Develop Bugs

[INFO][Speedtest]AT&T Straight Talk vs T-Mobile Straight Talk

I made this thread to share my speed test results so people in my area can have a better idea on which Straight Talk sim card to order if they choose to go with ST. My results are that T-Mobile ST has really fast speeds but has more dead spots and vice versa with AT&T ST. Both speedtest were tested on my Galaxy Nexus and at the same spot. I used the T-Mobile sim for 2 weeks and the speeds were very consistent, before giving it to my brother. I been on AT&T ST sim for about 4 days now, and I have yet to go above 3mbps. YouTube videos constantly buffers when viewed in HD.
Well, here are the results in Southern California (Riverside county to be exact).
Left = T-Mobile Right = AT&T
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I really wanted to go with T-Mobile since it's $15 cheaper, but it was not to be. In both where I live and work, where my phone is going to be ~85% of the time, I got speeds with Straight Talk comparable to what you show in the picture above. With T-mobile, after a half hour of trying, both indoors and out, I was never even able to get a successful ping let alone a completed test. I live and work in Yorba Linda. I did a little better at my friend's house in Fullerton. she lives on a second floor apartment <100m from a cell tower with unobstructed line of sight. There, I was able to get a ping, but speeds were still <1Mbps for T-mobile.
But, that's what's so great about prepay. I'm not stuck with unusable reception for two years. I might try it again next year, and maybe it will have improved.

Thanks for posting your results. Now I hope T-Mobile in San Fernando Valley gets those sick speeds.

Archpope said:
I really wanted to go with T-Mobile since it's $15 cheaper, but it was not to be. In both where I live and work, where my phone is going to be ~85% of the time, I got speeds with Straight Talk comparable to what you show in the picture above. With T-mobile, after a half hour of trying, both indoors and out, I was never even able to get a successful ping let alone a completed test. I live and work in Yorba Linda. I did a little better at my friend's house in Fullerton. she lives on a second floor apartment <100m from a cell tower with unobstructed line of sight. There, I was able to get a ping, but speeds were still <1Mbps for T-mobile.
But, that's what's so great about prepay. I'm not stuck with unusable reception for two years. I might try it again next year, and maybe it will have improved.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe T-Mobile has bad service in your area. This is the point of this thread. It's to help people decide which service to go with in their area.
I noticed that with T-Mobile, I drop to Edge in some places. But with AT&T, I'm constantly on H 99% of the time. But what's the point of getting HSPA connection when speeds are slow.

darkfire2024 said:
Thanks for posting your results. Now I hope T-Mobile in San Fernando Valley gets those sick speeds.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Share your results when you do get it. And remember to leave the proxy line blank in your APN settings.

tmobile, queens ny..

I was in Jersey just over last weekend and speeds were fantastic at around 8mbps. Even in New York! Now I'm back in Kansas City, Missouri and speeds just suck. I mean average is always 2 or 3mbps throughout the city. It's ridiculous but ah well. Thankfully I'm almost never on YouTube to care. But 8 would be great!!
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA

T-mobile price difference?
Archpope said:
I really wanted to go with T-Mobile since it's $15 cheaper, but it was not to be. In both where I live and work, where my phone is going to be ~85% of the time, I got speeds with Straight Talk comparable to what you show in the picture above. With T-mobile, after a half hour of trying, both indoors and out, I was never even able to get a successful ping let alone a completed test. I live and work in Yorba Linda. I did a little better at my friend's house in Fullerton. she lives on a second floor apartment <100m from a cell tower with unobstructed line of sight. There, I was able to get a ping, but speeds were still <1Mbps for T-mobile.
But, that's what's so great about prepay. I'm not stuck with unusable reception for two years. I might try it again next year, and maybe it will have improved.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What did you mean when you said T-Mobile was $15 cheaper? It is my understanding that Sim card plan costs $45 on Straight Talk does not matter what provider you choose. Please clarify. Thank you.

nzq579 said:
What did you mean when you said T-Mobile was $15 cheaper? It is my understanding that Sim card plan costs $45 on Straight Talk does not matter what provider you choose. Please clarify. Thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think he was referring to the T-Mobile $30 plan.

DOHCtor said:
I think he was referring to the T-Mobile $30 plan.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes I was. I'm not sure why someone would choose $45 ST T-mobile over $30 direct T-mobile especially when, based on what I've heard about ST capping and throttling, you likely get more data from the cheaper plan.
And yes, I do wish I could partake of those faster T-mobile speeds, but for most of what I do, the 3Mbps I get from AT&T ST is adequate.

Archpope said:
Yes I was. I'm not sure why someone would choose $45 ST T-mobile over $30 direct T-mobile especially when, based on what I've heard about ST capping and throttling, you likely get more data from the cheaper plan.
And yes, I do wish I could partake of those faster T-mobile speeds, but for most of what I do, the 3Mbps I get from AT&T ST is adequate.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe that as long as you leave the proxy blank, they don't cap or throttle you. After using the ST T-Mobile for 2 weeks, I have consumed over 3.5GB of data before giving it to my brother. And he still has unthrottled internet which he uses to stream pandora and watch YouTube vids while he's at school. I'm pretty sure that sim card has gone over 5GB by now all without being one month yet.
However, if I do ever get throttled or capped, I'll be sure to let you guys know. I already hit 1.5GB on this AT&T ST sim. I couldn't stand the 100 minutes allowance on the $30 plan because I use my phone for business and the voip like talkatone and groove ip just wasn't cutting it for me. To each their own.

