Discuss VM's 3G speeds here

[WeAreNotAlone]

Sprint's 3G network has become over congested since the EVO launch and Sprint has done little to add increased infrastructure to handle the extra data traffic.
I used to easily get 1.2mb on Sprint, then shortly after EVO launching, down to 0.10mb. That was on my sprint mifi and my own Sprint EVO.
This year I got Virgin Mobile (on the $25 plan) and no surprise, it's the same poor speeds. Average of 0.10mb down. Every now and then it might shoot up to 0.65mb but that's rare.

Got T-Mobile three weeks ago and am now averaging 5mb down.
Having left T-Mobile years ago for Sprint due to their poor data coverage (still in GPRS!) it's funny that the tides have turned and I'm right back to where I started off.
I have 3 carriers now (Sprint, VM, and T-Mobile) but will soon be consolidating to just one. I was thinking of porting my sprint number to T-Mobile and keeping my VM line as it's on the $25 plan which is a great deal.. but the data speeds are so incredibly poor I'm thinking of just dropping it all together.

Q: I'm currently with T-Mo (voice only) trying out VM. So far not impressed.
(@$25 it would be a good deal if 3G speeds were 3G, at @$35 it's for sure a no-go at the current speeds. Feel sorry for the poor souls that are locked into a contract with SPRINT... I'd be livid...)

Just curious as most any device I will get will be accessing the net via T-Mobile's version of 4G....

Q: How does T-Mo's 3G network stack up?... Like I said just curious and I'm primarily interested in 4G speeds, and how robust, reliable they are.

Have my eyes set on the Samsung Galaxy S 2, but I'm interested in how T-Mo's 3G network performs if:

A: Obtaining older devices that may be 3G only.
B: How good T-Mo's 3G is when 4G is N/A.


You said "Sprint's 3G network has become over congested since the EVO launch, and Sprint has done little to add increased infrastructure to handle the extra data traffic. I used to easily get 1.2mb on Sprint, then shortly after EVO launching, down to 0.10mb. That was on my sprint mifi and my own Sprint EVO. "

Q: When was the EVO released? EDIT: I see it was released June 4, 2010.... Not a good sign you are experiencing low data connect speeds still.

(Seems like those in marketing would relay SmartPhone / Devices that are data intensive sales stats and projections to engineering (or whoever) so the network could be properly expanded.)

PS: I don't know the details or if it true but I think I read something about SPRINT is I would assume on a case by case basis releasing persons from their contracts for those experiencing low data connect speeds.- possibly without ETF fees...
(I would think if you call them repeatedly to document EACH time your connect speeds are below rated specs at some point they'd release you just to make you go away...)


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[WeAreNotAlone]

Sounds like you have no actual sources and are just here to rant...
In addition to your lack of sources, you are inventing an imaginary "position" which you assume I am taking with regards to the service. I have never stated your delusional EG: "Sprint runs a tight ship, money is no object- network has spare capacity, towers are being added everyday in existing markets to fill in dead spots, reduce distance between towers/ optimize tower positioning for high data connect speeds." (at least provide a link to that)

"From the research I've done..." please provide just one source of credible information to support your rant..

I'm here not to rant, I'm wanting to determine if low 3G speeds are going to be a ongoing issue.

To me this is a serious issue, it's not a game due to the money involved.

How about providing some answers. Seems like you are up on everything Virgin Mobile.

Got any hard info on the issues I've been asking, or commenting about?


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[vmobi]

... I'm wanting to determine if low 3G speeds are going to be a ongoing issue.

To me this is a serious issue....

How about providing some answers. ...

Got any hard info on the issues I've been asking, or commenting about?
...

Your question was already answered...

Wirelessly posted (lg optimus : Opera/9.80 (Android; Opera Mini/6.1.25577/25.823; U; en) Presto/2.5.25 Version/10.54)

depends on your location. no one can answer that unless they are standing next to you....

1kbps to 2500kbps depending on location, time of day, network load, tower load, signal strength, etc.

Or no connection at all.

Your speeds will vary due to many factors including weather, surroundings, peak/off peak hours, etc., etc.
There are other services out there... T-Mobile offers a good alternative, however price may be an issue depending on your needs.

[primetechv2]

Even $35 a month wouldn't be a bad deal if Virgin Mobile provided the service they promised and promoted. Their minimum downlink promise is 600 kbps. Various reviews have struggled to receive a good signal or a decent ping time, even traveling all around large cities. (no, I don't have the source on hand but it shouldn't be too difficult to discover.)

So I doubt the issue is one of random chance.

