[Q] Bay Area: 4g slower than 3g? - EVO 4G General

I finally tried the "new" 4g I get four out four 4g bars pretty much everywhere in that area. So far so good.
But when I test the speed with the speedtest.net app or testmy.net site, I am always getting only 0.4mbps download speed (but normal 0.9 mbps upload speed). 3g download speed is 1.2mbps
I also tried another EVO with the same result (both hardware version 3). I don't think it is a hardware issue, because last year I tried my EVO in a different area and got 8mpbs (with four bars).
I tried the two latest wimax versions (and updated the profile):
EVO_WiMAX_27167_R01
EVO_WiMAX_26023_R01
Does anybody have an idea why the download speed is so slow (with excellent signal strength)?
PS
I am not looking for confirmation that download speed in the bay area is fast. I believe that, I am rather interested in possible explanations, what could be wrong on my phone.

Probably something wrong going on there. I've been getting 4g in the bay area for at least 3 months. I've maxed out at 9.5 mbps...

Yes, something is probably wrong. What Wimax version did you flash?

+1 to it being fast in the Bay Area. Have gotten as high as 1.1 MByte/sec (with a -64dBm signal).
Stock EVO, and a Sierra 250U for use at the hotel.

What wimax version do you guys have on your phones?
What else could make a difference?
For example ad-blocking (via /etc/hosts or ad-free) does interfere with 4g web browsing, but I don't have any ad-blocking software or hosts file.
Again, this is the first time I am having issues with 4g. Last time I used 4g was 2months ago (before the official roll-out), but had no problems.

I got 8mb to the speed test app last night at the in n out on 101 and rhengstorf
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

4G Speeds fine for me
I have a Evo 4G hardware version 0004 and my speeds are almost 10Mbps in the bay. Same in Sacramento.

I think mystery solved.
I went to a Sprint store to compare with other devices and they had the same problem.

FYI, tested from Stanford campus with almost no 4g signal and got 2.4 Mbps down and 0.5 up. Not great compared to others though, but I was indoors.
EVO 4G, CM7-GX4, Savaged-Zen

seems to be sporatic coverage to me. When i test in certain areas the speeds are awesome but when i'm at home, whether inside or outside, the speeds are indeed worse than 3g. Give it some time i guess maybe they'll bolster the coverage a bit more as they expand.
This is all in various parts of san bruno

palmdude said:
It looks like that the 4g tower in the following area has a big problem with download speeds.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Bandwith hog, I'll bet.
Have you reported it to Sprint, just in case it's really a bad tower after all?

lacrossev said:
seems to be sporatic coverage to me. When i test in certain areas the speeds are awesome but when i'm at home, whether inside or outside, the speeds are indeed worse than 3g. Give it some time i guess maybe they'll bolster the coverage a bit more as they expand.
This is all in various parts of san bruno
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's what I've noticed in SF. I have gotten nice d/l speeds at various places I've been but overall it's sporadic at best and 3G seems to be my best bet overall for the places I frequent.

I am not sure that this is a coverage issue. My antenna signal strength is very high and the tower is 0.2 miles away (according to spring). I tested in areas with only one bar and still got at least 2mbps.
lacrossev said:
seems to be sporatic coverage to me. When i test in certain areas the speeds are awesome but when i'm at home, whether inside or outside, the speeds are indeed worse than 3g. Give it some time i guess maybe they'll bolster the coverage a bit more as they expand.
This is all in various parts of san bruno
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

I don't think it is a bandwidth hog. I tested many days around the clock always the same problem.
Yes, I called Sprint, I tried to explain that I tried other EVOs and got the same problem. And that the phone works very well everywhere else in Bay Area But they think it is a problem with my phone (after the "advanced support technician" remotely updated the phone and also did an "handsfree activation").
I guess the problem is that they haven't received (m)any calls from that area yet. The most surprising part is that the sprint store in that area apparently didn't complain about the problem either ...
kcrudup said:
Bandwith hog, I'll bet.
Have you reported it to Sprint, just in case it's really a bad tower after all?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Did you have any download speed problem, when the 4g signal strength was excellent ("full bars")?
spiicytuna said:
That's what I've noticed in SF. I have gotten nice d/l speeds at various places I've been but overall it's sporadic at best and 3G seems to be my best bet overall for the places I frequent.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Exciting news.
After 13 months Sprint/Clearwire fixed the tower and I have full 4g speed now.
Average speedtest roughly 9.5mbps down and 1.4mbps up.
Speedtest via hotspot: 4.5 mbps down.

