5s all but worthless on sprint

[eyoungren]

You bring up a very valid point. I was reading some thread a few days ago over there about how the ALU hardware is quite behind Samsung/Ericsson, etc. and how Samsung is quite new to the US market, but has become among the leaders for tower hardware/deployment.

I have no problem placing (some) blame on ALU for hurting Sprint's already-poor reputation, but it's not just Sprint using ALU. AT&T and VZW have both contracted ALU for some of their deployment. If they can meet deadlines for the big two, why not for Sprint? Did Sprint negotiate a cut-rate price for their deployment, so ALU doesn't care?

I just wish that (for Sprint's sake), they get their stuff together and deploy LTE out there. They desperately need it fast. None of the round 1 markets are done yet. That's ridiculous. AT&T and VZW are already going back and adding more sites (and deploying new spectrum) to their top markets.

And I don't mean stringing along a few towers and announcing the market launched. (Sprint PR fail here). It's not fair for the loyal users to be lied to, especially for supporting them through all of this turmoil.

Yes, I agree. These were all points we covered in the other thread. And you seem to have seen the thread I was referring to over at s4gru. Not much else to say, except that I too wonder (still) why it is A-L can perform for the other carriers but not Sprint.

 

[Apple Trees]

Good try, but no. Image

Why are all of your speedtests late in the evening?

No one is saying Sprint LTE isn't usable where you can actually pick it up. The point is that the LTE footprint is very small right now. Even smaller than #4 T-Mobile. Plus Sprint/T-Mobile don't have the bandwith/spectrum to deploy 2x10mhz in most markets like AT&T/Verizon.

I personally would never use an iPhone on Sprint. Despite their offer of unlimited data, the service is just too unreliable and far too slow for me. Dial-up 3G with occasional LTE popups. T-Mobile is budget carrier and have good speeds in towns but their vast 2G when traveling on the road is crippling. So it just leaves AT&T and Verizon for reliability. Fortunately I still have unlimited LTE on Verizon.

 

[djransom]

Why are all of your speedtests late in the evening?

No one is saying Sprint LTE isn't usable where you can actually pick it up. The point is that the LTE footprint is very small right now. Even smaller than #4 T-Mobile. Plus Sprint/T-Mobile don't have the bandwith/spectrum to deploy 2x10mhz in most markets like AT&T/Verizon.

I personally would never use an iPhone on Sprint. Despite their offer of unlimited data, the service is just too unreliable and far too slow for me. Dial-up 3G with occasional LTE popups. T-Mobile is budget carrier and have good speeds in towns but their vast 2G when traveling on the road is crippling. So it just leaves AT&T and Verizon for reliability. Fortunately I still have unlimited LTE on Verizon.

Again this depends on the area you're in. I just left T-Mobile for Sprint because the LTE footprint was small here in the Chicagoland area. My phone would go from LTE to 4G to E in a matter of seconds and then sit on E. My phone service was not the best at my home. Sprint has been a bit better with the LTE footprint around the Chicagoland area and even with 3G the service isn't bad. Sure I would love to have AT&T and VZ, but the cost of service is just too much for me. All this Sprint is trash and Sprint is the worse is all dependent upon your area. As for me, I'm cool with it. Things get bad there's always other options out here.

 

[Firocity]

I recently switched from Sprint to ATT and all I can say is that I LOVE MY SERVICE! The crappy data that I had to deal with from Sprint was frustrating. I couldn't even get 3G in Central Austin. I tried the 5s with Sprint, to give them one last shot and it just didn't cut it. When I was actually getting an LTE signal is was great, but service was spotty. With AT&T, I know when I pull my phone out to perform a data heavy task, that it WILL WORK quickly and reliably.

