Is this a clear wimax tower? - EVO 4G General

I was wondering if someone familiar with what the clear wimax towers look like could tell me if this was one of them, or something else. The photo below was taken at a dept. of public works building, so I was not sure if it could be something used for radio communication instead. I didn't want to get all hyped up if it was something like that.
Thanks
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It does look like a cell phone tower, but I don't know if we can tell if it's specifically a clear tower from those pics.

Cool, I drove by one location that I know is a sprint tower and it had something similar but it was too dark to snap a pic. I tried to compare it to some images on google but I'm no expert and have no idea what a regular cell tower without wimax looks like. Guess I could google that too, lol.

Other than possibly being a little different in length to account for the difference in the frequencies Sprint/Clear are using for WiMax, the antennas probably wouldn't look that different. If the frequencies were the same (and quite possibly even if they aren't), the antennas could very well be identical. The antennas are mostly concerned with what frequencies they are dealing with and how much power. WiMax is pretty much just a payload on that signal.

Looks like the antenna that sends wifi to my house (no cable net out here in the sticks) except there's a lot more of them on my tower.
You have been EVOfied.

I doubt that tower has WiMax antennas. You can usually tell because there'll be a microwave relay antenna on the tower (not always, if the tower's got plenty of fiber connecting it to the backbone) but the actual WiMax antennas are long, wide, and flat antennas typically.
You can see if the location is in fact a tower by checking the Clear coverage map on clear.com. It's fairly accurate about tower locations, but won't show testbed networks (where WiMax hasn't officially been turned on yet).
EDIT: Attached are two pictures of a WiMax tower behind one of the remote sites I work at. The top antennas are cellular, the middle ring is WiMax and the microwave antenna, and the bottom ring are NEXTEL/iDEN antennas. This is my best understanding of the system.

drmacinyasha said:
I doubt that tower has WiMax antennas. You can usually tell because there'll be a microwave relay antenna on the tower (not always, if the tower's got plenty of fiber connecting it to the backbone) but the actual WiMax antennas are long, wide, and flat antennas typically.
You can see if the location is in fact a tower by checking the Clear coverage map on clear.com. It's fairly accurate about tower locations, but won't show testbed networks (where WiMax hasn't officially been turned on yet).
EDIT: Attached are two pictures of a WiMax tower behind one of the remote sites I work at. The top antennas are cellular, the middle ring is WiMax and the microwave antenna, and the bottom ring are NEXTEL/iDEN antennas. This is my best understanding of the system.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Bottom sector is Nextel? I didn't know Nextel used TMA's and Ret motors etc...

looks like a temp 4g tower to me we had those here in texas but now there huge and took those off

If u can get close to the station see if you can see a smaller power looking box on the ground. I say smaller bc the wimax network boxs are like 1/5th the size of the regular ones. Itd also look new too. No taller than a suv and no wider than a car in square form somewhat.
Google it theres a news special someone did on the stuff and they showed the units upclose.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

That is correct sgt. slaughter. If you get close to the tower, I would love to know the speedtest on that. Has to be crazy fast.

fgarcia25 said:
That is correct sgt. slaughter. If you get close to the tower, I would love to know the speedtest on that. Has to be crazy fast.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Speedtest is not only dependent on how close you are the to TX...
For instance, if you have a good signal, try a speedtest with different local servers. I have seen differences as high as 5mbps just switching speedtest servers, as there must be different bandwidths available.

fgarcia25 said:
That is correct sgt. slaughter. If you get close to the tower, I would love to know the speedtest on that. Has to be crazy fast.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've been within 50 yards of one, and still could not get above 10Mbps.
swyped from my gingerbread'd Evo 4G

tomh1979 said:
I've been within 50 yards of one, and still could not get above 10Mbps.
swyped from my gingerbread'd Evo 4G
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i thought to close was also bad too... ? or am i wrong here

elegantai said:
I was wondering if someone familiar with what the clear wimax towers look like could tell me if this was one of them, or something else. The photo below was taken at a dept. of public works building, so I was not sure if it could be something used for radio communication instead. I didn't want to get all hyped up if it was something like that.
Thanks
Ive never installed Wimax, but Ive worked and installed ants. on many Sprint towers. This doesn't even look like the technology they use, even though that varies in different markets. First clue is no Microwave ant., but I may be wrong.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

From what I understand this is what the "towers" look like. They are just little boxes.
Sent from your favorite carrier, black and yellow!