DOHCtor said:
I made this thread to share my speed test results so people in my area can have a better idea on which Straight Talk sim card to order if they choose to go with ST. My results are that T-Mobile ST has really fast speeds but has more dead spots and vice versa with AT&T ST. Both speedtest were tested on my Galaxy Nexus and at the same spot. I used the T-Mobile sim for 2 weeks and the speeds were very consistent, before giving it to my brother. I been on AT&T ST sim for about 4 days now, and I have yet to go above 3mbps. YouTube videos constantly buffers when viewed in HD.
Well, here are the results in Southern California (Riverside county to be exact).
Left = T-Mobile Right = AT&T
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What part of Riverside county I live in indio
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA

castro08 said:
What part of Riverside county I live in indio
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Corona area

My Straight Talk/AT&T experiences
For what it's worth, I thought I'd share my experiences with data speeds on Straight Talk with an AT&T Sim card. All the speed tests I list below were from my house in Los Angeles, where I get a strong signal.
When I was on AT&T postpaid, I consistently got data speeds of 5-7 Mbps down, 1 Mbps up, sometimes almost 10 Mbps down. Mostly, that was on my old Samsung Infuse, but when I first got my G Nex, I tried a few speed tests and they were in that same ballpark.
Now, with Straight Talk, in the same locations, I almost always get data speeds of 2.5-3 Mbps down, 1 Mbps up. Occasionally, I get a speed test in the 5-7 Mbps range, but that usually happens only right after I flash a new ROM. Soon, it settles back to around 3 Mbps. Ping times are close to 200 ms, when they used to be around 100 ms when I had postpaid.
I haven't noticed a meaningful difference in real-world use of the phone. Maybe maps load a little slower, but even then it's hard to know for sure. Voice service seems exactly the same as before, with the same weak spots and dead zones. I just drove to Northern California and if the phone ever lost service, I didn't notice.

dan in la said:
For what it's worth, I thought I'd share my experiences with data speeds on Straight Talk with an AT&T Sim card. All the speed tests I list below were from my house in Los Angeles, where I get a strong signal.
When I was on AT&T postpaid, I consistently got data speeds of 5-7 Mbps down, 1 Mbps up, sometimes almost 10 Mbps down. Mostly, that was on my old Samsung Infuse, but when I first got my G Nex, I tried a few speed tests and they were in that same ballpark.
Now, with Straight Talk, in the same locations, I almost always get data speeds of 2.5-3 Mbps down, 1 Mbps up. Occasionally, I get a speed test in the 5-7 Mbps range, but that usually happens only right after I flash a new ROM. Soon, it settles back to around 3 Mbps. Ping times are close to 200 ms, when they used to be around 100 ms when I had postpaid.
I haven't noticed a meaningful difference in real-world use of the phone. Maybe maps load a little slower, but even then it's hard to know for sure. Voice service seems exactly the same as before, with the same weak spots and dead zones. I just drove to Northern California and if the phone ever lost service, I didn't notice.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think AT&T ST caps the download at 3mbps while T-Mobile ST leaves it uncapped.

DOHCtor said:
I think AT&T ST caps the download at 3mbps while T-Mobile ST leaves it uncapped.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not so certain about 3mbit, but I definitely think there is some QOS being applied to keep the mvno traffic behind the ATT traffic.
I'm in Anchorage Alaska, which is both remote and a small market (only 700k people in the STATE). Tmobile is not up here so I cannot test on that network.
I have tested my Gnex with three different sims:
1. GCI (local company)
2. ATT (sim from an AirCard, so data only)
3. straight talk ATT
I saw the best speeds with the GCI sim, peak test was about 7mbps but coverage left much to be desired.
My laptops internal HSPA+ card frequently gets 6-7mbps on ATT, however for some reason that same sim in the same location never seems to go above 4.5 in my Gnex. This might be due to the fact that the aircard is a 2x2 configuration.
I have on a few occasions tested at just over 4mbps with my straight talk sim in my Gnex, average is about 2.5. Popping the ATT sim in and re-testing the scores are the same but with ATT having a little bit lower latency.

I get between 3-7mbps down on ST Att between Western and Central NY. I haven't tried Tmobile yet as it lists my Tmo coverage area as Edge.

I did quite a lot of experimenting with ST (both operators), T-mobile and AT&T prepaid cards in San Jose, CA and around. Results are pretty consistent with what OP said.
AT&T prepaid and ST (AT&T)
- I didn't notice any difference between the two, the speeds are pretty similar and I hardly ever see anything over 2mbps downloads. Also ping often sucks.
- very good coverage in general, even in remote areas and surprisingly you can get at least voice even in Yosemite Valley
T-mobile ($30 plan) and ST (T-mobile)
- again, these two seem to be on par, with speed being usually around 6-7mbps downstream and over 2mbps upstream
- coverage often sucks if you go outside metropolitan areas and is worse even in them. And once you drop to the edge, AT&T is much faster. Don't even think about turning your phone on in Yosemite - it's good at most as hammer for tent poles.
AT&T vs. T-mobile Straight Talk
- on AT&T I believe redirects work (don't have SIM on me now) I had calls redirected to google voice mail. No such luck with T-mobile, it behaves as T-mobile prepaid, so redirect codes will just give you network error.
- there was some talk about ST roaming on other network. I am pretty sure T-mobile ST SIM will NOT roam on AT&T network. See above Yosemite test. I kind of hoped it would, because that way I could get best of the both worlds. Good speeds in metros and voice coverage only in rural areas. Doesn't work. As it is now, I will probably go back to AT&T based SIM because for me coverage is still more important then speed. I don't know if AT&T SIM will roam on T-mobile. I don't have any good spot to test it at.

