About TMO's 4G - Nexus S General

So today I was at the mall and I asked a TMO rep about 4G internet. I said, "How will you know if you have 4G?" The rep said "You will see a letter H". I then said, "How do you know if you're on 3G" He said, "You will also see a letter H". I got to admit that is pretty lame. So is there there 4G is basically a tweaked 3G?
Is it really TRUE 4G?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/4G
marketing is all it is. but hspda+ is pretty fast.

crazifyngers said:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/4G
marketing is all it is. but hspda+ is pretty fast.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What kind of speeds are you getting on your 4G device?

Here's where it gets tricky. LTE Advanced and WiMax 2 are considered 4G (they don't even exist yet). As of yesterday, ITU (the ones who decide what "4G" is) admitted that WiMax and LTE can be called 4G. T-Mobile uses HSPA+, which is basically really fast 3G. However, even as an Evo owner (Sprint uses WiMax), I have to say I'd rather have LTE or at least HSPA+. Why? Because it's always on as long as you're in an area that has it. And on top of that, it doesn't rape your battery like WiMax does. Besides, you shouldn't by a phone based on how fast the internet is. By the phone for its features, build quality, etc. It's faster than what you already have and that's what matters. Plus, you won't be paying extra for the extra speed.
http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/18/itu-capitulates-admits-that-the-term-4g-could-apply-to-lte-w/

Product F(RED) said:
Here's where it gets tricky. LTE Advanced and WiMax 2 are considered 4G (they don't even exist yet). As of yesterday, ITU (the ones who decide what "4G" is) admitted that WiMax and LTE can be called 4G. T-Mobile uses HSPA+, which is basically really fast 3G. However, even as an Evo owner (Sprint uses WiMax), I have to say I'd rather have LTE or at least HSPA+. Why? Because it's always on as long as you're in an area that has it. And on top of that, it doesn't rape your battery like WiMax does. Besides, you shouldn't by a phone based on how fast the internet is. By the phone for its features, build quality, etc. It's faster than what you already have and that's what matters. Plus, you won't be paying extra for the extra speed.
http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/18/itu-capitulates-admits-that-the-term-4g-could-apply-to-lte-w/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you. Great run down!

well like the link says hspda+ is not 4g. none of the "4g" systems are really 4g it is all marketing. that being said on the nexus s which does not have hspda+ chip only a hspda chip here are my results. the top two are wifi results. oh and i'm in phoenix.

I don't get what all the furor is about. No one is bound by what the ITU says. At this point 4G just means "better than 3G." It's hard to fault T-Mo. They've got a network that's considerably faster than what has been normal 3G and is comparable to what Sprint calls 4G. From a business perspective there's no way they could surrender the field to Sprint just because of what the ITU and tech geeks say.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App

crazifyngers said:
well like the link says hspda+ is not 4g. none of the "4g" systems are really 4g it is all marketing. that being said on the nexus s which does not have hspda+ chip only a hspda chip here are my results. the top two are wifi results. oh and i'm in phoenix.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, and like you said, that's without HSPA+. The highest I ever hit on WiMax was around 12 down, but then again I'm in NYC and I get full "4G" from my house (guess I'm by a WiMax access point). I'd be happy with those speeds you posted though. I do tether on occasion, but 99% of the time I don't need anything faster than that. Oh and another reason why HSPA+/LTE are better than WiMax is because LTE and HSPA+ are/are becoming global standards while WiMax is available in a few countries, though not on phones like in the US. Plus WiMax is basically longer-range Wifi which imo is pretty retarded for cellular use, especially considering the battery drain.
As for why I went to Sprint is another story. It's cheaper (or as cheap) as T-Mobile and you get free roaming on Verizon. I love GSM to death, but I'm a college student and I need to get as much as I can for as little as I can Plus the Evo's f*cking awesome, 4G or not.

I read that the consortium that manages all the standards came out yesterday and said that WiMax, advanced 3g tech(HSPA+) and LTE all classify as 4g

Yup, linked to it in my first post. They admitted they could be called 4G since we're so far off from the original requirements (1 Gbps I believe). What they described as 4G originally should really be 5 or 6G. Pretty steep requirements.

FastMhz said:
Is it really TRUE 4G?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No.
10char

zachthemaster said:
No.
10char
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
correction
YES

Now I kinda wish the Nexus S was 4G capable. ****, if it's no extra charge for extra speed. Why not?! Regardless, love the phone.

slowz3r said:
correction
YES
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Im
be
cile
LOOK

zachthemaster said:
Im
be
cile
LOOK
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
did you miss the part where the international consortium that certifies the mobile broad band technology came out yesterday and said that Advanced 3G (HSPA+) LTE and Wimax are qualifying 4G tech

slowz3r said:
did you miss the part where the international consortium that certifies the mobile broad band technology came out yesterday and said that Advanced 3G (HSPA+) LTE and Wimax are qualifying 4G tech
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Link or it never happened.

zachthemaster said:
Link or it never happened.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://www.tmonews.com/2010/12/hspa-now-officially-4g-according-to-itu/
http://www.itu.int/net/pressoffice/press_releases/2010/48.aspx

slowz3r said:
http://www.tmonews.com/2010/12/hspa-now-officially-4g-according-to-itu/
http://www.itu.int/net/pressoffice/press_releases/2010/48.aspx
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Eh, **** man that's still sketchy, with true 4G you're supposed to get way faster speeds, but for now, touche.

zachthemaster said:
Eh, **** man that's still sketchy, with true 4G you're supposed to get way faster speeds, but for now, touche.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1GBs as a minimum for 4th gen tech, thats extremely high, im pretty sure they where all high when they thought of that number

LTE 4G in Germany
Germany will be the first country in the EU to deploy high speed, low latency, LTE technology using the 800 MHz digital divided spectrum. Vodafone is one of the first operators to start LTE networks in Germany. The technology should allow for average speeds of 50 Mbit/sec.

