Sprint Killing the Airave

[NGeorge]

Hey all—

So I got this message today from Sprint:

https://ibb.co/0jJSrmh

Not exactly pleased since no, the “enhanced network experience” is actually worse out here than the previous Sprint service — before it was a 1x signal that could at least get a call and a text in and out when I stand in the right place... now it’s 1-2 bars of “LTE or 5G” that just hangs and doesn’t place a call or get data period and kills my battery... WiFi calling never works right here.

Which is the T-Mobile Airave equivalent? I know they have one which is basically a WiFi router, and one that is a true microcell...

The assumption they make is absolutely laughable — if they are going to kill the Airave, they should at least ask if the T-Mobile service has been decent — and offer a T-Mobile equivalent.

N

[gdrenick74]

The Sprint Airave was becoming unsupported for the last two years - albeit with no notice.

I was able to get the Sprint-supported Casa Pebble which, as configured, only works with the Sprint network.

Now that I have swapped to T-Mo SIMs, I was advised that T-Mo would assess and validate the need for an equivalent WiFi-based mini-cell on a case-by-case basis.

I take that to mean that there is indeed a solution. Just call, report your issue and see what the resolutions might be. Sprint has been quite responsive for me, including T-Mo post-merger. Good luck.

[NGeorge]

I called up, explained the situation. The rep said they would submit a ticket to not shut off my device until I switch to a T-Mobile SIM — at which point we can reevaluate.

We shall see if this is actually the case... I don’t plan on switching SIMs until I absolutely have to.

N

[gdrenick74]

I called up, explained the situation. The rep said they would submit a ticket to not shut off my device until I switch to a T-Mobile SIM — at which point we can reevaluate.

We shall see if this is actually the case... I don’t plan on switching SIMs until I absolutely have to.

N

I hear you.

My wife switched her phone over first and we validated the phone quality and connectivity for a week before I switched. Thankfully, the phone worked out as I needed it for work. Data is not great, but I have 30 Mbps WiFi via cable.

T-Mo will switch back to Sprint if it does not meet expectations. YMMV.

[brad15]

The thing is the Airwave takes up valuable 2.5GHz spectrum they need while actually integrating the network thus why they want them gone ASAP.

Both T-Mobile options CellSpot and CellFi work well.

If you have unlimited data on your home ISP i recommend the CellSpot as you're not reliant on a sketchy low signal to repeat indoors, if you do not.. then get the CellFi, but remember like the "Magic Box" it will only repeat what it can get where you place the receiver - but with the T-Mobile CellFi being a two piece system, it's actually better than the MagicBox as you can place the receiver upstairs in a far off window that works the best, and the actual transmitter in a central location in the house to cover the interior better.

[NGeorge]

The thing is the Airwave takes up valuable 2.5GHz spectrum they need while actually integrating the network thus why they want them gone ASAP.

Both T-Mobile options CellSpot and CellFi work well.

If you have unlimited data on your home ISP i recommend the CellSpot as you're not reliant on a sketchy low signal to repeat indoors, if you do not.. then get the CellFi, but remember like the "Magic Box" it will only repeat what it can get where you place the receiver - but with the T-Mobile CellFi being a two piece system, it's actually better than the MagicBox as you can place the receiver upstairs in a far off window that works the best, and the actual transmitter in a central location in the house to cover the interior better.

It’s been a while — but I remember T-Mobile sold a Cellspot that was basically just a WiFi router (in fact one was basically just an Asus router IIRC) — I actually want something like an Airave that creates a licensed signal. Which T-Mobile product would I want? The issue I have is that WiFi calling doesn’t work well with my mesh network — and with the low signal, the phone stays searching and the battery dies. With an actual LTE-signal generating device it solves both problems...

Also the Airave supports Band 25, 26 and 41... I’m sure they could find a spot to park them if 41 is needed. I’ve found that mine hangs between 41 and 26 — it used to stay on 41 exclusively.

[brad15]

It’s been a while — but I remember T-Mobile sold a Cellspot that was basically just a WiFi router (in fact one was basically just an Asus router IIRC) — I actually want something like an Airave that creates a licensed signal. Which T-Mobile product would I want? The issue I have is that WiFi calling doesn’t work well with my mesh network — and with the low signal, the phone stays searching and the battery dies. With an actual LTE-signal generating device it solves both problems...

Also the Airave supports Band 25, 26 and 41... I’m sure they could find a spot to park them if 41 is needed. I’ve found that mine hangs between 41 and 26 — it used to stay on 41 exclusively.