Archpope said:
I'm not sure why someone would choose $45 ST T-mobile over $30 direct T-mobile especially when, based on what I've heard about ST capping and throttling, you likely get more data from the cheaper plan.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The T-Mobile plan is limited to 100 minutes where the ST plan is unlimited minutes—and some people don’t care for the voice workarounds for the 100-minute plan.

have you tried different apn settings? I do not know any off hand as IM tmobile's 30 dollar plan

Sprint 3g speeds

Is anyone having trouble on 3g. Seems much worse than my Evo. Having trouble connecting to Xda, Facebook etc. During in my car in the same place I eat lunch everyday and I barely have 1 to 2 bars.
I am just an old fashioned country doctor Jim.

Please put sprint tittle on the topic
Anyways try to update prl and profile, if that don't work call sprint to help, they probably will reset your data settings, and it might help, what speeds are you getting on it?
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2

I can say that the 3G 100% better on the S3 than my OG Epic. It is also now 10x faster and 33% lower latency since Sprint either upgraded or fixed the tower(s) covering downtown Denver, CO.
Which is really good since I don't expect to see LTE for another 18-24 months!

Well try that thanks.Will upload some speeds when I get a chance later.
I am just an old fashioned country doctor Jim.

3g has degraded for me. At work I use to get about 1.5mpbs. Now I'm lucky to get .7mbps. I avg about .4mbps. This may have something to do with iphones sharing the same 3g. I really miss wimax as I used to get it almost everywhere I go. I live in the bay area.

Great improvement in my speeds here in NY
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda app-developers app

Iphony89 said:
Great improvement in my speeds here in NY
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Funnily enough, slower for me here in Long Island. I'm lucky to pull over 512k down and up here in my office. I was often getting higher then 1mbit but it's sprint so there was always fluctuation.
I never really had any complaints with Sprint speeds on 3G but after playing with this phone on my office wifi for most of today - I wish LTE was around already, this hardware really deserves better speeds.

it depends on what tower I'm connected to. at home (South Philadelphia, pa), it's nice and zippy. at work (Port Richmond, Philadelphia, pa) it's awful, but that seems to be the trend near my job. Verizon was almost as bad, everyone on t-mo and metro have issues, and at&t is terrible, as well. i don't know what the problem is, Sprint even has a dedicated tower only a block from my job.

aznmode said:
3g has degraded for me. At work I use to get about 1.5mpbs. Now I'm lucky to get .7mbps. I avg about .4mbps. This may have something to do with iphones sharing the same 3g. I really miss wimax as I used to get it almost everywhere I go. I live in the bay area.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would love to even get .4 lol

punzada said:
Funnily enough, slower for me here in Long Island. I'm lucky to pull over 512k down and up here in my office. I was often getting higher then 1mbit but it's sprint so there was always fluctuation.
I never really had any complaints with Sprint speeds on 3G but after playing with this phone on my office wifi for most of today - I wish LTE was around already, this hardware really deserves better speeds.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea coming from T-mobile to Sprint, i'm dying for them to roll out the LTE, don't know what I would do without wifi
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda app-developers app

I'm actually getting better speeds on my s3 than any other sprint phone EVER. I consistently get over 1mbps where on my iPhone and gs2(on 3g) I would never even get over 600kbps. It makes not having wimax or lte that bad

I am assuming it has to be Sprint because my wife just bought Evo 4G LTE and having the same problem .
I am just an old fashioned country doctor Jim.

As a reader of several forums, it is apparent to me that there is a pattern of such anomalies being reported by some end users of Sprint's LTE-capable phones in some areas. Remember that these new devices right now are connecting to the legacy EVDO and 3G network, which is in the process of being replaced completely on a localized basis in Sprint's Network Vision rollout.
Because these anecdotal reports are sporadic, and seem to affect more than one LTE device design, while most users report no such problems, I suspect that something is going on with the interaction of these devices with the under-construction network locally. Hopefully this is temporary. The phones are supposed to work fine with the legacy network, and with the under-construction changeover, but I suspect there are some issues.
Sprint has not owned up to any such problems. So we just don't know for sure. Personally, if I were one of those affected, I would not accept a two-year contract beyond the 14-day trial without concrete commitments from Sprint to fix this.

3G speeds are faster than ever in my area. (Jax, FL)
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Ascertion said:
3G speeds are faster than ever in my area. (Jax, FL)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's actually really good if my speed were like that when I was with sprint I would stay with them but I was getting below. 6mbps and the sucks for youtube
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2

Poor sprint 3g speeds
Ascertion said:
3G speeds are faster than ever in my area. (Jax, FL)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wish I could get 3g speeds like that from Sprint, and that is why I am switching to Verizon.
Below are the screenshots of 3g speedtest.
Sprint on the left, Verizon on the right.

It is highly variable on location.I was driving home in traffic through Staten Island and the speeds varied from 2 mb down to .4 mb down and 1 mb up to a low of .2 up. Tried it at four locations. The worst is by far my home in Jersey, .4 down, .2 up. Thank God for Wi-Fi.
I am just an old fashioned country doctor Jim.