DirtyShroomz said:
From what I understand this is what the "towers" look like. They are just little boxes.
Sent from your favorite carrier, black and yellow!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Now that looks more like it... small radio cabs mounted close to the ants. Very similar to Tmo's 3g layout.

the ones looks like light bars is a antenna of access point to send wi-fi 2 miles around thats I know there is some pleases they have free wi-fi

That looks like it's for public service radio. (IE. Police, Fire Medical)
Especially hearing it's near a civil building, I wouldn't doubt it.

Tree antenna
huh, i saw one of these. They installed one in 6 days, after the finished they put fake tree stuff on the attenna's. They made the pole out of a wood-like material.
next time i go by it ill take a pic with my evervolv evo

kasey348 said:
the ones looks like light bars is a antenna of access point to send wi-fi 2 miles around thats I know there is some pleases they have free wi-fi
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dude, seriously, wtf are you talking about...?

Related

Nexus One 3G Issues (h/w)

Hi guys.
Please have a look at these reports:
http://www.tmonews.com/2010/01/nexus-one-incurring-3g-problems/
http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/09/google-support-forums-rife-with-nexus-one-3g-complaints-is-this/
http://www.erodov.com/forums/nexus-has-one-major-pr-nightmare-coming-up-3g-issue/28857.html
and the source forum thread:
http://www.google.com/support/forum...c2&hl=en&fid=0bd8ccd4799040c200047c9a22ea5c23
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Is anyone else having spotty 3G coverage where as the same sim is having proper 3G coverage with another device?
Please report back.
Regards.
I haven't noticed any difference here.
mark925 said:
I haven't noticed any difference here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you compare it with another phone? How many bars of signal?
Mine's getting the same 3G coverage my Cliq was
I've never had 3g problemo's...then again im on wifi most of the time
TFJ4 said:
I've never had 3g problemo's...then again im on wifi most of the time
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats the thing with smart phones, being on 3G most of time, you don't realize the 3G speeds.
My 3g was solid when i went int town... ****ty at home but thats what wifi is for
personally i think if there is a problem its with tmobile's network... they just rolled out a new system and their service has never been "verizon" as it is... give it time children... i think everyone just likes to throw a fit about everything for the sake of kickin and screaming
haha i just checked the map around my house and there is like speckles of 3g all around my house but not directly over where my house would be... i get 3g in random parts of my house and edge upstairs in my room... pretty funny that the map of their reflects my situation so well
i cannot wait to get back to tempe, the whole phoenix metro area is one big purple blotch on the coverage map lol
JHaste said:
My 3g was solid when i went int town... ****ty at home but thats what wifi is for
personally i think if there is a problem its with tmobile's network... they just rolled out a new system and their service has never been "verizon" as it is... give it time children... i think everyone just likes to throw a fit about everything for the sake of kickin and screaming
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I totally agree... but have a look:
http://www.twitpic.com/x3zm0
How can the same provider (T-mobile) have 3G in the G1 but Edge on the Nexus One?
Its quite possible though that this is a measure implemented by Google to keep the phone in low power EDGE mode when you are not actively using the data connection? That way the phone lasts a lot longer? Just guessing...
I think it's more of a T-Mobile issue than a N1 issue. I originally ordered it with a T-Mobile SIM/plan, but ended up having to use it with AT&T on EDGE since I couldn't get a signal at all indoors and it dropped down to GRPS when I was inside a restaurant in the middle of Downtown LA!
