Project Emerald vs EVO 4g

[suprmallet]

HSPA+ might be theoretically faster, but given that I could barely get a bar of service in West Los Angeles of all places, I won't be using T-Mobile's service again anytime soon.

 

[IOWA]

It all depends on where you are. T-Mobile has said they will have HSPA+ network wide by the end of the year.

I bought the Evo on launch day and have no 4G in my area, so it all depends on where you are...

Gratz on your evo purchase. And making their HSPA+ network-wide isn't very hard for tmo... since they don't really have much of a network....

 

[BlackDynamite]

Gratz on your evo purchase. And making their HSPA+ network-wide isn't very hard for tmo... since they don't really have much of a network....

Does that matter if they will have your area covered though?

I couldn't care less if Sprint has coverage in midlle of nowhere South Dakota whiel T-Mobile doesn't. The only thing that matters to me is who has coverage where I need it. If T-Mobile has coverage where I need it, then Sprint's network being bigger doesn't make any difference.

If I cared about the biggest network, then I would have Verizon right now instead of Sprint.

 

[bluehaze013]

Totally false. You want to see real world speeds? See this thread:
http://androidforums.com/htc-evo-4g/77736-truth-why-extra-fees-rip-off.html

It's all spelled out pretty clearly, and source links are posted. T-Mobile's HSPA+ IS faster than Sprint's Wimax, and T-Mobile has stated that when they release their HSPA+ device this year their HSPA+ will be 3 times faster than Sprint's Wimax.

Having just switched from a Nexus on T-Mobile to an EVO on Sprint I can assure you TMO's HSPA is not faster than 4g, it's not even faster than 3g on Sprint. Sprints 3g blows away anything I ever had from T-Mobile it's a pretty dramatic difference, makes me disappointed that I stayed with Tmo for so long (15yrs) had I known what I was missing I would have switched a long time ago!

 

[evoq]

A nice read on WiMAX vs. HSPA+ from phonescoop.com:

4G Networks Tested: WiMAX vs. HSPA+ : Intro (Phone Scoop)

Their summary:

The bottom line is that 4G is here, and it works. Both T-Mobile and Sprint offer impressive speeds that will let you browse the web faster than ever. We watched a bit of Hulu during most of our testing, and it looked impressively good with both technologies.

Sprint's WiMAX network is still growing, so you need to check coverage carefully before banking on it, but if Sprint offers good 4G coverage where you need it, it's at least twice as fast as 3G on the download side.

If you're shopping for fast data, though, T-Mobile's upgraded HSPA+ network is worth a hard look. HSPA+ is just as fast as WiMAX for downloads, and much faster when it comes to upload and latency. That means T-Mobile might be the better choice if you need to upload a lot of videos or do some serious multiplayer gaming. T-Mobile plans to have 100 major metro areas upgraded to HSPA+ by the end of 2010.

When it comes to phones, Sprint offers just one 4G model: the HTC EVO 4G. T-Mobile, however, offers nine models with HSPA 7.2 at the moment. HSPA 7.2 clocked impressive speeds in our tests, definitely comparable to Sprint's 4G.

 

[Nem_Zero]

Wimax is mobile broadband and based on IEEE standards. LTE is 4th generation of cellular technology. If you're judging 4G only by speed you're missing the point as the technical specification between 4G and 3-3.9G is pretty staggering.

LTE-Adv and Wimax Release 2 will own all. The dual mode is understandable for Sprint as for when Wimax is widespread it'll handle all the data (by then battery tech should be up to par) and take the data weight off of CDMA for voice. LTE can handle both but the only reason to drop wimax for it would be (guessing) for more efficient battery(if batt tech is not up to par) /network operability usage/cost. That does give the LTE a vulnerability of single point of failure, where either CDMA/Wimax could drop and the other still be up.

 

[IOWA]

A nice read on WiMAX vs. HSPA+ from phonescoop.com:

4G Networks Tested: WiMAX vs. HSPA+ : Intro (Phone Scoop)

Their summary:

The biggest problem with HSPA+ would be network congestion. 50 users on HSPA+ would have a much greater impact on speed/latency than on WiMax, and that's key here. Not to mention the philly WiMax network is already at capacity. Throw the same amount of users on HSPA+ and see what happens.

And what's with the constant testing in Philly? Try different cities...

Here in chicago the speeds are MUCH better for WiMax vs Tmobile HSPA+

(Clear vs WebRocket)

Here in most spots, Clear AVERAGES 3+Mbps down and 1Mbps up.