I got an EVO 4G LTE and returned it after 4 days. My wife got one at the same time. The MAX download speed I ever got was like 300k. Averaged about 50k.
My S3 on ATT LTE gets 20mbps.

boomerbubba said:
As a reader of several forums, it is apparent to me that there is a pattern of such anomalies being reported by some end users of Sprint's LTE-capable phones in some areas. Remember that these new devices right now are connecting to the legacy EVDO and 3G network, which is in the process of being replaced completely on a localized basis in Sprint's Network Vision rollout.
Because these anecdotal reports are sporadic, and seem to affect more than one LTE device design, while most users report no such problems, I suspect that something is going on with the interaction of these devices with the under-construction network locally. Hopefully this is temporary. The phones are supposed to work fine with the legacy network, and with the under-construction changeover, but I suspect there are some issues.
Sprint has not owned up to any such problems. So we just don't know for sure. Personally, if I were one of those affected, I would not accept a two-year contract beyond the 14-day trial without concrete commitments from Sprint to fix this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Network vision upgrades are helping to disrupt service. Its all over the net, and in Sprint forums. I was able to attain 1.92 down and 1.1mb up on 3g in certain areas of the Bronx, NY, and Jamaica Queens in the last 30 days!
---------- Post added at 03:13 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:09 PM ----------
redstar427 said:
I wish I could get 3g speeds like that from Sprint, and that is why I am switching to Verizon.
Below are the screenshots of 3g speedtest.
Sprint on the left, Verizon on the right.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I beat that speed on 3g with my Sprint GS III in the Bronx, and my Photon in Jamaica queens NYC. To all of the people that switched to Verizon at a time when Network Vision is rearing it's head is a shame. Their lack of investigating the issues will cause them to pay more for the next 2 years while people like me will save lots and have unlimited data.

drbill1967 said:
Is anyone having trouble on 3g. Seems much worse than my Evo. Having trouble connecting to Xda, Facebook etc. During in my car in the same place I eat lunch everyday and I barely have 1 to 2 bars.
I am just an old fashioned country doctor Jim.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep,that's why i just switched to Verizon!!! Tired of sprints Bullsh*t. Now i will have one of the best phones on one of the best 4G networks, and its only $30.00 more per month about $1.15 cent extra per day, Easy decision for me!!! Unlimited talk, text, 4GB of data, and free Mobile Hot spot, $110.00 with insurance for $6.99 with $99.00 deductible $116.00... Sprint insurance is crazy high... Verizon just changed their plans again, Now all plans are called (shared plans) even if you have just one line like me.
Shared Plan(s) Monthly Account Access
Share Everything Unlimited Talk, Text & 4GB $70.00
Item Description Quantity Your Price
Samsung Galaxy S III 32GB in Blue 1 $249.99
Your Plan
Share Everything Unlimited Talk, Text & 4GB
Monthly Line Access $40.00
Plan Features
CALLER ID
BUSY TRANSFER
3-WAY CALLING
CALL DELIVERY
CALL WAITING
NO ANSWER TRANSFER
CALL FORWARDING
RTR/UC TRIGGER ALP $0
EMAIL TRIGGER ALP $0
DATA PROVISION ALP
TXT MSG W PER MSG CHARGES
MOBILE HOT SPOT TRIGGER $0
BASIC VOICE MAIL - $0
TEXT MESSAGING
DYNAMIC-PRIVATE IP
TEC ASURION $6.99
MOBILE HOTSPOT 4G PROVISIONING
RTR FOR ALP
4G APPLICATION ACCESS
4G INTERNET ACCESS
VERIZON APPS $0
EMAIL ACCESS PDA $0
SDM REMOTE QUERY ENABLED
4G PROVISIONING $0
STREAMLINED BILLING - $0
USA ONLY NO ROAM - $0
PICTURE MESSAGE PROVISIONING
OTA SOFTWAREUPDATE-$0.00
ELECTAGREE 2YR AGREEMENT-$0
Additional Items
HOL: SAM I535 SHELL 1 $29.99
DFILLSIM3FF-A $0.00
Shipping Fee $0.00
Order Subtotal Today $ 279.98
Sales Tax* $ 19.60
Shipping $ 0.00
Order Total Today $ 299.58
Total Monthly Charges** $ 116.99

Verizon owner looking to switch to T-mobile

Okay, I'm having a dilemma. I don't know whether to switch to T-mobile and have access to all the good unlocked phones with tons of development or stay with Verizon and deal with their ****ty tactics on trying to stop people from modifying their own devices.
People who are on T-mobile, how are HSPA+ signals and call quality? How often do calls drop? I currently attend the University of North Dakota and I'm afraid that if I switch to T-mobile, I will get terrible reception and data signals here. Can you guys inform me if there's any good T-mobile signals in the Eastern North Dakota area?
On the other hand, Verizon's signals are fantastic. I get full 4G in my area and call quality is terrific. But as well know, Verizon likes to lock down devices and put logos on home buttons to piss the modding community off.
What do you think? I would like some input on this because I have to make a big decision - whether to stay on Verizon and have my parents pay for my current line or switch to T-mobile and pay everything myself.
Thanks!

Wow. Free sounds better to me.

psykhotic said:
Wow. Free sounds better to me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Errr, I mean yeah it does but my parents want me out of it and pay for my own bill soon lol
Anyway, that family share plan is annoying and it keeps me from wanting to do some heavy tethering. I only get 8 GB of data a month and I share it with 5 other people so data gets built up pretty quick.