dsjr2006 said:
I think it's more of a T-Mobile issue than a N1 issue. I originally ordered it with a T-Mobile SIM/plan, but ended up having to use it with AT&T on EDGE since I couldn't get a signal at all indoors and it dropped down to GRPS when I was inside a restaurant in the middle of Downtown LA!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you see the image in the first post? Two phones side by side (both TMob... I am hoping) with one having 3 Bars (3G) and other having 4 bars (EDGE)
KiD0M4N said:
I totally agree... but have a look:
http://www.twitpic.com/x3zm0
How can the same provider (T-mobile) have 3G in the G1 but Edge on the Nexus One?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
not to be a bastard, but how do you know theres not an ATT card in that nexus one?
KiD0M4N said:
Its quite possible though that this is a measure implemented by Google to keep the phone in low power EDGE mode when you are not actively using the data connection? That way the phone lasts a lot longer? Just guessing...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
DING DING DING! i read through a good portion of the google thread at the top and then skimmed the rest and thats what i was thinking may be happening... the guy was playing pandora on 3g with no problem, soon as he gets near it to play around it goes to edge? sounds to me like maybe a power saving mechanism... like the cpu it only uses the high end data rates when necessary, crafty if thats actually what its doing and it is working right... I shall run tests tomorrow when i go into town for dinner and such
personally though, the phone has been out on the streets for like 72 hours... bite your tongue for 10 days straight and if **** still doesnt fly by your book you have 4 days left on that RMA date... iphone release days anyone? att/apple about cried...
JHaste said:
not to be a bastard, but how do you know theres not an ATT card in that nexus one?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Probably because the Nexus One can't use AT&T 3G network, just 2G.
I've been paying close attention to reception since I got my NOne yesterday, and so far it seems to change at exactly the same times my G1 would. Upstairs 3g is strong, downstairs it drops to EDGE - just like my G1.
The only difference I notice is the NOne does it much faster.
I have a mytouch, G1 and N1 all on tmob and I have 3G on all three all the time, must be certain areas, or larger markets maybe?
NordicZz said:
Probably because the Nexus One can't use AT&T 3G network, just 2G.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
my point exactly... lol
JHaste said:
not to be a bastard, but how do you know theres not an ATT card in that nexus one?
DING DING DING! i read through a good portion of the google thread at the top and then skimmed the rest and thats what i was thinking may be happening... the guy was playing pandora on 3g with no problem, soon as he gets near it to play around it goes to edge? sounds to me like maybe a power saving mechanism... like the cpu it only uses the high end data rates when necessary, crafty if thats actually what its doing and it is working right... I shall run tests tomorrow when i go into town for dinner and such
personally though, the phone has been out on the streets for like 72 hours... bite your tongue for 10 days straight and if **** still doesnt fly by your book you have 4 days left on that RMA date... iphone release days anyone? att/apple about cried...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
True that. Still waiting for ma phone to be delivered Hope it is all well...
JoshHart said:
I have a mytouch, G1 and N1 all on tmob and I have 3G on all three all the time, must be certain areas, or larger markets maybe?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats another possibility as well.
If you all remember, the 3GS used to 'reflect' the fact that it had dropped out of 3G a lot earlier than the 'iPhone 3G' and that lead ppl to believe that the 3GS has poor 3G reception.
Maybe it is a similar situation here...
Anyone having this problem in the UK?

