Database Users

How to Score a Free Airave from Sprint!

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.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

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.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

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!

Sprint updates Airave, wipes out phone service...AGAIN!

Friday Sprint updated the Airave software and most customers had their incoming calls sent right to voicemail within the Airave perimeter. The last time they updated the software phones could not make outgoing calls. This last screw up cost me a $2000 job! Customer service tred reactivating both my phones because they knew nothing about the Airave update and resulting outtage. I read about it here on XDA with other Airave customers. I called Airave people direct and they said "sorry" and reset the Airave! A simple text to say there was a software update would have been helpful to diagnose this on Friday not Monday. Anyone interested in starting a class action lawsuit since this is Sprint caused, sign me up! Otherwise flood their tech support lines with complaints. They will give you a "sorry" also.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App

Things happen... Did you not have a second number for someone to call? Anyways your suit wouldn't get anywhere.. Sprint doesn't have anything that says they guarantee to be up 100% of the time.. Maybe by you not getting that job- Sprint saved your life by you not getting in that car wreck on the way to that job.. hehe.. Or maybe you'll get a call today for a 4,000 dollar job you wouldn't of been able to accept bc of that other job.. I dunno..

kennyglass123 said:
Friday Sprint updated the Airave software and most customers had their incoming calls sent right to voicemail within the Airave perimeter. The last time they updated the software phones could not make outgoing calls. This last screw up cost me a $2000 job! Customer service tred reactivating both my phones because they knew nothing about the Airave update and resulting outtage. I read about it here on XDA with other Airave customers. I called Airave people direct and they said "sorry" and reset the Airave! A simple text to say there was a software update would have been helpful to diagnose this on Friday not Monday. Anyone interested in starting a class action lawsuit since this is Sprint caused, sign me up! Otherwise flood their tech support lines with complaints. They will give you a "sorry" also.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was out of town all weekend and didn't notice the Airave when we got home last night. I'll be sure to check it out tonight though. But I have to tell you, seeing as how they gave me one for free and free monthly service to boot, I would never complain about it especially if they fix it as soon as I called them about it. Sorry you lost that job. I agree that a quick text would have been beneficial.

One of my points was that customer service knew nothing about it on Sunday, 2 days later. I just happen to see 4 others with airaves having problems since Friday and figured it out myself and called the Airave number. They knew!
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App

kennyglass123 said:
One of my points was that customer service knew nothing about it on Sunday, 2 days later. I just happen to see 4 others with airaves having problems since Friday and figured it out myself and called the Airave number. They knew!
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sometimes I feel like my Airave is more work than the benefits are worth.

This maybe a dumb question but what is airwave? I don't think I have it but most sprint customers in Virginia are experiencing less than adequtes signal. From failed text to failed calls.

R3537L1F3 said:
This maybe a dumb question but what is airwave? I don't think I have it but most sprint customers in Virginia are experiencing less than adequtes signal. From failed text to failed calls.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
An Airave is a mini cell tower, a femtocell, that hooks up to the internet to use in areas of bad or no signal.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App

shane6374 said:
Sometimes I feel like my Airave is more work than the benefits are worth.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
QFT, I have one too, and leave it off most of the time.

Just thought id chime in as the voice of dissent. My airave is working normal. Didn't seem to be missing any calls, and my wife is at home now, and she doesn't seem to be having any problems either.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App

phdeez said:
QFT, I have one too, and leave it off most of the time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I only turn mine off when I'm torrenting. It gives me a bad voice delay. Other than that, I love it.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App

Just out of curiosity, in what order do y'all have it hooked up? It suggests to put it directly in to the modem, before a router or computer. I have mine running outside the network hooked up to a port on the wifi router. I think it works better that way. I don't want it first in line allocating bandwidth, I want MY router first in line.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App

I've seen people mention getting these for free from Sprint. How do you do that? Do you just ask for it? Service inside my house is crap and it drives me nuts.

austin420 said:
Just out of curiosity, in what order do y'all have it hooked up? It suggests to put it directly in to the modem, before a router or computer. I have mine running outside the network hooked up to a port on the wifi router. I think it works better that way. I don't want it first in line allocating bandwidth, I want MY router first in line.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had mine set up as they specified, first in line, until my power flickered two days in a row and both days I had to use a paperclip to reset the Airrave to get my internet service working again. It apparently doesn't recover gracefully from a power outage. Now it is just another item plugged into my router.