Of course free is always better. But if your parents are looking to kick you off I would go with t mobile. Verizon is way too damn expensive. I live in Orlando Florida and my speeds range from 10mb to 25mb. Upload speed stays constant at around 2mb.
I don't really have dropped calls. As long as I have bars which is 99% off the time my call quality is good, unless the other person has ****ty service then no matter how good of service you have the quality will be lower.
So if your on a budget and want more go with t mobile. But if you got money to blow then stay with Verizon.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app

T-Mobile has better phones. Example:
galaxy s3
galaxy note 2
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda premium

T-Mobile is holding it down
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium

Been with T-mobile since Voicestream days, 12 years now. I'm not going no where, I love the freedom where I can buy any GSM phone available in the market, plus the plans too are cheaper. I love my Magenta

Unless you don't have signal cuz their WiFi calling is f**king worthless. I've been trying to send a text for 2 hours. Even Verizon can at least get a text through at my house.

You are going to have to do your due diligence and research coverage in your area. In the areas that T-Mobile has coverage (mostly urban/suburban areas) they are well worth the effort (great prices, great phones, no locked bootloaders) to find out if they have coverage.
If not Verizon unfortunately, may be the better choice because they have coverage in more areas.
Hickory, Dickory, Dox...Snowflake approves of my HOX....

Babydoll25 said:
You are going to have to do your due diligence and research coverage in your area. In the areas that T-Mobile has coverage (mostly urban/suburban areas) they are well worth the effort (great prices, great phones, no locked bootloaders) to find out if they have coverage.
If not Verizon unfortunately, may be the better choice because they have coverage in more areas.
Hickory, Dickory, Dox...Snowflake approves of my HOX....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
^ Most helpful answer.

oroberthickey said:
T-Mobile has better phones. Example:
galaxy s3
galaxy note 2
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In all fairness these phones are on Verizon as well.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2

I switched from Verizon to T-Mobile (with a stop at Sprint in-between), and I don't notice any difference in terms of calls.
I use WIFI calling at home since it's my only option - Verizon was the only tower that gave even 1/2 bar in my house (the reason I initially chose Sprint). However, my personal experience with WIFI calling has been great - I even have used it over my school's WIFI (a bit of an accident) and the call quality is always remarkably clear - enough so that I notice it.
The city that I work and go to college in is covered in 4G towers - I have never had a situation other than at home where I was without coverage (and, to be fair, my house is down in a small valley with thick tree coverage on the lot). If I were you, I'd take a look at their coverage maps to get an idea for what's it's like where you are.

Pennycake said:
I switched from Verizon to T-Mobile (with a stop at Sprint in-between), and I don't notice any difference in terms of calls.
I use WIFI calling at home since it's my only option - Verizon was the only tower that gave even 1/2 bar in my house (the reason I initially chose Sprint). However, my personal experience with WIFI calling has been great - I even have used it over my school's WIFI (a bit of an accident) and the call quality is always remarkably clear - enough so that I notice it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How???? I just got the red WiFi calling error and it's been dropping all day and night for the last week. It goes blue and as soon as I send a text it drops service.
The support thread on tmo has over 31,000 views...

I've had trouble with it when the WIFI signal is 2 bars or less on the indicator (like if I am in the garage), but otherwise haven't had an issue - I've even made quite long calls from it - it's been on and blue (sent + received some texts) since I got home about six hours ago.
My only observation is that it needs a rather strong connection, though I don't know if this could be part of the source of issues others might be having.

psykhotic said:
How???? I just got the red WiFi calling error and it's been dropping all day and night for the last week. It goes blue and as soon as I send a text it drops service.
The support thread on tmo has over 31,000 views...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you set your address up in your T-Mo account? If you call 911 for example through Wi-Fi calling, they want an address on file or some crap like that. I had to do that back when I was on TouchWiz. (gave me the red thing)

psykhotic said:
How???? I just got the red WiFi calling error and it's been dropping all day and night for the last week. It goes blue and as soon as I send a text it drops service.
The support thread on tmo has over 31,000 views...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I haven't had an issue as well. It might be your router. If I go outside to the back yard I will get an occasional drop because the router is in the other end of the house but all is great here with blue all day long.
OP I moved from Verizon to T mobile a while back. I'm in LA so coverage doesn't effect me as much. Never looked back.
Sent from my SGH-T999

T-Mobile fits my needs, I live in suburban Atlanta, and I get really good data speeds. Have had NO issues with call drops. Customer support has been pretty good to me. My only issue is when I go some where rural. In those situations I get 2g or no bars. In my opinion, I'm satisfied with T-Mobile. I'm on a shared line with my brother and we pay 130 together for 1000 minute, unlimited text and unlimited data.
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Edit: Added speed test photos

I switched from Verizon to T-Mobile 2 years ago and im loving it, much cheaper and the signal and data is just as good as verizon minus LTE is a tad faster but T-Mobile is selling a couple thousand towers and getting 4G LTE ones in 2013
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app

Damn. Just did research on data/signal coverage in the Grand Forks, ND area and sadly Tmobile has no coverage. All the other 3 carriers do. What a bummer. Guess I have to stick with VZW
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

Yea T Mobile is not a widespread carrier compared to Verizon but if t mobile supports your area then its great
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app

AT&T vs Sprint for Note 2

I am looking to purchase the Note 2 and I have the option of Sprint or AT&T, is there any real benefit of one carrier vs the other for this particular phone?