@ AT&T Users

If you cup the bottom of the phone with both hands, will the connection switch to EDGE, or will the data just drop out altogether?
(Might only be for those of you with weak signal, such as -90 dBm and weaker)
(You can check signal strength via Settings -> About Phone -> Network)
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On edge only. T-mo n1.
When switching from holding the top and bottom; the signal changes from -61dBm to -55dBm.
Not 100% of the time though, sometimes it barely fluctuates.
britoso said:
On edge only. T-mo n1.
When switching from holding the top and bottom; the signal changes from -61dBm to -55dBm.
Not 100% of the time though, sometimes it barely fluctuates.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the AT&T version and just tested this. My result on 3G are almost exactly the same. Sometimes I loose up to 10db's. I put both hands around the back, and held it close to my body.
But I've never had the phone drop to EDGE once in 2 days in the SLC area.
Is this similar to the T-Mobile one? I have a Rogers G1 at home, I should check to see how these guys compare.
-James
Just checked mine on AT&T. The phone idles at my desk at around -87dBm. When I cup my hand around it it drops to -103dBm or worse. I can get it to lose signal altogether but it does not switch to Edge. Interseting that it has to be hardware related IMO. I wonder if one of those antenna boosters would actually work in this case?
awtryau89 said:
Just checked mine on AT&T. The phone idles at my desk at around -87dBm. When I cup my hand around it it drops to -103dBm or worse. I can get it to lose signal altogether but it does not switch to Edge. Interseting that it has to be hardware related IMO. I wonder if one of those antenna boosters would actually work in this case?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should do a speed test with your hand around it and one without and post your results.
I see some drop as well, but don't see it as much of an issue since I don't cup my hands around the bottom of the phone when using it. I think this is a fairly common problem with any phone which has the antenna on the bottom where you normally hold it. I saw something similar with my Nokia e71. The positive is that it puts additional distance between the antenna and your brain!
awtryau89 said:
Just checked mine on AT&T. The phone idles at my desk at around -87dBm. When I cup my hand around it it drops to -103dBm or worse. I can get it to lose signal altogether but it does not switch to Edge. Interseting that it has to be hardware related IMO. I wonder if one of those antenna boosters would actually work in this case?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah, I see.
So it looks like the 3G problem T-Mobile users have experienced is because of network technology.
When T-Mobile N1's go below -100 dBm, it switches to edge.
When AT&T N1's go below -100 dBm, it just cuts off the data. (Can anyone else with sub -90 dBm confirm this?)
In that case, it's hard to say which is preferable. Either you have slow connection, or no connection...
=\
Paul22000 said:
Ah, I see.
So it looks like the 3G problem T-Mobile users have experienced is because of network technology.
When T-Mobile N1's go below -100 dBm, it switches to edge.
When AT&T N1's go below -100 dBm, it just cuts off the data. (Can anyone else with sub -90 dBm confirm this?)
In that case, it's hard to say which is preferable. Either you have slow connection, or no connection...
=\