austin420 said:
Just thought id chime in as the voice of dissent. My airave is working normal. Didn't seem to be missing any calls, and my wife is at home now, and she doesn't seem to be having any problems either.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Apparently it was not all Airaves that is why they never spot these problems before pushing the updates.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App

I sent that PoS back to them last week - and I didn't even pay for it! Caused more problems than it solved.

nebrando said:
I've seen people mention getting these for free from Sprint. How do you do that? Do you just ask for it? Service inside my house is crap and it drives me nuts.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Pretty much. It took me to the 2nd level rep to get one, but no more than 15 min on the phone. Also don't call up asking for one, just explain the issue and they should offer you one.

nebrando said:
I've seen people mention getting these for free from Sprint. How do you do that? Do you just ask for it? Service inside my house is crap and it drives me nuts.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If your service is real crappy in your house and your credit is good enough for an extra line you can call them and complain about the lack of service and they will send you one. It adds $1 and change to your bill for the taxes on the additional line but no other fees. You also need a computer with DSL or Broadband internet.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App

insanity213 said:
I sent that PoS back to them last week - and I didn't even pay for it! Caused more problems than it solved.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
HaHa, I did that the first time I got one. POS! But got tired of the garbled calls in the Living Room so tried it again. 3G speeds are superfast but when it screws up your phone service with "updates" I get really annoyed and want to throw it out in the street and run it over. If it is working stop trying to fix it Sprint!
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App

is this for the airwave 1 or 2. the 2 messes up my epics call waiting and is currently unplugged... i dont see anything on the sprint site..

Kennyglass I pm'd you about something unrelated to your thread. Can you take a look?
Sent from my PG86100 using XDA Premium App

Call quality?

Has anyone noticed any distortion or clipping per say during a phone call on the earpeice? I've seen people mention the speakerphone not being so great but not earpeice. Wondering if I have a defective unit or if that's just the way it is. Thanks.
Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk 4

I came from the galaxy nexus and the earpiece is much better on the Note 3. It's louder and clearer. You might have a defective one. People's opinion will differ depending on what device they came from.

I was on the phone with a Verizon rep and they kept saying it was a lot of static on their end. I couldn't hear the static at all.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using xda app-developers app

I notice it on mine. Tried to exchange at a store but the manager said she couldn't hear the fuzz so I couldn't exchange only return pay the $35 restocking fee and buy a new one. And since I used Verizon30 code which is for online ordering only I'd loose that. Going to call Verizon and try and go up the latter. Hopefully they will ship me a new one and I can send the old one back.
Sent from my Barnes & Noble Nook Tablet using xda app-developers app

I called Verizon this morning to get the verizon30 coupon code adjustment and she couldn't hear me and hung up. Soo i called again and it worked
Sent from my Verizon Galaxy Note 3

My phone had same issue and I exchanged it for another. Same problem garbled digital glitching while on phone calls. I went into a Verizon wireless store and they said this is a bug and pulled up sprints website forums and it said there was an issue.. He said all note 3 devices were affected. They better get it fixed fast or this phone is gone and LG g2 is in.

ntborg said:
My phone had same issue and I exchanged it for another. Same problem garbled digital glitching while on phone calls. I went into a Verizon wireless store and they said this is a bug and pulled up sprints website forums and it said there was an issue.. He said all note 3 devices were affected. They better get it fixed fast or this phone is gone and LG g2 is in.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't bother, most g2s have a bug that causes horrible call quality.

jdub251 said:
Has anyone noticed any distortion or clipping per say during a phone call on the earpeice? I've seen people mention the speakerphone not being so great but not earpeice. Wondering if I have a defective unit or if that's just the way it is. Thanks.
Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk 4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have excellent call quality actually. Have you tried playing with the custom sound buttons while you're on a call?

I am getting the same thing..Great signal just the digital garble on voice calls....I hope they come out with a software fix!

I am now on my second phone and still getting this garbled skipping call quality...anybody have any tips?