You guys are lucky.
Where im living i would post this thread with the title:
Gainesville: 3G slower than 1x?
Its been like that for the last 6 months here.
Id rather roam 1x on verizon than use sprint's 3g. 100% honest. I get about 100kbps on a good day.. average around 30 kpbs right now

palmdude said:
I think mystery solved.
I went to a Sprint store to compare with other devices and they had the same problem.
It looks like that the 4g tower in the following area has a big problem with download speeds.
http://sprintstorelocator.com/map.a...alesServices=1,2&repairServices=&services=1,3
I tried other areas (for example 101 and rhengstorf like user treckin) and everything worked perfectly (8mpb). So it is not a phone issue.
Only a problem in the above area ...
Feel free to test in that area
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That site is defunct, but you can see the tower at the new site:
https://network.sprint.com/search/94040/
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Getting great 4G speeds in San Francisco, about 8.5 Mbps download with one to two bars of strength. Compared to my .3 Mbps download speeds with full bars of 3G, it's amazing. By the way, my mom's Samsung Epic 4G is getting 5x faster 3G speeds...any reason for that? Is the Evo just that bad?

@NxNW thanks for the link update. But the map doesn't show any 4g coverage.
You can see 4g coverage here: http://www.clear.com/coverage
3g speed has been around 0.7mbps average in the last couple of months (despite the data capacity upgrade). It used to be 1.5 mbps ...
BTW the highest speed I measured was 12.4 mbps.

Related

Sprint download speeds on the Evo?

What should I be expecting to see for download speeds on my Evo with Sprint. I just ran a speedtest app from the market and I'm getting higher upload speeds that download speeds.
I seem to average around 450 or so kbps. I topped out at 700 kbps. My signal seems to be full bars.
Upload speeds seem to be equal to or higher than my download speeds.
Sent from my Evo using XDA App
I'm getting close to the same siting at my house with 4 bars. 565/418
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
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i've seen upwards of 6mbps
I got between 256kbps to 500kbps download speed 3G . Some time less than 256kbps. It suck, I think depend the area and how far is the towers
Usually get around 1Mbps, on average, around the house. Give or take a little fluctuation.
3G, usually don't have full bars but I'm not usually paying much mind to them either. So not sure.

			
				
Just ran it from my office. I have 5 out of 6 "bars" on 3G for what it's worth. This is in Baltimore and I am pinging the Philadelphia server.
Ping: 94 ms
Download: 919 kbps
Upload: 617 kbps
Wimax doesn't do as good a job with the whole "bars" thing but they're always an estimate at best anyway. It's showing 2 out of 3 at the moment.
Ping: 135 ms
Download: 3640 kbps
Upload: 992 kbps
Typically my downloads are around 600-1000kbps on EVDO and 3000-5000 on Wimax. Uploads vary more but Wimax usually tops out around 1000-1100kbps.
Wimax in Chicago
This is what i got. The fastest I've gotten was about 8mbps down (not shown here).
With -40 dbs (full signal) I've gotten 2310 kbps down and 721kbps up...
Forgot to mention I was on 3g. Dunno how to add the pic from my phone...
3G speeds increased with -B modification
Mine tops 1.2mps
EVIL PHONE
Can we focus on 3g speeds?
I'm pretty sure I'm picking up an Evo tomorrow and these posts have been very interesting to me. I will be in 3g territory 99.8% of the time I have this phone. My sprint rep guy told me that the towers in my town are sprint towers (no idea if that really means anything,) so I'm hoping for excellent 3g data coverage here.
If anyone have any 3g reports for Beaver Dam, Wisconsin (which i'm sure you dont) feel free to post!
And if any of this doesn't make any sense, I blame it on the Ambien Walrus that is distracting me here. See below for details.
Edit: Apparently I cannot post my fabulous picture. Anyways: 3G>Madison Area>How Good???
With 4G, 1 bar, 4-5 Mbps is the usual around here. I hate the **** quality of building penetration. I don't know if that will forever be a given, but GOT DAYUM, if I could just post my phone up by the window and rock the hotspot that'd be cool ... or if when I was laying on the couch (head / phone close to window) it'd somehow pick it up. Not a huge deal.
3G though, I should start taking more speedtests (which are known to be inaccurate anyways - but I try a few to get a "somewhat" average reading. or so I hope) just to see. I see speeds that FAR outweigh what I pull in. I don't get it. 3G is solid, never experience any shortages but some places just have MAX signal?
Is everyone just using the Speedtest app that comes with the phone to determine their speeds? I had read that it gave incorrect results. Mine are all over the place, but even if I use DSlReports or SpeakEasy, the results vary significantly.
This is with my laptop wirelessly connected to my phone.
csmall said:
What should I be expecting to see for download speeds on my Evo with Sprint. I just ran a speedtest app from the market and I'm getting higher upload speeds that download speeds.
I seem to average around 450 or so kbps. I topped out at 700 kbps. My signal seems to be full bars.
Upload speeds seem to be equal to or higher than my download speeds.
Sent from my Evo using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I get around 500down,250 up here on 3g. In strong Wimax areas I get around 6M down (dont recall upload speed). They seem to be getting a new tower up around me now. As these things go,they are spotty at first,then they get them fully online. When I can get a signal in my house (by putting the phone in the back rooms window) I can get around 2M down and 400K up. Im actually typing this while tethered (I rooted today and installed wifi tether.) Its working pretty good.