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Im on the ATT network. I live in an area which is considered a "dead zone" between two towers here. Avg signal inside my home is around -92 dBm. Right now my N1 is sitting on the desk and is pulling -111 with one bar registered on edge. this is the worst ive seen it so far.
Paul22000 said:
Ah, I see.
So it looks like the 3G problem T-Mobile users have experienced is because of network technology.
When T-Mobile N1's go below -100 dBm, it switches to edge.
When AT&T N1's go below -100 dBm, it just cuts off the data. (Can anyone else with sub -90 dBm confirm this?)
In that case, it's hard to say which is preferable. Either you have slow connection, or no connection...
=\
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Slow connection is better than no connection.
On my desk it idles at -70 dBm. With my hand around it it goes to -78 dBm. That's no biggie at all.
One thing you may be doing to foul your results is moving the phone for the in-hand test. Signal reception will be *different* with the phone in a different location and orientation.
Let's eliminate all these lurking variables before we go pointing fingers, folks.
I'm enjoy the heck out of my N1 and have had 0 problems (including anything with the screen).
I was out a good bit today in areas I usually drive. I know where I drop calls on my iPhone because I use the "Mark the Spot" app to send in to AT&T. No drop calls today with the N1. I also tested the phone in my basement. I constantly use my iPhone down there and have issues with a signal. When I originally tested the N1 in my Home Theater I was thinking I had a dud. I checked for a signal and had none where as I usually am on Edge and get 1 bar with the iPhone. The I noticed I was still on HSDPA with -111dBm. After a few seconds it switched to Edge and went into the 70-80 range. I am getting a much better Edge signal in my basement than I ever did with my iPhone.
Paul22000 said:
Ah, I see.
So it looks like the 3G problem T-Mobile users have experienced is because of network technology.
When T-Mobile N1's go below -100 dBm, it switches to edge.
When AT&T N1's go below -100 dBm, it just cuts off the data. (Can anyone else with sub -90 dBm confirm this?)
In that case, it's hard to say which is preferable. Either you have slow connection, or no connection...
=\
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
T-Mobile network would be better in that case. Think about it, its a hand off going on between 3G and EDGE. On T-Mobile, when on a call and your 3G signal gets low(-108dBm), your call is hand off to the EDGE network with higher signal. Hence no drop call when you approach a 3G dead zone. So think about AT&T, do they do this? apparently it seems the phone only switches to EDGE when there is No Signal at all on 3G. Hence a drop call could occur. Can someone confirm my theory?
awtryau89 said:
I was out a good bit today in areas I usually drive. I know where I drop calls on my iPhone because I use the "Mark the Spot" app to send in to AT&T. No drop calls today with the N1. I also tested the phone in my basement. I constantly use my iPhone down there and have issues with a signal. When I originally tested the N1 in my Home Theater I was thinking I had a dud. I checked for a signal and had none where as I usually am on Edge and get 1 bar with the iPhone. The I noticed I was still on HSDPA with -111dBm. After a few seconds it switched to Edge and went into the 70-80 range. I am getting a much better Edge signal in my basement than I ever did with my iPhone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you test my theory? Answer a call on 3G and go into your basement, your call should drop and the phone should switch to EDGE after..let me know if that happens..