noitall77 said:
I am looking to purchase the Note 2 and I have the option of Sprint or AT&T, is there any real benefit of one carrier vs the other for this particular phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Im pretty sure the phones are the exact same but with at&t your service may be better depending on your location. Sprint is behind on 4g and 4g lte coverage. Sprint has unlimited data and I don't think at&t offers that. So if I were you I would ask friends that live in your area to get their opinions or even google search and see if you can find any forums that tell about at&t coverage in your area. Hope I helped some!
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda app-developers app

noitall77 said:
I am looking to purchase the Note 2 and I have the option of Sprint or AT&T, is there any real benefit of one carrier vs the other for this particular phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They are the same I woukd go with sprint they are way cheaper and with a phone of this caliber you need unlimited. They are launching LTE pretty fast I got a great lte connection in Tampa Florida pretty much everywhere i go it suoer fast and consistent.
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda app-developers app

Sprint also supposedly claims they want lte running anywhere 3g is eventually.... getting it everywhere I go anymore
~swyped from my galaxy note 2 on the now network

scottypeterson said:
Im pretty sure the phones are the exact same but with at&t your service may be better depending on your location. Sprint is behind on 4g and 4g lte coverage. Sprint has unlimited data and I don't think at&t offers that. So if I were you I would ask friends that live in your area to get their opinions or even google search and see if you can find any forums that tell about at&t coverage in your area. Hope I helped some!
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Pretty much this.

DarkManX4lf said:
Pretty much this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have an unlimited data plan with AT&T that I have had for years so it looks like I will stick with AT&T due to coverage

noitall77 said:
I have an unlimited data plan with AT&T that I have had for years so it looks like I will stick with AT&T due to coverage
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Coverage is exactly what you should look at.
We have an att note 2 and a sprint note 2....equally fantastic. Coverage in my area is pretty much the same here, the wife just wants to stick with att since she has had them so long.
If one didnt have unlimited on att ...I would def look towards sprint
Is att still throttling after 5gb of use? Thats a huge factor on why I gave up my line
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda app-developers app

Since AT&T throttles all unlimited data plans (except those that were grandfathered in) past 5gb/mo. But Sprint doesn't yet have the extensive LTE coverage that AT&T does. If you live in an area where Sprint has rolled out its 4G LTE network, or predominantly use Wifi, I'd suggest Sprint. On the other hand, if Sprint only has 3G in your home zone and you can't rely on wifi consistently when you need the higher speeds, AT&T may be the way to go. I've been with Sprint for nearly 15 years and don't mind waiting for their LTE network. (tho I certainly hope for sooner rather than later) For me, the bandwidth throttling on downloads over the 5GB/mo is a deal breaker. I typically use 25+GB/mo on my phone and Sprint never throttles by bandwidth.
* I'm Rick James, *****! *

I can confirm no throttling by Sprint. Since getting the GN2, I''m using over 50GB of data per month. It's up from the 25GB or more when I had the Evo 4G and used 3G almost exclusive; I had access to WiMax if I went to certain towns. I live in area LTE, but it's not everywhere, so I bounce between both all the time.
The other big difference, Sprint is CDMA and has the simcard built in. ATT is GMA, which is used world wide. ATT may not have the simcard build in, and thus world travel friendly. Something to consider if you plan on traveling.
Beyond that, I would just look at your data usages, carrier coverage, and reliability.
Lastly, you do realize we're going to be bias to Sprint.

lovekeiiy said:
I can confirm no throttling by Sprint. Since getting the GN2, I''m using over 50GB of data per month. It's up from the 25GB or more when I had the Evo 4G and used 3G almost exclusive; I had access to WiMax if I went to certain towns. I live in area LTE, but it's not everywhere, so I bounce between both all the time.
The other big difference, Sprint is CDMA and has the simcard built in. ATT is GMA, which is used world wide. ATT may not have the simcard build in, and thus world travel friendly. Something to consider if you plan on traveling.
Beyond that, I would just look at your data usages, carrier coverage, and reliability.
Lastly, you do realize we're going to be bias to Sprint.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A slight correction here, the Sprint GN2 can be used "worldwide," but only in certain areas I believe. And you'll be paying out the ass for the service, as you cannot put a cheapy sim in there, you have to pay for Sprint's world service. Sucks
So yes if travel is something that you need to do with your GN2, ATT may be the better carrier. But you'll probably save a good $30 a month with Sprint, which is more than enough to cover a cheap burner phone purchase for when you're traveling. Keep the note on ya for wifi connectivity, use the burner for phone calls, save money

the above is correct that the phone as some kind of GSM radio in it. And that you pay a mighty fee to use it too. I wasn't thinking about that when I wrote my post. I know a lot people prefer to just sim card swap and be able to use the local, and cheap, service. Also, GSM is used workd wide. Whereas, CDMA is not. Some carriers in the USA used. There are a couple others carriers outside the USA, but they're far and few.

If you can hold out for Sprint LTE to get some decent nationwide coverage, go with Sprint. Unlimited data is CRUCIAL. 3G is manageable for now.

I would check with speedtest on an att and Sprint phone. Also check Sprint 4g lte coverage in your area. If they have it or are on list to get it then choose Sprint. Sprint keeps improving every week. But if it looks like Sprint won't be good for a while in your area and att is already good and you don't mind higher prices and tiered data then choose att.
Sent from my Amazing Galaxy Note 2!

If you have unlimited At&T right now then by all means don't switch to sprint. My friend has a grandfathered at&t plan and im really jealous. Everywhere in texas that I actually have lte his speed test beats mine 15 mbs or more. His has 4g lte EVERYWHERE. I can't speak on behalf of the entire United States but as for Texas, you should go with at&t if you have unlimited.
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda app-developers app

As I'm unsure where you are located, I'm sure this won't help you, but here is a Sprint lte speed test. At my house, just south of Baltimore.
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~swyped from my galaxy note 2 on the now network

What's the coverage like in your area? How much data do you use? How much are you willing to pay?
If you do have "unlimited" grandfathered data, it is still throttled after a couple gigs, meaning you'd likely be better off with Sprint if they have the coverage.
Regarding price, Sprint is usually cheaper for family plans, but not necessarily for individuals.

