Just passing on a little info to you guys. Some of you guys are interested in the Airave model that can also do 3g. Just ordered one thru Sprint Retentions Department. The unit was free and a free monthly service discount will be added to my account upon activation. The retentions department stated they are the only department that can make this offer at this time. These units can not even be ordered by any other department till sometime in January (for the general public). This is what I was told.
Also an advance replacement order was placed for another EVO because of some hardware issues I was having. An order was placed, but the interesting part was....I had to except a WHITE EVO, because I was told they would not be carrying the BLACK EVO's anymore. The rep stated the WHITE one's would ship within 2 - 3 weeks. (backorder status)
That would really piss me off...I can't stand the white Evo!
That rep is full of ****. No way they're going to discontinue the black EVO. That would kill sales.
akarol said:
That rep is full of ****. No way they're going to discontinue the black EVO. That would kill sales.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is a Sprint rep so....
He actually tried to order the black but it no longer showed in his system. He checked with his supervisor and the only option was the white. We'll see when it gets here. I don't care what color it is cuz its gonna be wrapped up in a case anyway. It is possible that maybe the black will only be available in stores and not via telesales or online. The online avenue already says to check with stores.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
akarol said:
That rep is full of ****. No way they're going to discontinue the black EVO. That would kill sales.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol, what sales! No one even has the black ones in stock. Maybe they want to start pushing the White before apple gets the white iphone out?
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How did you get the Airave free through Retentions? Tell us your words and how you closed the deal!
oxeneers said:
How did you get the Airave free through Retentions? Tell us your words and how you closed the deal!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well after doing the Evo order, I complained about the service in my home. The rep then tried to push the original airave on me for $99 dollars and $5 a month service. I told him I heard about some customers getting a newer model for free on a case-by-case bases. He said he didn't know anything about it, but he would transfer me to telesales, they would have more info. He put me on hold, but then someone from retentions picked up the line and already new what I was calling about. Told me I qualified and placed the order. I suspect he asked the rep from telesales and they referred him to retentions while I was holding. Maybe I just got lucky?
I was told that my replacement phone would be a white Evo as well-the rep tried to tell me that it was a great looking phone. Anyway when the phone came in, my replacement was black.
Can't say I care either way.
Airvana -DO info...
its called the Airvana Access point 2.0
you must not be on an ASL type account
must be in good standing
must be a sprint user for at least6 months (though this length of time varies--YMMV)
----you may or may not need more than one line. again YMMV on this----
i have the original samsung model. i called in saturday to inquire about the latest model--they already know im in fringe (at best) area so there was no explaining needed.
they will add an 18 dollar activation charge to your order. i had that waived so when/if anyone calls in to grab one, make sure you look out for that.
this model does -DO data (Rev A) and 1XRTT. it can run up to 6 simultaneous voice calls at once. it is even a VoIP device capable of using a new (however not announced) VoIP service Sprint may offer later.
its a tad bigger and about a pound heavier than the samsung model.
this is called the Arivana Access point.
bigmoogle said:
I was told that my replacement phone would be a white Evo as well-the rep tried to tell me that it was a great looking phone. Anyway when the phone came in, my replacement was black.
Can't say I care either way.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Was it ordered over the phone or a corp. store?
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marctronixx said:
its called the Airvana Access point 2.0
you must not be on an ASL type account
must be in good standing
must be a sprint user for at least6 months (though this length of time varies--YMMV)
----you may or may not need more than one line. again YMMV on this----
i have the original samsung model. i called in saturday to inquire about the latest model--they already know im in fringe (at best) area so there was no explaining needed.
they will add an 18 dollar activation charge to your order. i had that waived so when/if anyone calls in to grab one, make sure you look out for that.
this model does -DO data (Rev A) and 1XRTT. it can run up to 6 simultaneous voice calls at once. it is even a VoIP device capable of using a new (however not announced) VoIP service Sprint may offer later.
its a tad bigger and about a pound heavier than the samsung model.
this is called the Arivana Access point.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
cool.. i will be calling in to see if I can get them to replace my samsung model with this one...
dmystic1 said:
Was it ordered over the phone or a corp. store?
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Corporate store. They seem to be able to get either white or black but they seem to be pushing the white phone.
oxeneers said:
How did you get the Airave free through Retentions? Tell us your words and how you closed the deal!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got the Airave for free as well. I've had service for almost 10 years, and I told them that my job required me to have mobile phone access, and my home (where my office is) had abysmal reception. I told them if I couldn't figure out some solution, I was going to have to look at other providers in this area that did have service (sadly, AT&T and Verizon both have better reception around here...) They told me about the Airave (it was new at the time) and offered it to me for free, plus no monthly fee. I now have full signal in my office.
I didn't know the new model pumped out 3G as well...that would have made me happy a few years ago when I had a Blackberry without wifi Now I simply use wifi for data and don't worry about 3G.
bigmoogle said:
Corporate store. They seem to be able to get either white or black but they seem to be pushing the white phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's cool, glad you got your phone. My corp. store is useless. They don't even do the waiting list thing, at all.
I am really wondering what is going on with the EVO production though, I mean we are not really limited by any sort of parts delay, are we? Or is HTC just over there heads on trying to produce too many different models for too many providers?
Got my Airvana on the way. Just call them threatening to cancel because reception at home has been abysmal. Tell them you read online about this Signal Booster Router Thingy and you're willing to give it a try if they waive all costs.
Trust me, they won't lose you over it.