Related

T-mobile updating 16 devices to faster speed!?

OK so I just payed my bill at my local T-mobile store, and I saw a poster saying 16 tmobile devices will have 4g capability or something in those words... So I asked the tmobile employee what the poster is all about. He said there are 16 devices that tmobile will be updating so they can have faster 3g or 4g speed.... He said for vibrant the 3g should get faster but its not going to be 4g sicnce it doesnt have the capability to be 4g...... plus Vibrant was one of those phones on the poster as well as other smart phones.
No Im not trying to spam or create new rumors. Im actually a newb in these threads and was curious if anyone heard of this.... Or if it has anything to do with second update that some people are receiving?
As the employee said expect ota update that would increase the speed
they're updating the network, not the actual devices. the vibrant is technically capable of 7.2Mbps downloads, but you can only find those speeds in a few places right now
lolcopter said:
they're updating the network, not the actual devices. the vibrant is technically capable of 7.2Mbps downloads, but you can only find those speeds in a few places right now
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well im pretty confused by all this myself but.. Since they have the tmobile official posters in their tmobile stores it means it has to be pretty soon.. w.e it is...
I just went and tested my speed with speedtest.net app and it shows 2284kbps download and 1337 upload.... is it suppose to be even faster soon?
I may be wrong but I believe you guys are misunderstanding the posters.
I think this is what T-Mobile is trying to say.
All current 3G phones will get a speed boost once your area has been fully upgraded to HSPA+ Although most phones that T-Mobile currently carries are not HSPA+ except for the G2 and MyTouch 4G, these non-HSPA+ phones will still benefit from HSPA+ network upgrades.
Make sense?
Also T-Mobiles 4G network is NOT 4G, False advertising. Same with Sprint Wimax.
SamsungVibrant said:
Also T-Mobiles 4G network is NOT 4G, False advertising. Same with Sprint Wimax.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
According to ITU, none of the American carriers have 4G. Go search engadget for ITU for the source (would post the link, but I don't have enough posts yet).
HSPA+ is capable of the same download speeds as the "true 4G" networks, of which there are NONE in the US. It's not false advertising, it's perfectly honest advertising.
Either way...no one is promising 4g speed to vibrant... Just faster 3g... Did anyone great of this? Coz I dont want to start a thread where people are arguimg what 4g is and what its not... And I live in NYC... So I believe 4g towers are set up here already.. Tmobile rep confused the crap out of me... As they usually do... Can't even understand their own advertisement
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
thats interesting because at my work for the last year I could only get about 900kbps down and 300 up. For some reason for the last 3 weeks I could not keep a solid connection even though the 3g symbol was present. I thought it was my vibrant or the rom I had flashed the night before (rom junkie) but two of my employees have Tmobile as well and they were experiencing the same thing. All of a sudden as of Saturday I am now getting speeds in the 4mb range and its freaking awesome. I have another employee with a 4g Evo and I kill him everytime. Go Tmobile! Vibrant w/4g speeds and now froyo and wifi calling= the best Android phone on the market.
Your statements contradict eachother!
Thegreatheed said:
According to ITU, none of the American carriers have 4G. Go search engadget for ITU for the source (would post the link, but I don't have enough posts yet).
HSPA+ is capable of the same download speeds as the "true 4G" networks, of which there are NONE in the US. It's not false advertising, it's perfectly honest advertising.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I never said any of the US carriers currently have 4G. In fact, I said exactly what you stated. I said neither Sprint's Wimax, nor T-Mobiles HSPA+ is 4G.
Also your statements contradict each other. You claim according to the ITU, no us carrier has 4G, yet T-Mobile advertising as the "largest 4G network" in the nation is honest advertising? HUH? LOL, do you not see the contradiction in your own statements?
How can you be the largest 4G network, if according to you, the ITU says no US carriers have 4G at the current moment. As a result, any carrier claiming they have 4G would be falsely advertising such said information.
I'm sorry but it shocks me when people overlook the obvious, how can you write a statement and contradict yourself?
btw hspa+ SPEEDS are not true 4G speeds.
short answer, they upgrade network we benefit.
Thegreatheed said:
According to ITU, none of the American carriers have 4G. Go search engadget for ITU for the source (would post the link, but I don't have enough posts yet).
HSPA+ is capable of the same download speeds as the "true 4G" networks, of which there are NONE in the US. It's not false advertising, it's perfectly honest advertising.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is absolutely FALSE advertising. 4G networks are IMT ADVANCED based, which includes LTE Advanced and WiMax Advanced. This means that ABSOLUTELY zero networks in the world are, and in the next year or two, ever will be 4G. To be a 4G solution, it has to be a 100% IP (aka packet switched with absolutely NO circuit switched voice) based solution. Also, do I need to mention that the "true" 4G speeds you are talking about, are slow in comparison to what IMT Advanced based architectures will be.
AlexSochi8 said:
Either way...no one is promising 4g speed to vibrant... Just faster 3g... Did anyone great of this? Coz I dont want to start a thread where people are arguimg what 4g is and what its not... And I live in NYC... So I believe 4g towers are set up here already.. Tmobile rep confused the crap out of me... As they usually do... Can't even understand their own advertisement
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As mentioned they are not 4G. Plain and simple. T-Mobile has made it VERY clear that they are not currently seeking any LTE plans for the very near future, and as such, are rolling out HSPA+ in an effort to increase the speeds at a (relatively) low cost. Due to the fact that Sprint is using the 4G moniker, and advertising speeds similar to what T-Mobile will have on offer (using HSPA+), they are doing the same bull**** marketing that Sprint is.
If you want me to cite some info, I can.
lolcopter said:
they're updating the network, not the actual devices. the vibrant is technically capable of 7.2Mbps downloads, but you can only find those speeds in a few places right now
