Why do you use iDen vs. CDMA?

[HC21]

I see the new Android phone that is coming out for Boost iDen. It looks very nice and I might be interested. I'm currently using a Sprint branded smart phone on Boost CDMA and enjoy good call quality, good texting and data speeds. It looks like on the coverage map, the call quality would be fine where I am if I went to iDen but I'm not sure about the rest. I hear that data speeds are slower on iDen.

What advantage do you, who are on iDen find that keeps you using it instead of switching to CDMA? Any other thoughts you have on this would be helpful too.

Thanks!

[rec9140]

What advantage do you, who are on iDen find that keeps you using it instead of

I use the 415 ONLY for work and ONLY for PTT. I have a VZW phone for phone calls.

good texting and data speeds.
Any other thoughts you have on this would be helpful too.

If you have NO need for PTT then you should stay on CDMA. Especially if you want high speed data use for web etc... Its not going to happen on iDEN.

The speed is between 13KBPS and a max of 19.2KPBS

With the 5MP camera of 2592 x1944 at 14.4KBPS which is good median to use it will take 01:10:22 thats 1 HOUR 10 MINUTES to upload the photo.

And even with WiDEN thats still going to be ~ 15-18 MINUTES to upload that 5MP.

Between 1 Minute to 30 seconds on CDMA depending on the rate you get.

For short small quick packets like a quickie email... its fine... Otherwise you need 802.11b/g available.

[HC21]

I don't have use for PPT that I can tell, and can't think of a good reason as to why I would need PPT as opposed to calling somebody... yet another iDen feature that I'm not clear on. You have to "dial" the other person's PTT # to have a PTT conversations with them right? I don't understand that.

Anyway, as cool as it would be to have an unlimited access Android phone on Boost, it sounds like currently, it's not the way to go for me.

[rec9140]

I don't have use for PPT that I can tell, and can't think of a good reason as to why I would need PPT as opposed to calling somebody... yet another iDen feature that I'm not clear on. You have to "dial" the other person's PTT # to have a PTT conversations with them right? I don't understand that.
.

You need to understand what iDEN is first..

iDEN is a RADIO TRUNKING system very similar to what many police, fire and other agencies use, that happens to support something called: interconnect aka making a phone call.

You can do whats called: direct connect (coliquial "chirp") which is a trunked individual call.. you can do talkgroups which are like having a radio dispatch channel, and you can do group calls which are essentially one time on demand talkgroups, but in most cases is limited in the number of users that can be connected, normally about 20.

Your not dialing, per se, your entering the radio id number you want to alert. In my radio system its called a LID or Logical IDendtification number others like Motorola call it a RID Radio IDendtification number and in essence thats what a DC number is a RID since iDEN was developed by Motorola.

If I authorize it radio 1234 can "individual" another radio such 4321. Its much quicker than a phone call, and once you have the DC#/LID/RID you can store it and pick your contact on from a list... hit the PTT button.

PTT is like having a NATIONWIDE and sometimes INTERNATIONAL radio system.

It helps to not thing as iDEN as phone network but a very advanced FRS radio, VERY ADVANCED.

[HC21]

Cool, that makes sense. Thanks for the info!

[Mackdad]

You need to understand what iDEN is first..

iDEN is a RADIO TRUNKING system very similar to what many police, fire and other agencies use, that happens to support something called: interconnect aka making a phone call.

You can do whats called: direct connect (coliquial "chirp") which is a trunked individual call.. you can do talkgroups which are like having a radio dispatch channel, and you can do group calls which are essentially one time on demand talkgroups, but in most cases is limited in the number of users that can be connected, normally about 20.

Your not dialing, per se, your entering the radio id number you want to alert. In my radio system its called a LID or Logical IDendtification number others like Motorola call it a RID Radio IDendtification number and in essence thats what a DC number is a RID since iDEN was developed by Motorola.

If I authorize it radio 1234 can "individual" another radio such 4321. Its much quicker than a phone call, and once you have the DC#/LID/RID you can store it and pick your contact on from a list... hit the PTT button.

PTT is like having a NATIONWIDE and sometimes INTERNATIONAL radio system.

It helps to not thing as iDEN as phone network but a very advanced FRS radio, VERY ADVANCED.

Wow someone here who understands the big picture.

[Joe12304]

Different coverage and rugged phones are the two reasons I had them. If they would just implement SMS messaging.....

[Big Blue 023]

Boost cdma: Fast data, byod with many Sprint phones. Boost iden: PTT, sim card, ability to use many Nextel phones. Basically it's PTT vs data. Take your pick.

[shawnlg]

The only reason I keep my iDen is because of their $1 chat plan. It's a good deal on weekends when you can make unlimited calls and messages for $1 a day. I turn that plan on sometimes for that and back to paygo the rest of the time and don't use the phone. If CDMA had that plan I'd drop iden.

So for $8 a month, you get unlimited weekends.

[DJDDrop]

I keep iDEn for the rugged phones and the PTT. In my line of business I need a rugged phone. Can't get much more rugged than an i580. I work for a tow company and we are on the counties list of emergency service personnel. This means, when there is a state of emergency and Nextel shuts down the towers to everyone except ESPs (Emergency Service Personnel) my phone is still up and running, calls and two way! Actually they have done it twice since I was on the list and my signal is outstanding when they have the system restricted to ESP.

[DP102288]

I keep iDEn for the rugged phones and the PTT. In my line of business I need a rugged phone. Can't get much more rugged than an i580. I work for a tow company and we are on the counties list of emergency service personnel. This means, when there is a state of emergency and Nextel shuts down the towers to everyone except ESPs (Emergency Service Personnel) my phone is still up and running, calls and two way! Actually they have done it twice since I was on the list and my signal is outstanding when they have the system restricted to ESP.

That is cheating!

[redgurl12]

I keep my Iden because i have ZERO coverage on the Cdma side while I have SUPERIOR coverage with boost. If Sprint were to put a tower up here I would consider switching over. But until then I'm happy with boost. I am so glad the motorola i1 is coming to the Iden side. For some reason my 8350i won't charge anymore. There's nothing wrong with my touch pro, but my keyboard stopped working. I will prolly sell it to get some extra cash to buy the I1. Thanx boost!

[Oopsz]

I read a lot about boostberries and was sick of paying AT&T. CDMA wasn't live in my market, and I got a good price on a new 8350i from a local dealer.

Since then it's just inertia- there's nothing compelling enough for me to shell out good money for a new phone when my current one works just fine.

[tigerwolf]

I keep iDEn for the rugged phones and the PTT. In my line of business I need a rugged phone. Can't get much more rugged than an i580. I work for a tow company and we are on the counties list of emergency service personnel. This means, when there is a state of emergency and Nextel shuts down the towers to everyone except ESPs (Emergency Service Personnel) my phone is still up and running, calls and two way! Actually they have done it twice since I was on the list and my signal is outstanding when they have the system restricted to ESP.

Hmm...that's kind of cool they can do that, except it's almost an argument AGAINST iDEN for us normal people.

[bamx2]

I use it Boost IDEN because the coverage (signal) better suites my needs both in terms of geography and building penetration . Good voice service is my priority (vs data and text messaging) .