Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Sprint is awful when it comes to data speeds.

Sad but true. Had them for 3 years and just switched to T-Mobile. Data is 5x faster and call quality is hugely improved. Check them out in your area or try their test drive program for a free week. They'll pay your early termination fee...
 
Okay… that was not the point of my post. Verizon's LTE has always been GSM. I don't see how the CDMA side limits the LTE/GSM side at all.

Here's why Verizon kind of blows. If you want to switch devices, you have to go through them (and subsequently pay a fee). With GSM carriers, you swap a tiny plastic card and you're good to go. That's a limitation.

Not all areas have 4G/LTE. And that's where their uber slow 3G network comes into play. Although this changed literally in the last day, Verizon (and Sprint) still could not use voice and data at the same time. That's a limitation. I know that has changed but there are millions of devices that still can't do this yet. But simultaneous voice and data is part of the 3G GSM spec, therefore all devices that are 3G capable are capable of this.
 
Verizon Wireless and my LTE speed rocks....

969999342.png
 
Here's why Verizon kind of blows. If you want to switch devices, you have to go through them (and subsequently pay a fee). With GSM carriers, you swap a tiny plastic card and you're good to go. That's a limitation.

I'm not saying CDMA doesn't have its limitations, in fact I would like no have to call Verizon to get the numbers swapped around. However you originally said:

Verizon has had LTE the longest... but CDMA is what limits them. It's an inferior technology compared to GSM.

LTE does not use CDMA. It uses GSM like all the other GSM carriers. Saying Verizon LTE network is inferior is like saying AT&Ts and T-Mobiles are too. They all use GSM LTE networks. In fact, the Verizon iPhone (starting with the 5s and 5c) are the same phones as the GSM models down to the model number. The only difference? Their CDMA radio is registered and enabled for Verizon.

There is no fee to swap devices around. Just like on AT&T there is an upgrade fee for signing a contract (which is $5 less on VZW FYI) and an activation fee when you first start a new line. I know this because I had to swap 2, yes two, phones from line to line this week, both were activate on another line at that time and no fees were incurred.

Not all areas have 4G/LTE. And that's where their uber slow 3G network comes into play. Although this changed literally in the last day, Verizon (and Sprint) still could not use voice and data at the same time. That's a limitation. I know that has changed but there are millions of devices that still can't do this yet. But simultaneous voice and data is part of the 3G GSM spec, therefore all devices that are 3G capable are capable of this.

Ok and this has to do with there LTE network how? The only time I mentioned VoLTE was when I stated that the voice calls use the 1xRTT network instead in VoLTE. Also, yes I know the GSM 3G spec could do voice and data at the same time and we are just now getting this on Verizon.
 
Last edited:
I'm not saying CDMA doesn't have its limitations, in fact I would like no have to call Verizon to get the numbers swapped around. However you originally said:



LTE does not use CDMA. It uses GSM like all the other GSM carriers. Saying Verizon LTE network is inferior is like saying AT&Ts and T-Mobiles are too. They all use GSM LTE networks. In fact, the Verizon iPhone (starting with the 5s and 5c) are the same phones as the GSM models down to the model number. The only difference? Their CDMA radio is registered and enabled for Verizon.

There is no fee to swap devices around. Just like on AT&T there is an upgrade fee for signing a contract (which is $5 less on VZW FYI) and an activation fee when you first start a new line. I know this because I had to swap 2, yes two, phones from line to line this week, both were activate on another line at that time and no fees were incurred.



Ok and this has to do with there LTE network how? The only time I mentioned VoLTE was when I stated that the voice calls use the 1xRTT network instead in VoLTE. Also, yes I know the GSM 3G spec could do voice and data at the same time and we are just now getting this on Verizon.

When I evaluate carriers, it doesn't start and end with LTE. So no one is disagreeing with LTE not being GSM... this is a piece of general knowledge. I was unclear in my OP and was trying to clarify in subsequent posts. Take it how you will.
 
5 bars today and I only got 2 down and 5 up in the metro Detroit area.

Sucks!
 
5 bars today and I only got 2 down and 5 up in the metro Detroit area.

Sucks!
LOL, OP! I was where you are two years ago. At least you started with LTE. In September 2012 I had a whole year to wait on 3G at around 0.5kbps!

I'd trade speeds with you. Here's about a month ago. Glendale, AZ. Phoenix market by the way is 59% LTE accepted. Speed hasn't changed at all in the past month.
 

Attachments

  • speedtest.PNG
    speedtest.PNG
    683.3 KB · Views: 95
I hope they upgrade towers in your areas soon. I don't have blazing speeds at home but before I got my 6+ I was lucky to get 1x so the improved antenna and frequency compatibility has really helped me out.

Here was last night at home (before yesterday I only got signal at home through my Airave):

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1411773182.363694.jpg

Not 10 miles north of me is the lower border of the closest Sprint Spark area so when I get a chance I'll have to go test that, but I will say I'm pretty happy with having signal at home even if it isn't earth shattering. Out and about during my normal routine I now have decent LTE most of the time if not all of the time.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.