I actually called *****ing about my 5th replacement Palm Pre and the guy threw my first Airave in there just to calm me down. I had no idea it even existed lol.
marctronixx said:
its called the Airvana Access point 2.0
you must not be on an ASL type account
must be in good standing
must be a sprint user for at least6 months (though this length of time varies--YMMV)
----you may or may not need more than one line. again YMMV on this----
i have the original samsung model. i called in saturday to inquire about the latest model--they already know im in fringe (at best) area so there was no explaining needed.
they will add an 18 dollar activation charge to your order. i had that waived so when/if anyone calls in to grab one, make sure you look out for that.
this model does -DO data (Rev A) and 1XRTT. it can run up to 6 simultaneous voice calls at once. it is even a VoIP device capable of using a new (however not announced) VoIP service Sprint may offer later.
its a tad bigger and about a pound heavier than the samsung model.
this is called the Arivana Access point.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have a ASL account, in good standing w/ automatic payments, and was able to get the new airave for free. I was transfer 4 times so to prevent that just talk directly to retentions. As far as the airave goes, it is much larger then the first release and has 2 Ethernet ports out. It is meant to be connect directly to your modem and not to your router (if your modem and router are separate). If your modem and router are one device, I recommend using QoS settings to make sure you get maximum bandwidth to the airave. This change in settings took my data speeds from 1Mb to 2.3Mb. I do have wifi, but my wife not being tech savy at all benefits the most from this as our QIK chat is now lag free. As a word of advice, be patient, the initial setup took 1 hour followed by a call to airave support (here is the number 1-866-556-7310 write it down because regular tech support can't help you). Hope this helps.
BTW...
You will notice VOIP is available on this model and it will go live Q1 2011. I don't know the pricing but it will run off the airave and use the already assigned number.
I'm going to be doing this tomorrow morning. My house is in a white circle of no service (I get service, but dropped calls) All the houses around me are on the edge, but my house is like the hole to hell, well, if you look on Sprint's map.
DSL seems to also be a problem at my house - Can't get anything over 5.0 Mbps, yet my neighbors 50 feet away can get 7. :|||
I got a free 1st gen from retention last year but be careful they say its free or charge buy they credit you a year at 5 bux but still charge you 5 mo for all your other lines. So free for 1 line for 1 year, not all lines. Was misleading.
Sent from my EVO using XDA App
Related
Okay, just just get something out of the way here: Only try to get one of these if your service is really bad at house/office.
1: Make sure you actually have dropped calls. Ours were over 5% which is considered really bad, I guess.
2: Call tech support, wait to get connected, then act dumb an say that you've already been through the tech support stuff and you've been talking to a person in retentions for the past half-hour. They'll say well how'd you get to me? Just say that the guy in retentions said that he was putting you on hold to check into getting you a free airave; you've already been through troubleshooting with him.
3: The person in tech support will transfer you back to somebody in retentions and bring them up to where you're at.
4: Tell the person in retentions should go ahead and start the order and then you're set.
5: Is optional. You can have your call drop them, then they'll call you back and you can make a joke about how crappy the service is. (Actually happened to me)
I took the long way through this today, but started in retentions, got tranfs to tech support after checking the drop call rate and doing some basic troubleshooting, then told the guy in TS that I'd been through it all the last last guy in Relations was checking into a free airave for me, but somehow got transfered to him, ect.
I also started out by telling the first guy in retentions that I'd taken 2 phones to the corp store, they had done some PR update (act stupid about it) and now those two phones always have some ^ above the bars at the office, but the service works great and the data speeds can actually load a website in under 3 minuets. The data service at our office has been 0.02 kbps for over a month now, which is why I did the PRL hack in the first place on the two office phones 2 weeks back.
Anyhow, it's on it's way and didn't take that long.
They do check your area and if they feel you are in a good signal area they will not give it to you for free. I only say this because when I called he told me as long as my area qualifies for free airave service he will be able to do it if not I have the option to purchase one. Luckily after he checked the computer he said "great news u qualify". so this will not work for everyone, and it does connect to gps and reports where the device is connected. So good luck, im sure sprint gonna get stormed with calls and eventually they will catch on.
sprink0281 said:
They do check your area and if they feel you are in a good signal area they will not give it to you for free. I only say this because when I called he told me as long as my area qualifies for free airave service he will be able to do it if not I have the option to purchase one. Luckily after he checked the computer he said "great news u qualify". so this will not work for everyone, and it does connect to gps and reports where the device is connected. So good luck, im sure sprint gonna get stormed with calls and eventually they will catch on.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i just hate talking to sprint reps, you think sprint chat will work?
ryohei47 said:
i just hate talking to sprint reps, you think sprint chat will work?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't think so cuz you gotta talk to the retentions department...i hate talking to them too cuz of those damn scripts they follow, it's like talking to human robots!
Also should mention don't get caught in a lie about talking to them cuz they do have a record of when you call and what department you talked to. So I'm sure if they know you lied they probably will give you a hard time and might make a note on your account that you lied and who knows they might be reluctant to go out of their way for you in the future, I know I wouldnt want to help a liar. So what if you have to be on the phone with them for awhile your getting something for free if your lucky so not really a reason to *****....
The guys I got didn't talk like robots for once, and they were probably from America. I was surprised. They also seemed quite personable.
Hrshycro said:
The guys I got didn't talk like robots for once, and they were probably from America. I was surprised. They also seemed quite personable.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea you can get lucky once in a while...i had a girl from canada one time and we must of had 30 minute conversation after she was done with my issue. It was like we were friends just talking about anything! Was hoping she was local to me I was gonna ask her if she wanted to meet for lunch or something....i kinda wondered since she had my info if she looked up my facebook to see who she was talking to....
sprink0281 said:
Yea you can get lucky once in a while...i had a girl from canada one time and we must of had 30 minute conversation after she was done with my issue. It was like we were friends just talking about anything! Was hoping she was local to me I was gonna ask her if she wanted to meet for lunch or something....i kinda wondered since she had my info if she looked up my facebook to see who she was talking to....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Haha, That would be funny. Ask a CSR out on a date, then get married down the road. That would be better than a myspace marriage.