When I cancelled my Sprint line the lady on the other end said that she's been to Austin and that she doesn't experience these problems. She suggested I try an LTE phone and said that I had a 90% call success rate. Excuses, Excuses... I've come to the conclusion that Sprint is a low budget carrier and many of their customers don't have a clue about what great data coverage is suppose to be like. They are naive to the fact or just don't have the need for data. Many of their subscribers that don't fit into that bucket, either are lucky to get decent coverage and are around wifi or are hopelessly waiting for Sprint to improve.

I now have no more concerns about traveling either as Sprint is unreliable when you have to use your smartphone for navigation. I am glad I jumped ship and am not on the low cost, crap carrier they call Sprint anymore.

 

[sjperformance]

I recently switched from Sprint to ATT and all I can say is that I LOVE MY SERVICE! The crappy data that I had to deal with from Sprint was frustrating. I couldn't even get 3G in Central Austin. I tried the 5s with Sprint, to give them one last shot and it just didn't cut it. When I was actually getting an LTE signal is was great, but service was spotty. With AT&T, I know when I pull my phone out to perform a data heavy task, that it WILL WORK quickly and reliably.

When I cancelled my Sprint line the lady on the other end said that she's been to Austin and that she doesn't experience these problems. She suggested I try an LTE phone and said that I had a 90% call success rate. Excuses, Excuses... I've come to the conclusion that Sprint is a low budget carrier and many of their customers don't have a clue about what great data coverage is suppose to be like. They are naive to the fact or just don't have the need for data. Many of their subscribers that don't fit into that bucket, either are lucky to get decent coverage and are around wifi or are hopelessly waiting for Sprint to improve.

I now have no more concerns about traveling either as Sprint is unreliable when you have to use your smartphone for navigation. I am glad I jumped ship and am not on the low cost, crap carrier they call Sprint anymore.

This is exactly how I feel. Going to 3 weeks now with AT&T since I left sprint. Glad I made the switch. One of the best decisions I've made in 2013.

 

[corry20]

I'm leaving Sprint Tomorrow my new 5S is coming and when I port my number over to Verizon My frustration level will go way down.I haven't had data in my area for 2 years.I call all the time but they give me these dates it will be fixed but it never gets fixed.

 

[sjperformance]

I'm leaving Sprint Tomorrow my new 5S is coming and when I port my number over to Verizon My frustration level will go way down.I haven't had data in my area for 2 years.I call all the time but they give me these dates it will be fixed but it never gets fixed.

Tomorrow u shall finally truly enjoy ur iPhone without wifi. I know I am. Glad I switched and have never looked back

 

[DcGamer05]

I recently switched from Sprint to ATT and all I can say is that I LOVE MY SERVICE! The crappy data that I had to deal with from Sprint was frustrating. I couldn't even get 3G in Central Austin. I tried the 5s with Sprint, to give them one last shot and it just didn't cut it. When I was actually getting an LTE signal is was great, but service was spotty. With AT&T, I know when I pull my phone out to perform a data heavy task, that it WILL WORK quickly and reliably.

When I cancelled my Sprint line the lady on the other end said that she's been to Austin and that she doesn't experience these problems. She suggested I try an LTE phone and said that I had a 90% call success rate. Excuses, Excuses... I've come to the conclusion that Sprint is a low budget carrier and many of their customers don't have a clue about what great data coverage is suppose to be like. They are naive to the fact or just don't have the need for data. Many of their subscribers that don't fit into that bucket, either are lucky to get decent coverage and are around wifi or are hopelessly waiting for Sprint to improve.

I now have no more concerns about traveling either as Sprint is unreliable when you have to use your smartphone for navigation. I am glad I jumped ship and am not on the low cost, crap carrier they call Sprint anymore.

Lol sprint gave me that 98% connection success rate whatever why don't they come to my town use the service then they'd see how erratic it is. Sprint was a nightmare in my area some people are happy because they actually get LTE but for the rest of us it's still not reliable enough had to switch to Verizon.

Sprint could be so much more and they have the money for it now I don't see why they're still in 1st gear.

