|
DanAdamKOF posted:Sorry to possibly rehash some questions. I remember reading that Spark-capable phones have issues staying on LTE in some (all?) circumstances (possibly related to Spark devices not supporting SVLTE if I understand?). Does this still happen? Will this affect stuff like streaming music over LTE becoming interrupted and needing to buffer? Is this something that happens when Spark phones are only in a non-Spark area, or only in a Spark area, or am I off the mark? I'm in Dallas if this matters but have plenty of areas I go to that still don't have LTE. The issue is CSFB or circuit switched fallback. Single radio devices like Spark phones are only capable of connecting to one thing at a time, either 3G or 4G. Sprint does not currently support voice over LTE, so the phone must drop down to 3G to make and receive calls. CSFB is how the phone knows to switch from LTE to 3G when a call comes in. Apparently it's still a problem in some places. For some reason new LTE installations are getting turned on without CSFB working. That incomplete installation will cause issues for nearby Spark phones until they come back to fix its CSFB. If your Spark phone connects to an LTE signal without CSFB, it will drop down to a "failsafe" 3G connection to make sure you can still send and receive phone calls. When your phone does this, it will stay on 3G for a while - however long your phone's scan interval is, probably 5 minutes. Also, if you're currently using data on 3G, it will not try to switch back to LTE until there's a lull in the data traffic.
|
#
?
Jul 23, 2014 00:22
|
|
|
|
| # ? May 31, 2024 23:30 |
|
|
rock2much posted:I'm holding on to my upgrade until next month but if nothing were coming out until like Christmas, I'd probably get a Nexus 5. the note 4 will prob be out in the next 2 months
|
|
#
?
Jul 23, 2014 03:41
|
|
|
EdEddnEddy posted:Looking at the tower info, I think I am boned. I am less then a mile away from the tower nearest to me, but for some reason even though it has 4G, I cannot get it at my place. towers are also directional,I also live less then a mile from a 4g lte tower and I have no service at my house all because the tower points the opposite way :-( DanAdamKOF posted:Sorry to possibly rehash some questions. I remember reading that Spark-capable phones have issues staying on LTE in some (all?) circumstances (possibly related to Spark devices not supporting SVLTE if I understand?). Does this still happen? Will this affect stuff like streaming music over LTE becoming interrupted and needing to buffer? Is this something that happens when Spark phones are only in a non-Spark area, or only in a Spark area, or am I off the mark? I'm in Dallas if this matters but have plenty of areas I go to that still don't have LTE. It happened mainly with the early spark phones. I have a spark device (lg g flex) and I don't believe I have ever run into that issue. The issue you are speaking about mainly happened with the Galaxy s4 when they changed it after launch from a lte device to a spark device. As a technician I don't really get complaints about that happening (I also live in an area not fully rolled out LTE) I honestly don't think you have much to worry about with that issue anymore. Jliznel fucked around with this message at 03:58 on Jul 23, 2014 |
|
#
?
Jul 23, 2014 03:46
|
|
|
lazydog posted:
Or until it can find a good LTE signal but in some markets there aren't any and a Spark phone is forever stuck on Edge speed 3g. There are places you can check if you are in those areas but its pretty rare. Some people in those regions have been turning the phone to "LTE only" to get decent data but in doing so lose the ability to make or receive calls (until they change back). I believe a change usually requires a reboot.
|
|
#
?
Jul 23, 2014 03:48
|
|
|
EdEddnEddy posted:Guess now it's the wait for a Spark phone and tower upgrades then. Welcome to Sprint.
|
|
#
?
Jul 23, 2014 13:21
|
|
|
SpelledBackwards posted:Welcome to Sprint. I can't say its been bad on my end since the 3G has been manageable (and I don't know much better since my home ISP is a whopping 1.5Mbit), but to get a Taste of LTE, and know it is finally here, and yet just outside my reach at home, really hurts...
|
|
#
?