Got one quickly
In our condo, my girlfriend's BB Curve and my Evo averaged 1 bar. While online checking our account, I decided to just email sprint and ask for an airave. Went to "contact us", left a messege and the next day we got a call from customer service, 10 minutes latter we were approved, two days latter got it in the mail, hooked it up last night, and now we are at five bars each. I am not saying it will be that easy for everyone, but for once in my life it was!
Very interesting, was thinking of trying this but figure I got no use for the Airave for now...
I get average -104 to -118 dbs which I heard -120 is no service. This is at my house. I get data roaming message and dropped calls. Went into Sprint and said I couldn't get one for free or heard of giving them out for free. Sucks I don't have internet to use it even if I did call and got one. Do you have to pay the 4 bucks a month for it or is that waived. Waived or not id use it.. just no internet.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
Didn't even bring prices to me, so I'm guessing all free.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
Hrshycro said:
Didn't even bring prices to me, so I'm guessing all free.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you got it from retentions it is free and the monthly fee is waived. When you go to your account and it lists your devices, it should say retentions next to the Airave.
So if a person were to have terrible 3G speeds they still wouldn't help? My reception is weird, no dropped calls or anything but my reception can shoot up from two bars to four, or six. But my 3G is ALWAYS bad in the town I'm in. Any ideas?
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
Systemfraud said:
So if a person were to have terrible 3G speeds they still wouldn't help? My reception is weird, no dropped calls or anything but my reception can shoot up from two bars to four, or six. But my 3G is ALWAYS bad in the town I'm in. Any ideas?
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just tell them your reception is bad too.
Yeah they don't help you at the store. They just told me they will try to update my phone for tower pulling. Said I already updated the radio to the latest and did the prl update. He said oh well I can't help you then. Wish I had the internet her is call about how bad my reception is and dropped calls. What irritated me the most is txt not going through. Is txt sent by the data service? If I turned data off will I send and receive sms still?
The guy told me it might be the material my house was built with causing the bad signal. If I go out the best reception I get is -100
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
How do you see the db of your reception? Sorry for the noob questions.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
##debug# in phone dialer. If you have cm6 you can go through cryon settings and do it. Just type that in the dialer and wait. Click the first one.
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That was the bigger problem at our office, the 3g speeds have been 0.02 kbps fire two months, but I *****ed the drop call problem instead. Im sure you can get one.
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I'm sure I cam get one but won't be able to use. Don't have the internet.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
Thanks Hrshycro!!!
Worked to a tee. Called Tech got transferred and in less then 5 minutes the girl in retention was putting in my order! She did put me on hold for a couple of minutes to confirm my eligibility. It's on the way for free with no monthly charge.
Awesome tip, thanks again!
I posted this over on Android Central hoping a TMO rep would chime in
but none did :
I had an NS for a week, didnt like it, and returned it to Best Buy.
They were supposed to reverse the two year contract.
I got my phone bill and it still had the $18 + $1.26 tax upgrade charge.
I called TMO to get that taken off and apparently they hadnt reversed
my contract. So the rep fixed that and took the upgrade charge off.
But the reason for this thread is that she said I didnt have 4G internet.
I got the unlimited Android plan when I got with my pre-buy G1.
I had 3000 minutes in Florida, unlimited web and 400 texts.
A few months later I was told I was eligible for the unlimited loyalty plan
which changed my 3000 Florida only minutes to unlimited in the US.
So after the call yesterday I started looking at the TMO website and
I dont see anywhere where they differentiate web packages between
3G and 4G.
The rep said I wouldnt be able to do video chat because I dont have 4G.
Is this true ?
Anyone know ?
The MT4G is noticeably faster than the N1, NS, and G2.
It made me wonder if what she said is just a line they are told to tell people.
Anyone know if thats possible to block 4G to customers ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am in the Tampa area that has the HSPA+/4G.
(mods this is about the MT4G)
going_home said:
I posted this over on Android Central hoping a TMO rep would chime in
but none did :
I am in the Tampa area that has the HSPA+/4G.
(mods this is about the MT4G)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As far as I know if your area has 4g and your phone is capable... you should get 4g. When I worked there about three years ago they couldnt block 3g. They can throttle your data usage though.
Great question, however there is no need to change web packages at this time if you are able to keep your grandfathered services. The term "4G Web" is just marketing and does nothing/provides no extra benefit to have the newer features.
Sheldonjace said:
Great question, however there is no need to change web packages at this time if you are able to keep your grandfathered services. The term "4G Web" is just marketing and does nothing/provides no extra benefit to have the newer features.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok thats what I was trying to find out.
I figured they are trained to try and get rid of the older cheaper plans.
The rep said I wouldnt be able to use the video chat if I didnt upgrade my plan to 4G.
My current plan is $24.99 for unlimited data and 400 texts.
She said that plan was not 4g and I would need the 4G package at $30.00 plus
$5.99 for unlimited texts = $35.99. So $11.00 plus tax more.
How can I make sure I already have the HSPA+/4G ?
The phone is much faster than the Nexus One, G2, or Nexus S.
There is no difference between the packages though accept that the regular web wont work unless customer service does something on their end to make it work. I am a T-Mobile RSA and when the MyTouch 4G first launched they were not requiring us in the system to change the web on upgrades so most of the time we didn't then 24 hours later customers where calling us saying their web wasn't working and we figured out it was because we weren't changing the plans. But I have seen those plans like the 24.99 plans work if a customers call and complain correctly lol. But there is no speed difference between the plans it is all the same data speed its a matter of how the phone handles it.