 

[mrdave543]

Finally left sprint after 12 years.....not sure what I was thinking staying with them so long. Att even bought my iPhone 5 for 300 (sprint version) that is selling for a lot less everywhere Elbe

 

[MsRandall]

I'm leaving Sprint Tomorrow my new 5S is coming and when I port my number over to Verizon My frustration level will go way down.I haven't had data in my area for 2 years.I call all the time but they give me these dates it will be fixed but it never gets fixed.

I left 17 months go after 16 years with Sprint best extra $20 bucks a month I have ever spent .... congrats and enjoy

 

[Juanefny]

I switched from ATT to Sprint about 1 month ago (whenever the iphone came out) and I can say that I'm happy with Sprint. Since I live in ABQ NM, I have yet to see LTE. That said, 3g speeds seem to be ok and I look forward to LTE when I travel this weekend. I switched b/c Sprint is way cheaper and they are investing billions and billions on infrastructure. No one has mentioned here that Soft Bank purchased Sprint in July (78%) and they are already making tons of changes at Sprint.
800 Mhz LTE will also make LTE coverage that much more reliable.

 

[tdiaz]

This is because LTE really means Limited Time Engagement. Very limited.

 

[2298754]

I switched from ATT to Sprint about 1 month ago (whenever the iphone came out) and I can say that I'm happy with Sprint. Since I live in ABQ NM, I have yet to see LTE. That said, 3g speeds seem to be ok and I look forward to LTE when I travel this weekend. I switched b/c Sprint is way cheaper and they are investing billions and billions on infrastructure. No one has mentioned here that Soft Bank purchased Sprint in July (78%) and they are already making tons of changes at Sprint.
800 Mhz LTE will also make LTE coverage that much more reliable.

Looks like those billions aren't going anywhere. You're acting like VZW and At&t don't spend just as much as Sprint expand their networks. In fact, they've been doing it for years, unlike Sprint.

The big two already use sub 1ghz spectrum (700), so it's hardly revolutionary for Sprint to deploy on 800

 

[Juanefny]

Looks like those billions aren't going anywhere. You're acting like VZW and At&t don't spend just as much as Sprint expand their networks. In fact, they've been doing it for years, unlike Sprint.

The big two already use sub 1ghz spectrum (700), so it's hardly revolutionary for Sprint to deploy on 800

Look, I never said Sprint was superior to the other companies. What I said was that they are doing what they need to do to come up to their level. And while they others may spend money, they are not spending nearly as much as Sprint is. Sprint is gutting their entire network from the voice to internet. I think that within a year and a half Sprint will be one of the best carriers in the US.
For now... it works well for me and it's way cheaper plus i'll be grandfathered into their unlimited internet. So I'm happy.
But remember... choosing a carrier depends on your usage and where you live. Once again.. for some Sprint works... for some At&t sucks... for some VZN is just not worth the expense... so once again, it's a personal decision!

 

[eyoungren]

I think that within a year and a half Sprint will be one of the best carriers in the US.

I don't know if I can agree with that. I'm a Sprint customer too, but you have to recognize what Sprint is.

Oh yes, Son bought Sprint, Sprint bought Clear and now there is a big cash infusion. But NV was paid for before Son ever showed up and it's still about a year behind schedule. Where would Sprint be now if it had managed to whip the vendors in line and have everything delivered on time?

This is one of Sprint's failings. It plans perfectly, but it's execution is extremely poor. That never seems to be the fault of Sprint, but take a look at the executives. All of them have some reason or excuse for why things have been poorly executed - and it's not Sprint's fault.

That culture is permeated into Sprint. It's a culture of CYA and take no responsibility. I don't believe that Son either saw this or expected it when he bought Sprint. I do believe he's discovering right now just what he got for his billions.

To turn Sprint around Son is going to have to change this culture. That means tossing out Dan Hesse's bogus JD Powers Customer Service awards with the rest of the garbage. And that is going to take time, if it's even possible to begin with.

 

[2298754]

And while they others may spend money, they are not spending nearly as much as Sprint is. Sprint is gutting their entire network from the voice to internet.