Jul 23, 2014 17:41
|
|
|
EdEddnEddy posted:I can't say its been bad on my end since the 3G has been manageable (and I don't know much better since my home ISP is a whopping 1.5Mbit), but to get a Taste of LTE, and know it is finally here, and yet just outside my reach at home, really hurts... ... TMobile has a 5gb of data plan + unlimited text + 100 minutes for $30/month (with no extra fees except sales tax) no contract with the fastest network with great coverage. If you're paying nearly full price for Sprint you're getting a really bad deal (unfortunately). http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2455820,00.asp
|
|
#
?
Jul 23, 2014 18:39
|
|
|
Stick100 posted:... TMobile has a 5gb of data plan + unlimited text + 100 minutes for $30/month (with no extra fees except sales tax) no contract with the fastest network with great coverage. If you're paying nearly full price for Sprint you're getting a really bad deal (unfortunately). Isn't the catch with T-Mobile though that you are also paying a monthly fee for your smartphone as well? So it ends up balancing out with Verizon. For me right now on Sprint, it's just $30 a month after tax.
|
|
#
?
Jul 23, 2014 19:45
|
|
|
I said come in! posted:Isn't the catch with T-Mobile though that you are also paying a monthly fee for your smartphone as well? So it ends up balancing out with Verizon. No $30 + sales tax is the total cost I don't know what you mean by pay for smartphone as well unless you are talking about tablet/hotspot + phone. In that case you can't actually get the 5gb for $30 anyway it's only for phones.
|
|
#
?
Jul 23, 2014 19:50
|
|
|
Stick100 posted:No $30 + sales tax is the total cost I don't know what you mean by pay for smartphone as well unless you are talking about tablet/hotspot + phone. In that case you can't actually get the 5gb for $30 anyway it's only for phones. You're thinking of their deal where they let you bring your own phone over. I'm looking at their site right now, and to get a Nexus 5 through them is an additional $16.50 a month for 24 months. Which you have to do because Sprint phones can't go to other networks. And of course you can pay the entirety of the phone up front.
|
|
#
?
Jul 23, 2014 19:52
|
|
|
EdEddnEddy posted:I can't say its been bad on my end since the 3G has been manageable (and I don't know much better since my home ISP is a whopping 1.5Mbit), but to get a Taste of LTE, and know it is finally here, and yet just outside my reach at home, really hurts... 3G here is abysmal. For streaming music, I get maybe 10 seconds for every minute of waiting. LTE is amazing though. Up to 30/7 here, compared to the 60/4 I get at home. It literally reaches my back yard, and if I get within 10 feet of my house it's gone.
|
|
#
?
Jul 24, 2014 03:21
|
|
|
I said come in! posted:You're thinking of their deal where they let you bring your own phone over. I'm looking at their site right now, and to get a Nexus 5 through them is an additional $16.50 a month for 24 months. Which you have to do because Sprint phones can't go to other networks. And of course you can pay the entirety of the phone up front. Right. All carriers, sprint included, are finally moving away from contracts. Thank god. It takes a while for it to sink in for people that "oh hey, I have to pay full price for the phone, but my bill is lowered to compensate for it." So yes, when including the cost of the phone, its not AS cheap. But overall, a bit cheaper and you don't have to worry about paying a subsidy you aren't using once your two year contract would be up. Edit: and if you are on a Sprint SERO plan, that comes down more to whether you are willing to keep putting up with Sprints network for the price.
|
|
#
?
Jul 24, 2014 15:48
|
|
|
That's the kicker. I am on Sero, and for where I live and travel, Sprint is still better than any other carrier as far as bang for the buck. Verizon = Better coverage, LTE almost everywhere, but higher price and limited data. (also I have unlimited roaming onto Verizon when Sprint doesn't have coverage. 1x but still...) T-Mobile = SemiUnlimited, GSM so I can use other cool phones that aren't CDMA, but coverage in my area is meh at best and horrible in the boonie parts I visit/live. AT&T = All the good phones, coverage is good, but nothing comparable as a price/plan ratio either. Hell on Sprint 3G, I have sucked down over 3G this month. (And the day LTE fired up, I sucked down another 4GB lol). So I will more than likely stick around on SERO for a while longer. Really want to pick up a G3 which will be the first phone I get on contract since 2009. EdEddnEddy fucked around with this message at 16:09 on Jul 24, 2014 |
|
#
?