Disappointed with 4G in Las Vegas, is this what we should expect?

Just got back from a 2 day drink-athon in Vegas and prior to binge, I was able to run some 4G test in different parts.
From the moment we came over the hill, I switched on 4G and monitored the phone; Tropicana Blvd is where I finally received a 4G signal. Immediately I ran a speed test and was getting horrible speeds. I realized that my phone's Server was still set to Los Angeles, after updating to a Vegas server, I was getting better (not literally) speeds.
I averaged about 2.3 Mbps down and 1 Mbps upload. Over 3G I was getting 1.5 ish, and 900k up.
So what gives ? Signal also fluctuates drastically... Is this what we should expect when 4G Rolls out in LA ?
The biggest issue with sprints 4g is the frequency it operates at. Meaning obstructions blocking los can have a huge impact on strength. This in turn hurts quality.
I really don't see it taking off simply for that reason. Penetration sucks unless you are very close to a tower. Lte is going to drop kick 4g in the face I'm not sure why they decided to go this way its obvious they learned nothing from the cdma penetration issues.
A bunch of execs sat around a table looking at cost and towers, picked this because the foot print is larger with less infrastructure but neglected to think about people not being able to use it effectively in cities or in buildings.
Aridon said:
The biggest issue with sprints 4g is the frequency it operates at. Meaning obstructions blocking los can have a huge impact on strength. This in turn hurts quality.
I really don't see it taking off simply for that reason. Penetration sucks unless you are very close to a tower. Lte is going to drop kick 4g in the face I'm not sure why they decided to go this way its obvious they learned nothing from the cdma penetration issues.
A bunch of execs sat around a table looking at cost and towers, picked this because the foot print is larger with less infrastructure but neglected to think about people not being able to use it effectively in cities or in buildings.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was well aware of the frequency issue but never though it would be that bad, although Vegas has pretty tall structures which I'm sure plays a role.
jaypeezee said:
I was well aware of the frequency issue but never though it would be that bad, although Vegas has pretty tall structures which I'm sure plays a role.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
While I'm sure that did play a role for you, there are a lot more factors involved. The St. Louis outlying areas where I pick up 4G now (Specifically Fenton and Arnold) have very few buildings over 4-5 stories. Even in a wide open parking lot with nothing but flat for about a thousand feet in every direction I don't get very good speeds if I'm inside even a car.
If I stand in that lot (the movie theater at Gravois Bluff if anyone from around here wants specifics) outside a car with nothing around, I hit ~3-3.5mbs down & ~1 up. If I'm in a car, I'm lucky to hit 2.5 down & 1 up. If I go inside the theater, ~2 down tops if I even get signal.
When I go in Red Robin's there by the Verizon store, I have full bars outside with ~3mb down & when I step inside I usually lose 4G service, but if I don't, I get ~1.5-2 down tops.
If you're moving, it gets even worse. Don't expect much over 2mb if you're in a moving car.
Sprint is pretty upfront on the coverage map about 4G having very limited availability inside buildings. In my experience, when driving around in a car through spotty coverage I usually get better speeds by turning off 4g completely. Searching, connecting, disconnecting destroys my ability to do anything with data.
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I live in Vegas and I have fairly good 4G Speeds. It does fluctuate often though. Sprint should be working on getting Vegas solid coverage since we're such a major city and so many customers here bought an Evo. I think that the same should go for all major cities, especially LA. They need to use our 10 extra bucks to buy some better coverage, but let's give Sprint some time
WiMAX coverage in Las Vegas is down right atrocious. You won't be able to drive down any freeway and maintain a solid connection.. that's just one example of how spotty the coverage is, the map is a blatant lie. The strip should have big coverage holes shown on the map for nearly all of the shops/hotels/casinos/clubs that don't have towers next to them. Try driving down Dean Martin/Industrial and see if you can maintain a 4G connection with no drops.
It's really bad when you spend some time in Las Vegas and go all around. Las Vegas didn't just launch last week either, they've been online for about a year now. It's one reason why I wasn't falling over the HTC Evo when it launched.. WiMAX coverage is bad. Sprint's coverage overall is better, but not the best.
Basically, if your city is like Las Vegas with lots of Suburbs, Urban areas, and even hilly areas! (7 Hills/Anthem) - expect coverage to be the same or worse. CLEAR can't even cover 7 Hills properly and didn't bother with Anthem.
I live in Vegas, I was probably the first person with WiMax though clearwire. I get decent speed with there usb but it's consistent. The 4g on my Evo however, is pretty much useless.... unless I'm plugged in. Most times though my 3g is plenty fast, and doesn't ever drop.
typed on my Evo...
I too live in Vegas and while in some areas 4G does suck for the most part I get a great signal both on my EVO and with Clearwire. I spend most time on the south end of the strip as I live and work in that area and I always get a great signal.
Sent via EVO
my dad lives in anthem henderson and man ATT and Sprint 3g and normal reception signal sucks Balls there! 4g is non existent!
I was in Vegas the day after Evo launch day and actually got pretty good 4g speeds too. I was not right down on the strip though. The only thing I found odd was that Sprints coverage is pretty spotty in general. In Reno we have great coverage, just no 4g.
asdf
Wow, a little discomforting from hearing all these replies OR thats just my stomach still trying to digest all the alcohol I consumed - meh.
Anyway, I didn't purchase this phone with high hopes for 4G and I knew going in to it I was probably only going switch it on while I was tethering/stationary somewhere... Although with all these similar replies, seems like this also maybe a problem.
Guess we'll wait and see - I know, new technology
When it works its great but 4G is very spotty in Vegas. Truthfully 4G was not my main reason for getting the Evo and in fact I don't use it unless I am streaming a video or a large download.