What's so special about gutting the network? They HAD to gut the network because they left it to crumble, whereas the competition spent the last few years upgrading backhaul and adding capacity.

AT&T: $14 billion to upgrade to LTE since 2012 http://www.att.com/gen/press-room?pid=23506&cdvn=news&newsarticleid=35661&mapcode=corporate|consumer
VZW: $80 billion+ since 2000 (https://aboutus.verizonwireless.com/technology/network/)

Even if Sprint is spending more (of which you have no proof), the big two still have better reliability, coverage, and data speeds. And this is just the beginning. PCS/AWS LTE should be up soon to improve their already class-leading speeds.

I somehow doubt a small-fish, like Sprint, is investing more into their mediocre network.

EDIT: total NV investment is $4-5 billion dollars. (http://s4gru.com/index.php?/topic/32-network-vision-explained/)

So you are lying and spreading lies. AT&T is spending almost 3x more money on their already solid nationwide network.

I think that within a year and a half Sprint will be one of the best carriers in the US.
!

We've been hearing this for years. They still have nothing to show for it. Even TMobile has leapfrogged Sprint's LTE deployment.

 

[sjperformance]

Finally left sprint after 12 years.....not sure what I was thinking staying with them so long. Att even bought my iPhone 5 for 300 (sprint version) that is selling for a lot less everywhere Elbe

at&t bought a sprint 5 for $300/2 sprint 4s for $200 each. Used that towards 2 new at&t 5S and 1 at&t 5c. Truly made it easy for us. Just to sale those phones would've taken a little bit of work and gotten much less.

 

[Firocity]

By the time Sprint "catches up" to the Big 2, they will have some new technology out. They are not going to rest on their laurels and let the other carriers catch them. Sprint has to make huge moves that put them ahead of the curve or try to compete with Cricket and other low cost carriers, by dropping their prices.

 

[CEmajr]

at&t bought a sprint 5 for $300/2 sprint 4s for $200 each. Used that towards 2 new at&t 5S and 1 at&t 5c. Truly made it easy for us. Just to sale those phones would've taken a little bit of work and gotten much less.

You got a really good deal on those. Most places wont pay that much for the Sprint models. Surprised that a carrier of all places did it.

 

[scotrinaf]

You got a really good deal on those. Most places wont pay that much for the Sprint models. Surprised that a carrier of all places did it.

AT&T possibly could reflash the software for use on a prepaid service, or they may just sell them at the way overpriced cowboom.com site that Best Buy utilizes... People pay crazy money on that site...

 

[sjperformance]

You got a really good deal on those. Most places wont pay that much for the Sprint models. Surprised that a carrier of all places did it.

It's well known. You can even go to the AT&T website and get a trade in value of how much you can expect to get. Exactly what I got offered online is what I got at the store. You get a gift cars to use towards new phone purchase and even pay your bill.

 

[Juanefny]

What's so special about gutting the network? They HAD to gut the network because they left it to crumble, whereas the competition spent the last few years upgrading backhaul and adding capacity.

AT&T: $14 billion to upgrade to LTE since 2012 http://www.att.com/gen/press-room?pid=23506&cdvn=news&newsarticleid=35661&mapcode=corporate|consumer
VZW: $80 billion+ since 2000 (https://aboutus.verizonwireless.com/technology/network/)

Even if Sprint is spending more (of which you have no proof), the big two still have better reliability, coverage, and data speeds. And this is just the beginning. PCS/AWS LTE should be up soon to improve their already class-leading speeds.

I somehow doubt a small-fish, like Sprint, is investing more into their mediocre network.

EDIT: total NV investment is $4-5 billion dollars. (http://s4gru.com/index.php?/topic/32-network-vision-explained/)

So you are lying and spreading lies. AT&T is spending almost 3x more money on their already solid nationwide network.



We've been hearing this for years. They still have nothing to show for it. Even TMobile has leapfrogged Sprint's LTE deployment.

