Should Sprint ditch unlimited to ease network congestion?

[eyoungren]

VoLTE will be the equalizer across the carriers for voice quality very soon because they will all be using the same tech/codecs, etc.

True!

Yeah, I don't get the hate for CDMA. People might complain about horrible EVDO speeds on VZW, but what's the point anymore? VZW's LTE network is so large that slow EVDO speeds are a non-issue these days.

Yeah, this one always gets me. Makes your head spin too if the person commenting on it is an actual Verizon user.

 

[Vetvito]

Lastly, lets not forget that Verizon, the leader, is also a CDMA carrier. Apparently, Verizon thinks something's still good about CDMA.

Isn't Verizon working towards ditching CDMA?

 

[eyoungren]

Isn't Verizon working towards ditching CDMA?

I think so. And something I read says that all new phones will be LTE only by mid-2014. But I don't think we can expect 3G to be shut off entirely any time soon.

 

[2298754]

Isn't Verizon working towards ditching CDMA?

Not until 2021. Their 1x and EVDO networks are quite robust and deeply deployed. It's going to be a while before VZW can get their LTE footprint as large as their 1x/EVDO network. Once they do that (+ deploy VoLTE), then they will start to sell LTE-only phones.

http://www.fiercewireless.com/story/verizon-wireless-sunset-2g-and-3g-cdma-networks-2021/2012-10-10

 

[wordoflife]

I don't think the unlimited data is causing (most of) their problems.

 

[SONiC5]

So where's all that LTE-A you were talking about?

Where's all the LTE-A you were talking about? Where's LTE-A anywhere for that matter? Nothing's changed, Sprint and T-Mobile will have an easier time transitioning to LTE-A, a technology that shouldn't even be a concern to users, it doesn't really mean much.

AT&T and VZW are already near 100% LTE in all metro markets. LTE has been up here in Boston for over 2 years by them. VZW is already deploying 2x20 AWS here. AT&T is refarming LTE onto PCS (on top of Band 17.)

Who cares? As long as it works for you. Sprint's unlimited LTE (where available), works just fine for me.

As of right now, Sprint's LTE here in Boston is only 69% complete. No round 1 markets are 100% done.

Sprint's "Boston" market = Massachusetts, for the fiftieth time. The entire state of Massachusetts is "only" 69% complete.

 

[Apple Trees]

I don't think the unlimited data is causing (most of) their problems.

It's not. I'm certain that providing unlimited dial-up (errm, 3G) isn't hurting their network too badly.

 

[2298754]

Where's all the LTE-A you were talking about? Where's LTE-A anywhere for that matter? Nothing's changed, Sprint and T-Mobile will have an easier time transitioning to LTE-A, a technology that shouldn't even be a concern to users, it doesn't really mean much.

Why is that exactly? Especially with all the carriers using near-identical equipment.

 

[ET iPhone Home]

You know, I have been thinking what is the point of having an iPhone or any device on Sprint with unlimited data when its dial up speeds?

I was thinking, if Sprint stopped offering unlimited data, maybe this would help with data congestion? I know this is one of sprints selling points, but... I'd rather have fast 3G/4G Speeds than unlimited 3G running at 100 K down.


Wanted to see what you guys thought?

I have Sprint. I have unlimited data and never use it, because it's obnoxiously slow. The talk and text is what I use the most because of work - hardly any drop calls. I'm converting my unlimited plan to talk and text only (w/o data) to drop my monthly cost down by half and will only rely on wifi for my data needs.

 

[Apple Trees]

I have Sprint. I have unlimited data and never use it, because it's obnoxiously slow. The talk and text is what I use the most because of work - hardly any drop calls. I'm converting my unlimited plan to talk and text only (w/o data) to drop my monthly cost down by half and will only rely on wifi for my dad needs.

So why haven't you switched yet?

 

[ET iPhone Home]

So why haven't you switched yet?

I'm waiting next week to make the change. This proration thing confuses me and could never understand why my bill is always more that it should when I make a change between cycles. I'm making the change effective the day my cycle begins - the 19th.