Has Verizon had any network problems in your area? Bad SIM maybe?
Sent from my SM-N900V using xda app-developers app

huntersales said:
I am now on my second phone and still getting this garbled skipping call quality...anybody have any tips?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My tip is to wait for an OTA or some other update. It's happening to lots of people. Even with the sprint version of the phone. I hope they fix it sooner than later. It's very annoying to me but the phone is so nice I will live with it.

Does it occur if you call *611 customer service? I primarily use VOIP (Groove IP plus Google Voice) so it sounds the same if not a little better and *611 is normal too.

huntersales said:
I am now on my second phone and still getting this garbled skipping call quality...anybody have any tips?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm on my second phone and the call quality is worse than my first. (however the home button doesn't move as much). I am getting the high pitched squeals, static, and garbling, with each syllable the caller makes. It is beyond frustrating. I went to BB to exchange my phone Today and they did not give me the new SIM card, they just swapped out the sim cards. Do you think this could be an issue?
I originally thought the issue was with the bluetooth in my car, then I heard it while using the spearkerphone, and then I heard it using the built in ear piece.
I'm also concerned with the way they did the exchange. They didn't give me a new receipt with a new date, so instead of a new 14 days, I have only 7 more days. I'll keep going back until it is right.
Is insurance on these phones worth it, if you just get a refurbished one? What if they realize this is a hardware issue 3 months down the line? Are we stuck?
My Mother also got her phone from the same store today and hasn't had any issues. I suspect she won't because I noticed the call quality on the first phone call with both phones.

Low signal on new note 3

Hello I'm new to this thread as I've been a HTC user forever.
I just got my note 3 last night and it seems that I have low signal every where in Los Angeles. I only have 1 or 2 bars. I didn't have this issue with my HTC Evo which always had 5 bars..
I don't think it's Verizon network but the phone. Does any one else experience this issue? Is there a fix to get better signal?
Sent from my SM-N900V using xda app-developers app

I haven't had signal issues with my note, but from all the reading on these forums. If you are having signal issues and your on the latest radios it's probably a hardware issue. Seems like there are some phones made in China and some from Korea with quality differences between them. Wait for others to chime in, but you might want to contact Verizon and get another phone sent.
Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk

mjh68 said:
I haven't had signal issues with my note, but from all the reading on these forums. If you are having signal issues and your on the latest radios it's probably a hardware issue. Seems like there are some phones made in China and some from Korea with quality differences between them. Wait for others to chime in, but you might want to contact Verizon and get another phone sent.
Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How can you check if yours was made in China or Korea?
I have the same problem, as do many. And it got way worse after the most recent update. See if you can get a replacement.
Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk

After spending an hour on the phone with tech support they suggested I go in and exchange my sim card so I did. Well that didn't change the low signal. Does anyone know a fix for this?
Sent from my SM-N900V using xda app-developers app

Just to add my $0.02.. I had the exact same problem and I purchased original my phone close to release day. It didn't matter what I did, but I would drop signal or always have terrible signal even though I was close to a tower. I also had a wiggling home key as well. Eventually my proximity sensor died on the phone, which at that point I had enough with it. I went in and returned it under warranty after having it for a month and a half. The new phone I got now actually has an earlier build then my original (under battery it's dated), but I have no issues with it at all. It was factory re-certified, but it runs like a champ and has none of the signal problems my original did. So I think there is definitely some truth to the idea that some have better builds than others based on where they were manufactured. I would return yours without a hesitation under the manufactures warranty. Hope that helps!

Thanks for helping at this point I've returned it 3 times in 10 days. I've got two different build dates and all of them still have low signal issue and calls dropping.

Sprint Support Sucks!

So I went into a Sprint Server Center because my Galaxy S 5 had been acting up for the last couple of months. The most clearly observable problem is that the LTE signal was barely ever engaging anymore, and when it did, it would only get about 1 bar unless I was right next to a tower.
Anyway, the device had a variety of issues that a factory reset would not resolve. I have NEVER rooted this device.
Basically, the store techs told be that they believe me that there are issues with the phone, but since I didn't have the sprint service plan, that they would charge me $75 to return it to Samsung under warranty. What kind of customer service is that? I contacted Samsung direct myself and explained the issues. They gave me a shipping label and it is on its way for service. The only saving grace for sprint is that I was able to self activate my old S3 in the meantime.
ALWAYS keep at least one of your old phones laying around so that you can roll back to it as your own loaner while you wait for service on your real phone.
(Mod Edited to remove bypassed profanities.)