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.

Okay, so is anyone getting HSPA+ speeds?

I've only seen 2 people out of the hundreds who already have their G2 get above 7Mb download speeds. Heck, most people don't even get above 4Mb download! I've seen so many people with 0.5Mb download speeds even when their in an HSPA+ supported area like NYC or Los Angeles.
I haven't gotten my G2 yet so I can't test it, but what I've seen so far has been pathetic. I've seen a youtube video where a G1 beats a G2 in a Speedtest and another where the Evo gets above 5Mb download but the G2 gets 0.5Mb download while in an HSPA+ area. Even the Droid 2 on 3G got higher than the G2.
This is T-Mobiles main selling point but only like 2% of people are actually getting these high speeds. WTF GIVES?
If you are getting these high speeds, are they consistent? Or do you always fluctuate from high-low speeds?
I'm getting a little skeptical now. I'm not worried about the internal memory but the loose hinge and slow download speeds would kill me. Again, this is T-Mobiles main selling point for the G2 but no one is getting these speeds. I can't imagine what people will say when more blog sites/reviews get there hands on this phone. T-Mobile would look silly claiming 4G speeds while my friends Evo gets 10Mb download on 4G.
Arcadia310 said:
I've only seen 2 people out of the hundreds who already have their G2 get above 7Mb download speeds. Heck, most people don't even get above 4Mb download! I've seen so many people with 0.5Mb download speeds even when their in an HSPA+ supported area like NYC or Los Angeles.
I haven't gotten my G2 yet so I can't test it, but what I've seen so far has been pathetic. I've seen a youtube video where a G1 beats a G2 in a Speedtest and another where the Evo gets above 5Mb download but the G2 gets 0.5Mb download while in an HSPA+ area. Even the Droid 2 on 3G got higher than the G2.
This is T-Mobiles main selling point but only like 2% of people are actually getting these high speeds. WTF GIVES?
If you are getting these high speeds, are they consistent? Or do you always fluctuate from high-low speeds?
I'm getting a little skeptical now. I'm not worried about the internal memory but the loose hinge and slow download speeds would kill me. Again, this is T-Mobiles main selling point for the G2 but no one is getting these speeds. I can't imagine what people will say when more blog sites/reviews get there hands on this phone. T-Mobile would look silly claiming 4G speeds while my friends Evo gets 10Mb download on 4G.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm hoping Oct 5th or 6th the 7Mb is a thing of reality in all supported areas.
I get about 400 kbps down and 300 kbps up... SLOW.
I just got my G2 yesterday, i used the speedtest app and my download speed was a little under 6.1mbps with upload speed of about 0.7mbps. I live bout 20 min off of seattle
I'm on Long Island... according to their press release.. I should have H+ in my area.. but when I check speedtest.net I get 1 mb down and up
PersianBoi said:
I just got my G2 yesterday, i used the speedtest app and my download speed was a little under 6.1mbps with upload speed of about 0.7mbps. I live bout 20 min off of seattle
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is that consistent?
It's weird how 1 or 2 people get high speeds and everyone else gets like 0.5Mb download even in HSPA+ areas.
I tested it a couple times earlier today and they were both 6. something down...Up usually tends to be around .5 for me...I'm pretty happy with it overall
Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using XDA App
I live in Philadelphia and I only get about 1.5 to 2.0 mb speeds. mobile network type says HSDPA
best i got was 7934 kbps down 1334 kbps up philly suburbs
there are some serious problems going around
At work.. 2 bars of "H" I did the speedtest app and got 8.4mbit down and 1.2up.
F*cking happy G2 owner here.
I'm getting 8.4mps or in real world since no one uses friggin bits in the US, 1.1~1.2 megabytes per second download and 122k upload, ppfft.
Download speeds are crazy though.
Guys, this is certainly not a fault on HTCs side. Blame your providers for not giving you the speeds that you want
I get about 7mbps in upstate NY Rockland county
Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using XDA App
The H is a lie.
Thats how Tmobile works I had enough of them in chicago area so I switch. Its depend on the tower load or something. Don't expect great speed all the time
I'm only getting 3.5 down and 2.0 up.... some bs
Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using XDA App
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Oops! Didn't mean to post that with no words! I wanted to say that we've got a beautiful clear sky in NYC finally (see pic), but I'm still getting painfully slow speeds - like 1600kbps down - so it wasn't just the weather - something's clearly wrong!
Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using XDA App
raydm said:
Thats how Tmobile works I had enough of them in chicago area so I switch. Its depend on the tower load or something. Don't expect great speed all the time
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It has nothing to do with that.
Just becausr your city HAS HSPA+ doesnt mean its availible at all 3G towers yet. That and if you didnt peak at 6mbps regularly on a fast 7.2 device you would NOT see an increase with the G2.
i dont kno about urs but my Vibrant rocks

