Sprint Network and tri-band LTE...and future

I've been a Verizon customer since they were Airtouch back in the day. I have the grandfathered 3g unlimited data plan on my iphone 4s. I know when I switch to 4G that's going to go away. Currently my bill is a little over $100 with a company discount.

I keep seeing ads for Virgin Mobile for $35 per month unlimited data/text and 300 min. I'd probably opt for the $45 plan and get 1200 min and still unlimited data/text.

Am I crazy to think about switching from Verizon to Sprint? I live in the East Bay Area of Nor cal and spend 95% of my time between work and home.
 
TheeMikeB said:
I've been a Verizon customer since they were Airtouch back in the day. I have the grandfathered 3g unlimited data plan on my iphone 4s. I know when I switch to 4G that's going to go away. Currently my bill is a little over $100 with a company discount.

I keep seeing ads for Virgin Mobile for $35 per month unlimited data/text and 300 min. I'd probably opt for the $45 plan and get 1200 min and still unlimited data/text.

Am I crazy to think about switching from Verizon to Sprint? I live in the East Bay Area of Nor cal and spend 95% of my time between work and home.
Click to expand...

Unless you're a hermit and have good Sprint reception, i would NOT go to Virgin Mobile (VM). VM uses mainly Sprint network. Therefore, it has no roaming. With Sprint, you have the Sprint network AND you can cell roam on Verizon's cell network. This allows you to make & receive calls from pretty much anywhere in the USA because Sprint + Verizon coverage is pretty good. (Remember, i am talking about cell coverage, NOT data/internet coverage.) I never want to compromise cell coverage!!

Personally, i would either go with Sprint (if you jump ship from Verizon) or go pre-paid (Straight Talk or Net10).
 
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WOOOOOHHHOOOOO!!! According to FCC filing, LG (Optimus) G2 will be the first powerhouse phone to be compatible with Sprint Tri-Band LTE!! However, on a minor negative note (to me), SVLTE is not available...that is, G2 will not be able to do LTE and Voice at the same time (can't surf net and talk at the same time).
 
I have AT&T (we have since 2004) and no real problems until recently. They're way overcharging us ($686.59) is WAY too much for a monthly bill. We haven't payed it yet because we're waiting to hear back from them. The people at the AT&T store said they updated their software and it had caused problems with many others and their bills. Weather that's true or not, I'm confident they'll get it worked out. It's happened before (in 2011) and they worked it out then, so I'm 100% sure they will now.

I also get awesome coverage. I did this on my iPhone 5 in Buckhead, Georgia.
a2u4ygu8.jpg



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 2
 
It looks like LG G2 is my next phone. What we know so far:

- S800 chip, which is top dog for 2013...most powerful CPU and GPU to date
- 5.2 LCD screen with minimal bezel and very bright (best among all displays)
- Very thin with volume and power buttons on the back
- 13MP camera with optical stabilization
- Removable plastic back with access to battery and SD card
- Should be smaller or same size as Galaxy S4 but with a slightly bigger screen due to small bezel
- Sprint tri-band LTE compatible

More info on Aug 7.
 
so when shopping for a phone, how would I know which "band" the phone is using? For the purpose of getting the "tri-band 800" phone.
 
DannyLlama said:
so when shopping for a phone, how would I know which "band" the phone is using? For the purpose of getting the "tri-band 800" phone.
Click to expand...

According to Sprint, your tri-band LTE phone should switch LTE bands seamlessly. I would imagine that if you were in the process of downloading something, then it would pause a little before continuing downloading on the new band. LTE1900 and 2500 will be used preferably I would imagine if you're in range of those two bands. LTE800 will be used mainly for those far away from tower and those inside structures (e.g. buildings), where LTE1900/2500 won't reach. By having 3 bands, I would hope that it allows you to have faster LTE speeds due to decrease congestion on any one band, like it is now.
 