OMG First of all, you have no idea who I am so don't even dare call me a liar.
Now that we've gotten that off the table... you are quoting how much they have spent over the last 2-10 years. Sprint is spending over $8 billion this year alone and will spend at least that much next year.

----------

I don't know if I can agree with that. I'm a Sprint customer too, but you have to recognize what Sprint is.

Oh yes, Son bought Sprint, Sprint bought Clear and now there is a big cash infusion. But NV was paid for before Son ever showed up and it's still about a year behind schedule. Where would Sprint be now if it had managed to whip the vendors in line and have everything delivered on time?

This is one of Sprint's failings. It plans perfectly, but it's execution is extremely poor. That never seems to be the fault of Sprint, but take a look at the executives. All of them have some reason or excuse for why things have been poorly executed - and it's not Sprint's fault.

That culture is permeated into Sprint. It's a culture of CYA and take no responsibility. I don't believe that Son either saw this or expected it when he bought Sprint. I do believe he's discovering right now just what he got for his billions.

To turn Sprint around Son is going to have to change this culture. That means tossing out Dan Hesse's bogus JD Powers Customer Service awards with the rest of the garbage. And that is going to take time, if it's even possible to begin with.

The reason that I believe that Sprint will be one of the best carriers going forward is because after the Clearwire acquisition and the decommissioning of Nextel's iDen technology, Sprint now has more than twice the spectrum of all other carriers combined, and has less than half the customers of the big two.

Once again, I don't question why people choose Vzn or att... so why are some people (not eyoung) so addamant about coming here and just trying to push their views on Sprint users. Sprint sucks for some people and works just fine for others.
Good thing we're not talking politics b/c I can just imagine how belligerent and pushy some of you must be. I can't stand this "I'm right, you're wrong" rhetoric.

 

[eyoungren]

The reason that I believe that Sprint will be one of the best carriers going forward is because after the Clearwire acquisition and the decommissioning of Nextel's iDen technology, Sprint now has more than twice the spectrum of all other carriers combined, and has less than half the customers of the big two.

Oh I agree that Sprint is positioned well. It's just the amount of time it's going to take that I think we see differently.

If Sprint were a blank slate then Masayoshi Son could turn this around quite quickly. But he's got thousands of Sprint employees all conditioned to protect themselves and their jobs. Those people will resist any change that threatens their jobs or requires that they actually DO their job. Fighting that resistance, changing the culture is really what Son is up against.

Let's just take frontline CSR for a moment. These people are poorly trained, poorly paid and the turnover rate is 6 months. Most of them are just trying to keep their heads down so they don't get it chopped off, collect a paycheck and go home. Customer service is the last thing on their mind. Yet these are the people that most Sprint customers (or potential customers) deal with every day. But nothing will change until these people's managers stop the insanity and start hiring people who actually care and paying them to care instead of collecting positive customer surveys that are base lies. But getting all those people up the line changed has to actually start at the top. This is going to take a while, particularly when the executive team is still the biggest offender!

My God, these people (the executive team) are still blaming permitting issues, birds, vendors and local regulations for their problems instead of just FIXING it!

So, I guess my point is that cash wise and technology wise Sprint is in a good spot. But the missing piece, the work culture at Sprint, is the drag anchor on the whole damn thing!

 

[2298754]

My God, these people (the executive team) are still blaming permitting issues, birds, vendors and local regulations for their problems instead of just FIXING it!

So, I guess my point is that cash wise and technology wise Sprint is in a good spot. But the missing piece, the work culture at Sprint, is the drag anchor on the whole damn thing!

If anything, the marketing team deserves to get fired ASAP. That would go a long way.

 

[Juanefny]

If anything, the marketing team deserves to get fired ASAP. That would go a long way.

As a matter of fact, I do think a lot of them got fired a couple of weeks ago
http://www.fiercewireless.com/story...eting-organizations-under-softbank/2013-10-07