Develop Bugs

[Q] Sprint to switch to LTE

I read an article on engadget that said it was a possibility that sprint would be switching to LTE because of Clears(Clearwires) financial problems. Anyone have anymore info on this ?? Will our EVOs work on LTE? IS there a special radio required for that or just software?

There is a thread on this in the general section. And I would say no, as it would be GSM and requires a simcard, and the Evo radio can't access it. But it won't happen immediately.

LTE is not even related to GSM.
I have been reading different theories. One is that our current 4g antenna can handle LTE with an update, but I am not sure I buy that one.

Well I never claimed to have all the answer. But as to your second point, I don't buy it either doubt the evo would be able to support it.

Verizon uses LTE on cdma (same as Sprint). As for LTE being compatible I've heard rumors an update to the radio is all that's needed.
I assume if its not they will keep us wimaxers on clear and in 2 years or so we will all be upgraded anyway (new phones)
Sent from my Evo. Powered by MikFroyo, netarchy, XDA, and the tears of iPhone owners

ok to clear this up since everyone seems to be misunderstanding everything with this.
The WiMax radio and the LTE radio are very different. As far as I am aware, LTE requires a sim card. WiMax does not. The Towers that sprint has put up for WiMax can apparently be converted to LTE towers by changing one piece of hardware and issuing a software upgrade.
Your Evo will not be able to access LTE. It does not have an LTE card in it, it has a WiMax chip.
in the real world, LTE is the faster network than WiMax is. The downside is they can control what you do or don't do. What websites you go to, etc.
in my experience I have seen LTE do 15-20 down and 2 up on a broadband card. Wimax I have never seen past 10 (due to sprint limiting this anyway) and it is usually around 4-5 on average.

nosympathy said:
ok to clear this up since everyone seems to be misunderstanding everything with this.
The WiMax radio and the LTE radio are very different. As far as I am aware, LTE requires a sim card. WiMax does not. The Towers that sprint has put up for WiMax can apparently be converted to LTE towers by changing one piece of hardware and issuing a software upgrade.
Your Evo will not be able to access LTE. It does not have an LTE card in it, it has a WiMax chip.
in the real world, LTE is the faster network than WiMax is. The downside is they can control what you do or don't do. What websites you go to, etc.
in my experience I have seen LTE do 15-20 down and 2 up on a broadband card. Wimax I have never seen past 10 (due to sprint limiting this anyway) and it is usually around 4-5 on average.
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ACTUALLY, wimax end of life is suposed to be able to hit 140 mb/s and LTE end of life is only looking at 100 MAX... so in the long term wimax is much faster, most people have said that it's mearly the way clear rolled it out that makes it so unreliable and slow.

Does the GSM model do 4G?

Does the GSM Nexus Prime do 4g speeds, or only 3g? I'm finding mixed information when I search for an answer.

The GSM model supports HSPA, HSDPA, and HSUPA, so yes, it supports things that fall under the 4G title.

Ok, I was under the impression the things you listed have been available for a while and were available as far back as the Nexus One. Am I mistaken here? The target network would be T-Mobile, if that helps.

My post may have been a bit confusing ^_^
HSPA+, both which the Galaxy Nexus GSM supports, are the "4G" technologies, with HSPA+ being closer to "real 4G". It ALSO supports HSDPA and HSUPA which is the 3G technology.

Ok, so it sounds like it'll go faster than my N1 then. For some reason I thought the N1 did HSPA+, but I think I was confused. Thanks.

harfdorf said:
Ok, so it sounds like it'll go faster than my N1 then. For some reason I thought the N1 did HSPA+, but I think I was confused. Thanks.
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N1 does not have HSPA+. It tops out at 3.6mbps on the downlink. By a similar token, the GSM SGN doesn't have 4G. I've used HSPA+ and I have an LTE device. I've seen LTE hit 60Mpbs, with a 30Mb upload, with lower latency throughout. That's not even the fastest speed the phone's baseband is capable of.
It murders the battery, though. While HSPA isn't 4G, I don't think the extra "g" is worth halving the battery life.

UMTS = 3G, HSDPA = 3.5G/2M, HSUPA = 3.75G/5.76M and HSPA+ = 4G Technology whiles speed upto 21M.