edufur said:
So I went into a Sprint Server Center because my Galaxy S 5 had been acting up for the last couple of months. The most clearly observable problem is that the LTE signal was barely ever engaging anymore, and when it did, it would only get about 1 bar unless I was right next to a tower.
Anyway, the device had a variety of issues that a factory reset would not resolve. I have NEVER rooted this device.
Basically, the store techs told be that they believe me that there are issues with the phone, but since I didn't have the sprint service plan, that they would charge me $75 to return it to Samsung under warranty. What kind of customer service is that? I contacted Samsung direct myself and explained the issues. They gave me a shipping label and it is on its way for service. The only saving grace for sprint is that I was able to self activate my old S3 in the meantime.
ALWAYS keep at least one of your old phones laying around so that you can roll back to it as your own loaner while you wait for service on your real phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Post "repair" your phone will still only show 1 bar of LTE unless you're right next to a tower. The S5, for some reason, is reporting any signal RSRP with a dBm of -100 or lower as 1 bar (down to -125dBm where the S5 will lose signal), even though this value (-100 to -115) is quite capable of holding/sending many datas. If you want a better readout, download the SignalCheck Pro app and have it display it's LTE bars in the notification panel. Then you'll have a better idea of your signal. This is something that I hope and wish that Sprint/Samsung fixes for this exact reason you just posted.
If you don't have Sprint TEP insurance, never walk into a store with your phone needing help. That's just how it goes. Without TEP, they won't do anything for you.

mmark27 said:
Post "repair" your phone will still only show 1 bar of LTE unless you're right next to a tower. The S5, for some reason, is reporting any signal RSRP with a dBm of -100 or lower as 1 bar (down to -125dBm where the S5 will lose signal), even though this value (-100 to -115) is quite capable of holding/sending many datas. If you want a better readout, download the SignalCheck Pro app and have it display it's LTE bars in the notification panel. Then you'll have a better idea of your signal. This is something that I hope and wish that Sprint/Samsung fixes for this exact reason you just posted.
If you don't have Sprint TEP insurance, never walk into a store with your phone needing help. That's just how it goes. Without TEP, they won't do anything for you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I actually had the signal check app. I believe what you are saying, but it does not describe my situation. I did side by side tests between my phone and my GFs phone and the radio issue on my phone was real. I showed greater degradation through SigChk than hers. In addition, my phone was regularly falling back to 3G when hers wasn't. Both sprint, both side by side. My phone was also suffering a whole bunch of other problems such as navigation orientation issues, digitizer freezing, and many more. None of these issues were present in my first couple of months of ownership.
On a side note, I am very disappointed that XDA sensors more than youtube does. That is bizzare to me.

Gotcha. Sorry then for my over-analysis. I hope they get you fixed up. Please report back.

edufur said:
I actually had the signal check app. I believe what you are saying, but it does not describe my situation. I did side by side tests between my phone and my GFs phone and the radio issue on my phone was real. I showed greater degradation through SigChk than hers. In addition, my phone was regularly falling back to 3G when hers wasn't. Both sprint, both side by side. My phone was also suffering a whole bunch of other problems such as navigation orientation issues, digitizer freezing, and many more. None of these issues were present in my first couple of months of ownership.
On a side note, I am very disappointed that XDA sensors more than youtube does. That is bizzare to me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your issue sounds like what I've been reading all over. I have the same issue. What kind of phone does your GF have? You cant compare an S5 to an older phone BC it is a tri-band phone. Compare it to another tri-band phone.
Sent from my SM-G900P using XDA Free mobile app

pastert33 said:
Your issue sounds like what I've been reading all over. I have the same issue. What kind of phone does your GF have? You cant compare an S5 to an older phone BC it is a tri-band phone. Compare it to another tri-band phone.
Sent from my SM-G900P using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The comparison was with my GFs Galaxy S4 (triband) and also with my Galaxy S3 (also triband) which I am using while I wait for mine to be returned. My S3, according to the signal check app is running about 15db better on average for the RSRP. The S3 is getting -88dB while my S5 was -103db and up (measured in the same area).
They better fix the phone or there will be hell to pay!