Vibrant vs G2 speed comparison by Wirefly: Is this a joke?

So I just noticed @TMobile tweeted a comparison done by Wirefly of G2 vs Vibrant vs Epic 4G in terms of connection speed. I took a look at the video and I am baffled at the idiotic nature of it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36p8bMAFDVQ
http://www.wirefly.com/learn/android/t-mobile-g2-screams-in-internet-speed-tests/
...Capable of operating on T-Mobile’s HPSA+ network, the G2 tested at speeds up to 5.5 Mbps. In a Wirefly video recording on YouTube, the G2 showed a download speed of 3.07 Mbps. By comparison, the Samsung Vibrant (which runs on T-Mobile’s slightly slower HSPA network) topped out at a modest 437 kbps. The Vibrant is certainly capable of higher speeds and there are many variables that can account for the results in an Internet speed test. The Vibrant received a relatively weak signal for this particular test, which accounts for its lackluster performance...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
"Bob the cellphone professor" tested the G2 in two different locations - at his office and at home. At his office G2 got ~800 Kbps while at home it got ~3 Mbps. That is fine, I understand that different locations will give you different speeds depending on many different variables such as current network usage, etc. However what I have a problem is what he did with the Vibrant.
He tested the Vibrant at his office; the Vibrant got ~400 Kbps at the office (the same location the G2 got ~800 Kbps, i.e. the location that has a weaker or more busy T-Mobile network). Then, he goes on to compare the ~400 Kbps the Vibrant got at his office to the speed the G2 got at his home.
I realize the G2 is on HSPA+ while the Vibrant is still on HSPDA/HSPA, so logically the G2 will get faster speeds where the HSPA+ network is available. I am not trying to say the Vibrant will have faster connection speeds than the G2. However, the comparison done by "Bob the cellphone professor" is poor, to say the least. A more fair comparison would be one of G2 at home vs Vibrant at home. Someone fire this guy -- or at least keep him away from the camera. Disinformation is a disservice to us all.
Is HSPA+ even available yet
demo23019 said:
Is HSPA+ even available yet
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They have not fully rolled it out, yes, but it is already available in many cities.
Plus it doesn't even matter if HSPA+ is available or not. My point about the comparison being poor is valid regardless of if HSPA+ is available in Bob's area or not.
like i thought he is only on HSPA with G2
yea he is pretty dumb especially posting on youtube
vibrant 3g score not mine
i only get around 2mb on good day
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZhjF3CdzNwU&feature=related
ignore the title its obviously not HSPA+
not mine
I get on average 2.80 mbps on my vibrant and about 3 on the g2 I have. Do the g2 will only make a big speed difference once hspa+ is fully launched. I think our vibrants support upto 7.2 mbps so go figure.
Sent from my SAMOLED Vibrant using XDA app
DarkAgent said:
So I just noticed @TMobile tweeted a comparison done by Wirefly of G2 vs Vibrant vs Epic 4G in terms of connection speed. I took a look at the video and I am baffled at the idiotic nature of it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36p8bMAFDVQ
http://www.wirefly.com/learn/android/t-mobile-g2-screams-in-internet-speed-tests/
"Bob the cellphone professor" tested the G2 in two different locations - at his office and at home. At his office G2 got ~800 Kbps while at home it got ~3 Mbps. That is fine, I understand that different locations will give you different speeds depending on many different variables such as current network usage, etc. However what I have a problem is what he did with the Vibrant.