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So as soon as they fully install the faster network in New York City then i will be able to get up to 7.2mbps on vibrant?
I kinda doubt that since now at very best I get 2.2mbps in a very tower rich city
That would make vibrant internet speed upto 3.5 times faster? Is that really likely?
If that is then Froyo + faster internet is all i can dream of!
AlexSochi8 said:
So as soon as they fully install the faster network in New York City then i will be able to get up to 7.2mbps on vibrant?
I kinda doubt that since now at very best I get 2.2mbps in a very tower rich city
That would make vibrant internet speed upto 3.5 times faster? Is that really likely?
If that is then Froyo + faster internet is all i can dream of!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are reports of getting as high as 15Mbps in areas with a good HSPA+ coverage on the G2. I presume that 7Mbps, or near there should be very achievable on our phones.
gehzumteufel said:
There are reports of getting as high as 15Mbps in areas with a good HSPA+ coverage on the G2. I presume that 7Mbps, or near there should be very achievable on our phones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thats pretty amazing then... then I wouldnt complain about some phones having "4G" speed
gehzumteufel said:
It is absolutely FALSE advertising. 4G networks are IMT ADVANCED based, which includes LTE Advanced and WiMax Advanced. This means that ABSOLUTELY zero networks in the world are, and in the next year or two, ever will be 4G. To be a 4G solution, it has to be a 100% IP (aka packet switched with absolutely NO circuit switched voice) based solution. Also, do I need to mention that the "true" 4G speeds you are talking about, are slow in comparison to what IMT Advanced based architectures will be.
As mentioned they are not 4G. Plain and simple. T-Mobile has made it VERY clear that they are not currently seeking any LTE plans for the very near future, and as such, are rolling out HSPA+ in an effort to increase the speeds at a (relatively) low cost. Due to the fact that Sprint is using the 4G moniker, and advertising speeds similar to what T-Mobile will have on offer (using HSPA+), they are doing the same bull**** marketing that Sprint is.
If you want me to cite some info, I can.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree with you in one respect, ITU ruled that HSPA+ is not a 4G network. However, what with Sprint and their false advertising, it's easy to see why T-Mobile would label their data network as 4G for one reason. The same towers that are being upgraded to the theoretical max of 21mbps have the capacity for even higher speeds. Up to 168mbps actually, if you want to get specific. All on the towers they already have. Pretty much explains their decision to forgo LTE for the time being huh? So while yes, their network isn't a "true" 4G network, no one can argue that they're lying about achieving 4G and higher speeds (even higher than WiMax).
well i hope the reception will be better. i'm fine with a download speed of 2-3 mbps as long as it's stable. I have to stay on one corner of our house to have a 3G.
Homestar1217 said:
I agree with you in one respect, ITU ruled that HSPA+ is not a 4G network. However, what with Sprint and their false advertising, it's easy to see why T-Mobile would label their data network as 4G for one reason. The same towers that are being upgraded to the theoretical max of 21mbps have the capacity for even higher speeds. Up to 168mbps actually, if you want to get specific. All on the towers they already have. Pretty much explains their decision to forgo LTE for the time being huh? So while yes, their network isn't a "true" 4G network, no one can argue that they're lying about achieving 4G and higher speeds (even higher than WiMax).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They are absolutely lying. You can't achieve, from a device, anything above a theoretical maximum of 84Mbps with bonding AND MIMO. Otherwise, you are stick at 42Mbps with JUST boding, and 21.5 with no bonding or MIMO. 4G is officially designated at 100Mbps while moving at high speed and 1Gbps while static. You aren't going to see bonding and MIMO at all, because that requires a HUGE increase in the backhaul capabilities (100GbE minimum), and all new antennas and base stations. This is just not happening.
iynfynity said:
well i hope the reception will be better. i'm fine with a download speed of 2-3 mbps as long as it's stable. I have to stay on one corner of our house to have a 3G.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
T-Mobile has been significantly improving their coverage area over the last 5 years, and it is far better than when I first had it. In due time, they will cover most of the US.
yeah, Edge is good for me but of course 3G is what i'm paying for so i hope that the reception will be better in my place.
My speed on my stock Vibrant seems to have improved just recently. Sitting inside my house in the Seattle area tonight the Speedtest.net app gave results of: 5.3-5.4 Mbps down and 1.6-1.7 Mbps up. That was the range for several successive trials. The weird thing was that when I laid the phone down on my desk, the speed dropped down to about 3.2 Mbps down and 0.70 Mbps up. When I picked it up and held it in my hand again, the speed climbed right back up to the higher range, which I verified several times. Coincidence, or could there be some body-phone-antenna thing going on?
ZX3ZX4 said:
My speed on my stock Vibrant seems to have improved just recently. Sitting inside my house in the Seattle area tonight the Speedtest.net app gave results of: 5.3-5.4 Mbps down and 1.6-1.7 Mbps up. That was the range for several successive trials. The weird thing was that when I laid the phone down on my desk, the speed dropped down to about 3.2 Mbps down and 0.70 Mbps up. When I picked it up and held it in my hand again, the speed climbed right back up to the higher range, which I verified several times. Coincidence, or could there be some body-phone-antenna thing going on?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, your phone is probably cycling through two different towers. Check to see if your CID changes (Ever) in your home.
AlexSochi8 said:
So as soon as they fully install the faster network in New York City then i will be able to get up to 7.2mbps on vibrant?
I kinda doubt that since now at very best I get 2.2mbps in a very tower rich city
That would make vibrant internet speed upto 3.5 times faster? Is that really likely?
If that is then Froyo + faster internet is all i can dream of!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
By my old place in Brooklyn I was getting up to 5Mbs down back in July, but my apartment was like a Faraday Cage, by my folks in Brooklyn I am constantly getting up to 5.5Mbs, and at my new place in South Brooklyn I am back to harsh reality with 1.1Mbs at best.
These are the download speeds, upload is usually stays the same at around 1.3Mbs