T-Mobile "had" all three products:

1) CellSpot router - plugs into your ethernet and uses your home ISP bandwidth to make a "licensed" Band 4 LTE signal and works well

2) CellFi - Has a dual-box setup.. the cellular receiver goes into a window or some high point in the house that gets a usable signal, and the repeater itself goes into a center spot in the house to re-broadcast the "licensed" signal indoors

3) WiFi router - this was only around for a small blip of time. It was just a rebranded AC68U router. It worked well, and allegedly prioritized WiFi calling - but this option has been long gone.

CellFi was the "first" thing they ever offered, and they still offer them today, and does not use your bandwidth if that's something you worry about

CellSpot will use your home ISP, and is a single box since it does not need a receiver placed somewhere else in the house, and to me is more "stable" since landline ISP's tend to offer lower latency than LTE anyway.

I've used both CellSpot and CellFi depending on where i'm at and both work well.

CellFi I have at the cabin in Ohio, as there's no wired internet other than DSL from CenturyLink at 10/1 (it was only 1.5Mbps until last summer). I've got the receiver up in the attic window where it gets ~2 bars of Band 12 LTE that's slow (~5-10Mbps) but functions, and the actual repeater is on the wall in the middle of the cabin, broadcasting signal to the building and immediately around it.

CellSpot I had at my place in Columbus, OH where my 1890 building was a black hole for pretty much all cellular in the center. I had 1000/1000 Fiber there, so I did not care to use my network. It broadcasted on B4, and produced ~120/50 via LTE on a 5MHz AWS channel.

[NGeorge]

So an update on the Airave situation - - it's still active, and actually works better than before. A couple weeks ago something must have changed because it shows as "Roaming" on my S20 5G and iPhone 12 Pro - - but I no longer bounce between the unusable Band 12 T-Mo network and Band 41 off the Airave. Both phones have Sprint SIMs... So... So far so good. I get in range of the Airave, phone changes to Roaming and hangs onto it. Battery life seems to be as good as home service.

So... For now... Still good and no need to replace it

N

[gdrenick74]

Good for you, @NGeorge. Sounds like a plan to hang on as long as it works.

[NGeorge]

Good for you, @NGeorge. Sounds like a plan to hang on as long as it works.

New update -- they've now pushed the Airave death to 7/30, and mailed me T-Mo SIMs for 3 of my 4 phones... Still think I'm going to hold out to see what happens... was just in an area all day last week were I was roaming on Sprint 3G with my T-Mo-primary Sprint SIM... if I switch SIMs then that goes away I believe.

[gdrenick74]

New update -- they've now pushed the Airave death to 7/30, and mailed me T-Mo SIMs for 3 of my 4 phones... Still think I'm going to hold out to see what happens... was just in an area all day last week were I was roaming on Sprint 3G with my T-Mo-primary Sprint SIM... if I switch SIMs then that goes away I believe.

Today’s Ookla Speedtest for my fringe/suburbia/rural home location:

T-Mo TNX SIMs - 4G LTE (5G not available)

iPhone X (No B71)
- Download = 2.44 Mbps
- Upload = 0.13 Mbps

OnePlus Nord N10 5G (w/ B71)
- Download = 2.61 Mbps
- Upload = 2.84 Mbps

Sprint data has been double the download speed and ten-times better on the upload speed on my iPhone X.

If the Sprint SIMs are working reasonably well for you, I would not be in a rush to the T-Mo TNX, particularly if your phones do not have B71.

You could consider switching one phone to TNX for a month or two and transition. Legacy Sprint towers are not available once you are on T-Mo TNX. You may have a better experience than me for your area. It will get better - hopefully very soon.


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[techguru30]

Hey all—

So I got this message today from Sprint:

https://ibb.co/0jJSrmh

Not exactly pleased since no, the “enhanced network experience” is actually worse out here than the previous Sprint service — before it was a 1x signal that could at least get a call and a text in and out when I stand in the right place... now it’s 1-2 bars of “LTE or 5G” that just hangs and doesn’t place a call or get data period and kills my battery... WiFi calling never works right here.

Which is the T-Mobile Airave equivalent? I know they have one which is basically a WiFi router, and one that is a true microcell...

The assumption they make is absolutely laughable — if they are going to kill the Airave, they should at least ask if the T-Mobile service has been decent — and offer a T-Mobile equivalent.

N

I would recommend going with another cell phone provider that has a usable signal at your address. I would recommend checking out either AT&T or Verizon.