Jul 24, 2014 16:06
|
|
|
Jliznel posted:go for it i've been tossing back and forth between g3 and nexus 5 so if you grab it let me know how you like it. I'm loving the Nex 5, and this is coming from a GS3. I was less than happy with the clusterfuck that porting my number out from Google Voice turned out to be. I still have to call back into billing and get my contract changed back to my everything 450 plan from the new framily crap. toplitzin fucked around with this message at 17:00 on Jul 24, 2014 |
|
#
?
Jul 24, 2014 16:55
|
|
|
I said come in! posted:You're thinking of their deal where they let you bring your own phone over. I'm looking at their site right now, and to get a Nexus 5 through them is an additional $16.50 a month for 24 months. Which you have to do because Sprint phones can't go to other networks. And of course you can pay the entirety of the phone up front. Actually the Nexus 5 is an exception and you can take any "Sprint" Nexus 5 over to TMo/ATT. I put it in quotes because all Nexus 5 are unlocked phones with additional CDMA frequencies. Most recent phones if you can get unlocked would actually work on GSM (ATT/TMo). Sprint support will unlock phones for international GSM but it's supposed to block domestic ATT/TMo specifically. I've never tested it but supposedly the HTC One M7 Sprint model was actually unlocked out of the box and could be used on any carrier with a proper Sim. Stick100 fucked around with this message at 18:04 on Jul 24, 2014 |
|
#
?
Jul 24, 2014 18:02
|
|
|
Stick100 posted:Actually the Nexus 5 is an exception and you can take any "Sprint" Nexus 5 over to TMo/ATT. I put it in quotes because all Nexus 5 are unlocked phones with additional CDMA frequencies. Most recent phones if you can get unlocked would actually work on GSM (ATT/TMo). Sprint support will unlock phones for international GSM but it's supposed to block domestic ATT/TMo specifically. Haha, go figure I just happen to pick the one exception as an example. :P
|
|
#
?
Jul 25, 2014 00:37
|
|
|
Dammit. I am so close to getting a G3. But when I make the call, the rep won't shutup about all the addons/features/current deals/etc, then gets to the final price and its practically $300+ to get the phone after tax and activation and shipping, and I talk myself out of it. If they really wanted me to get the device I am CALLING TO BUY and just say, "Sure thing, do you want insurance? Yes? Ok then the total will be this and it will be there on X day. Have a nice day!" I would probably not think twice. But its first telling me about features about the phone I already know everything about, then its about the phone accessories, then screen protectors, then hey Free Tablet (With new Data Plan), etc. Don't try to sell me something I already am sold on getting. Just shut up and take my money! I guess I can live without it for a few months until it comes up free on contract or something. My LTE may not have battery life anymore, but it still does everything if a bit slower unless it is on LTE now, which flat out makes it fly. But man, that screen and overall design. 
EdEddnEddy fucked around with this message at 23:05 on Jul 25, 2014 |
|
#
?
Jul 25, 2014 23:02
|
|
|
Can you not order through the website with SERO?
|
|
#
?
Jul 26, 2014 03:21
|
|
|
Vykk.Draygo posted:Can you not order through the website with SERO? You used to be able to. I think it tries to force you over to a current plan now.
|
|
#
?
Jul 26, 2014 08:56
|
|
|
EdEddnEddy posted:But man, that screen and overall design.
|
|
#
?