4G... not really 4G

http://finance.yahoo.com/family-home/article/111455/4g-is-a-myth-and-confusing
Plus the fact it's not even close to my area of living
yeah cell providers called it that cause it sounded good, and for them was technincally the 4th generation of mobile internet - but it is not what 4G officially stands for.... there IS NO real 4g networks anywhere, as the standards are in their infancy.
Old news. ITU said this a while back. It's funny, I talked to Verizon at their Chicago LTE launch event and they laughed and said, it's all marketing anyway, so who cares.
ITU has no teeth, so no one really cares.
WiMax and LTE are 4G networks that aren't being used as that yet. All that's needed is a firmware upgrade to make it true 4G.
Tmobile on the other hand will never have 4G with their current network.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
xHausx said:
WiMax and LTE are 4G networks that aren't being used as that yet. All that's needed is a firmware upgrade to make it true 4G.
Tmobile on the other hand will never have 4G with their current network.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mmm... No. If you want to equate it to something, LTE and 802.16e WiMax that Sprint and Verizon are pushing out is like 802.11b Wi-Fi. Real 4G (LTE-Advanced and 802.16m WiMax) would be more like 802.11n.
Basically, just ask yourself these questions to tell if it's 4G:
1) Do I see speeds of around 100mbps average?
2) Is all traffic being done via IPv6?
3) Are calls being made as VoIP?
Pretty sure that article is way off. I agree that it's not true 4g, but tmobile's hspa+ doesn't even get close to 12mb. Most of the time it barely reaches 4-5mbs.
yeah verizon and sprints networks are more like 3.5 g or 3.25 g. t mobiles is still 3g but since everyone else is slapping 4g stickers on their network they thought they would too, especially since the average consumer doesnt know what the f 4g is anyway. and meanwhile at&t is still trying to get 3g working lol.
Cal3b said:
yeah verizon and sprints networks are more like 3.5 g or 3.25 g. t mobiles is still 3g but since everyone else is slapping 4g stickers on their network they thought they would too, especially since the average consumer doesnt know what the f 4g is anyway. and meanwhile at&t is still trying to get 3g working lol.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You got me laughing with the AT&T still getting 3g to work well lol and there drop calls lol.
I don't know about the rest of you all, but I live in the central valley, CA and 4G is widely available throughout the region. I average from 6-10mbs down when I do a speedtest. But I only enable 4G when I really need it, otherwise my battery dies rather quickly.
drmacinyasha said:
Mmm... No. If you want to equate it to something, LTE and 802.16e WiMax that Sprint and Verizon are pushing out is like 802.11b Wi-Fi. Real 4G (LTE-Advanced and 802.16m WiMax) would be more like 802.11n.
Basically, just ask yourself these questions to tell if it's 4G:
1) Do I see speeds of around 100mbps average?
2) Is all traffic being done via IPv6?
3) Are calls being made as VoIP?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Technically LTE and 801.16 in their current implications are called Pre-4G, however, the networks are being built as 4G networks. They are just not being utilized as such and the standards for both types of 4G aren't even finalized yet. They are fully packet switched networks with support for IPv6. The only place where the networks fall short is bandwidth, true 4G requires 100MB nominal speeds with at least 1GB peak. That can't happen until the standards are finalized.
T-Mo's HSPA+ is 3.5G and will never be 4G. There was a wired (I think) article just today saying they were thinking about chipping in on WiMAXs spectrum for their next generation network, aka 4G.
Edit: From the article:
One network representative, who asked not to be identified, claimed that ITU's 4G line-in-the-sand is being misconstrued. The organization previously approved the use of the term "4G" for Sprint's WiMAX and Verizon's LTE networks, he said -- though not for T-Mobile's HSPA+ network.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Nexus One Performs Like 4G