Rate T-Mobile's network coming from AT&T

Those of you on T-Mobile, please rate, discuss, and critique their entire network. I am looking for Note 3 user's opinions on EDGE, HSPA+, and LTE performance. I am interested in building penetration and 4G/4GLTE consistency.
I am looking at ditching my two AT&T lines because I am so sick of the throttling, locked bootloaders, and high monthly prices. We can save about $50/ mo with T-Mobile. However, I am fully aware of the cons to T-Mobile. I know EDGE is inevitable. I know for a fact that T-Mobile has EDGE only on the below coverage map of my house. My sister has an S4 with T-Mobile and gets 5 full bars of EDGE. Seems they run that at full blast compared to AT&T. Anyway, the AWS (1700/2100) band doesn't reach as far as the 850/1900 bands AT&T uses. That's why we get good service from them at home, despite T-Mobile using the same tower.
So I would appreciate some honest opinions of those of you who use T-Mobile's 4G and 4G LTE data services. I am curious if they have gone to 10x10 LTE yet, or even 20mhz.
Thanks
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EDIT: I got my answer. T-Mobile sucks so bad by me, its not even funny. I just popped in a T-Mobile pre-paid card into my iPhone 5s. Here is my input from the Howard Forums. Just for the side note, the iPhone 5S uses the same bands at the T-Mobile branded Note 3.
So I have been dying to try T-Mobile on my iPhone 5s for a while now. Finally got it unlocked and stopped at the T-Mobile store today. The manager (Erik) was a total douche. I immediately asked about their monthly 4G. Obviously, this meant no commission for him. He said I would NOT get LTE on my unlocked AT&T iphone 5s. I politely told him that the AT&T/T-Mobile iphone 5s are the exact same model. He said LTE required a different processor. I just was like, WOW, and left it at that. I get everything all setup and my iPhone 5S says "T-Mobile 4G". I then walk out the door and it now goes to LTE. I said, HEY DUDE, it gets LTE. Then he said, yea but it won't be able to take advantage of it. I said, yea to bad, a minute ago it needed a special processor. He looked really pissed and I said see ya.
Ok, that was funny, but that's not the point of my thread. The point of my thread here is to discuss the network quality of T-Mobile, preferably in Northwest, Indiana (Chicago suburb). I am driving away and the damn thing goes back and fourth from "4G" to LTE killing my battery. Ok, I get that, its a brand new technology. So I just turned it off. I was getting about 11 down on just HSPA+. So I'm sitting at the traffic light and I notice that spotify just stops. My phone still says "4G", but now I have no data connection. Now it just says, T-Mobile ****, showing 4 bars. Then I get E. I'm like WOW.
I decided to drive to the local AT&T/T-MO tower by my house. This tower is about a half a mile from my house. I always sit on 3 bars of AT&T LTE and HSPA+ in my house. Sitting in my car about 300 feet from the tower, my iPhone 5S is displaying 4 T-Mobile bars and 4G only. The speeds were averaging from about 5-11 mbps. I was getting the same speeds during a call, which is a huge step up from AT&T. So I drive down the street, about 2 years away, and now I have2 bars and the 4G is cutting in and out. Just down the street its now on EDGE. Its EDGE city all the way to my house. The EDGE is completely useless. Absolutely no data. Thankfully calls and texts can be made.
So, I still have a full month with their unlimited everything prepaid plan. I always knew the area in which I live kinda sucked, I just didn't think it was this bad. The iPhone 5S supports AWS HSPA+, which even seemed spotty. I will still test T-Mobile's network out at school and other places, but boy am I ever glad that I did prepaid before porting any numbers over.
AT&T is evil. AT&T locks their Android boot loaders and now is forcing all customers to their over priced mobile share data plans. I tried to escape them, but its just not possible right now. T-Mobile cannot provide a consistent experience in a very populated Chicago suburb. It's kind of sad. I wish they would completely abandon the AWS frequencies and they are just awful. The overall signal is just so weak, even with the tower in sight.
So spending $80 today actually saved me a big headache because I was going to port to T-Mobile in the near future. I just can't get over how inconsistent their network is. Don't get me wrong though, its amazing when it works. The HSPA+ is much faster than AT&T and has lower latencies. However, the LTE needs a lot of work. The LTE was no faster than the H+. I average about 40-60mbps down on AT&T's LTE network.
Just my thoughts. Maybe someone will think twice who is considering T-Mobile in Lake County, Indiana.
Cheers

since TMobile uses higher frequency (shorter wavelength) bands 1700/2100 and 1900, the signal can't penetrate to basement. I live in a apartment and TMobile signal is super weak while ATT is always at constant 2 bars. When I'm outside, TMobile signals are always good.
T-Mobile Pros: new and better tech of 4G LTE so faster speed, very fast HSPA+ as backup, wifi calling on all Android phones.
T-Mobile Cons: bad signal in obstructed area
The reason I'm using T-Mobile is because it is a lot cheaper.
PS. I love my Note 3

I have 1 bar in my apartment and the speeds are great
2-4 bars on the first floor at work - given that 4G LTE is stronger downtown and as I go up the floors...it gets even better. I do not have a basement so I do not know about that.
I am not sure what edge is...