Sent from my Frankenphone using Tapatalk

[WeAreNotAlone]

Your question was already answered...

Your speeds will vary due to many factors including weather, surroundings, peak/off peak hours, etc., etc.
There are other services out there... T-Mobile offers a good alternative, however price may be an issue depending on your needs.

RE: "Your speeds will vary due to many factors including weather, surroundings, peak/off peak hours, etc., etc."

That's more like it.

Questions -Pending answers:

When can I, and others expect SPRINT to address what is causing low data speeds? (Overselling the market)
How many T1 lines does each tower have?
How many customers per T1 line before load balancing occurs?
(Load balancing=Reduction of speed- Available bandwidth is split amongst ALL those accessing the tower and the T1 Line is saturated)

As I noted above and you stripped out of the quoted section To me this is a serious issue, it's not a game due to the money involved. I am wanting to give VM a chance, otherwise I wouldn't be asking all these questions.

I'm wanting to determine if low 3G speeds are going to be a ONGOING issue.

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[vmobi]

Even $35 a month wouldn't be a bad deal if Virgin Mobile provided the service they promised and promoted. Their minimum downlink promise is 600 kbps. Various reviews have struggled to receive a good signal or a decent ping time, even traveling all around large cities. (no, I don't have the source on hand but it shouldn't be too difficult to discover.)

So I doubt the issue is one of random chance.

Sent from my Frankenphone using Tapatalk

Please provide any link to the "minimum downlink promise is 600 kbps"...
Did you discover that on Virgin Mobile's website? or some other location?

Wireless services use radio transmissions and coverage is not available everywhere. Quality of service may be affected by conditions within and beyond our control, including atmospheric, geographic, or topographic conditions, or by damage to your mobile phone or device. We do not warrant or guarantee that service will be available at any specific time or geographic location, or that service will be provided without interruption. Any statements or maps provided by us, our agents or dealers about coverage are intended to provide high-level estimates of our coverage areas when using our service outdoors under optimal conditions and do not mean that service will be available under all circumstances, at all times or without interruption. Estimating wireless coverage and signal strength is not an exact science. There are gaps in coverage within our estimated coverage areas that, along with other factors both within and beyond our control, may result in service interruptions, slower data speeds, or lower quality of service. You should therefore never solely rely on your mobile phone for emergency calls, including to 911.

FROM: Virgin Mobile USA website here's the link: http://www.virginmobileusa.com/legal...t#introduction

[WeAreNotAlone]

Please provide any link to the "minimum downlink promise is 600 kbps"...
Did you discover that on Virgin Mobile's website? or some other location?

Q:
What is the 3G spec? Between what ranges should 3G be? (UP/DOWN, PING)

What speeds does SPRINT advertise their 3G to be?

Whose towers, what network does Virgin Mobile state they run on?

[Graser]

Virgin Mobile state they run on The Sprint Network at 3G Speeds!! But they give use very slow data that will not even play you tube with out stopping to buffer many times.. Virgin Mobile needs to stop adding customers and stop adding new phones till they fix there Network!!

[vmobi]

Virgin Mobile state they run on The Sprint Network at 3G Speeds!! But they give use very slow data that will not even play you tube with out stopping to buffer many times.. Virgin Mobile needs ...

Perhaps it's your device settings or signal reception in your specific location (re: "stopping to buffer many times"). There are numerous posts on this forum with regards to You Tube settings that will provide better playback. A quick Google search will lead you to numerous suggestions regarding the You Tube issue you seem to be experiencing.

Q:
What is the 3G spec? Between what ranges should 3G be? (UP/DOWN, PING)

What speeds does SPRINT advertise their 3G to be?

Whose towers, what network does Virgin Mobile state they run on?

The best answer would come from the source itself... since you claim to own an Optimus V: Dial *86, and request to speak to a Technical Support agent. Better yet, request assistance for "Broadband2Go" they may be able to provide you with a more accurate "technical" answer.
RE: Sprint ... contact them direct, they will gladly provide any information regarding Sprint's services.

Virgin Mobile operates on the Sprint CDMA network. No off-network roaming is available at this time.

[WeAreNotAlone]

Q:
What is the 3G spec? Between what ranges should 3G be? (UP/DOWN, PING)

What speeds does SPRINT advertise their 3G to be?

Whose towers, what network does Virgin Mobile state they run on?

~snip~

The best answer would come from the source itself... since you claim to own an Optimus V: Dial *86, and request to speak to a Technical Support agent. Better yet, request assistance for "Broadband2Go" they may be able to provide you with a more accurate "technical" answer.