I did a test with my nexus one and G2, I don't know how but my Nexus still out performed my G2 Am I Glad To Be An Owner Of A Nexus1
Nexus One:
DL-4.46
UL-0.99
G2
DL-3.74
UL-1.37
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App
I live in a suburb of Boston and have great HSPA+ service. My N1 is getting on average during peak hours 4.2 DL and a constant 1.3 UL. I am very happy with those numbers. T-Mobile has a solid Network and blows away AT&T, Sprint and Verizon in my area. I live only 10 miles out of Boston and one mile away from RT 128. Suppose to be strong areas for all the Carriers.
Thank You T-Mobile.
Confused
If the T-mobile or Att network your using has an average of 7.2mbps or less, wont the Nexus One get the exact same download speed as any HSPA+ phone?
The only time an HSPA+ phone would ever "outpace" the N1 in download speed would be if the network is built up past 7.2mbps right? Like if the average speed was 10mbps THEN the HSPA+ would finally kick in but until 7.2mbps the Nexus One will keep up with any HSPA+ phone right?
I didn't know the G2 was LTE enabled
HSDPA+ is 3G btw.
I don't know, my thoughts were G2: better phone, better performance. LOL (Simpled Minded) Huh? It doesn't make sense to buy a 4G phone then! Forget 4G
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App
LOL at thinking those measly speeds are 4G!
4G speeds are more like 30MB/s down and 15MB/s up.
Look at some of the Verizon LTE (a TRUE 4G network) speed tests.
GldRush98 said:
LOL at thinking those measly speeds are 4G!
4G speeds are more like 30MB/s down and 15MB/s up.
Look at some of the Verizon LTE (a TRUE 4G network) speed tests.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well even Verizon's LTE network is still around 7-12 Mbit, not MB/sec... and no where near true "4G."
The ITU's newest standard now allows "evolved 3G technologies" such as HSPA+ to eventually qualify for "4G" nomenclature, but this is still quite some time from now, given that it's roughly 1/10 of the required speed for mobile applications. What's funny, though, is that T-Mobile's HSPA+ is generally faster than Sprint's WiMAX in many areas, despite the fact that under the old classification system WiMAX could eventually become 4G whereas HSPA+ could not.
IMT-Advanced basically became what the old "4G" classification was, including the 100 Mbit mobile and 1 Gbit fixed speed requirements, as well as goodies like VoIP and OFDMA.
Wow Professor Will, So All This Hype About 4G is probably for months or even years to come! I'm not buying another supposedly 4G Phone until its like an guarantee that I see a huge difference in speed!
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App
wtharden said:
Wow Professor Will, So All This Hype About 4G is probably for months or even years to come! I'm not buying another supposedly 4G Phone until its like an guarantee that I see a huge difference in speed!
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah pretty much, i thought it was common knowledge for all of us phone geeks. tmobile's 4g is nothing but 3G HSPA. and unless the towers have enough backhaul to support fast speeds, a 3G phone will perform like a 4G phone until the theoretical limits for each are hit. havent seen that happen anywhere yet in the USA that i can tell. its all gimmic marketing crap.
RogerPodacter said:
yeah pretty much, i thought it was common knowledge for all of us phone geeks. tmobile's 4g is nothing but 3G HSPA. and unless the towers have enough backhaul to support fast speeds, a 3G phone will perform like a 4G phone until the theoretical limits for each are hit. havent seen that happen anywhere yet in the USA that i can tell. its all gimmic marketing crap.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Call it what you want, I'm very happy with T-Mobile. In my area they are faster then all others. They have the best plans and prices blow all others away. I think if more people gave them a chance they would be very happy. Not to mention they support the Nexus One.
vinnyjr said:
Call it what you want, I'm very happy with T-Mobile. In my area they are faster then all others. They have the best plans and prices blow all others away. I think if more people gave them a chance they would be very happy. Not to mention they support the Nexus One.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1 Also, very satisfied with TMobile in my area!
galaxys said:
+1 Also, very satisfied with TMobile in my area!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+2 dittos.
vinnyjr said:
Call it what you want, I'm very happy with T-Mobile. In my area they are faster then all others. They have the best plans and prices blow all others away. I think if more people gave them a chance they would be very happy. Not to mention they support the Nexus One.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm very impressed with t-mobile and give them all the credit in the world for what they've done with their data speeds. ATT is a joke when it comes to being a leader like that. They do nothing but follow the other carriers and react rather than set the standard. But I'm sad t-mobile started this fake 4g thing.
Extremely satisfied with my Nexus One on TMO. I'm roughly 20 miles north west from northeastern Philly and just like the other users have said T-Mobile has the best coverage in my area compared to Verizon and AT&T. My work phone is a Blackberry Tour running on Verizon's network and the network coverage blows compared to T-Mobile's in my area.
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA Premium App
Rogers in canada is crazy fast... It seems my upload is capped at 1mbit up but download speeds have gotten upwards of 4 even 5 mbit down!
Sent from my Google Phone

HSPA+ and the ATRIX - Email from my Corp. AT&T Rep.

