say I have citywide LTE coverage even in the outskirts of town I can get signal indoors in many more places than before. I've connected to Spark the speeds are great.

They must have changed in the past 6 months but that would be understandable. I live in Jacksonville FL and at my work (down on Bowden) I got 3g alot so I switched to T-Mobile.

Sent from my T-Mobile Note 3 using AC Forums.
 
Re: Official Sprint Tri-Band LTE Phone Discussion Thread aka Sprint Spark

They must have changed in the past 6 months but that would be understandable. I live in Jacksonville FL and at my work (down on Bowden) I got 3g alot so I switched to T-Mobile.

Sent from my T-Mobile Note 3 using AC Forums.

From my experience I get LTE everywhere. I used to have Signal Check Pro set to alert me when I connect to LTE. I have since turned the alerts off because 95% of the time I'm on LTE. 3G service has improved a little but I don't think there's much hope for EVDO.

Also the device performance can make the network seem poor. I have the Nexus 5 on Sprint and I must say I get reception in places I didn't know Sprint had coverage.

If anyone has the EVO LTE on Sprint that phone is the worst RF performer of any Sprint device on the market.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk
 
Re: Official Sprint Tri-Band LTE Phone Discussion Thread aka Sprint Spark

I still find myself behind the big boys in coverage, but I can say that I have seen a dramatic improvement in the past months with the Network Vision improvements in my area and my non-Spark phone. Also, looking at their spectrum buys, I'm bullish on how Sprint will perform in the future. (in the short-term, their small usage base actually may be a benefit)

My advice is to hold out until summer if you have bad service for when the Network Vision upgrades to be complete and then make a decision. I would not get a Spark phone unless your primary issue is raw speed/ congestion.
 
Re: Official Sprint Tri-Band LTE Phone Discussion Thread aka Sprint Spark

Lenny you seem to be stuck on LTE for T-Mobile and think it's only 20x20. That isn't coming for awhile and test networks are up in Texas.. A little bit.. Others though aren't running on that.

As with any spectrum it can all get used up.. So all carriers will eventually run into this dilemma. Also Verizon had issues in NY... It got better after a month. Dpham in the Verizon Forums showed how it was before and is now.

Sent from my T-Mobile Note 3 using AC Forums.

Verizon still sucks on its 700 mhz spectrum here in Manhattan. I have a Droid DNA, it doesn't support AWS LTE. Like Paul, I'm using older equipment that doesn't allow me to take advantage of new LTE spectrum bands. Difference between me and Paul is I fully intend on going back to Sprint once my contract is up, Verizon was just place for me wait out Sprint's network rebuilding in NYC. Again I have been watching Sprint progress closely on S4GRU.com and I'm fairly confident Sprint will be done with NV 1.0, B41 LTE upgrades on Clearwire towers, and will be well into NV 2.0 and B41 upgrades on NV towers.
 
Re: Official Sprint Tri-Band LTE Phone Discussion Thread aka Sprint Spark

I still find myself behind the big boys in coverage, but I can say that I have seen a dramatic improvement in the past months with the Network Vision improvements in my area and my non-Spark phone. Also, looking at their spectrum buys, I'm bullish on how Sprint will perform in the future. (in the short-term, their small usage base actually may be a benefit)

My advice is to hold out until summer if you have bad service for when the Network Vision upgrades to be complete and then make a decision. I would not get a Spark phone unless your primary issue is raw speed/ congestion.

Anyone in the Mega Cities - NYC, LA, CHI, SF WILL (NO Ifs Ands or Buts) want to have a Tri-Band Phone..... These cities are where Spark is going to show its true colors versus the competitors, simply because of the speed and capacity it can carry. I wouldn't DARE buy a Single Band LTE phone in NYC.
 
Re: Official Sprint Tri-Band LTE Phone Discussion Thread aka Sprint Spark

Verizon still sucks on its 700 mhz spectrum here in Manhattan. I have a Droid DNA, it doesn't support AWS LTE. Like Paul, I'm using older equipment that doesn't allow me to take advantage of new LTE spectrum bands. Difference between me and Paul is I fully intend on going back to Sprint once my contract is up, Verizon was just place for me wait out Sprint's network rebuilding in NYC. Again I have been watching Sprint progress closely on S4GRU.com and I'm fairly confident Sprint will be done with NV 1.0, B41 LTE upgrades on Clearwire towers, and will be well into NV 2.0 and B41 upgrades on NV towers.

So.. Verizon is fixed but you're on an old phone.. So it's really you that has the issue and not their spectrum / coverage? Am I reading that correctly?

Sent from my T-Mobile Note 3 using AC Forums.
 
Re: Official Sprint Tri-Band LTE Phone Discussion Thread aka Sprint Spark

Anyone in the Mega Cities - NYC, LA, CHI, SF WILL (NO Ifs Ands or Buts) want to have a Tri-Band Phone..... These cities are where Spark is going to show its true colors versus the competitors, simply because of the speed and capacity it can carry. I wouldn't DARE buy a Single Band LTE phone in NYC.