Thai said:
According to Sprint, your tri-band LTE phone should switch LTE bands seamlessly. I would imagine that if you were in the process of downloading something, then it would pause a little before continuing downloading on the new band. LTE1900 and 2500 will be used preferably I would imagine if you're in range of those two bands. LTE800 will be used mainly for those far away from tower and those inside structures (e.g. buildings), where LTE1900/2500 won't reach. By having 3 bands, I would hope that it allows you to have faster LTE speeds due to decrease congestion on any one band, like it is now.
Click to expand...

Thanks, my question was how can I tell if a phone has that capability before purchasing ? Is it in the specs.
 
DannyLlama said:
Thanks, my question was how can I tell if a phone has that capability before purchasing ? Is it in the specs.
Click to expand...

You can go here: Smartphones - Sprint 4G Rollout Updates

They have folks there with real good knowledge and they scan FCC filings to see which phones will be tri-band compatible.

So far, the only one on the horizon is the LG (Optimus) G2. Motorola X Phone is NOT tri-band compatible. Again, Galaxy S4, iPhone 5, and HTC One are NOT tri-band compatible.
 
Official LG G2 FCC filing: https://apps.fcc.gov/oetcf/eas/repo...Frame=N&application_id=521495&fcc_id=ZNFLS980

Breaking it down further:

https://apps.fcc.gov/eas/GetApplicationAttachment.html?id=2020064

You can see LTE bands 25, 26, 41 mentioned. Incidentally, we also know that it will have NFC.

https://apps.fcc.gov/eas/GetApplicationAttachment.html?id=2020182

Scroll to page 5 and see where the antennas are. Page 6 for the front with dimensions listed.

Scroll to page 10. You can see the different bands being tested. LTE 26 (800 MHz). LTE 25 (1900 MHz). LTE 41 (2500 Mhz).

https://apps.fcc.gov/eas/GetApplicationAttachment.html?id=2020184

Scroll to page 5 and see the LTE and Wifi frequencies being tested.

https://apps.fcc.gov/eas/GetApplicationAttachment.html?id=2020186

Page 1.

It is way too technical for me...but it is tri-band LTE: band 25 LTE 1900 + band 26 LTE 800 + band 41 TD-LTE 2600. One notable caveat is that it supports neither SVDO nor SVLTE.
 
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Future of Sprint (and Verizon) and Google Nexus or Google Edition phones

Here is the official explanation: http://www.droid-life.com/2012/02/03/google-issues-statement-regarding-cdma-nexus-devices/

"Hello! This is a quick clarification about support for CDMA devices. For various technical reasons, recent CDMA Android devices implement core telephony functionality in .apk files provided in binary form by the carriers. To function correctly, these .apk files must be signed by the so-called “platform” key. However, when an individual [Google for instance] creates a custom build from the AOSP source code, they don’t use the same signing key as these CDMA flies were signed with.

The result is that these files don’t work properly, and pure AOSP builds running on these devices can’t place calls, access mobile data, and so on. Because we aim to make sure that we are as clear as possible about the degree of support that devices have, we updated the docs over at source.android.com to reflect this reality.

We will still make available as many as possible of the closed-source binaries for these devices, and Nexus devices will continue to have unlockable bootloaders. And, of course, GSM/HSPA+ devices are still supported, as are any other devices we’re able to support. We’ve simply updated the documentation to be clearer about the current extent of CDMA support.

We are of course always working to improve support, and we’ll keep everyone updated as we make improvements. Thanks as always for your interest in AOSP!"
--------------------------------------------------------------------

So, on Google's end, it is a pain in the ass to update CDMA phones...and the control (aka "platform key") is with the carrier, not Google. Thus, for Google to update anything on a CDMA Nexus phone, Google has to get approval from carrier...which in essence take away all advantage of having a Google phone! Unless something change in the future, there is little to no chance that we will ever see a Nexus or Google Edition phone on Sprint (and Verizon).
 
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Sprint sucks.

Ever since they started upgrading to LTE 4G, I either have super crappy and slow 3G, spotty 4G, or dropped calls and no network connection for internet when I'm going between 3G and 4G towers.

4G is becoming more prevalent, but signal stregth seems to be pretty lousy in most areas.
 
LandCruiser said:
Sprint sucks.

Ever since they started upgrading to LTE 4G, I either have super crappy and slow 3G, spotty 4G, or dropped calls and no network connection for internet when I'm going between 3G and 4G towers.