I get great 4G speeds in Scottsdale, AZ

HSPA+ is NOT 4G. It never will be. According to the official definition of 4G the closest we have right now is LTE which technically isn't 4G either. Carriers are using the term 4G so loosely. Look at Sprint and Wimax and Ma Bell and T-Mobile with HSPA+ carriers are using the term to denote something new and to the average consumer it doesn't make a difference .. but when you get technical there is a HUGE difference.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

LTE-Advanced, which is not even in use anywhere on this planet except maybe in research labs, is the first true fourth-generation wireless technology.
Everything else is 3G, no matter what the dumbass carriers say.

synaesthetic said:
LTE-Advanced, which is not even in use anywhere on this planet except maybe in research labs, is the first true fourth-generation wireless technology.
Everything else is 3G, no matter what the dumbass carriers say.
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LTE-Advanced will rule

harfdorf said:
Does the GSM Nexus Prime do 4g speeds, or only 3g? I'm finding mixed information when I search for an answer.
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yes. Up to 21mbit
Sent from my GSM Galaxy Nexus on TMoUS using Tapatalk

My own personal definition goes by putting up new hardware technology towers. So we had 2g gsm and edge, then put up new hardware on the towers for 3g umts with hspa added as a software upgrade to the base stations. Then new hardware again had to be put up for lte or wimax.
To me each new physical hardware jump is what should count as a new generation.

To those saying only LTE is the closest to 4G, thats not entirely true.
The ITU has modified their definition of what falls under 4G to include WiMax, HSPA+, etc.
http://www.itu.int/net/pressoffice/press_releases/2010/48.aspx
Following a detailed evaluation against stringent technical and operational criteria, ITU has determined that “LTE-Advanced” and “WirelessMAN-Advanced” should be accorded the official designation of IMT-Advanced. As the most advanced technologies currently defined for global wireless mobile broadband communications, IMT-Advanced is considered as “4G”, although it is recognized that this term, while undefined, may also be applied to the forerunners of these technologies, LTE and WiMax, and to other evolved 3G technologies providing a substantial level of improvement in performance and capabilities with respect to the initial third generation systems now deployed. The detailed specifications of the IMT-Advanced technologies will be provided in a new ITU-R Recommendation expected in early 2012.
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synaesthetic said:
LTE-Advanced, which is not even in use anywhere on this planet except maybe in research labs, is the first true fourth-generation wireless technology.
Everything else is 3G, no matter what the dumbass carriers say.
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the carriers aren't dumb, the consumer that believes the carrier is dumb. The carriers market lies because we accept it.... just sayin

[Q] Testing Phone for GSM Carrier

I have a question for you GSM junkies out there. I am looking at coming from my VZW Galaxy Nexus to a GSM one to save on my monthly bill. Now T-Mobile appears to have pretty solid signal in my area, but before making such a change I wanted to test it out. Theres a guy selling TMo HD2 on the cheap and i was thinking of buying it to test signal, call quality and the such to see how it works before making the change over.
Now my question is this: I know the new phones are HSPA+ whereas the HD2 is 1700/2100 (if i recall right) HSPA. Will I see the same kind of signal regardless of if it is HSPA or HSPA+ or do they run different bands/towers. I just want to get a good test device before making the change.. I know of course the brand of phone and everything is just as important.
Thanks a bunch in advance!

I believe different bands yes, not diferent towers. My field of expertise is not really mobile access.
sent from my i9250

You could also look at the Open Signal Map for a better look of your area.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app

HSPA+ is just a higher speed protocol running over the same frequencies, technology and air interface as lower grade HSPA.
To note, the HD2 probably does not have 1900 (PCS) HSPA. So if you are in an area where T-Mo has started refarming PCS for HSPA, the HD2 may under-represent the signal strength you could be getting. And it will definitely show you slower speeds than the GNex.
I think in general Samsung makes better radios than HTC, although not as good as Motorola, RIM and Nokia. So if the HD2 gives you satisfactory signal wherever you need to be, you will most certainly get *at least* that signal and speed with the GNex.

[Q] Difference between WiMax, 4G, and WiFi on Evo?

Simple question..
I'm a bit confused about WiMax and whether or not it is (strictly) a cellular communications technology embedded in the Evo 4G, such as 3G and 4G Mobile Data Speeds, and how this relates to the Evo's normal wifi connection.
Is there any crossover between WiMax and WiFi?
Or is WiMax simply a mobile data technology not related to the onboard wifi network card?
Thanks

I think the wimax is part of the 4g service...
Sent from my PC36100 using xda app-developers app

WiMax is a type of 4G, with LTE being another type (of 4G)
And yes, neither of those have anything to do with the wifi and there is no crossover involved
Sent from my PG06100