I work alongside Tmobile [read: RadioShack employee], and I'm also in the Tampa Bay area [Burg side]. I can tell you for a fact your internet doesn't have to be a 4g plan. But that being said, in Tmo's systems all the new customers that sign up for web are being placed on a "4g" data plan, as opposed to just "data" as it in the past was called. This may be ramping up to a No FFC switch to be flipped, but at the moment, no complaints from older customers just SIM swapping (from a previous Android). PM for irl contact if you'd like, I can hook you up with my corporate reps info, [or atleast be a middle man between you].
Edit in further reading of the T-Mo rep's post above, we too have had a few cases of that, but only from people coming from what used to be deemed 'phone first' web. Anyone coming from G1, Cliq [xt], MyTouch [3g/Slide], etc haven't had any problem. [I myself included.] Maybe there is a larger issue here depending on what T-Mo serverside [or phone interpretation side] are reading for the plan(s) [as you mentioned.]
The new web features are called 4g, but they replace the old ones. In other words, there is no separate 4g and 3g data features. Some reps are just stupid. As long as you have a web feature that works for your phone, you can get whatever speeds are available in your area.
Sent from my HTC Glacier
When doing any upgrades in a store, the web feature has to be taken off and the required web feature has to be added which is $30. Unless you go with one of the promo plans out right now, which have the data at $20.
deviusdragger said:
When doing any upgrades in a store, the web feature has to be taken off and the required web feature has to be added which is $30. Unless you go with one of the promo plans out right now, which have the data at $20.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah and the only way around it is to buy the phone full price.
Sent from my HTC Glacier
stoneyjonez said:
Yeah and the only way around it is to buy the phone full price.
Sent from my HTC Glacier
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
or you can always call retention =O
Nail on the head
cnflct said:
or you can always call retention =O
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sent from my HTC Glacier using XDA App
i would so trade you my myt4g for your NS all because of its GPU
The GPU war again huh? last we need is kids fighting over GPU now in mobile world lol seen that enough in PC world. BTW don't be fooled SGX540 just wins over Adreno 205 by very small margin as Galaxy S in this arena graphic comes superior in threading and displaying due to Super AMOLED. But if you check carefully due to superior hardware spec (higher ram, 2nd gen proc) it renders faster and smoother than NS. Trust me I know before I bought MT4G I did extended research on every device. DHD is the only one that came close but head to head with MT4G it didn't win in benchmark and only reason I picked it due to bigger screen which I miss since HD2.
MrHKM said:
The GPU war again huh? last we need is kids fighting over GPU now in mobile world lol seen that enough in PC world. BTW don't be fooled SGX540 just wins over Adreno 205 by very small margin as Galaxy S in this arena graphic comes superior in threading and displaying due to Super AMOLED. But if you check carefully due to superior hardware spec (higher ram, 2nd gen proc) it renders faster and smoother than NS. Trust me I know before I bought MT4G I did extended research on every device. DHD is the only one that came close but head to head with MT4G it didn't win in benchmark and only reason I picked it due to bigger screen which I miss since HD2.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah i did my research as well. watch a sh*t load of review, etc I just like the form factor of the nexus s and its one strip of glass so i wouldnt have to worry about light leaking, hard buttons creaking, and with the SAMOLED i dont care much for but i like the extra 2" the GPU isnt too much better but it does run PSX alittle better. also if this phone is dropped it would probably dent lol cause the metal and its supper heavy (i actually like the heavy part) i just wish HTC didnt make it glass, hard buttons, then another plastic part. it just makes it complecated and problems xD i have OCD about phone stuff lol. when i get this phone replaced and get one with a good screen ill be happy then (if i dont get damn creaky buttons) idk if i would wanna go with samsung anyway.. after the behold 2 they fvcked over everyone with that phone.. but google has the NS backed up thats why i thought about it.
I learned long ago about not buying from Samsung as they truly lack the oversight, hence why HTC excels in this field? they are only focused in dominating the mobile field which they have successfully done so and I can say all my device will be HTC based until something else comes along. But thats very hard when 9/10 device that do make in is HTC based lol so they must be doing something right.
Ya I wasn't happy with the display, creaking button and ffc problems with MT4G, I just found it very odd the number of reported was so high as it makes you wonder how it even got passed QC in first place, they must have monkeys lol checking it. My display turn out good along with the button but the FFC is off center as its tilted on the right as its 0.3mp cam I don't care much as I doubt I will ever use it.
Looking at possibly coming over to tmobile to use the 4g network, since I tether with the mytouch 4g.
All plans unlimited text and data
Considering the "no contract plans"
500min @ $59.99 plus tax
1000min @$69.99 plus tax
OR
Sign a two year contract to get another phone, possibly a mytouch 4g for $99 costco or the up coming sale.
1500min @ $79.99 POSSIBLE discount of 15% =$68 plus tax
Ohio state discount for employees or whatever.....Over the phone with a customer rep I was told I just had to provide a valid email. If I give them my osu email this should work although I'm not an employee of the university. Would trade the new mytouch 4g for a nexus s and keep it as a back up. Or just wait for newer 4g phones to come out and purchase one of those.
Question pertains to being able to set up the OSU email on the account, would it work just by giving CS the email? Anyway to set up a discount on the "no contract plans" even more plan
MrHKM said:
I learned long ago about not buying from Samsung as they truly lack the oversight, hence why HTC excels in this field? they are only focused in dominating the mobile field which they have successfully done so and I can say all my device will be HTC based until something else comes along. But thats very hard when 9/10 device that do make in is HTC based lol so they must be doing something right.