edufur said:
The comparison was with my GFs Galaxy S4 (triband) and also with my Galaxy S3 (also triband) which I am using while I wait for mine to be returned. My S3, according to the signal check app is running about 15db better on average for the RSRP. The S3 is getting -88dB while my S5 was -103db and up (measured in the same area).
They better fix the phone or there will be hell to pay!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've been out of the loop for awhile but I do not think there was ever an S3 tri-band. There were S4 tri-bands but those came after the S4 had been out a year or longer.
Sent from my SM-G900P using XDA Free mobile app

pastert33 said:
I've been out of the loop for awhile but I do not think there was ever an S3 tri-band. There were S4 tri-bands but those came after the S4 had been out a year or longer.
Sent from my SM-G900P using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I appreciate you input, but if you think about it, what you are saying does not make much sense. I might be wrong about which of those phones are not tri-band, but based on your own implications, tri-band is better.
So, it would stand to reason that even if neither the S4 or S3 are tri-band, then one or both should be worse in signal strength. The fact is that both perform better than my S5 in its last couple of months. Again, my S5 did great for its first two months of service. Something has definitely gone wrong with the radio. If it was a tower problem, it would not be isolated to 1 handset and it certainly wouldn't be consistent across many geographical regions. All of this point to handset, not towers.

edufur said:
I appreciate you input, but if you think about it, what you are saying does not make much sense. I might be wrong about which of those phones are not tri-band, but based on your own implications, tri-band is better.
So, it would stand to reason that even if neither the S4 or S3 are tri-band, then one or both should be worse in signal strength. The fact is that both perform better than my S5 in its last couple of months. Again, my S5 did great for its first two months of service. Something has definitely gone wrong with the radio. If it was a tower problem, it would not be isolated to 1 handset and it certainly wouldn't be consistent across many geographical regions. All of this point to handset, not towers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure how what I say doesn't make sense...if the S3 and S4 are single band radios for voice/data then they would not have issues. Tri-band phones are having the issues. I hope you get it sorted out and please update if/when you find out the problem.
Sent from my SM-G900P using XDA Free mobile app

pastert33 said:
Not sure how what I say doesn't make sense...if the S3 and S4 are single band radios for voice/data then they would not have issues. Tri-band phones are having the issues. I hope you get it sorted out and please update if/when you find out the problem.
Sent from my SM-G900P using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'l try to put my S4, S5 and G3 all next to each other in the coming days over various areas and see if I notice a difference in signal.

garwynn said:
I'l try to put my S4, S5 and G3 all next to each other in the coming days over various areas and see if I notice a difference in signal.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
monsignor garwynn, could you please tell me how many Sprint signal bars your G3 reports at -100dBm RSRP on LTE? 1? Does it remain at 1 all the way through to signal loss around -120dBm?
I've tried to ask this question in the G3 threads and it just gets ignored.

I have come back here to eat crow... sort of. Sprint support still sucks. But I thought there was a problem with my phone and Samsung has concluded that there isn't. So, it would seem that the triband issue is plaguing me as well as many others. How is it possible that this problem has gone on for so long? Is there no one addressing it? Can't they just turn off the spark? It all seems to have started when they rolled that out.

edufur said:
I have come back here to eat crow... sort of. Sprint support still sucks. But I thought there was a problem with my phone and Samsung has concluded that there isn't. So, it would seem that the triband issue is plaguing me as well as many others. How is it possible that this problem has gone on for so long? Is there no one addressing it? Can't they just turn off the spark? It all seems to have started when they rolled that out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, "you" can turn off the Spark, by just putting your phone in 3G mode only.....but that sucks.

mmark27 said:
Well, "you" can turn off the Spark, by just putting your phone in 3G mode only.....but that sucks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why would I do that when my issue is that I am mostly stuck in 3G?

edufur said:
Why would I do that when my issue is that I am mostly stuck in 3G?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
BC the technology of tri-band phones are causing this issue. You could set your phone to LTE ONLY but then you would miss calls...up to you
Sent from my SM-G900P using XDA Free mobile app

garwynn said:
I'l try to put my S4, S5 and G3 all next to each other in the coming days over various areas and see if I notice a difference in signal.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use the DBM xposed module to see my exact signal. As far as I've seen, a PRL update can really make a difference to improve signal. My S5 is averaging 23 mbps inside a large building and 50 next to towers. Really its about if you're at a Spark Tower or not. There is still alot of network improvement going on right now, so it'll make a difference.