Jul 26, 2014 14:37
|
|
|
So how is the Nexus 5 situation? Are updates as timely as the Play-sold model? Is it generally better than what happened with the Nexus S/Galaxy Nexus? I'm trying to figure out my Sprint/Samsung exit strategy. I'd just go T-Mo and actually have been testing with a T-Mo SIM for a bit, but they're 2G only on the interstates whereas Sprint has been LTE for a lot of what I drive for a while now. That leaves AT&T, but I might be willing to stick with Sprint if I can at least use a non-hosed-up phone. Edit: Can I pick up a Play-store N5 and pop in a Sprint SIM? I can't imagine that would actually work, but it would be perfect if it did.
|
|
#
?
Jul 26, 2014 17:34
|
|
|
ExcessBLarg! posted:So how is the Nexus 5 situation? Are updates as timely as the Play-sold model? Is it generally better than what happened with the Nexus S/Galaxy Nexus? Yes the updates are hitting all at once. You'll need to pick up a SIM specifically for the N5.
|
|
#
?
Jul 26, 2014 17:40
|
|
|
The Electronaut posted:You'll need to pick up a SIM specifically for the N5. It'd be nice to have a backup phone, but changing activation on a SERO line is seriously strenuous exercise.
|
|
#
?
Jul 26, 2014 17:48
|
|
|
ExcessBLarg! posted:So I still can't SIM swap between devices (S4 and N5) on Sprint? Sorry I don't know poo poo about the S4 but Sprint has different SIMs depending the phone model. That's just for the LTE, for the CDMA the phone still has to be registered to the line.
|
|
#
?
Jul 26, 2014 18:27
|
|
|
You can indeed bring a Play store N5 to Sprint, I did just that because Sprint doesn't stock the 32GB. Strange, the feeling that I can just go to TMobile on a whim with the same phone now.
|
|
#
?
Jul 27, 2014 00:30
|
|
|
It's probably a bit late for me to jump on the N5. My S4 isn't going to blow up anytime soon, so I'll probably just wait for L phone and reevaluate the situation then. The part that frustrates me the most is that Sprint's data service has been awful forever, but at least their voice worked just fine. But now wherever LTE service is rolling out it seems like voice is going to poo poo. Half the time I pick up calls at home the other side sounds like an unintelligible robot until the call drops five seconds later. It was not always this way.
|
|
#
?
Jul 27, 2014 01:01
|
|
|
ExcessBLarg! posted:So I still can't SIM swap between devices (S4 and N5) on Sprint?
|
|
#
?
Jul 27, 2014 01:47
|
|
|
ExcessBLarg! posted:It's probably a bit late for me to jump on the N5. My S4 isn't going to blow up anytime soon, so I'll probably just wait for L phone and reevaluate the situation then. But on an episode of 24 I saw them use HD Voice! 
|
|
#
?
Jul 27, 2014 02:16
|
|
|
td4guy posted:This spreadsheet indicates that the SGS4 and the N5 use the same model of SIM card. No you cant, sprint does not use sim cards for anything other then 4g service. The only Service that uses sims like that is gsm (aka att tmobile, most over seas carriers) Unless you want to use that sim to move the 4g service to the nexus after you have them swap the esn so the phone activates that you can do. But just swapping the sim will not transfer service. Jliznel fucked around with this message at 02:40 on Jul 27, 2014 |
|
#
?
Jul 27, 2014 02:37
|
|
|
It's time for me to get a new phone, which will be either a Galaxy S5 or a Nexus 5. Does either have an advantage when it comes to traveling overseas? Also, what advantages does a Play Store N5 have over a Sprint N5? Not just for worldwide use (if any) but in general?
|
|
#
?
Jul 27, 2014 03:01
|
|
|
Jliznel posted:But just swapping the sim will not transfer service. I was under the impression that with the Chameleon provisioning software (non-embedded-SIM) Sprint LTE devices worked the same way. Maybe not.
|
|
#
?