HSPA+.....

Just got a text from T-Mobile saying HSPA+ is active in my city....Memphis, TN. Havent noticed in difference. Maybe I should do a speed test later.
maybe you need an actual HSPA+ phone.
and maybe they had activated it before they announced it
hspa+ is still faster than the 3g you prob had, so now you might get up to 7.2mbps.. so you could notice a difference even though we dont have hspa enable devices... this is the first time that we can recieve more data than the phone can handle...
scrizz said:
maybe you need an actual HSPA+ phone.
and maybe they had activated it before they announced it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah i thought about that too. I have an upgrade so I am gonna get the G2 when it comes out. But i still wanna do some test with normal 3g versus HSPA+
Not sure if this is related but when i go to settings and about and signals its showing that im connected to umts (3g) but when i tether to my vibrant it goes to hspda (3.5g).
3g falling in the range of less than 7.2 around 3-4mbps and 3.5g around 5-7. Ive done a speed test.
speedtest.net /result /927922215.png
Im not sure if thats accurate info on the connection type. I also know speedtest sites are never accurate on speeds. Someone let me know.
All I care about is that hsdpa gets me down speeds rivaling my cable connection and up speeds beating my cable connection. 5.5/1
6? Don't need more.
Unless I am at home where tmo never gives me much signal love
Sent from my Vibrant.
DriftorX said:
Not sure if this is related but when i go to settings and about and signals its showing that im connected to umts (3g) but when i tether to my vibrant it goes to hspda (3.5g).
3g falling in the range of less than 7.2 around 3-4mbps and 3.5g around 5-7. Ive done a speed test.
speedtest.net /result /927922215.png
Im not sure if thats accurate info on the connection type. I also know speedtest sites are never accurate on speeds. Someone let me know.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just did the speed test on my Vibrant and thats the speeds I am getting. Dont remember what I was getting before tho.
I live in an HSPA+ city, and I haven't logged above 1.35mbps on the old speed test (usually far less -- around .5). Is that just the way the cookie crumbles (signal strength, etc.) or is that freakishly slow? (Going by the numbers cited in this thread, it sure sounds slow...)
pavvy said:
I live in an HSPA+ city, and I haven't logged above 1.35mbps on the old speed test (usually far less -- around .5). Is that just the way the cookie crumbles (signal strength, etc.) or is that freakishly slow? (Going by the numbers cited in this thread, it sure sounds slow...)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I get about 0.5 at home, but 4-5 at work.
I'm jealous! -- I get mostly EDGE at work...
pavvy said:
I'm jealous! -- I get mostly EDGE at work...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I only get edge at home. I live right outside of the hspa network...
I'm about 45 mins outside of hspa/3g networks, on most days around town, I stay on 3g
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
curious if your phones are showing the "H" icon at the top when you're pulling HSPDA+
larryccf said:
curious if your phones are showing the "H" icon at the top when you're pulling HSPDA+
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope. our phones are not HSPA phones, but T-Mobile says that most phones will get faster speeds.
No the h isn't turned on... Gotta check in settings... Only stock phone that shows h is the n1..
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
T-Mobile Vibrant
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Sprint Evo
Looks like the HSPA+ network to me. You didn't notice anything because you we're already on it. They only announce it after it has a good amount of coverage over the existing HSPA/3G network. It actually starts to come online far before they announce it. I noticed HSPA+ 2 months before they said it was live (outside of the strip where it was turned on during CES or CTIA)
acjames said:
Nope. our phones are not HSPA phones, but T-Mobile says that most phones will get faster speeds.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thought our phones were HSPA, but not HSPA+ - are you sure they're not HSPA??
reason i asked, mine has shown the "H" icon where the 3G icon usually is, but only "blue moon" events and maybe for a few hours duration when it does (according to Tmo's map, i'm in a "moderate" coverage area, and in a shallow valley in that area)
on a couple of those occasions i pulled 5.4 - 5.6 Mbps speedtests where i normally pull 1.1 - 1.4Mbps
larryccf said:
reason i asked, mine has shown the "H" icon where the 3G icon usually is, but only "blue moon" events and maybe for a few hours duration when it does
on a couple of those occasions i pulled 5.4 - 5.6 Mbps speedtests where i normally pull 1.1 - 1.4Mbps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Interesting. I havent noticed mine doing that. But i cant say i have paid much attention to it either tho.

