Metro pcs coverage

[riposinpace]

Hey guys i'm new here, just been wondering about if metro's 4g coverage is going to expand anytime soon or if its set like that for a while....i'm currently on VM and would like a switch but i live just outside of Metro's 4g in MI (about 20 miles west of ann arbor), and i really don't wanna live on a 1x connection for data. And if they aren't going to expand anytime soon i might as well stick with vm

[ChazzMatt]

just been wondering about if metro's 4g coverage is going to expand anytime soon or if its set like that for a while....

i'm currently on VM and would like a switch but i live just outside of Metro's 4g in MI (about 20 miles west of ann arbor), and i really don't wanna live on a 1x connection for data. And if they aren't going to expand anytime soon i might as well stick with vm

Metro is in Phase 2 of their LTE build out. Phase 1 was to get LTE transmitters on the 100 most-used cell towers in each of their 14 markets, so they could claim they had LTE network in each market. (Yeah, this meant you could buy the $400 Indulge and never connect to LTE. )

Phase 2 is to actually get LTE signal build out so it overlays CMDA signal map completely. They are doing the bulk of that this summer and promise they will finish by end of the year. So, if you currently get a Metro 1x RTT CDMA signal, you should soon get LTE signal. And by "soon", should be within the next 5 months -- Metro says. We know they are working on it.

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Looking at the map for where I live in metro Atlanta area, I am just inside the LTE coverage dark purple. Looks like it extends another 10 miles north, but I mostly go south. I'm definitely getting the LTE LG Esteem in September!

[mike2828]

Metro is in Phase 2 of their LTE build out. Phase 1 was to get LTE transmitters on the 100 most-used cell towers in each of their 14 markets, so they could claim they had LTE network in each market. (Yeah, this meant you could buy the $400 Indulge and never connect to LTE. )

Phase 2 is to actually get LTE signal build out so it overlays CMDA signal map completely. They are doing the bulk of that this summer and promise they will finish by end of the year. So, if you currently get a Metro 1x RTT CDMA signal, you should soon get LTE signal. And by "soon", should be within the next 5 months -- Metro says. We know they are working on it.

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Looking at the map for where I live in metro Atlanta area, I am just inside the LTE coverage dark purple. Looks like it extends another 10 miles north, but I mostly go south. I'm definitely getting the LTE LG Esteem in September!

Chazz you tha men

[riposinpace]

That is a big help thanks. Where did u find this information?

[ChazzMatt]

That is a big help thanks.
Where did u find this information?

Research. Plus, we've discussed this LTE build out on the board.

Here's one link from last year, when they were starting their LTE rollout:

http://www.fiercewireless.com/story/...red/2010-09-22

CEO Roger Linquist said the regional, no-contract carrier will finish "phase one" of its LTE buildout by the first quarter of next year (2011), and will then cover most all of the carrier's customers with the 4G technology. He said "phase two" of MetroPCS' LTE buildout will be completed by the end of next year (2011), and will involve putting LTE onto all of the carrier's 11,000 cell sites.

Then, when Phase 1 was finally complete (with Tampa), Metro reiterated their plans for Phase 2:

http://connectedplanetonline.com/3g4...ootprint-0401/

MetroPCS is now focused on building up its networks inwards rather than outwards.
It’s initial LTE rollout targeted its busiest cell sites in its 14 markets.
Phase II will now address CDMA cell sites in its footprint that haven’t yet received the LTE treatment.
“Our goal is to have a complete overlay,” Keys said.

The person quoted is Metro's Chief Operating Officer Tom Keys. (He's 2nd in command and reports to CEO Roger Lindquist. He often speaks at board meetings and to analysts for financial reports.)

Another article I found revealed the "busiest" cell sites was just the busiest "100". That's all they targeted in initial launch for Phase 1.

Others one the board who work for Metro have confirmed yes they are in the midst of LTE rollout "Phase 2" (complete CDMA map overlay), which CEO Lindquist promised would be finished by year end.