4G is becoming more prevalent, but signal stregth seems to be pretty lousy in most areas.
Click to expand...

CDMA 3G is generally crappy...Verizon is only slightly better, if at all. Spotty 4G is because Sprint is using only 1900 MHz at this time. And this is why this thread was created...Sprint will open up 800 Mhz soon, if not already. The problem is that the current LTE phones in Sprint stores are NOT compatible with this 800 Mhz (and 2500Mhz). LTE800 allows for further range AND building penetration.

Not sure about other carriers, but switching b/w 3G and 4G does cost lost of connection. Hopefully, LTE band switching will be smoother.

For me, I am sticking out with Sprint and hope for the best. Unfortunately, at work, Sprint provides the best signal...so, I don't have much of a choice.
 
There is some pretty good info here! I'm stuck with verizon unfortunately. It's the crappiest situation too. I live in a smaller mountain town. Our only two cell providers are verizon and Union wireless. Union has better reception around town and their prices are good. Problem with them is when you leave town to go to bigger towns like Denver or Ft. Collins the reception takes a hit and sucks big time. I am not sure why as I heard they used to share towers with AT&T. Verizon works in some spots around town. I had a house directly in the center of town and I could not use my phone inside my house. For 2 years they told me it was cause we live by the "sand rocks" ( small mountains on north side of town) but that they were building another tower to correct the problem. Now I see towers going up all over the place because I hear that At&T is coming to town and verizon is worried it will lose all it's customers around here to them. I need to call At&T and find out for sure cause I will be one of those people that moves away from verizon. Mainly because they have been a-holes through the years knowing people around here have no choice. I apologize as I know this has no relavence to the topic but I wanted to vent....so I did.
 
Meet the 2nd phone to have tri-band...and this one is VERY interesting! This is likely the upcoming NEXUS 5...and yes, it will be on Sprint! So, personally, this is my next phone given that LG has a poor history of updating their phones and this N5 is relatively small! It is smaller than Nexus 4, HTC One, and Galaxy S4. It is a tiny tiny bit bigger than Motorola X phone.

Here is a size rendering: https://securecdn.disqus.com/uploads/mediaembed/images/610/2721/original.jpg
Another rendering: http://cdn.gottabemobile.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/NEXUS-5.jpg

FCC filing: https://apps.fcc.gov/oetcf/eas/repo...mFrame=N&application_id=395625&fcc_id=ZNFD820

Opps Google video showing Nexus 5: Google might have just accidentally revealed the Nexus 5 | The Verge
(Scroll down to video)

N5:
Height = 131.9"
Width = 68.2"

N4:
Height = 133.9
Width = 68.7

Motorola X:
H = 129.4
W = 65.3

HTC One:
H = 137.4
W = 68.2

LG G2:
H = 138.5
W = 70.9
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
What we know so far:

- LG is making it...thus, it will have LG hardware such as LCD screen and camera module.
- Display is 5" LCD...1080p vs. 720p??? I am hoping for the same screen on G2 but smaller size....aka very bright for sunlight viewing.
- Battery is on the small side (2300mah)...poor battery life if 1080p screen?
- S800 SoC...this is the top dog right now, esp. in graphics department! If it has a 720p screen, then this chip is way overkill (a good thing I guess).
- It is compatible with TRI-BAND LTE on Sprint!!! (Surprisingly, it looks like this phone is NOT heading to Verizon!)
- Camera lens is very big in the recent Google (oopps) video, which suggests that it may have OIS (optical image stabilization) from the G2...a big plus in nighttime shooting.
- It will come with Android latest software (4.4 Kitkat).
- Unlike phones from Samsung, LG, etc., Nexus phones have barebone Android software (lightweight!) and receive the latest update quickly from Google. (It will likely pass thru Sprint first before your phone, BUT Sprint is traditionally very friendly with Google updates.)

This phone will likely be my next phone unless Google screws up by giving a crappy battery life, subpar display, and/or stoneage camera (which has happen before). If so, then iPhone 5S will be my next phone.

Very excited nonetheless!
 
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