RE: Sprint ... contact them direct, they will gladly provide any information regarding Sprint's services.

Virgin Mobile operates on the Sprint CDMA network. No off-network roaming is available at this time.

For someone who has the user name "vmobi" and is clearly has a vested interest in this thread for some perverse reason you should know the answers to the above. The point was Virgin Mobile is advertising they run off the native SPRINT 3G network, ergo Virgin Mobile customers should unless they are indeed "second-class" citizens should be running at full SPRINT 3G speed.

PS: Regarding your comment "No off-network roaming is available at this time...

VM customers (at current pricing levels) will never be able to roam as postpaid SPRINT customers do. The only way they will be able to roam is: Additional costs for doing so, EG: So much per day, call, etc...

Contact SPRINT directly? Sounds good to me, tell me how that will go since I'm not a SPRINT customer.

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[WeAreNotAlone]

Below is in a area with 90%+ -65dBm signal strength. 4.5 bars Check out the ping.

2011-09-06
16:02

Download
121 kbps
Upload
90 kbps
Ping
1430 ms
CELLULAR CONNECTION:

Network: Virgin Mobile

Cell Technology: GSM

Network Type: EVDO A
SIGNAL STRENGTH:
90%
-65dBm
DEVICE:

Phone Model: VM670

App Version: OpenSignalMaps 1.07

[WeAreNotAlone]

Active Connection:

Cellular
Speed Test Results:
Download
6 kbps
Upload
43 kbps
Ping
687 ms
CELLULAR CONNECTION:

Network: Virgin Mobile

Cell Technology: GSM

Network Type: EVDO A
SIGNAL STRENGTH:
47%
-93dBm
DEVICE:

Phone Model: VM670

App Version: OpenSignalMaps 1.07

[billm261]

For someone who has the user name "vmobi" and is clearly has a vested interest in this thread for some perverse reason you should know the answers to the above.

For reasons that we don't really know some fall in love with their carrier and will defend it to the end. It's OK, I choose to dislike them all but at the end of the day we do pick our poison.

Some here have been loyalist since the days of the Jax, X-tc and lets not forget the Shuttle.
All perfect no frill phones designed for lower income, less than perfect credit users. I say that not as an insult but the truth in how prepaid was viewed just a few short years ago.

You are 100% spot on about Sprint's data network. EVDO requires a much stronger signal for data and where Sprints antenna spacing is at its limits, 3G data will suffer. Sprint needs to make some serious network improvements if it wants to stay in the game. They have a Network Vision project on the horizon but who knows how long it will take and how much of that will be of a benefit to prepaid? I like Sprint, (and all VM users are on Sprint, not VM) and was with them 10+ years but data was a big reason to move on.

When I was using a Bold 9650 (not the cheaper Curve) on Sprint the minute you launched the browser you would see a dramatic difference in the signal strength. Mind you, I am 2 miles to the tower. I couldn't figure it out until I learned that it was displaying the EVDO signal when the browser launched.

Here it is right from the Sprint website: The average download speeds range from 400 to 700 Kbps with peak rates up to 2 Mbps.
Well that's pretty sad but I respect them for being honest.

I've gotten 6.6MB down and 2.3 up all with a 64ms ping on T-Mobile. I never ever got anything better than 600KB down on Sprint with terrible pings.
I love the Paylo plans (have two) and even the Beyond Talk plans are good deals. We got an employee the LG Rumor Touch recently. It seems to have no data issues at all but it's not a 3G device.

It's your business and your money but if T-Mobile works for you I'd stay with it. Actually, if you can get past the contract part of it the 59.99 unlimited or 99.99 2 line family plan unlimited is a good deal and one you will keep if the merger is approved. Does it cost more? Sure it does but what good is a bargain if it's not working as you need it to.

Your thread was merged but you were looking for opinions clearly seeking advise if you should stay with T-Mobile and I think you should if it works for you. If your in a T-Mobile 4G area, it will eat Virgins lunch and you won't be restricted with handsets.

[TheCellphoneGuy]

I don't know about you guys, but I think that plans like Millenicom Unlimited which gives its users up to 50GB of data and uses Sprint's network definitely doesn't benefit the Sprint cell phone users, like us.

Have a look yourself http://www.millenicom.com/page/plans#unlimited_plan

[billm261]

Wirelessly posted (Opera/9.80 (Windows NT 5.1; U; en) Presto/2.9.168 Version/11.51)

Anytime Sprint's precious bandwidth is being distributed by a reseller it can't help the network speeds.

There is yet another active thread going on (in the Sprint forum) about Sprint's data speeds.