Ya I wasn't happy with the display, creaking button and ffc problems with MT4G, I just found it very odd the number of reported was so high as it makes you wonder how it even got passed QC in first place, they must have monkeys lol checking it. My display turn out good along with the button but the FFC is off center as its tilted on the right as its 0.3mp cam I don't care much as I doubt I will ever use it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I can agree with you on that. HTC has been my number one device but after the mytouch side and now this... The G1 had better buttons than this. And didn't have light leaking through. Its sad the g1 having better build quality. And evey other phone coming out with a ffc has a 1.3 mp I know mp isn't the thing that counts but 0.3? Lol. I don't think monkeys would've even let it pass haha. Htc messed up the nexis one screen as well.. I think they do perfect on every phone then mess up the stupidest thing that could've been avoided. I don't get it. Its like they don't test their own devices. If it wasn't for the hard buttons and messed ffc and crap screen lol. Those are easy fixes for them to see I'm sure.
Sent from my HTC Glacier using XDA App
stoneyjonez said:
Yeah and the only way around it is to buy the phone full price.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats what I did, bought mine on Craigslist after I returned the NS to Best Buy.
I just dont trust what the rep told me on the phone and I'd like to know
for sure if I actually have HSPA+ or not.
You Have A MyTouch 4G ? You Have 4G !
Ok guys, went to my local TMO company store today in search of an answer
to the question "do I have to upgrade my plan in order to get
HSPA+/4G" .
The answer is no, the original prebuy G1 Android plan gets 4G and there
is no way for TMO to block 4G since technically its 3.5something G anyways.
I went to settings/about phone/network while I was in the store and it said
HSDPA on the phone.
The rep in the store agreed that what the rep told me on the phone was bogus.
For anyone who doesn't stray too far from the G2 section of XDA I found this thread in the my old stomping ground Vibrant section.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=815637
Basically, T-Mo is doing a pilot of a home 3G booster for select customers. It is a physical unit they ship to you, and it's basically just a cell repeater. You need to have at least a small amount of 3G reception somewhere in your house, according to the thread.
I sent my email about an hour ago to tmo and they responded within about 30 min saying that I might qualify and gave me a number to call. I called and the loyalty rep asked me a couple questions to verify eligibility. You need to live in a single family home and have a landline (though they did not verify this, just asked and continued on when I responded in the affirmative).
The rep said it would be mailed out Tuesday morning 100% free, the only thing I need to do is fill out the surveys they send periodically to see how the service is working.
Basically, if you get crappy 3G coverage in your house, give this a shot. Several people in the thread have already received the device and said it works great, and I can report back once I receive mine.
So all we do is shoot them an email saying our 3G service is sort of low and that we want to be a tester? Can you post the number?
Apparently if you call a standard CSR they will not know what you are talking about. There is a special email. Here is the email exchange. They gave me their number to call in their response, but I am not 100% certain whether you need to email them first or not. Their email is [email protected].
Here's my exchange:
from MORESIGNAL <[email protected]>
to T***** Bunch <[email protected]*******.com>
date Fri, Feb 18, 2011 at 3:02 PM
subject RE: Weak Home Signal
hide details 3:02 PM (1 hour ago)
Dear T-Mobile Customer,
We have reviewed your recent coverage concern, and you may qualify to be part of a free, in-home device trial! The device is designed to boost 3G signal inside your home. We look forward to speaking with you regarding your eligibility. Please call us at 1-877-724-4659 for details!
T-Mobile Customer Loyalty Team
Please do not reply to this e-mail. If you have questions, please call us at 1-877-724-4659.
From: T***** Bunch [mailto:[email protected]********.com]
Sent: Friday, February 18, 2011 2:13 PM
To: MORESIGNAL
Subject: Weak Home Signal
- Hide quoted text -
I'm a long-time T-Mobile customer (509-***-****) who's on the verge of cancellation due to difficulty in getting a signal at my house. I read some internet forum posts about a T-Mobile trial of a Nextivity signal booster that sounds like it might allow my phone to work at home and enable T-Mobile to salvage a customer account.
I have a G2 and my wife has a MyTouch3G Slide and only in a couple areas of our house we can get 3G coverage. Unfortunately this is very frustrating for us as we pay almost $150 per month for our service and have very low-speed data while we are in all the common areas of our house.
I live in WA and am willing to fill out surveys on my experiences with the booster. Please let me know if I can be included in your trial.
T***** Bunch
[email protected]********.com
509-***-****
I'm sending an email, just because of my interest in the technology Thx for this.
Thanks for the info! I just sent them a letter
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA App
Sent one as well.. My phone has two bars of 3G sitting beside me but when I pick it up it will go to Edge or even GPRS in certain areas of my house. However I go a few blocks down the street and I am full tilt "4G"
I've seen this happening a bit with AT&T customers with bad reception, getting phemtocells to boost 3G performance inside their house.
Although I don't really get why you would do this with T-mobile? especially if you have a G2, why not just use WiFi calling and call it a day?
I am really excited to see if we qualify for this. In my room I get 3G alright, but most of our house is on edge, and our living room gets little to no cell reception at all. If someone who still has 3G coverage in their house can get this, than we should definitely be able to as long-time (10 years +) T-Mobile Customers.
Our housing association turned down building a cell tower near my house not too long ago to address the concerns of everyone in this area and I was really ticked at them for not doing it.
martonikaj said:
I've seen this happening a bit with AT&T customers with bad reception, getting phemtocells to boost 3G performance inside their house.
Although I don't really get why you would do this with T-mobile? especially if you have a G2, why not just use WiFi calling and call it a day?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is of course assuming one has wifi in their house to begin with.
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA App
TJBunch1228 said:
This is of course assuming one has wifi in their house to begin with.
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ya its nuts that some people still dont have wifi, it costs like 20-30 bucks at walmart for a router lol.
i wonder if those same people are still paying for 56k speed on AOL.
TJBunch1228 said:
This is of course assuming one has wifi in their house to begin with.
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I find it hard to believe that someone reading XDA doesn't have WiFi in their house.
And even lighter, I'd be surprised if someone who has an android phone with a $70+ phone plan including data doesn't have WiFi lol.