He tested the Vibrant at his office; the Vibrant got ~400 Kbps at the office (the same location the G2 got ~800 Kbps, i.e. the location that has a weaker or more busy T-Mobile network). Then, he goes on to compare the ~400 Kbps the Vibrant got at his office to the speed the G2 got at his home.
I realize the G2 is on HSPA+ while the Vibrant is still on HSPDA/HSPA, so logically the G2 will get faster speeds where the HSPA+ network is available. I am not trying to say the Vibrant will have faster connection speeds than the G2. However, the comparison done by "Bob the cellphone professor" is poor, to say the least. A more fair comparison would be one of G2 at home vs Vibrant at home. Someone fire this guy -- or at least keep him away from the camera. Disinformation is a disservice to us all.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed. He said the H symbol means its on Hspa+. Did this guy do any research before he made this video? The G2 has has no 3g symbol it will say H even on 3g.
I would still choose my vibrant over the G2 any day. Now the MThd will be a different story, but for now IMO this is the best Android phone on the market even with all its quirks.
Reading the article, he mentions the Vibrant had a weak signal for the test. Which would definitely result in skewed numbers. Area also makes a huge difference. In my city, I've had 3G with all my bars and only averaged around 2.5-3Mbps, but in the neighboring larger city in a similar circumstance, I've topped out at 4.63Mpbs. Besides the fact that you're comparing the difference between 3G and HSPA+. Rather like comparing dial-up and broadband.
Ehh, it gave me something to do while my files finished downloading. Aside from that, another apples vs oranges article.
That test was soooo not unfair!
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
MStrawder said:
Reading the article, he mentions the Vibrant had a weak signal for the test. Which would definitely result in skewed numbers. Area also makes a huge difference. In my city, I've had 3G with all my bars and only averaged around 2.5-3Mbps, but in the neighboring larger city in a similar circumstance, I've topped out at 4.63Mpbs. Besides the fact that you're comparing the difference between 3G and HSPA+. Rather like comparing dial-up and broadband.
Ehh, it gave me something to do while my files finished downloading. Aside from that, another apples vs oranges article.
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Click to collapse
The irony is I am pretty sure 3G speeds are 3G speeds if you have 1 bar or 5 bars. I know for sure that even with 1 bar I have gotten ~3 Mbps speeds.
The only issue you would have with weak signal is if you are on the border of EDGE/3G -- then signal strength would play a part. I think, anyway.
badaphooko01 said:
Agreed. He said the H symbol means its on Hspa+. Did this guy do any research before he made this video? The G2 has has no 3g symbol it will say H even on 3g.
I would still choose my vibrant over the G2 any day. Now the MThd will be a different story, but for now IMO this is the best Android phone on the market even with all its quirks.
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Click to collapse
Yep. I agree with everything you said -- from the part about the H icon (I thought the same thing while I was watching the video) to the MThd comment.
I have average to pretty good scores on 3g. Wifi is not necessary for me to use at most places I go to in chicago. I got just over 4k down here at home once.
Sent from beyond galaxy s
I get great speeds on my vibrant all the time I live in the hspa area see my sig.

In side by side comparison... Sprint 4G sucks.