My email to her is below. But here is her response. So just hold it out people. It is coming. The phone supports it. AT&T just needs to "Turn it on"
Hi Donnie,
This means that the 4g Atrix is going to be ABLE to use the 4G service once it is available however, we do not have the service alive yet therefore you will not get those speeds at this time. We are proactively working on getting the network upgraded. Houston is a HOT spot for this project so I know it will not be long.
Thank you,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Email i sent to my at&t rep who handles my corp account of about 150 phones.
According to ATT Website the Atrix, supports ā€œ4Gā€ By using HSPA+. Houston is a HSPA+ market, but we have been unable to HSPA+ service.
We contacted CS and they said it was prolly a down tower. But I do a lot of driving and know that one tower would not affect all of Houston. So we hit up Google, and the results are disturbing. Motorola says it does not support HSPA+. Yet att website says it does. Many sites say that AT&T has disabled it. We need to know the truth. We bought this phone because it is listed as a 4G phone, but it seems we were misled. If you would please research this and shed some light on the matter.
https://supportforums.motorola.com/message/331802#331802
http://www.att.com/network/assets/maps/Houston.html
Thanks,
Donnie
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
More BS from AT&T.
HSUPA is DISABLED on this device and i don't care how many lies at&t will try to push to cover this up.
Hey Donnie,
Had pretty much the same question for my Rep yesterday. Let me go ahead and say that I've yet to go to a market that is HSPA+ with my Atrix; my rep doesn't have one yet, she has an Inspire. She has been in "4G" market coverage where her phone shows 4+, the indication for 4G, and it's faster than her IP3 but not 2x as fast as 4G is supposed to be.
She told me that some markets are "4G" but only in the sense that they are running at 3.1 Mbps, which according to the FCC qualifies, hence At&t saying they have no 4G coverage. 4G being 7.2 Mbps.
She also informed me that At&t is not pushing 4G upgrades so much as they are pushing LTE upgrades, which according to her can run 5x as fast as 4G?
Sorry for the rambling, but I thought you might like that information.
clubtech said:
More BS from AT&T.
HSUPA is DISABLED on this device and i don't care how many lies at&t will try to push to cover this up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Again at&t will enable it when they want to go live with it. Point is Atrix, supports it. And will when the network is ready.
Not sure what counts as hspa+ speeds but im getting 4.5 mbps down where im sitting right now
Sent from my MB860 using XDA App
DrakenAlTi said:
Hey Donnie,
Had pretty much the same question for my Rep yesterday. Let me go ahead and say that I've yet to go to a market that is HSPA+ with my Atrix; my rep doesn't have one yet, she has an Inspire. She has been in "4G" market coverage where her phone shows 4+, the indication for 4G, and it's faster than her IP3 but not 2x as fast as 4G is supposed to be.
She told me that some markets are "4G" but only in the sense that they are running at 3.1 Mbps, which according to the FCC qualifies, hence At&t saying they have no 4G coverage. 4G being 7.2 Mbps.
She also informed me that At&t is not pushing 4G upgrades so much as they are pushing LTE upgrades, which according to her can run 5x as fast as 4G?
Sorry for the rambling, but I thought you might like that information.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow really? Theyre not pushing 4g, theyre pushing lte? LTE is 4g. What att is calling 4g now is not 4g its 3g with overhaul. 7.2 mbps? The iphone 3gs could theoretically achieve these speeds but not on att. I like the atrix bht i didnt buy it for (4g) speeds. NO NETWORK HAS TRUE 4G!!!!!!
Sent from my MB860 using XDA App
donniesd said:
Again at&t will enable it when they want to go live with it. Point is Atrix, supports it. And will when the network is ready.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We are talking about basic 3g they are disabling here ....nothing to do with hspa+.....
But you can believe whatever you want if it makes you feel better.
I know we're not getting HSPA+ speeds, but there's something even more. I have yet to see someone get more than 400Kbps UPLINK.
This is not just on AT&T.
Can someone ask an AT&T Rep about THAT!
Odd how my Captivate has HSUPA speeds yet my brother's Atrix doesn't... So much for the speeds not being available...
clubtech said:
More BS from AT&T.
HSUPA is DISABLED on this device and i don't care how many lies at&t will try to push to cover this up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
HSPA+ *IS NOT* HSUPA. They're separate services. When AT&T enables HSPA+ across the country they'll also most likely send out a patch to enable HSUPA on the devices. Settle down on the conspiracy theories.
HSPA+ isn't enabled because the system isn't finished. We *all* knew this. When it is (in the next month or 2, most likely) they'll enable it and you'll see the difference overnight. My dad's worked for AT&T for 42 years as a repair tech (one of the 2 in this state that upgrade a majority of the HSPA+ and LTE hardware) and said the rough estimate looks like late March or very early April for HSPA+ and LTE in fall.
MarcMaiden said:
Not sure what counts as hspa+ speeds but im getting 4.5 mbps down where im sitting right now
Sent from my MB860 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that is great speeds... im in an area where there is no H+ yet, in greensbroo NC but Charlotte NC has it and we a re the next to get it in NC... and i am getting 3.8 but without the HUSPA, we are getting .3/.4 uploads... no matter how fast our DL's are without an upload to match it... those speeds are kinda pointless
"HSPA+ *IS NOT* HSUPA. ...
HSPA+ isn't enabled because"
Well, my phone shows "H+" up top, indicating it is enabled in this area. But AT&T has some clever ideas about hardware deployment. When I called to ask about some problems last year the rep said "Oh, I see there are a number of degraded towers in your area, that could be the problem." "Is there anything else I can help you with today?"
I said "Yes, can you give me Verizon's number? I'd like to ask them how there towers are." <WEG>
Hey, I know one's no better than the other in the big picture. But lord, does the FTC need to make the cellcos ALL COME CLEAN and stop the lies.
Apparently the H+ doesn't necessarily signify HSPA+. Covers 3G and their "4G".
"Question:
What is this "H+" icon on my phone's screen?
Answer:
The "H+" icon is a network indicator. When present, it lets you know that your phone is operating on our 3G or 4G network (where available). "
"Question:
How will I know if I'm on the 4G network vs. your 3G network? Is there any visual indicator on the phone's screen itself?
Answer:
While there is no visual indicator on the phone's screen that differentiates the difference between 3G and 4G data speeds, when experiencing 4G speeds your videos and streaming movies will download/play even faster, web sites will load even faster, and large files will download faster. "
"Question:
Will that "H+" icon ever change to something else? If so, what other icons might I expect to see and what do they mean?
Answer:
The H+ icon will remain lit while connected to either our 3G mobile broadband or 4G network (where available). Should you travel outside of those coverage areas and/or experience extreme network congestion, the icon may display EDGE or E while on our 2G data network or, in some instances, it will display GSM. "
Att rep for our company confirmed that they are working together with verizon to "pull the trigger" on 4g running at full throttle within the next couple of weeks. He showed me some emails and charts showing that they have installed verizon's hardware in their towers and are debugging it now. I did not see that "partnership" coming at all to be honest lol Keeping fingers crossed ))
Hawk375 said:
Apparently the H+ doesn't necessarily signify HSPA+. Covers 3G and their "4G".
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I noticed this up here after doing this MOD. Before the mod the notification bar only showed H+ all of the time. Now it bounced between 3G and H (not sure about H+). I am assuming the display I am getting now is correct.
hotleadsingerguy said:
HSPA+ *IS NOT* HSUPA. They're separate services. When AT&T enables HSPA+ across the country they'll also most likely send out a patch to enable HSUPA on the devices. Settle down on the conspiracy theories.
HSPA+ isn't enabled because the system isn't finished. We *all* knew this. When it is (in the next month or 2, most likely) they'll enable it and you'll see the difference overnight. My dad's worked for AT&T for 42 years as a repair tech (one of the 2 in this state that upgrade a majority of the HSPA+ and LTE hardware) and said the rough estimate looks like late March or very early April for HSPA+ and LTE in fall.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay that makes sense but why is it though that other devices like my unlocked streak or nexus one get much higher upload speeds than the atrix? Is it something in their rom that is allowing them to get good upload and the atrix rom not allowing it to? Trying to make sense of it all.
Dell Streak powered by Streakdroid 1.8.1
Video with proof
It's obvious to everyone now, but I made a video that can easily be shown to anyone who doesn't believe the ATRIX has slower speeds than something like the iPhone.
Show this to AT&T and then they'll shut their mouth about "possibly a defective device."
www[dot]youtube[dot]com/watch?v=X5YMJT08N64&hd=1
I'm sick of this bs. Why cant this company live up to their promises?
the atrix isn't even an HSPA+ device, it has an HSDPA cat 10 modem...
The Atrix is supposed to have the HSPA+ transceiver in it. Whether it is disabled or does not work because the network blocks access since HSPA+ is not fully deployed is a question heavily discussed in other threads in these forums. However, you should realize the LTE requires a different transceiver, which reviews have indicated the Atrix does not have.
So even if LTE is deployed this fall, the best the Atrix will be able to do is HSPA+, not LTE. Supposedly, LTE-capable smartphones are supposed to be announced this summer sometime.
Wanna wait?
wrayrb said:
So even if LTE is deployed this fall, the best the Atrix will be able to do is HSPA+, not LTE. Supposedly, LTE-capable smartphones are supposed to be announced this summer sometime.
Wanna wait?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, when I see the disaster with Verizon's first LTE phone the HTC Thunderbolt (still not released)....I wanna wait even a bit longer.....I don't wanna be the guinea pig for AT&T.

