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Maverick1337

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Nov 4, 2008
1,303
2
Apparently today AT&T "turned on" 4G LTE in my area, Bakersfield, CA and I go to test their service and low and behold still crap, ~0.8Mbps. So, will only the new iPhone 5 benefit from the upgrade, assuming it is LTE capable?
 
Apparently today AT&T "turned on" 4G LTE in my area, Bakersfield, CA and I go to test their service and low and behold still crap, ~0.8Mbps. So, will only the new iPhone 5 benefit from the upgrade, assuming it is LTE capable?

iPhone 4S only benefits from HSPA+ The iPhone 5 will be the only iPhone to take advantage of LTE.
 
Yes, but only indirectly. LTE usually has a faster connection to a tower. The tower then provides EDGE, 3GPP, HSPA+, and LTE using that one connection. Some towers have multiple connections as well. But when LTE's faster backhaul is put to the tower, non-LTE networks usually get faster speeds. LTE will also help reduce congestion on the HSPA+ bands resulting in a slightly better connection.
 
What I don't get is it says my iPhone will now be able to download at speeds 3 times faster. Faster than what? I've always been at crap ~0.5Mbps and now with 4G LTE, I don't get any of that. Why am I not seeing speeds of ~14.4 Mbps HSPA+ now that we have 4G LTE? Im guessing those LTE towers don't provide HSPA+?
 
Apparently today AT&T "turned on" 4G LTE in my area, Bakersfield, CA and I go to test their service and low and behold still crap, ~0.8Mbps. So, will only the new iPhone 5 benefit from the upgrade, assuming it is LTE capable?

I haven't seen speeds on ATT's network that slow in years. Even with one bar in some areas I am seeing better speeds. Seems that your coverage in your area is horrible. Or something wrong with your phone. :confused:
 
You could be throttled by AT&T, your tower could be experiencing technical difficulties, or your area is over crowded as of right not in relation to the cell towers.
 
I haven't seen speeds on ATT's network that slow in years. Even with one bar in some areas I am seeing better speeds. Seems that your coverage in your area is horrible. Or something wrong with your phone. :confused:

Oh I could have five full bars and not have any data connection. It's really ridiculous. I don't know how AT&T gets away with it but I've never seen speeds above 2 in my life with my iPhone in Bakersfield and I think it's hilarious they upgrade our tower to provide faster service and there is never a difference.
 
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What I don't get is it says my iPhone will now be able to download at speeds 3 times faster. Faster than what? I've always been at crap ~0.5Mbps and now with 4G LTE, I don't get any of that. Why am I not seeing speeds of ~14.4 Mbps HSPA+ now that we have 4G LTE? Im guessing those LTE towers don't provide HSPA+?

Why would putting up LTE towers (directly) enhance your HSPA+ speeds?
 
Why would putting up LTE towers (directly) enhance your HSPA+ speeds?

I guess I don't understand how towers work but I thought if a tower was upgraded to 4G LTE speeds it could provide HSPA+ along with everything else.
 
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