Interesting article on MSNBC:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/41485079/ns/technology_and_science-wireless/
Confirms what we already knew. The article doesn't mention the fact that even in areas that have "4G", the coverage is spotty at best. Here in Charlotte, I rarely even attempt to use 4G since I can usually only pick up a signal near the uptown area, and I'd rather save my battery.
I would guess in theory the writer meant side-by-side as meaning the phones were side by side, and that this was NOT an apples-to-apples comparison. Interesting read regardless.
For what it's worth, his numbers are a pretty close match to what I'm getting using SpeedTest. In fact, his 4G speeds were slightly faster than mine.
Try this 4G tweak.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=925898
It's highly dependent on where you are. Mine will vary from 1 Megabit to 8 plus megabits. I'm very unhappy with Sprint at this point, but all of the other carriers look even worse.......
Jayavarman said:
Try this 4G tweak.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=925898
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I actually used that tweak, and it greatly improved my ability to get a 4G signal. I didn't see any significant speed improvement though.
Totally irrelevant tests. It all depends on where you are. I get rough 8-10mbps on Sprint 4G in St. Louis. You can't talk about LTE because there are so few people actually using it. Once you get people on LTE, the number will be similar I'm imagining.
In defense of Sprint, their voice signal strength is MUCH better than Verizon. I was a Verizon customer for years, and I moved into an area where I only got 1 or 2 bars. Then over the summer, for some unknown reason, the signal strength dropped to practically nothing. They offered to sell me a network extender for $150 or else I could "stand outside to make a call". When I balked on those options, they allowed me to terminate my contract with no fee (got to keep the phones too!). Sprint's signal is much better, the contract is cheaper and they even sent me a free AirRave network extender (waived the $5 monthly fee) because I had some "dead-spots" in my house.
ED2O9 said:
Interesting article on MSNBC:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/41485079/ns/technology_and_science-wireless/
Confirms what we already knew. The article doesn't mention the fact that even in areas that have "4G", the coverage is spotty at best. Here in Charlotte, I rarely even attempt to use 4G since I can usually only pick up a signal near the uptown area, and I'd rather save my battery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I thought that I heard that Sprint was throttling their 4G speeds to prevent network saturation. Does that ring a bell for anyone?
it really depends in the location. my modded epic got 6mbps 4 times in Manhattan. but in my house i get over 4mbps on a average.
I average around 3Mbps at my home. That is good enough for me, considering the unlimited data plan.
I dislike when people their results like be all end all on something totally varying on time, and location.
I get 8.5 usual, general 5 to 9 anytime random test, and 10 to 13.5 when I'm peaking. In the same area tmo 4g struggles to get past 3. All within my home.
/And that's my 0.2 florin... Another message exported from Epic4g via Tapatalk Pro
I don't even have 4G lol.
Check out new 4G LTE phone from MetroPCS. Similar but lesser model to Epic 4G. However, they have competitive offers, such as no contract unlimited plan for $60/mo.
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http://blog.laptopmag.com/hands-on-metro-pcs-brings-first-lte-android-smart-phone-to-the-world
I get roughly 4-5 on average here in Denver but peak has been around 8Mbps
#1. I really believe that the area is very important (when I move around my speeds change)
#2. I feel that 4g is pretty cool and fast, I don't have wifi at home at the moment (router went out) and when I need to download I hit 4g first and it goes blazing fast.
So I'd be on the other side, it's new technology so you can't expect the world. If you guys really want to complain, try EDGE on ATT and T-Mobile compared to regular Sprint speeds
Not a Sprint fanboy, but I do think that CDMA kills GSM in my experience.
My 4G in philly suburbs is around 3-6.5mbps. I'm usually in the 6 range though. Never get into the 7s. From my understanding, Verizon's LTE is the fastest (lowest latency, faster download/upload speed), Sprint 4G is second and Apple's fugazi 4G is the worst of the three. I'm not sure about TMo or the other so-called 4G providers.
I get decent 4G in Long Beach, Ca of about 6mbs, but I'm moving to Cocoa Beach, Fl where there is no 4G. Not changing carriers as Verizon has worse cell service. At least I can sit on patio facing the atlantic ad still talk. However, the cable wifi there is outrageous.
Sent from Bonsai v 5.0.3
I went to san antonio and speed test on my stock epic was 2 down 1 up. I had a lay over in georgia I think and it was a little less than 2 down and 1 up again. not the numbers you people are seeing. is this because I am bone stock or are those the speeds in those areas. the speed test results were pretty much the same no matter where I ran the test. couldnt get 4g in fort worth airport.
bighuta said:
I get roughly 4-5 on average here in Denver but peak has been around 8Mbps
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Same here. I've read that Sprint's markets are getting widely varying speeds on their 4G. Wonder where these MSNBC tests were done?

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