CNexus said:
WiMax is a type of 4G, with LTE being another type (of 4G)
And yes, neither of those have anything to do with the wifi and there is no crossover involved
Sent from my PG06100
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^This. Older Sprint phones like the EVO 4G, EVO 3D and Samsung Galaxy S2 E4GT (among others) use Wimax, which was Sprint's original offering for 4G service. Sprint has since gone to LTE (Long Term Evolution) for their 4G service, although Wimax still works in areas where it's already active. Phones on Sprint utilizing LTE include the EVO 4G LTE and Samsung Galaxy S3. Wifi has nothing to do with either Wimax or LTE, as previously stated. A Wimax-enabled phone cannot utilize LTE, and vice-versa, as they are two completely different 4G standards and operate on different frequencies.
The advice is free....the bandwidth, not so much

It really grinds my gears that there aren't new phones available supporting either Wimax or LTE or Wimax AND LTE. I am stuck in Ohio where the Wimax roll out was thorough, and now there is no info on if/when LTE will come here. Eventually people in ohio will all have upgraded to LTE phones due to attrition and we are paying for data plans that we can't take advantage of. I really want a new phone, maybe the new One that is coming out soon, but the drawback is no 4G in Ohio. Sprint really dropped the ball on this one. I'd take a phone that was a little thicker so they could fit both chipsets in there no questions asked.

thebbbrain said:
It really grinds my gears that there aren't new phones available supporting either Wimax or LTE or Wimax AND LTE. I am stuck in Ohio where the Wimax roll out was thorough, and now there is no info on if/when LTE will come here. Eventually people in ohio will all have upgraded to LTE phones due to attrition and we are paying for data plans that we can't take advantage of. I really want a new phone, maybe the new One that is coming out soon, but the drawback is no 4G in Ohio. Sprint really dropped the ball on this one. I'd take a phone that was a little thicker so they could fit both chipsets in there no questions asked.
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Thats very true. I think it proabably has to do with the extra work of getting the two to play nice while both being available in one phone, and the extra drivers and hardware required to have both
Definitely what you said though, I'd have no problem with a bit thicker phone that features both but since other competitors are moving towards slimmer and sleeker phones, while at the same time having monstrously powerful processors, it probably wouldnt be a smart move on Sprint part

I was trolling the new HTC One forum yesterday, and did notice that the One might be coming with an LTE radio supporting 800mhz and 1900mhz. This is promising as I believe the 800mhz is what sprint rus the Direct Connect system on. That system is avail in my area so maybe they will use it for LTE? #wantLTE
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2158662

thebbbrain said:
I was trolling the new HTC One forum yesterday, and did notice that the One might be coming with an LTE radio supporting 800mhz and 1900mhz. This is promising as I believe the 800mhz is what sprint rus the Direct Connect system on. That system is avail in my area so maybe they will use it for LTE? #wantLTE
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2158662
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I remember hearing or reading something sometime back from sprint that eventually they were going to convert the old Nextel iden network over to 4g lte because of the bandwidth it runs on. I also remember that person telling me that this new lte on this frequency would penatrate 2-3x better meaning better 4g lte signals indoors. It may have been a sprint tech who told me on one of the many phone calls I have made to them over the years.
Sent from my ever-changing OG Evo...

Everything you say is true, just replace the word "bandwidth" with "spectrum". iDen was using lower frequencies which penetrate better. You get slightly lower theoretical max speeds, but the connection is more reliable, and people generally agree that's what's important.
Sent from my PC36100 using xda app-developers app

My note II drops LTE while in a call

So whenever I'm in a call on my T-Mobile Note II, it drops LTE and drops to HSPA, is there any reason for this? I was under the assumption that the Note II can do SVLTE

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Normal
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janjannsen99 said:
Normal
Sent from my SGH-T889 using Tapatalk 2
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The T-Mobile note II doesn't have its own dedicated LTE antenna like basic sy every other phone besides the iPhone 5? Why did Samsung choose to make the Note II like this and why cant I find anything on the internet about it? Seems this should be as easy to find out as the I phone's flaw with LTE. But again, why did Samsung choose to make it this way? Especially when ALL of their other LTE phones support SVLTE?

Oh, and what's your source? I'd like to read up on this not-so-publicised flaw.

You do realize every other LTE device right now drops to either HSPA or CDMA while utilizing voice functions? I have had many, many LTE devices and can verify this.
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda premium

id10terrordfw said:
You do realize every other LTE device right now drops to either HSPA or CDMA while utilizing voice functions? I have had many, many LTE devices and can verify this.
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda premium
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My Verizon Galaxy Nexus, DROID RAZR M, HTC Rezound and, HTC Thunderbolt, all did SVLTE. The iPhone 5 is the only device where the internet made it well known that it is incapable of doing SVLTE because the vast majority of devices devices are capable of it. I mean, if most weren't, then no one would've made a big deal about the iPhone 5 not doing it. Cause that would be hypocritical.

