Looking at getting Sprint service but wondering if the AirRave is going to cost me per month for use? I've read numerous different things like, if you buy one say off eBay there's no monthly fee, if you buy/get one for free from Sprint they'll charge you per month for using it?
Also, does it subtract your minutes?
Lastly, what is the newest version out and what are the differences between them?
Well, I purchased one of the first Samsung units in 2008 and paid my $4.99 religiously until it died 2 months back--I called in, and they sent me an Airvana unit as a replacement. When they activated it I noticed online that the description changed from "AIRAVE Enhanced Coverage -- $4.99" to "AIRAVE Enhanced Coverage -- Up to 8000 sq. Ft. -- $0.00" and I had a pro-rated credit on my bill. Sure enough--the new one is free!
I'm not sure if they were just nice and gave me a free plan because I've been a paying customer of it so long, or if in fact the Airvana unit is free when activated.
Well, I purchased one of the first Samsung units in 2008 and paid my $4.99 religiously until it died 2 months back--I called in, and they sent me an Airvana unit as a replacement. When they activated it I noticed online that the description changed from "AIRAVE Enhanced Coverage -- $4.99" to "AIRAVE Enhanced Coverage -- Up to 8000 sq. Ft. -- $0.00" and I had a pro-rated credit on my bill. Sure enough--the new one is free!
I'm not sure if they were just nice and gave me a free plan because I've been a paying customer of it so long, or if in fact the Airvana unit is free when activated.
--Nat
Free? That's great! I never understood why any carrier charged a service fee to use a network extender, even if the charge is minimal. You are the one who is paying for the bandwidth and power this unit consumes, they should be paying you to increase their coverage...
Home ISP, RR-Turbo WiFi, $80/mo | Verizon 4G, $30/mo Unlimited
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It was always pretty easy to get them to credit you the $4.99 monthly charge. I never had to pay it. Out of all three Airave models that have been available I prefer the Samsung version 2 Airave (black antenna). It produced the best RF readings and also has been bug free.
However, it was 1x, right? Problem with that is if your phone wants to use data, and there still happens to be a weak Ev signal around, it will use that and drain your battery real fast.
However, it was 1x, right? Problem with that is if your phone wants to use data, and there still happens to be a weak Ev signal around, it will use that and drain your battery real fast.
Yes, however I actually have a strong EVDO signal at the house so that's not an issue for me. I usually use wifi when home now that my DSL speed has been boosted. The 3G I got when using the Airvana sucked anyway and wasn't as good as it is from the regular network or my home DSL.
Looking at getting Sprint service but wondering if the AirRave is going to cost me per month for use? I've read numerous different things like, if you buy one say off eBay there's no monthly fee, if you buy/get one for free from Sprint they'll charge you per month for using it?
Also, does it subtract your minutes?
Lastly, what is the newest version out and what are the differences between them?
I got my first Airave by calling and getting through to Retentions. They when the Airvana came out I asked them to swap it because I wanted 3G coverage at home. And using any Airave will subtract from your bucket of minutes, unless its mobile to mobile. The newest one is the Airvana Airave and it looks like this: http://now.sprint.com/airave/?id16=airave
The Airvana unit saved my battery... if you are in a situation that has a Sprint signal in your house that flips between a very week Sprint EV-DO signal and Verizon roaming, the 1x Samsung unit will fix the voice roaming problem--but the data will still flip between Sprint and Verizon in the background and kill your battery to the point where you basically need to leave your phone plugged in at all times.
Leaving WiFi on at home helps the problem, but it still doesn't last as long as having a good solid, native EV-DO signal.
As for reliability and signal, I think the Airvana is on par with the Samsung--however in the last 3 months I've had it, I've had to call Sprint to have them "flush their database" (something Sprint told me when they troubleshooted the first time) since the Airvana started immediately disconnecting calls as soon as they were placed (even though it was throwing a signal). Upon having Sprint do this and resetting the unit, it fixes the problem--we'll see if it continues. I never had to do this with the Samsung unit since 2008. Even so, it's a small inconvenience to pay for perfect battery life.
If you have mainly use smartphones buy an older airave on ebay and turn off mobile network data and use your wifi, data will be alot faster. I used a 3g airave right before I switched to verizon and got the monly fee dropped because signal strength was incredibly horrible.
I don't know why everyone complains about the Airvana for. I had the original samsung one before, then it died and I got the airvana. In my experience the signal is MUCH stronger, and I get evdo speeds of 2.2mbps off of it. The very first day I had it, it went crazy and sent the same text message about 200 times, but since that one incident (3 months ago!) it has been absolutely flawless for all 5 phones that we have using it.
Agreed. The airvana unit, when it is functioning properly, was nice. When close to it, I was able to get 2+mbps. However, like the previous poster said, a few times it just blasted an outgoing text dozens of times. I would assume that was worked out by now.
Also, the things BLASTS out signal a real long distance. Another poster in this forum has an issue where its signal bleeds into his home from a neighbors house, which is not close.
Thanks for the replies, useful info for others and me if I ever go to Sprint. I however picked T Mobile, they had a better deal and they got the free wifi calling app and I know that I'll get service here (sister has them)
Plus they got their 42Mbps speed here, not hating on Sprint..love them that their still doing the unlimited data but I'm going to go where I know service is best, not to mention being stuck with a Android phone that has a useless Wimax radio in it. Silly Sprint.
Agreed. The airvana unit, when it is functioning properly, was nice. When close to it, I was able to get 2+mbps. However, like the previous poster said, a few times it just blasted an outgoing text dozens of times. I would assume that was worked out by now.
Also, the things BLASTS out signal a real long distance. Another poster in this forum has an issue where its signal bleeds into his home from a neighbors house, which is not close.
I have the 2nd gen samsung unit. Never touch the thing as it has always worked. The 1st gen I got in 2008 started overheating too much so they swapped it out. I can pick up my signal at my neighbors with no problem. I can drive down the road about 5 or 6 houses before the box umm attempts to hand off to the tower.
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Originally Posted by NGeorge
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