Just sayin it would be easier to just turn on WiFi calling then order a microcell.
martonikaj said:
I find it hard to believe that someone reading XDA doesn't have WiFi in their house.
And even lighter, I'd be surprised if someone who has an android phone with a $70+ phone plan including data doesn't have WiFi lol.
Just sayin it would be easier to just turn on WiFi calling then order a microcell.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is for people who don't have home internet or only have slow DSL obviously. Of course if you have a great ISP and a wireless router this thread is moot for you.
Don't sign up for the free equipment if you are happy with your wifi calling and wifi data. Simple as that.
martonikaj said:
I find it hard to believe that someone reading XDA doesn't have WiFi in their house.
And even lighter, I'd be surprised if someone who has an android phone with a $70+ phone plan including data doesn't have WiFi lol.
Just sayin it would be easier to just turn on WiFi calling then order a microcell.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed lol
I've got a really beasty Net gear router with 8 internal antennas and almost 800mhz processor in it.... and I STILL get barely enough wifi to do wifi calling in my bedroom
So this thing would be perfect for me. I get great data outside, and other parts of my house, but I swear my room has lead walls *it's an addon to the old house*
i ordered mine today hopefully i will no longer have dead spots in my bathroom and back bedroom. and they waived the shgipping cost. tmo is really trying to keep their customers happy.
Thanks for sharing. I ordered one today. I didn't bother with the email and just called the number. The rep asked if anyone else needed one. My folks got two more, one for home and another for office. No shipping, no strings, lifetime use. They may ask you to answer some questions by email about the product. No big deal there.
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA App
tsalate said:
i ordered mine today hopefully i will no longer have dead spots in my bathroom and back bedroom. and they waived the shgipping cost. tmo is really trying to keep their customers happy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Service in the bathroom? sounds like a 1 way ticket to water damage.
But yea it seems like T-mo is really trying to keep their customers. I'm on a non-contract plan and they treat me amazingly lol.
You're gonna sit there with a straight face and tell me you throw birds at pigs while you are deucing?!
Madness
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA App
What number are you calling? I called the one in the thread, and I get some real estate company. I have yet to get an email response.
brfield said:
What number are you calling? I called the one in the thread, and I get some real estate company. I have yet to get an email response.
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Click to collapse
The number in the 3rd post of this thread, my email from them, is the one I called..worked fine yesterday.
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA App
TJBunch1228 said:
Dear T-Mobile Customer,
We have reviewed your recent coverage concern, and you may qualify to be part of a free, in-home device trial! The device is designed to boost 3G signal inside your home. We look forward to speaking with you regarding your eligibility. Please call us at 1-877-724-4659 for details!
T-Mobile Customer Loyalty Team
Please do not reply to this e-mail. If you have questions, please call us at 1-877-724-4659.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks so much for this post. It gave me an idea of what we needed to do to get into this program. Here's my experience: We called into the program (at the number listed above) and told them that we had a weak signal in our house and heard about this pilot program to provide cell boosters to customers. The representative was extremely friendly through the whole call, and asked us some of the questions above or listed in the other post (landline, home, 911, etc). Good thing we were prepared with this. After going through all that they told us they'd be sending it free with the stipulation that we return it if they end the program and that we answer 3 surveys. Fully worth it from our perspective.
Our reception problems are bad here...
I didn't tell them this, but I think the problems got way worse with our new roof. In most of our house we either get edge or no reception (in two particular places incl our home office) but in my room we get 3G (Lucky!). I'm really excited about this program and that I found this post my first day on the "Normal" G2 forums (I'm normally reading the Dev section).
Aloha
I'm trying to buy a phone to replace my wife's POS Samsung Moment. She wants the Evo, so I called Sprint a few weeks ago to order her one. I was prepared to pay full price for the Evo since neither myself nor my wife is due for an upgrade, but the sales rep on the phone took a look at my lines (I have 4 phones plus a "line" for my Airave) and told me that she was going to upgrade me based on the Airave upgrade eligibility. Dumb me, I actually argued with her and told her that it wasn't a phone, and she acknowledged it but said that it would save me money and make me a happy customer. Hey - whatever she can do, that's great, so let's jump on that! Bad news - they were out of stock of the Evo AND the Evo Shift, and I flat refused to get her the Epic (I am not a fan of Sprint's CURRENT Samsung offerings...but would love to look at the Nexus S.)
On a Friday afternoon trip, she decided she'd had enough of her phone locking up, so she wanted to stop by the Sprint store. After waiting in there for about an hour and a half (I expect crap service there, and am never disappointed...) the sales rep brought us out a white Evo (what she really wanted.) However, when we explained what the Sprint sales rep on the phone was going to do, he acknowledged that he HAD done that before, but he'd gotten into trouble for it. He was adamant that he wasn't going to do it for us, and while I was perturbed, I wasn't going to ask him to jeopardize his job. He told me that the reps on the phone shouldn't have offered either.
So who was right? I admit it sounds fishy to try and skirt the prices by "upgrading" an Airave, but if the phone rep wasn't so quick to offer to do it, I'd be calling shenanigans. I don't *want* to pay full price, but if I can save $150, I'd be stupid not to.
We didn't buy it - I'm going to try calling back and getting the Nexus S when it's released and see if I can get the same offer.
I don't think they are supposed to upgrade an Airave line. If they do then that probably would mean you'd have to send in the Airave and be stuck with that number as an additional line.
You can do one of two things.
1. Ask for the manager, listen to what he/she tells you, then ask for like an area or district manager about the data lockup with the Moment. Also remind them that it's also illegal against the FCC for any type of phone in service or not to not be able to dial out to an emergency number such as 911, and when the lockup starts on the Moment, you can't call out at all.
or
2. With Sprint, if you've had your phone replaced three times due to a hardware or software issue you've been having then Sprint offers you an early upgrade.