[joshuaH22a]

well the speed for LTE isn't bad for me anyways..when i get service i don't mind using it over wifi..i do get like 1.20MB+ - 3.60+MB speeds..this is using speedtest to test though..don't know if it's accurate..hopefully phase 2 finishes by there esteem debut!

[riposinpace]

So if i live in an area that gets 1x coverage now by the end of year i should be covered with some form of the lte? (sorry im not very tech savvy)

[Black69Camaro]

So if i live in an area that gets 1x coverage now by the end of year i should be covered with some form of the lte? (sorry im not very tech savvy)

That is what they are hoping for, if that works out or not is still to be seen.

[ChazzMatt]

So if i live in an area that gets 1x coverage now by the end of year i should be covered with some form of the lte? (sorry im not very tech savvy)

That is what they are hoping for, if that works out or not is still to be seen.

Although they clearly promised -- repeatedly -- completion of Phase 2 this year with complete overlay of CDMA map, now Metro is saying overlay will be completed "early next year". A "majority" will be completed this year. So, another broken promise.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-1035_3-200...#ixzz1U5Fto53i

Keys said he expects to complete a majority of its LTE rollout by the end of the year.

http://connectedplanetonline.com/3g4...rly-2012-0802/

While its LTE network still falls short of overlapping that CDMA network completely, MetroPCS plans to complete that overlay by early next year.

And of course we know "early next year" probably means June/July 2012,
since the promised "mid year" LTE phone is being released in October,
5 or 6 LTE phones this year will probably be 3,
and $200 LTE phones promised this year has turned into NEXT year.

Guess Metro lies about everything, huh?

[mike2828]

Now Metro is saying overlay will be completed "early next year". A "majority" will be completed this year. So, another broken promise.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-1035_3-200...#ixzz1U5Fto53i


http://connectedplanetonline.com/3g4...rly-2012-0802/


And of course we know "early next year" probably means June/July, just like promised "mid year" LTE phone is really October, 5 or 6 LTE phones this year will probably be 3, and $200 LTE phones promised this year has turned into NEXT year.

Guess Metro lies about everything, huh?

Yes either that or they get bought out lol who knows with metro anymore I will still get the Esteem in the mean time

[ChazzMatt]

Yes either that or they get bought out lol who knows with metro anymore I will still get the Esteem in the mean time

Yeah, the Esteem is still my next phone.

But I'm just a little distrustful of Metro at this point. I've been a customer for over 10 years, I eagerly bought two Optimus for me and my wife last November and touted Metro to friends. But as the 1x RTT speeds really hurt the Optimus when out and about, I had to stop recommending them to friends. Because these were people who had AT&T and T-mobile and knew what data speed should be.

Then, Metro has not kept the promises they made, they have not EXECUTED well.

[mike2828]

Yeah, the Esteem is still my next phone.

But I'm just a little distrustful of Metro at this point. I've been a customer for over 10 years, I eagerly bought two Optimus for me and my wife last November and touted Metro to friends. But as the 1x RTT speeds really hurt the Optimus when out and about, I had to stop recommending them to friends. Because these were people who had AT&T and T-mobile and knew what data speed should be.

Then, Metro has not kept the promises they made, they have not EXECUTED well.

I feel you Chazz the same thing here I recommended the service to friends and family and I personally know a lot of people who have left metro recently I was going to be one of them but when I compare bills I rather stay but
it's coming to a point where I rather pay more and get better service.

[Black69Camaro]

I feel you Chazz the same thing here I recommended the service to friends and family and I personally know a lot of people who have left metro recently I was going to be one of them but when I compare bills I rather stay but
it's coming to a point where I rather pay more and get better service.

Depending on where you are boost mobile has the exact same bill, until shrinkage kicks in then its actually cheaper. And the speeds are many times faster then 1x.
The bad side though is there is only one cdma android at this point, though a second is on the way.