Should clarify: If you buy a new phone, go tri-band without a doubt/ no matter what. I just wouldn't run out to upgrade your old phone expecting drastic range increases.
 
Re: Official Sprint Tri-Band LTE Phone Discussion Thread aka Sprint Spark

Should clarify: If you buy a new phone, go tri-band without a doubt/ no matter what. I just wouldn't run out to upgrade your old phone expecting drastic range increases.

that will happen when 800 band actually goes online. I haven't seen that once in Chicago and i have monitored the crap out of it.
 
Re: Official Sprint Tri-Band LTE Phone Discussion Thread aka Sprint Spark

800 is for coverage, 2.5 is for capacity, and 1900 is the main band used. The extra bands is just protection since sprint only using 10mhz of 1900mhz spectrum for LTE.

Sent from my Nexus 5
 
Re: Official Sprint Tri-Band LTE Phone Discussion Thread aka Sprint Spark

800 is for coverage, 2.5 is for capacity, and 1900 is the main band used. The extra bands is just protection since sprint only using 10mhz of 1900mhz spectrum for LTE.

Sent from my Nexus 5

.......obviously.....
 
Re: Official Sprint Tri-Band LTE Phone Discussion Thread aka Sprint Spark

.......obviously.....

I'm just stating for the Sprint haters and the ones who are not educated on what sprint is doing with their spectrum holdings. From what I see is a lot of people complaining about sprint on this forum and promoting for other carriers

Sent from my Nexus 5
 
Re: Official Sprint Tri-Band LTE Phone Discussion Thread aka Sprint Spark

I'm just stating for the Sprint haters and the ones who are not educated on what sprint is doing with their spectrum holdings. From what I see is a lot of people complaining about sprint on this forum and promoting for other carriers

Sent from my Nexus 5

ok i just assumed everyone new that by now :/
 
Re: Official Sprint Tri-Band LTE Phone Discussion Thread aka Sprint Spark

that will happen when 800 band actually goes online. I haven't seen that once in Chicago and i have monitored the crap out of it.

Yeah 800 will be the last to roll out. I'm happy it is, but I wouldn't wait on it.
 
Re: Official Sprint Tri-Band LTE Phone Discussion Thread aka Sprint Spark

So.. Verizon is fixed but you're on an old phone.. So it's really you that has the issue and not their spectrum / coverage? Am I reading that correctly?

Sent from my T-Mobile Note 3 using AC Forums.

if you look at that way, you need to apply the same logic to Paul.... Chicago solid on B41 for Sprint, but his phone doesn't support it and he refuses to upgrade, so he doesn't get the benefit of all that LTE goodness..

Also Verizon AWS is NOT everywhere that 700 LTE is in NYC. Verizon network isn't even spaced properly for AWS to relieve a significant load off of 700 mhz. AWS is more-less preforming as HotSpot right now in the various sections its available, it's not blanketing NYC. B41 while still having holes, is well on a it's way to Blanketing the 5 boroughs. If you have a tri-band Phone in NYC you should never drop to 1900 or 800 LTE until deep inside buildings.

800 is for coverage, 2.5 is for capacity, and 1900 is the main band used. The extra bands is just protection since sprint only using 10mhz of 1900mhz spectrum for LTE.

Sent from my Nexus 5

B41 (2.5) will be the primary band in the cities... B41 brings both Capacity and Speed to the table. If you look at the priority settings in your phone's engineering screens you will see that B41 is the primary band...then you fall to B25 (1900) then finally band 26 (800) so in an area that is saturated with B41 a person should never need to fall to B25 or B26.

It's band 41 that's going to give you your Sprint Spark (50+ Mbps down).... Neither B25 or B26 will achieve this with a 5x5 config even if on an Unloaded tower.

Should clarify: If you buy a new phone, go tri-band without a doubt/ no matter what. I just wouldn't run out to upgrade your old phone expecting drastic range increases.

In the Mega Cities - there is a VERY BIG difference in having a Spark (Tri-band LTE) phone and a Single band device... In the Mega Cities where B41 (Spark) is launched, people are getting consistent ~50Mbps+ Down speeds.... In these same cities, with a 1900-Only LTE phone people are seeing the Congestion set in and are subject to <2Mbps Down during Peak Times. B41 has a Ton more spectrum available to it than either 1900 or 800 will have. Plus the Old Clearwire towers already have the Backhaul in place thanks to WiMax.

Understand Sprint has more spectrum in B41 (2.5 mhz) than all 4 wireless carriers have lower band spectrum combined.... That's A LOT of Spectrum, almost too much for Sprint to ever use with only ~55m Subs. No Doubt B41 is where Sprint will shine after all other carriers networks have slowed due to Congestion and demand for more Data grows. Which is why TMO is doomed giving away the store as it has been doing, their only plan for the future is to get Brought quickly, before **** hits the fan and Wall Street reacts. They know they can't maintain a Quality of Network while having all the Data Hogs jump on to it bringing down the speeds while it gives away the store and pay people to leave their current carrier.