Dr. Hax said:
My Verizon Galaxy Nexus, DROID RAZR M, HTC Rezound and, HTC Thunderbolt, all did SVLTE. The iPhone 5 is the only device where the internet made it well known that it is incapable of doing SVLTE because the vast majority of devices devices are capable of it. I mean, if most weren't, then no one would've made a big deal about the iPhone 5 not doing it. Cause that would be hypocritical.
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Seeing how Verizon does not have voice over LTE, and as far as I know, no one does since the only way to implement it is extremely costly right now, i highly doubt you had voice over LTE. Your Verizon phones used voice over cdma, and data over LTE, allowing both at the same time. This is why LTE sucks your battery dry on Verizon. It is running two radios at once. Since LTE is an evolution of gsm there is no need for two radios and so you see better battery life at a loss of LTE data while in call.
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_Dennis_ said:
Seeing how Verizon does not have voice over LTE, and as far as I know, no one does since the only way to implement it is extremely costly right now, i highly doubt you had voice over LTE. Your Verizon phones used voice over cdma, and data over LTE, allowing both at the same time. This is why LTE sucks your battery dry on Verizon. It is running two radios at once. Since LTE is an evolution of gsm there is no need for two radios and so you see better battery life at a loss of LTE data while in call.
Sent from my SGH-T889 using Tapatalk 2
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I said SVLTE, not VOLTE. SVLTE is Simultaneous Voice + LTE while VoLTE is Voice-over LTE.
And on GSM phones that have LTE, they run 2 radios as well. One for LTE or HSPA and one for GSM. As you said, no one is using VoLTE yet. And our GSM/LTE phones need to maintain a connection to GSM even when connected to LTE so that we can still make calls and send/recieve texts.

Theres your proof bud. Just because it isnt what you want to hear doesnt mean its not the reality of the situation.
Sent from my SGH-T889 using Tapatalk 2

Dr. Hax said:
I said SVLTE, not VOLTE. SVLTE is Simultaneous Voice + LTE while VoLTE is Voice-over LTE.
And on GSM phones that have LTE, they run 2 radios as well. One for LTE or HSPA and one for GSM. As you said, no one is using VoLTE yet. And our GSM/LTE phones need to maintain a connection to GSM even when connected to LTE so that we can still make calls and send/recieve texts.
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Okay to be honest I'm not 100% sure about the number of radios, fairly certain (~75%) only one radio is needed (the 7105 based note 2s have 2 radios, the dormant SoC radio and the GSM/HSPA/LTE radio). I do know you don't drop to GSM for calls, you drop to UMTS otherwise known as WCDMA and can hand off to GSM if needed.
There are plenty of areas with no GSM coverage but have UMTS/HSPA coverage. All these radios are evolutions of GSM and can have VoWHATEVER just no one has done VoLTE or VoHSPA, except T-Mobile has rolled out VoHSPA since the beginning of this year).
This is why your battery will take a hit on HSPA or LTE but not nearly as much as on a CDMA phone.
You are right in that most applications (barring tmobile now) use circuit switched GSM/UMTS for voice, not packet switched UMTS/HSPA/LTE.
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_Dennis_ said:
Okay to be honest I'm not 100% sure about the number of radios, fairly certain (~75%) only one radio is needed (the 7105 based note 2s have 2 radios, the dormant SoC radio and the GSM/HSPA/LTE radio). I do know you don't drop to GSM for calls, you drop to UMTS otherwise known as WCDMA and can hand off to GSM if needed.
There are plenty of areas with no GSM coverage but have UMTS/HSPA coverage. All these radios are evolutions of GSM and can have VoWHATEVER just no one has done VoLTE or VoHSPA, except T-Mobile has rolled out VoHSPA since the beginning of this year).
This is why your battery will take a hit on HSPA or LTE but not nearly as much as on a CDMA phone.
You are right in that most applications (barring tmobile now) use circuit switched GSM/UMTS for voice, not packet switched UMTS/HSPA/LTE.
Sent from my SGH-T889 using Tapatalk 2
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Oh I can tell my battery takes a hit on LTE! Much more than when I was on Verizon! I just attributed it to the weak signal though.
But you're saying most LTE/GSM phones fall back to HSPA if they were on LTE? I didn't know that. Please excuse my ignorance