[NGeorge]

I would recommend going with another cell phone provider that has a usable signal at your address. I would recommend checking out either AT&T or Verizon.

Highly considering Firstnet - - we switched work phones from Sprint to Firstnet a few years back and while there is still only 1 bar of AT&T service (band 12 or 14 depending on the day) at my house - - it pulls down about 8 megs and is reliable. I confirmed d I qualify for it with my LLC. T-Mo shows 1-2 bars on Band 12 or band 71 - - but is completely unreliable. Can't make a call 90% of the time, data is sub 1 Meg if it even connecys. And the weird thing is the T-Mo tower is closer and higher than the closest AT&T tower.

I feel like CDMA to voLTE/5G is going to be anlther coverage drop - - just like from analog to digital. There are still many areas that used to have reliable analog that have no digital... And now I'm seeing places that had reliable CDMA that have useless or no voLTE or 5G.

Really the only thing that's kept me with Sprint for 20+ years are amazing rate plans that are grandfathered in for zero throttling. Firstnet has zero throttling - - although AT&T has some dead holes around here - but then again so did Sprint... These are just different ones. Like I said the data on my FN line is 3x more reliable than the "5G" that got foisted on me with T-Mo... My Sprint LTE was actually pretty damn good.

Verizon has been a thought too... But I qualify for FN, and their rate plans aren't bad so will probably go there.

[Joeybutts]

Highly considering Firstnet - - we switched work phones from Sprint to Firstnet a few years back and while there is still only 1 bar of AT&T service (band 12 or 14 depending on the day) at my house - - it pulls down about 8 megs and is reliable. I confirmed d I qualify for it with my LLC. T-Mo shows 1-2 bars on Band 12 or band 71 - - but is completely unreliable. Can't make a call 90% of the time, data is sub 1 Meg if it even connecys. And the weird thing is the T-Mo tower is closer and higher than the closest AT&T tower.

I feel like CDMA to voLTE/5G is going to be anlther coverage drop - - just like from analog to digital. There are still many areas that used to have reliable analog that have no digital... And now I'm seeing places that had reliable CDMA that have useless or no voLTE or 5G.

Really the only thing that's kept me with Sprint for 20+ years are amazing rate plans that are grandfathered in for zero throttling. Firstnet has zero throttling - - although AT&T has some dead holes around here - but then again so did Sprint... These are just different ones. Like I said the data on my FN line is 3x more reliable than the "5G" that got foisted on me with T-Mo... My Sprint LTE was actually pretty damn good.

Verizon has been a thought too... But I qualify for FN, and their rate plans aren't bad so will probably go there.

Also, another thing to remember is that there are many new site builds and co-locations happening on At&t - partly because of firstnet and partly because of their regular expansion. Hopefully those coverage gaps will be getting filled in.

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[NGeorge]

Also, another thing to remember is that there are many new site builds and co-locations happening on At&t - partly because of firstnet and partly because of their regular expansion. Hopefully those coverage gaps will be getting filled in.

Sent from my SM-N986U using Tapatalk

Yep I'm slowly starting to notice this... My area was generally considered an "excellent" Sprint market - - Sprint + ex Qwest towers (when they bought the network in 2004) + completed Nextel Synergy (added CDMA to Nextel sites) meant awesome Sprint coverage but in a tighter area. While AT&T has been a "wider" network, it certainly was thinner... And still is to a good extent - - but it was built in the 850 days so I think that was part of it... But I am noticing they are filling it in... When I first switched us to Firstnet I thought I made a mistake - - but it IS getting better. Noticing they have been dropping in little band 12/14 sites to fill in the gaps which are helping. I will say I do have a few places of "dropped calls" on AT&T inside the coverage area - - while Sprint would only drop calls if you were on the edge or driving out of coverage.

T-Mobile has done OK... But I do feel like they are scrapping more of the Sprint network here than they should - - the Sprint sites are generally higher and in better locations here, mainly because they took over Nextel sites which were better sited to begin with (Sprint actually completed Nextel synergy here) - - and I've noticed the lower signal strength... Also noticing a bad habit of my data just "hanging" for no reason - - which had largely went away with Sprint after they had their growing pains in the early 2010's - - but now it's back with a vengeance on the T-Mo network... The marketing certainly seems better than the network lol

So yeah... Pretty much made up my mind. Am going to flip to FirstNet for our main lines. I'll keep the connected cars and a secondary line with Sprint/T-Mo ($5 a month grandfathered plan for Sprint Drive vs $25 per car for a Firstnet connected device) and go from there.

Thx
N