Wow this posts made me laugh. So let me get this correctly, you are upset because Sprint is the only carrier who offers service centers in store with techs and so they offer a protection plan that allows you to utilize their services like repairing and replacing factory warranty devices in which you chose not to purchase. You then start having problems with your Samsung device and are upset because Sprint offered you a $75 fee to replace your device that is still under manufacturer warranty? Not sure how Sprint sucks.
I personally have the plan. I pay the monthly charge. Guess what? I had an issue with my phone. Took it into a Sprint store. They seen I had the plan. They pulled a replacement (refurb) S5 out of the drawer behind him. I left with a working device that day. That is called a convenience sir. Had I not had the plan I would be just as upset as you are but to post a blog about how the company sucks is just over the top. Had I not had the plan guess what? I would have contacted Samsung. Sent my phone in. Then they would call me and say well sir we noticed this that and the other its gonna cost $ xx.xx to fix. If you dont want to pay then we will ship the device back to you as is. Why deal with that? Warranty is a free service and is not there to help you. The protection plan worked well for me. Now truth be told I actually opened the phone up trying to replace a cracked camera because I had dropped the phone. Screen didnt crack tho. But when I opened the phone I accidently ripped the soft key ribbons so after the reassembly my soft keys didnt work. I took it into Sprint and told them my soft keys "stopped" working. Replacement phone same day. Now just think.... If I took it to Samsung they wouldnt have played so nice. Sorry man but Sprint TEP for the win.
Sent from my SM-G900P using xda premium
---------- Post added at 01:48 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:45 PM ----------
Moral of that story: Just get the plan next time.
Sent from my SM-G900P using xda premium

youngpro83 said:
Wow this posts made me laugh. So let me get this correctly, you are upset because Sprint is the only carrier who offers service centers in store with techs and so they offer a protection plan that allows you to utilize their services like repairing and replacing factory warranty devices in which you chose not to purchase. You then start having problems with your Samsung device and are upset because Sprint offered you a $75 fee to replace your device that is still under manufacturer warranty? Not sure how Sprint sucks.
I personally have the plan. I pay the monthly charge. Guess what? I had an issue with my phone. Took it into a Sprint store. They seen I had the plan. They pulled a replacement (refurb) S5 out of the drawer behind him. I left with a working device that day. That is called a convenience sir. Had I not had the plan I would be just as upset as you are but to post a blog about how the company sucks is just over the top. Had I not had the plan guess what? I would have contacted Samsung. Sent my phone in. Then they would call me and say well sir we noticed this that and the other its gonna cost $ xx.xx to fix. If you dont want to pay then we will ship the device back to you as is. Why deal with that? Warranty is a free service and is not there to help you. The protection plan worked well for me. Now truth be told I actually opened the phone up trying to replace a cracked camera because I had dropped the phone. Screen didnt crack tho. But when I opened the phone I accidently ripped the soft key ribbons so after the reassembly my soft keys didnt work. I took it into Sprint and told them my soft keys "stopped" working. Replacement phone same day. Now just think.... If I took it to Samsung they wouldnt have played so nice. Sorry man but Sprint TEP for the win.
Sent from my SM-G900P using xda premium
---------- Post added at 01:48 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:45 PM ----------
Moral of that story: Just get the plan next time.
Sent from my SM-G900P using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Although I do agree with you in the circumstance you shared, the OP issues are not his fault nor should he have a protection plan for it in order to get it fixed. If you read through the thread, you would notice that his issue is with the tri-band phone and sprint service..
Sent from my SM-G900P using XDA Free mobile app