Jul 27, 2014 03:08
|
|
|
Wilford Cutlery posted:Also, what advantages does a Play Store N5 have over a Sprint N5? Not just for worldwide use (if any) but in general? Same exact device. More expensive on Sprint if purchased outright ("worth it" to buy from Sprint I guess only if you're burning an upgrade and plan on sticking around for the contract term anyway), and Sprint only stocks black and white 16GB models.
|
|
#
?
Jul 27, 2014 03:28
|
|
|
SpelledBackwards posted:But on an episode of 24 I saw them use HD Voice! Clearly London has the best Sprint towers.
|
|
#
?
Jul 27, 2014 03:43
|
|
|
Wilford Cutlery posted:It's time for me to get a new phone, which will be either a Galaxy S5 or a Nexus 5. Does either have an advantage when it comes to traveling overseas? The Nexus 5 supports more frequency bands, and is unlocked out of the box, so you can pop in a sim from a local telco while abroad. Or, as the Nexus 5 works on T-Mobile, you could sign up for one of their $50/month plans prior to your departure and get free international data roaming. The Sprint Galaxy S5 supports fewer international frequencies, so it may have limited/no coverage in more places, and it's locked to Sprint, and Sprint is stupid about unlocking http://www.sprint.com/legal/unlocking_policy.html
|
|
#
?
Jul 27, 2014 05:19
|
|
|
This is interesting.Sprint's locking document posted:In accordance with Sprint's voluntary commitment contained within CTIA's Consumer Code for Wireless Service (“Unlocking Commitment”), Sprint is working to ensure that all devices developed and launched on or after February 11, 2015 are capable of being unlocked domestically.
|
|
#
?
Jul 27, 2014 08:49
|
|
|
Stick100 posted:... TMobile has a 5gb of data plan + unlimited text + 100 minutes for $30/month (with no extra fees except sales tax) no contract with the fastest network with great coverage. If you're paying nearly full price for Sprint you're getting a really bad deal (unfortunately). I'm on T-Mobile and I'm having trouble believing this because the data plan has always been utter trash for me, especially considering what they charge for the poo poo. I have a Nexus 4 and where I live it's kind of spotty between "H" (which I assume is 3G/4G), which is just passable if I need to use the internet for something and/or stream music or something, and "E" (Edge/2G I guess?) which may as well be no data plan at all because I can barely get my loving email when it shows that. I was thinking of switching carriers, but reading the last few pages of this thread I take it that Sprint is not the one I want to switch to.
|
|
#
?
Jul 28, 2014 06:00
|
|
|
raditts posted:I was thinking of switching carriers, but reading the last few pages of this thread I take it that Sprint is not the one I want to switch to. Where do you live?
|
|
#
?
Jul 28, 2014 07:03
|
|
|
Wilford Cutlery posted:Where do you live? Central PA. I drive down to Maryland pretty often too, and for a good part of the drive the T-Mo data coverage is hot garbage, even on the highways and more populated areas it seems. On the other hand, the coverage map on Sprint's website seemed to show 4G over a pretty good area so I was considering switching, but it sounds from reading the last few pages that their data coverage isn't much better.
|
|
#
?
Jul 28, 2014 13:45
|
|
|
raditts posted:Central PA. I drive down to Maryland pretty often too, and for a good part of the drive the T-Mo data coverage is hot garbage, even on the highways and more populated areas it seems. On the other hand, the coverage map on Sprint's website seemed to show 4G over a pretty good area so I was considering switching, but it sounds from reading the last few pages that their data coverage isn't much better. As for that region, it's almost fully-upgraded with good coverage. Except for the Thurmont/Frederick area which hasn't had fiber laid yet for them to enable 4G.
|
|
#
?
Jul 28, 2014 20:54
|
|
|
|
| # ? May 31, 2024 23:30 |
|
|
Friend has a Galaxy S3 on Sprint and just shattered her screen. What's the best option for repair these days?
|
|
#
?
Jul 28, 2014 21:05
|
|