With both of these Sprint will offer you an early upgrade, but most likely it will not be an Evo, or they will offer you a discount on some phones to upgrade to.
vbetts said:
You can do one of two things.
1. Ask for the manager, listen to what he/she tells you, then ask for like an area or district manager about the data lockup with the Moment. Also remind them that it's also illegal against the FCC for any type of phone in service or not to not be able to dial out to an emergency number such as 911, and when the lockup starts on the Moment, you can't call out at all.
or
2. With Sprint, if you've had your phone replaced three times due to a hardware or software issue you've been having then Sprint offers you an early upgrade.
With both of these Sprint will offer you an early upgrade, but most likely it will not be an Evo, or they will offer you a discount on some phones to upgrade to.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You mentioned lockup - I've been lazy and haven't researched her issue, but that's EXACTLY the problem...the phone just freezes. Can you provide any link to information regarding that? It's well out of warranty and this would be the first time we're reporting this, unfortunately.
Sprint had made it very clear to all reps not to use the upgrade on the Airave line. Many people have done it in the past but in no way should they be doing so now, it does put your job on the line believe it or not.
And as far as what the guy above said, it's not that easy.
Sent from my spaceship!
DirtyShroomz said:
Sprint had made it very clear to all reps not to use the upgrade on the Airave line. Many people have done it in the past but in no way should they be doing so now, it does put your job on the line believe it or not.
And as far as what the guy above said, it's not that easy.
Sent from my spaceship!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have no reason to believe it doesn't. Perhaps I just talked to someone who didn't care
So why does the airave show the upgrade eligibility? If it can't/isn't supposed to be used, then take that visibility away from the customer. That would simplify things greatly, and no one would be having this discussion in the first place.
Once i got my airvana my account did the same thing. My wife should be available for the 150 but it switched to the airvana now. I dont know whats going to happen when she goes in for the upgrade either.
jickey said:
I have no reason to believe it doesn't. Perhaps I just talked to someone who didn't care
So why does the airave show the upgrade eligibility? If it can't/isn't supposed to be used, then take that visibility away from the customer. That would simplify things greatly, and no one would be having this discussion in the first place.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because the system shows it as a line, simple as that. Your car shows it can go 150mph, do you use it?
Sent from my spaceship!
fireburster said:
Once i got my airvana my account did the same thing. My wife should be available for the 150 but it switched to the airvana now. I dont know whats going to happen when she goes in for the upgrade either.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Call in and have it fixed, assuming she didn't lose her upgrade because of the premier program change.
Sent from my spaceship!
DirtyShroomz said:
Because the system shows it as a line, simple as that. Your car shows it can go 150mph, do you use it?
Sent from my spaceship!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, *MY* car doesn't show 150, but if I need to use it, I could
Just playing devil's advocate here - not disagreeing. I understand, just being argumentative with your example...
jickey said:
Well, *MY* car doesn't show 150, but if I need to use it, I could
Just playing devil's advocate here - not disagreeing. I understand, just being argumentative with your example...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hah it's cool, it's a forum. Theres no way for Sprint to remove an upgrade from a line and since the airave shows as an additional line it has an upgrade. Bugs that cost more to fix then leave alone and educate reps about I guess.
Sent from my spaceship!
DirtyShroomz said:
Hah it's cool, it's a forum. Theres no way for Sprint to remove an upgrade from a line and since the airave shows as an additional line it has an upgrade. Bugs that cost more to fix then leave alone and educate reps about I guess.
Sent from my spaceship!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LOL - I'm a SME/Senior Support tech for a large software company - you're preaching to the choir about bugs that cost too much to fix - or development WON'T fix
jickey said:
LOL - I'm a SME/Senior Support tech for a large software company - you're preaching to the choir about bugs that cost too much to fix - or development WON'T fix
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol I had no idea but at least you understand
Sent from my spaceship!
Can't you get around this by just going into Bestbuy, RS, or wirefly, then telling them you want to upgrade the 'airave number', it'll show up qualifying as a upgrade, then you buy the phone for the upgrade price (usually the same as a new customer), and walk out, then switch your airave back to that number in a day or two via the sprint site or calling sprint.
Going to try this, since we have 3 lines, all go on a $150 discount (saving them for the EVO 3D) and an airave with a $150 discount, too, which I want to use now on a Nexus S 4G.
Yeah, yeah, this is kind of unfair and cheating the system, but it's Sprint's fault/error/issue, and I'm pissed that I've been getting 0 - 150k from the tower by my house for 5 months now and they don't seem to care. 4G is like 500k tops, unless you're standing across the street from the tower, then it's 2k, which is barely faster than 3G's optimal speed. :|
Hrshycro said:
Can't you get around this by just going into Bestbuy, RS, or wirefly, then telling them you want to upgrade the 'airave number', it'll show up qualifying as a upgrade, then you buy the phone for the upgrade price (usually the same as a new customer), and walk out, then switch your airave back to that number in a day or two via the sprint site or calling sprint.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i would like to know if this is something doable by going through 3rd party.