Like Verizon congestion problems, TMO degenerate of Service will be felt first in the Mega-Cities (NYC, LA, CHI, SF) and the Tech-Blogs like AC will be reporting it as headline news, that will be the signal of the beginning of the end of Data Gravy Train that was TMO.
 
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Re: Official Sprint Tri-Band LTE Phone Discussion Thread aka Sprint Spark

if you look at that why, you need to apply the same logic to Paul.... Chicago solid on B41 for Sprint, but his phone doesn't support it and he refuses to upgrade, so he doesn't get the benefit of all that LTE goodness..

Also Verizon AWS is NOT everywhere that 700 LTE is in NYC. Verizon network isn't even spaced properly for AWS to relieve a significant load off of 700 mhz. AWS is more-less preforming as HotSpot right now in the various sections its available, it's not blanketing NYC. B41 while still having holes, is well on a it's way to Blanketing the 5 boroughs. If you have a tri-band Phone in NYC you should never drop to 1900 or 800 LTE until deep inside buildings.



B41 (2.5) will be the primary band in the cities... B41 brings both Capacity and Speed to the table. If you look at the priority settings in your phone's engineering screens you will see that B41 is the primary band...then you fall to B25 (1900) then finally band 26 (800) so in an area that is saturated with B41 a person should never need to fall to B25 or B26.

It's band 41 that's going to give you your Sprint Spark (50+ Mbps down).... Neither B25 or B26 will achieve this with a 5x5 config even if on an Unloaded tower.

I wouldn't say Band 41 is all over chicago....it is there but not everywhere. Also band 26 is solid everywhere and is fast in my eyes 4-9/4-9 so i am not complaining. B41 is where wimax used to be so it is in places but not everywhere. Also my dad on his Verizon iphone 4S or whatever was getting .5/.5 on his 4g lol
 
Re: Official Sprint Tri-Band LTE Phone Discussion Thread aka Sprint Spark

I wouldn't say Band 41 is all over chicago....it is there but not everywhere. Also band 26 is solid everywhere and is fast in my eyes 4-9/4-9 so i am not complaining. B41 is where wimax used to be so it is in places but not everywhere. Also my dad on his Verizon iphone 4S or whatever was getting .5/.5 on his 4g lol

B26 (800 LTE) is just starting to roll out...I think you mean B25 (1900 LTE)...and from what I'm reading in the Chicago forums on S4GRU.com B41 is pretty solid in the city of Chicago, with the majority of the holes (if you will) being out in the Burbs, but out in the Burbs B25 (1900) is performing pretty well in >10Mbps Down consistently. It's once you come into the city where it just gets more dense and congested does B25 (1900 LTE) take the big Swan Dive.
 
Re: Official Sprint Tri-Band LTE Phone Discussion Thread aka Sprint Spark

They must have changed in the past 6 months but that would be understandable. I live in Jacksonville FL and at my work (down on Bowden) I got 3g alot so I switched to T-Mobile.

Sent from my T-Mobile Note 3 using AC Forums.

From my experience I get LTE everywhere. I used to have Signal Check Pro set to alert me when I connect to LTE. I have since turned the alerts off because 95% of the time I'm on LTE. 3G service has improved a little but I don't think there's much hope for EVDO.

Also the device performance can make the network seem poor. I have the Nexus 5 on Sprint and I must say I get reception in places I didn't know Sprint had coverage.

If anyone has the EVO LTE on Sprint that phone is the worst RF performer of any Sprint device on the market.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

Speak of the Devil, look who's about to have an official Spark launch:

For now what I've found:

New Spark Markets:
Salt Lake City, UT
Jacksonville, FL
Tacoma, WA

New LTE launches:
Detroit, MI
Dayton, OH (as well as several other regions of Ohio, outside of Cincinnati, Columbus, and Cleveland)
Lincoln, NE
Kingman, AZ
Lake Havasu City, AZ
Bullhead City, AZ
Paducah, KY
Yuba City, CA

New Sprint LTE Cities and Spark Markets Launching soon (2/19/2014) - Network, Network Vision/LTE Deployment - Sprint 4G Rollout Updates
 
Re: Official Sprint Tri-Band LTE Phone Discussion Thread aka Sprint Spark

Speak of the Devil, look who's about to have an official Spark launch:

Yeah i saw that this morning. Good news for Jacksonville.

Sent from my Nexus 5
 
Re: Official Sprint Tri-Band LTE Phone Discussion Thread aka Sprint Spark

B26 (800 LTE) is just starting to roll out...I think you mean B25 (1900 LTE)...and from what I'm reading in the Chicago forums on S4GRU.com B41 is pretty solid in the city of Chicago, with the majority of the holes (if you will) being out in the Burbs, but out in the Burbs B25 (1900) is performing pretty well in >10Mbps Down consistently. It's once you come into the city where it just gets more dense and congested does B25 (1900 LTE) take the big Swan Dive.

yea sorry ment B25. I was referring to the burbs Elmhurst to Sugar Grove where B41 is spotty. B25 is 4-9 Mbps both ways all the time minus a select few bad spots. I don't think i have ever seen it break 10MBps on band 25 so...yea and i have tested it every where.