Just thought about this for iPhone

[punisherbv]

So today i went into the Sprint store and saw that iPhone 3G speeds are basically like Verizon which is pretty cool. So this is what i thought about is that i hear you can use your Sprint number and/or GV number with your Sprint number in conjunction. But 3 things i am wondering about this.

1) If i already have a Google Voice number will my current phone number be taken away even though i want to keep it because some people have that number already?
2) I hear GV does MMS with Sprint, is this the case really? and on this note, even if you didn't have service you could use Talkatone to call people because it wouldn't hurt your call quality either way right? Because if Talkatone works then you wouldn't have to worry about reception so much, correct me if im wrong.
3) Even if i use the ERPS i think it is, could i combine my employee discount with this plan too or one or the other? Ive debated about coming to Sprint for the cheaper iPhone plan so hopefully they still have the same plan.

[Evan702]

1. AFAIK, no it won't be taken away. Hopefully someone with more experience in this area will chime in.

2. Yes, it appears so, though I haven't tried it yet: http://www.androidguys.com/2011/10/1...hrough-sprint/

3. No, it's one or the other.

[slmclarengt]

So today i went into the Sprint store and saw that iPhone 3G speeds are basically like Verizon which is pretty cool. So this is what i thought about is that i hear you can use your Sprint number and/or GV number with your Sprint number in conjunction. But 3 things i am wondering about this.

1) If i already have a Google Voice number will my current phone number be taken away even though i want to keep it because some people have that number already?

You have a few choices with Google Voice + Sprint:
A) Keep Sprint number + Google voice number separate
B) Use Google Voice number AS primary Sprint number (lose your Sprint number)
C) Use Sprint number AS primary number (replacing/losing Google voice number)

[punisherbv]

So the number DOESN'T automatically change if and when i go to Sprint your saying? Its only makes a difference on what move i do?

[punisherbv]

So the number DOESN'T automatically change if and when i go to Sprint your saying? Its only makes a difference on what move i do?

[punisherbv]

My other question in addition to my last is i know you guys said whatever reception i had with VM would be similar to Sprint. But i hear different stories that prepaid doesn't have the same coverage as postpaid. The Sprint store i tried the iPhone at had 3 bars, and the store is right down the street from me. So if i got the phone through them would their coverage make a difference compared to VM when i had 2 bars?

[Freak4Dell]

Sprint and GV are only integrated if you choose to integrate them. There's two methods to integration, B and C slmclarengt pointed out. In both methods, you lose one number or the other. With the option where you replace your GV number with your Sprint number, you have 90 days to change your mind before you actually lose your GV number. The only way to keep both numbers is to not integrate them. If you want to integrate with GV, but still keep your old GV number, your best bet is to get another GV account and integrate with that one, and keep your other GV account un-integrated (you should still be able to forward your calls to your cell phone, though, I think).

Prepaid has the same coverage on the native network. Most prepaid networks don't offer roaming, so with Sprint, you'd see a bit better coverage simply because you're allowed to roam on Verizon. I can never remember how VM handles roaming. The difference in bars could be due to two factors. It could just have been the phone, seeing as how some phones have crappier radios than others. Equally possible (if not more) is that the Sprint store you visited had a repeater or femtocell hooked up, which gives their phones better reception than the outside world. A lot of stores do this (with every carrier, not just Sprint), because it's easier to sell phones when the customer thinks the service is great.

[punisherbv]

Oh alright so it sounds easier to integrate them than just have 2 numbers i suppose. About the femtocell thing can customers actually buy this so they can use it in their home?

[Freak4Dell]

Oh alright so it sounds easier to integrate them than just have 2 numbers i suppose. About the femtocell thing can customers actually buy this so they can use it in their home?

Yeah, you can have Sprint send you one. Sometimes they'll send it out for free if you're convincing enough that service in your house is bad or nonexistent, but normal price is $99 + $4.99/month, I believe.

[punisherbv]

Wait there is a charge each month for it as opposed to Verizon where theres a one time fee? Sounds like im just better off using TalkaTone to use WiFi calling if i need to you know to save the money.