youngpro83 said:
Wow this posts made me laugh. So let me get this correctly, you are upset because Sprint is the only carrier who offers service centers in store with techs and so they offer a protection plan that allows you to utilize their services like repairing and replacing factory warranty devices in which you chose not to purchase. You then start having problems with your Samsung device and are upset because Sprint offered you a $75 fee to replace your device that is still under manufacturer warranty? Not sure how Sprint sucks.
I personally have the plan. I pay the monthly charge. Guess what? I had an issue with my phone. Took it into a Sprint store. They seen I had the plan. They pulled a replacement (refurb) S5 out of the drawer behind him. I left with a working device that day. That is called a convenience sir. Had I not had the plan I would be just as upset as you are but to post a blog about how the company sucks is just over the top. Had I not had the plan guess what? I would have contacted Samsung. Sent my phone in. Then they would call me and say well sir we noticed this that and the other its gonna cost $ xx.xx to fix. If you dont want to pay then we will ship the device back to you as is. Why deal with that? Warranty is a free service and is not there to help you. The protection plan worked well for me. Now truth be told I actually opened the phone up trying to replace a cracked camera because I had dropped the phone. Screen didnt crack tho. But when I opened the phone I accidently ripped the soft key ribbons so after the reassembly my soft keys didnt work. I took it into Sprint and told them my soft keys "stopped" working. Replacement phone same day. Now just think.... If I took it to Samsung they wouldnt have played so nice. Sorry man but Sprint TEP for the win.
Sent from my SM-G900P using xda premium
---------- Post added at 01:48 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:45 PM ----------
Moral of that story: Just get the plan next time.
Sent from my SM-G900P using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Umm, his device is broken through no fault of his own, and is still under warranty. His device was purchased through Sprint, I am assuming. It should be replaced under warranty regardless of a protection plan.

Right. It should be replaced. Through the manufacturer (Samsung) not Sprint. If its service related then Sprint needs to fix the service not the phone.
Sent from my SM-G900P using xda premium
---------- Post added at 11:05 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:51 AM ----------
Sprint is a cell phone service provider. Samsung manufacturers the phone. You guys keep mentioning warranty and Sprint doesnt even have one they have a return/exchange policy. Sprint offers extra protection as an extra service to convenience the customer. Samsung offers the 1 yr warranty. He claims to have LTE issues and feels it is the phone not connecting to the service. Which means the service is provided so Sprint did their job. Now if the phone doesnt connect to the service correctly then who is to blame? Samsung. So going to Samsung should be the first cause of action UNLESS you have Sprints protection plan that covers Samsungs device they manufacturered. The phone has a 1 yr MANUFACTURERS WARRANTY THROUGH SAMSUNG NOT SPRINT. Sprint has 14 day return for defective devices. Outside 14 days you have purchased a Samsung phone under samsung 1 year warranty and if the Samsung phone has warranty issues then take it to Samsung since they are offering the warrantly. Or pay $11 a month to have Sprint take over SAMSUNGS WARRANTY and replace the defective device that wont connect properly to a Sprints CELL PHONE service which is clearly there. I read the issue thoroughly. People just have the habbit of blaming the wrong people for stuff. Its Samsungs fault if the phone doesnt work after 14 days. He knew the policy when he got his phone. He just didnt think he would have an issue and now he is upset because the 1 company that can easily help him wont because he didnt want to purchase their protection plan. Now he is upset I get it. But he should be upset at Samsung for putting together a poor S5 that wont connect to the cell towers properly. Shame on Samsung!
Sent from my SM-G900P using xda premium
---------- Post added at 11:15 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:05 AM ----------
Oh and FYI the $75 that they charge IS NOT TO SEND YOUR PHONE TO SAMSUNG! You can do that for free. The $75 is for you to get a replacement phone. They order you 1 and it comes in 2 business days. Again Sprint DOESNT OFFER ANY 1 YR WARRANTY! Samsung does. So to avoid being out of a phone for a weeks because you have to deal with Samsung, Sprint told him okay you have issues we see that. WE are not the manufacturer but can help you for $75. Your device needs to be replaced and instead of you having to go through the trouble of that Sprint is offering him an out so he doesnt go weeks without a phone. Sometimes they even have the phone there. Im just really confused at all the people wanting to blame Sprint here. Its a warranty issue and Sprint doesnt EVEN HAVE A 1 YR WARRANTY! ON ANY PHONE BUT THEIR OWN SPRINT DEVICES! Smh.
Sent from my SM-G900P using xda premium