Ok, So I am incredibly unsatisfied with Sprint's service as of late. I purchased the Epic 4g Touch and experienced the dreaded "Loss Of Service" bug frequently. I was within my 14 day return limit so I went into the Visalia California Sprint Store to swap out for a different model (namely the Evo 3d which I traded in for the e4gt). I also signed 5 of my friends up with sprint as well and 2 of them got the e4gt and had the same exact issues. They convinced me to try a replacement and assured me that if it still experienced that bug I could return it within 14 days of receiving the replacement phone. The replacement phone was worse than the one I had originally and lost service every hour. I missed several calls from work leaving my employer under the impression I was angry and ignoring her and almost cost me my job. So I went in to the Visalia California store yet again to get a replacement model. I spoke with the same woman that convinced me to get the replacement model (She was also the manager) and she stated that the device was out of its 14 days since the FIRST device and that I couldn't get a different model (see what she did there?). So I went home and called Sprint off of another line and spent 4 hours total on hold. I hung up and called Sprint tech support and after running tests and walking me through updates and such the rep spoke with a manager on his end and concluded that I needed a different model of phone. He stated that he would note that down in the ticket and to go into the Visalia California store and they would give me a different model. So I went in to the store and spoke with the manager yet again. This time after reading the ticket she became rude and uncivil stating that the ticket says "customer needs to try a different model of phone" and that they didn't have to provide it for me and that even if it did, corporate cannot make them give me a different model. The whole time I was civil and polite but my frustration was building. I drove an hour to the Sprint store in Fresno only to find out that Visalia had to handle my case and that they could not even replace it with the same model. So I found a man on craigslist and traded it for a Nexus S 4g. I plan on paying out my contract asap and switching to Verizon. They know how to treat a customer.
/End rant/
I might be wrong, but i'm pretty sure since you live in the state of California you have up to 30-days to return a device and not 14 like other states.
i was told 14.
This thread should be titled “my Samsung experience.”
Welcome to Samsung. You have been initiated.
*nevermind*
read your local laws, scan or photo them, and send them to sprint. I have been a customer since 1999 and they would NEVER pull this poo with me. I threaten them every time I am on the phone, you'll get what you want, ask for the account retention department...
Wait what the hell? Verizon and AT&T both limit your data now? WTF I cant do that God they are sooo lucky I need a phone. So I get a choice between sh*tty customer service and sh*tty cellphone service... I can't live in this world anymore
cobraboy85 said:
This thread should be titled “my Samsung experience.”
Welcome to Samsung. You have been initiated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't see how it's Samsung's fault when Sprint refused to exchange the device even after his account was noted.
Longcat14 said:
I don't see how it's Samsung's fault when Sprint refused to exchange the device even after his account was noted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because Samsung phones have constant issues....
The Bird is the Word
Babydoll25 said:
Because Samsung phones have constant issues....
The Bird is the Word
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah. Loving my Nexus S. I've taken a vow to only use nexus phones from now on.
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using xda premium
Longcat14 said:
I don't see how it's Samsung's fault when Sprint refused to exchange the device even after his account was noted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hi... I do not know much about sprint...I have heard of it for the first time... Can you tell me about it...!
Sodiyana said:
hi... I do not know much about sprint...I have heard of it for the first time... Can you tell me about it...!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Read the first post. All you need to know
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using xda premium
sprint is fine, i work for them, it's just you always get the a**holes at some sprint stores, i would never treat a customer like that, let alone lead them in the wrong direction just for a commissioned pay, that's probably why that manager did that, but anywho, don't be mad at sprint, i'm sure you experience will get better with them, my parents have been with them for 15 years+ and never had an issue, and i've been with them for about 5 or 6 under my parents account, they have good service, just right now it's kinda hard keeping everyone happy while doing a MASSIVE network upgrade, but some people are impatient, but trust me sprint is the way to go
P.S. from reading your post, the initial issue does sound like it was the phone itself, you should have gotten something else, and don't bother with the 3d unless you can return it, i'm using it now, low signal strength, i would recommend the Photon (also own) the signal strength and radios in that phone are the strongest i've ever seen in any phone out there
buy your phone at target next time they have way better deals than sprint company stores and do a 30 day exchange period.. i work at a target mobile, we will treat you right,
sexykika said:
buy your phone at target next time they have way better deals than sprint company stores and do a 30 day exchange period.. i work at a target mobile, we will treat you right,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was thinking bestbuy.. there's no deposit on their insurance
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using xda premium
Target offers an insurance similiar to best buys black tie for 7.99 monthly or 179.99 one time payment coverage for two years,
Sent from my LG-P925 using XDA App
timinator94 said:
i was told 14.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow, they change their terms.
http://www.sprint.com/landings/returns/
Was 30 in PA. Not sure what it is anymore.
sexykika said:
Target offers an insurance similiar to best buys black tie for 7.99 monthly or 179.99 one time payment coverage for two years,
Sent from my LG-P925 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you ever tried to get a replacement? Try it on something low cost. Google the horror stories.
A2CKilla said:
sprint is fine, i work for them, it's just you always get the a**holes at some sprint stores, i would never treat a customer like that, let alone lead them in the wrong direction just for a commissioned pay, that's probably why that manager did that, but anywho, don't be mad at sprint, i'm sure you experience will get better with them, my parents have been with them for 15 years+ and never had an issue, and i've been with them for about 5 or 6 under my parents account, they have good service, just right now it's kinda hard keeping everyone happy while doing a MASSIVE network upgrade, but some people are impatient, but trust me sprint is the way to go
P.S. from reading your post, the initial issue does sound like it was the phone itself, you should have gotten something else, and don't bother with the 3d unless you can return it, i'm using it now, low signal strength, i would recommend the Photon (also own) the signal strength and radios in that phone are the strongest i've ever seen in any phone out there
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I dont suppose seeing how you work for them you can help me? I traded my phone away to a guy on craigslist(hope he lost my number LOL) but would love my upgrade back..
timinator94 said:
I dont suppose seeing how you work for them you can help me? I traded my phone away to a guy on craigslist(hope he lost my number LOL) but would love my upgrade back..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i was just saying, so you'll know i can really relate to your problem and i'm not just rambling with non sense, as far as the upgrade....i would have talked the phone with them for a while before giving up so easily
---------- Post added at 01:35 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:34 AM ----------
chrischoi said:
Wow, they change their terms.
http://www.sprint.com/landings/returns/
Was 30 in PA. Not sure what it is anymore.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
and that's been in effect for a couple months now actually :/ it sucks