Here's a quick fact about 4G

AT&T hasn't enabled 4G on any device because they haven't FINISHED setting it up yet. Give them time, you guys are so impatient about this 4G garbage, there is a reason why they're taking their time, did you guys forget what happened with the iPhone when it started to use 3G. They're going to make sure they won't get flooded and they'll have enough to go around. I've got a few friends that work for the network engineering department and i've been told by them that the network isn't fully set so 4G isn't fully activated yet. Quit complaining, it's a good thing that its not up yet because then you guys would REALLY *****!
the phone is called 'atrix 4g' and they are toting it as a 4g phone. How unreasonable that we might have expectations of it.. lolz
4G meaning it has the capability to do 4G! Doesn't mean it will have it right off the bat...you know when you buy the phone AT&T tells you that the 4G network isn't up. If you bought it without paying attention on what the guys told you, then it is all your fault for buying it thinking it will have 4G instantly... just give them time, AT&T is always known to have the most efficient network out of all. May not be the most reliable but they are the fastest.
Mafisometal said:
..May not be the most reliable but they are the fastest.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
someone is wrong on the internet, i'm calling the 4chan police.
1. Its not.capable of 4g. The htc thunderbolt is the only 4g phone. Do some research
Sent from my MB860 using XDA App
Will hspa+ even come close to Verizon's lte?
Sent from my MB860 using XDA Premium App
LTE has currently a download peak of 326.4 Mbps (40.8 Mbps real time-speed) also counting that LTE is using a 1.4-20 MHz frequency range. LTE would have higher speed capabilities if it wasn't being hogged by the air interference, then it would possibly run at 71 Mbps real-time speed
HSPA+ is still in development and running at a download peak of 672Mbps (84 Mbps real-time speed) also counting that HPSA+ is only using a 5 MHz frequency range.
These aren't the exact fact of what AT&T or Verizon has but it is the capability, LTE has been live since 2004 globaly while HSPA+ has only been up since 2009. LTE is becoming old while HSPA WILL be the future. Just because LTE is currently faster doesn't mean it will be for long. When HSPA+ goes fully live with AT&T you may see a quicker speed, There are networks around the world that put HSPA+ up currently at 42 Mbps real-time
What if the Thunderbolt wouldn't have LTE until next year?
It would be laughed to the curb. The only reason people still by atrixs is because we've become accustomed to AT&T being a bunch of greedy cheapskates.
At&T says you "might see speeds up to approximately 6mbps [at best]"
http://www.wireless.att.com/answer-...locale=&_dyncharset=UTF-8&solutionId=KB115947
(the link isn't broken, just click on it, and wait about 5 secs.
The funniest thing is that 4G in the USA isn't the same as in Sweden. We've got 4G here as well. But the thing is that your 4G is about the same as your 3G if I ain't misinformed.
Our 4G is <80Mbit/s
http://www.tele2.se/mobilt-bredband/4g.html?cmpid=se.search.2011.s.google.cpc
also i forgot to say, AT&T will be using HSPA+ as an addon because LTE will soon be introduced to them sometime at the end of this year....so yeah utilizing more antennas meaning more speeds... =)
Yeah, I don't think people are as upset about not getting 4G speeds as they are upset about very often not even getting 3G speeds. The upload speeds on this phone are atrocious, and quite often the download speeds are as well.
But, hey, thanks for your post containing information we all already know.
Mafisometal said:
AT&T hasn't enabled 4G on any device because they haven't FINISHED setting it up yet. Give them time, you guys are so impatient about this 4G garbage, there is a reason why they're taking their time, did you guys forget what happened with the iPhone when it started to use 3G. They're going to make sure they won't get flooded and they'll have enough to go around. I've got a few friends that work for the network engineering department and i've been told by them that the network isn't fully set so 4G isn't fully activated yet. Quit complaining, it's a good thing that its not up yet because then you guys would REALLY *****!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's funny that you titled this "quick fact" when you haven't stated any facts whatsoever. You sound like an AT&T press statement. Plus, you can't compare the Atrix, or the Inspire for that matter, to the iPhone. Whereas the iPhone had sold over a million in the first 3 months of it's release, I doubt the Atrix and Inspire will reach 100,000 in that same time frame combined. This was deceptive marketing, plain and simple. AT&T covers their butt with small print and they more than likely trained the employees to avoid discussion on actual H+ rollout. There's a reason the story made it to Engadget and other tech sites when it was found that data speeds were capped on these phones, it's because AT&T didn't want anyone to know.
The major complaint isn't not having 4G its ATT capping our upload and giving all the bandwidth to their favorite child the iphone. Its just a bit upsetting that I pay the same monthly as any iphone user out there yet I get subpar service. I think what we all want is to have service like what is given to iphoners and that alone would quiet the masses about the lack of 4G.
PS. I live in Orlando a place I was told numerous times was a test city for their 4G yet no 4G here all I'm left with is a crippled 3G network that I no longer get good signal inside my own home. I think that's evetyones gripe with ATT
Sent from my MB860 using XDA Premium App
jange said:
The funniest thing is that 4G in the USA isn't the same as in Sweden. We've got 4G here as well. But the thing is that your 4G is about the same as your 3G if I ain't misinformed.
Our 4G is <80Mbit/s
http://www.tele2.se/mobilt-bredband/4g.html?cmpid=se.search.2011.s.google.cpc
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The thing is that theres more than 200million wireless users in America and have to share the OTA data bandwidth. In Sweden theres a lot less people therefore everyone gets faster speeds.
For all those who are saying be patient. What if you went out and bought a new Ferrari capable of going 200mph. Only to find out the factory limited it to only 70mph. Here you are getting passed on the highway every day by moms in their mini vans. All the while you're being told by the factory that eventually we'll take off the governor so just sit there and shut up. I think you would be a bit upset.
the OP sounds like a AT&T rep...
drock212 said:
The major complaint isn't not having 4G its ATT capping our upload and giving all the bandwidth to their favorite child the iphone. Its just a bit upsetting that I pay the same monthly as any iphone user out there yet I get subpar service. I think what we all want is to have service like what is given to iphoners and that alone would quiet the masses about the lack of 4G.
PS. I live in Orlando a place I was told numerous times was a test city for their 4G yet no 4G here all I'm left with is a crippled 3G network that I no longer get good signal inside my own home. I think that's evetyones gripe with ATT
Sent from my MB860 using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
neotekz said:
the OP sounds like a AT&T rep...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not to me, an ATT rep would know that ATT claims to have rolled out HSDPA+ across their entire footprint, while at the same time admitting that backhaul is far from complete. HSDPA+ is of course the justification for tagging the Atrix and Inspire as 4G.
Jim_R said:
Not to me, an Art rep would know that Art claims to have rolled out HSDPA+ across their entire footprint, while at the same time.admitting that nackhaul is far.from complete. HSDPA+ is of course the.justification for tagging the Atrix and Inspire as 4G.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Regardless if he's a rep or not, for the most part a forum like XDA was created as an act of defiance to the restrictions that carriers and manufactures have imposed on their products. So, why would anyone want to come in here and defend AT&T, or any carrier/manufacturer? It automatically makes you sound like a "plant".
I'm not trying to negate what you are saying, I agree with you. I just wanted to throw that out there.
bsinc1962 said:
For all those who are saying be patient. What if you went out and bought a new Ferrari capable of going 200mph. Only to find out the factory limited it to only 70mph. Here you are getting passed on the highway every day by moms in their mini vans. All the while you're being told by the factory that eventually we'll take off the governor so just sit there and shut up. I think you would be a bit upset.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where can you go 200mph legally(or over 70 even in the US)? That's what I don't get. I understand high speed internet for home computers, you download and stream stuff all day. But on a cellphone, 3-4mbps is plenty fast.
'But I pay for 4g speeds!'ā€‹
No you don't. You pay the same as any 3g device, with the same exact service. Get over yourself.

Categories

Resources