Wireless Frequencies - pros and cons

Hey everyone
I've been looking into wireless frequencies recently for a little project of mine and I have a couple of questions which I haven't been able to find the answers to in simple form.
Basically I am looking for the pros and cons of different mobile phone frequencies (ie 850mhz, 2100mhz etc). About the only thing I have managed to pick up is that the lower the frequency the better it can penetrate solid objects and also travel further.
I'm sure there must be more to it than this or otherwise we would all be using low frequencies for networks. Any help or further info would be appreciated and also if you could help explain why that is the case so I can understand it better.
Thanks!
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App
as for everyone not using lower frequencies, maybe it has to do with Spectrum availability... for instance in US everyone's eyeing the recently freed white spaces in the 700MHz range, but the highest bidder gets them.
generally longer wavelengths are used in rural areas, and shorter in urban areas because they have more towers in place anyway can afford shorter frequencies.
But AT&T seems to actively convert to 850MHz anywhere possible.
for GSM, Mostly only 2G networks are now on higher frequencies, and for 3G with higher spectral power requirements, they try to use 850 to try to save power somewhere...
ap1618 said:
as for everyone not using lower frequencies, maybe it has to do with Spectrum availability... for instance in US everyone's eyeing the recently freed white spaces in the 700MHz range, but the highest bidder gets them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think it is a similar situation here in Australia. Telstra announced an LTE network for us but running on 1800mhz (old 2g spectrum for them) however by 2013 all analogue TV will be switched off so everyone is eyeing the 700mhz spectrum. I read somewhere however that if Telstra decided to use it the cost would be about an extra half a billion or so (presumably for licensing) .
I came across another bit of info (for wifi in this case but fit could be the same?) that higher frequencies can have a higher bandwidth (case in point here was 5ghz wifi). Could this also be true here and why some higher frequencies are used in cities and for LTE deployment in the UK (2600mhz I think).
Thanks anyway!
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App
Bump! Anyone else have extra info to add?
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App
Higher frequencies have the potential for higher bandwidth.
And Higher frequencies attenuate quicker, so in a RF dense area high frequencies are nice, as they fade away and you can hear closer broadcasters better.
Also one of them is higher energy to make, but I forget how that goes. So there is a power component to it as well.
Cheers LargePrime! That's something I didn't know so thanks for sharing. Would you happen to know why it has the potential for higher bandwidth?
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App
This is rather High level, and a metaphor, so inaccurate.
Imagine Frequency as a metronome. A click is one cycle. Now lets pretend it's Jazz or something and we can screw with the timing on the metronome. When we do, that counts as a small piece of data. i.e. Short timing is a "0" and Long a "1".
With more cycles one has more potential to flow data.
Also Higher MHz has less wait time until a clock tick is going to happen, so less latency.
And Cheers to you!
Thanks for the explanation! I think I get how it would work. Yay for metaphors
Thanks again! I think I have all I need now!
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App
side question for you... hows GPS on Nexus S?
Its been perfect! Never had a single issue with it in the month I've had it. Accuracy is <5m outside and about 10m inside. The lock seems quick too however I don't have another GPS device to compare it with.
No problems at all though, despite the Galaxy S GPS issues
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App
oh wow! I dream of that day!
can u do me a favor? can u please post a pic of the GPS antenna?
ap1618 said:
oh wow! I dream of that day!
can u do me a favor? can u please post a pic of the GPS antenna?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry what do you mean by the GPS antenna? Like the physical antenna? I actually don't know where it would be...
yes, for by now I worry worry for a physical antenna placement issue...
on the back of your phone, there should be a tiny gold connector... what you can do is to post a pic of the back with the battery cover off.
thanks in advance.
ap1618 said:
yes, for by now I worry worry for a physical antenna placement issue...
on the back of your phone, there should be a tiny gold connector... what you can do is to post a pic of the back with the battery cover off.
thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can do, give me a few minutes I think I know what you are talking about, I always seemed to think it was for a mobile antenna extension or something
EDIT: Ok here it is sorry for the blurryness, I didn't realise it until it was uploaded but you can still see the connector.
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hmm this is super interesting... the two connectors, i believe they are are the GPS antenna. on captivate we only have one of them! While they look similar to what we have, you have two!
i wonder whether this last minute addition was sum and boost the signal with two antennas... damn
ap1618 said:
hmm this is super interesting... the two connectors, i believe they are are the GPS antenna. on captivate we only have one of them! While they look similar to what we have, you have two!
i wonder whether this last minute addition was sum and boost the signal with two antennas... damn
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The two connectors within about 1cm of each other are actually the connectors for the NFC antenna on the backplate. Sorry to disappoint I think the GPS one is the single connector on the right hand side near the middle.
oh forgot about NFC. I have the exact same connector, except its only one. so one must be GPS and one for NFC...
ap1618 said:
oh forgot about NFC. I have the exact same connector, except its only one. so one must be GPS and one for NFC...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If they both appear to be the same, maybe it's just because of software differences or even location. Considering I'm in Australia and it looks like you're in America.
An Update.
Higher Freq take less power.
Okay thanks for that update. I presume it would require less power because it attenuates quicker and therefore doesn't travel as far?
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App

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