I live in Charlotte nc and I pretty much have 4g everywhere I go! I work at the airport and get the fastest download speeds here. When I leave the Charlotte area I pretty much lose 4g which means I pretty much don't have data but I can still make calls. I went to Myrtle Beach over the weekend and couldn't get a data signal over 2g during the drive to save my life but I still prefer their unlimited coming from verizon. the signal in Charlotte is the same if not better. But If you travel alot you may not want to switch. I don't vacate to often so I don't mind.
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda app-developers app

I'd like to know why they run their EDGE network at full blast? Do they do that with LTE yet?

Indoors I get good signal... In a hospital building now on the 4th floor with 4 above me and I'm still getting 28mbps
Sent from my SM-N900T using xda app-developers app

The lower the Mhz the better penetration power, however the worse sound quality. That what I was taught in college.

damedolla2 said:
I live in Charlotte nc and I pretty much have 4g everywhere I go! I work at the airport and get the fastest download speeds here. When I leave the Charlotte area I pretty much lose 4g which means I pretty much don't have data but I can still make calls. I went to Myrtle Beach over the weekend and couldn't get a data signal over 2g during the drive to save my life but I still prefer their unlimited coming from verizon. the signal in Charlotte is the same if not better. But If you travel alot you may not want to switch. I don't vacate to often so I don't mind.
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm in Charlotte too. I get 4g everywhere and lte pretty much everywhere seems like the south side has the fastest lte speeds. Upwards of 36 down near Archdale
Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk 4

Ok, I understand how the signal works, but why do I get 5 bars of EDGE at my house when I could force the phone to HSPA only and barely get 1??? The tower has been completely upgraded to HSPA/LTE. I just with it preferred 1900 HSPA.

At work I get one bar with LTE in my breakroom. However I get 4 to 6Mbps. On H+ I get 3 to 4 bars and get 5Mbps. Right outside the door and a few feet away 3 to 4 bars LTE and 20 to 30Mbps.
Sent from my SM-N900T using xda app-developers app

I'm in Minnesota and just switched from AT&T to T-Mobile after giving them a test run for a month. Overall, no difference between the two in coverage in the metro area. Haven't ventured out too far though. My dad goes south for the winter and has said the coverage has surprised him (he switched with me to T-Mobile). Glad I made the switch, now just waiting til next month to move the rest of my lines.
Sent from my SM-N900T using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

I just left VZ for the same reasons, overpriced & data taxi. VZ did get better signal in some areas but their 3G CDMA network is slow compared to T-Mobile's HSPA+ network here in Phoenix, AZ. I have only have had T-Mobile service for a week now and like it better over VZ already. UNLIMITED!

Around the metro Detroit area, data speeds are consistent and very fast. No problems for me ever with calls either. Although if you get out into the sticks, data slows to edge speeds, but calls have been fine.

Rob the plumber said:
Around the metro Detroit area, data speeds are consistent and very fast. No problems for me ever with calls either. Although if you get out into the sticks, data slows to edge speeds, but calls have been fine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not out on the sticks. I just know they're not very consistent. But this time I actually am gonna try them out. See how they are for the 14 days then make the decision to move over my AT&T lines.

It's really a no brainer. No matter how you look at VZW and ATT are going to have to change.
Tmobile is cheaper and has 2x the bandwidth as ATT, our 3G network as in HSPA+ is so fast that if you're going to watch movies and you suddenly don't have LTE, it won't stop to buffer because 3G is just as fast.
I paid 90$ for one line that was Unlimited everything Talk, Text, Web. 2.5GB of HotSpot. Regular insurance without Jump.
Now with three lines we pay 230$ same thing all unlimited.
Sent from my SM-N900T using xda app-developers app

Just left Verizon as well - sick of those guys and being tied to them for two years at a time. Expensive - treats their vet customers like we're holding them back from something... its ridiculous
I'm in Cincinnati, Ohio and I'm pretty much all over the area - Northern Kentucky, Southeast Indiana - even Northern Ohio and really get 4G all the time. I see edge in transition to less populated areas - be it Highway or back roads but as soon as I get there - 4G! They're all dense focuses of people so not shocked that its true but pleasantly surprised that it tends to be 4G / wifi or edge. .. And edge seems to be decent. No hiccups going from one or the other and wifi calling is pretty amazing. Very happy about the switch
Sent from my SM-N900T using xda app-developers app

You all should install and use the Sensorly app in order to see and get your coverage & speedtest data out there. No guessing.

zmore said:
You all should install and use the Sensorly app in order to see and get your coverage & speedtest data out there. No guessing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would wager real world use over numbers any day :good: but it does look like another resource. I used open signal to see coverage and while Verizon has the most coverage - 4G hasn't been as steady in all that space in my area. It seems more of a where do you need it thing then a "nice to know I can make calls in the middle of a body of water" lol

MistaSergio said:
I would wager real world use over numbers any day :good: but it does look like another resource. I used open signal to see coverage and while Verizon has the most coverage - 4G hasn't been as steady in all that space in my area. It seems more of a where do you need it thing then a "nice to know I can make calls in the middle of a body of water" lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Biggest whiners seem to want 3G in the middle of nowhere from T-Mobile. EDGE is fine as long as it works. It's just annoying when AT&T has my whole area blanketed in LTE. They use the same tower and the best T-Mobile could do is EDGE. But I have wifi.
Can HD voice be used over EDGE?

Check on Ebay for a T-mobile repeater.
I got one for about $100
I had one bar in basement and barely got any service.
With the repeater installed 4 full bars now in the basement and fast as hell data.