 

[iboombastic]

I can never get 3g on t-mobile but I'm always on 3g with sprint.

 

[IOWA]

Yeah the Tmo 3G footprint will be smaller(if not already) than Sprint's 4G footprint.

 

[chrisinsocalif]

There has been more than one site who tested out the speeds of T-mobiles HSPA+ and Wimax from Sprint along with Verizon and AT&T. So its not from one site that says T-mobiles is currently faster in its current state. You use a lot of "will be" "in the future" but we are talking about now. When the 3g networks get bogged down and problems hit the HSPA+ networks, then maybe future tests will show otherwise. So there isn't much of an argument.

 

[eieio]

I have tested both LTE and Wimax in the real world. I have achieved faster speeds on Wimax..


LTE is suppose to achieve faster speeds but I do not think it will for several reasons..

By the time Verizon gets LTE fully build out, Wimax2 will be ready to be unleashed and will make LTE speeds look like a joke..

Clearwire/Sprint will add LTE to its network..

 

[BlackDynamite]

Having just switched from a Nexus on T-Mobile to an EVO on Sprint I can assure you TMO's HSPA is not faster than 4g, it's not even faster than 3g on Sprint. Sprints 3g blows away anything I ever had from T-Mobile it's a pretty dramatic difference, makes me disappointed that I stayed with Tmo for so long (15yrs) had I known what I was missing I would have switched a long time ago!

#1: You may not have had HSPA+ in your area, and their regular 3G is not what we're talking about.

#2: The Nexus One doesn't support HSPA+ anyway, so you would not know how fast it is or isn't.

 

[tx_brandon]

I have tested both LTE and Wimax in the real world. I have achieved faster speeds on Wimax..


LTE is suppose to achieve faster speeds but I do not think it will for several reasons..

By the time Verizon gets LTE fully build out, Wimax2 will be ready to be unleashed and will make LTE speeds look like a joke..

Clearwire/Sprint will add LTE to its network..

this guy speaks the truth

 

[IOWA]

I am in the tmo HSPA+ area. Chicago. Land of fast wireless.

I tested a HD2 side by side with a clear wireless 4G modem. Guess which was faster?

 

[eieio]

I am in the tmo HSPA+ area. Chicago. Land of fast wireless.

I tested a HD2 side by side with a clear wireless 4G modem. Guess which was faster?

Clear but that is not a fear test unless its a Clear modem and a HSPA data card

 

[IOWA]

Clear but that is not a fear test unless its a Clear modem and a HSPA data card

Very good point. I'll have to find someone with a webrocket connection again. This time I'll video tape =D

But I think it's funny how some people disregard the future.

Look at the past 3 years. The smartphone segment has exploded. And it's going to continue to explode. In another three years time, I'm willing to bet a weeks pay data consumption will expand by at least 500%. ( Unless carriers hinder this with tiered data, with no unlimited option, like ATT )

The future isn't so far away, and I feel TMo is dropping the ball on this one. They should be upping to LTE instead of HSPA+

 

[BlackDynamite]

Very good point. I'll have to find someone with a webrocket connection again. This time I'll video tape =D

But I think it's funny how some people disregard the future.

Look at the past 3 years. The smartphone segment has exploded. And it's going to continue to explode. In another three years time, I'm willing to bet a weeks pay data consumption will expand by at least 500%. ( Unless carriers hinder this with tiered data, with no unlimited option, like ATT )

The future isn't so far away, and I feel TMo is dropping the ball on this one. They should be upping to LTE instead of HSPA+

#1: All of the carriers will be going to tiered data. Sprint has already said they will be there within 2 years.

#2: T-Mobile has already said they will be launching LTE next year. HSPA+ is what they are launching right now because LTE wasn't ready yet.

#3: HSPA+ has not officially launched in Chicago, so your results may not be an accurate representation of what someone can expect from it when it is officially rolled out.

#4: The HD2 doesn't even support HSPA+ so that is not the device you want to test HSPA+ on. Yes, the HD2 will benefit from HSPA+ (getting faster speeds than it would on the regular HSPA network) but it will not see the full HSPA+ speeds.

 

[IOWA]

#1: All of the carriers will be going to tiered data. Sprint has already said they will be there within 2 years.

#2: T-Mobile has already said they will be launching LTE next year. HSPA+ is what they are launching right now because LTE wasn't ready yet.

#3: HSPA+ has not officially launched in Chicago, so your results may not be an accurate representation of what someone can expect from it when it is officially rolled out.

#4: The HD2 doesn't even support HSPA+ so that is not the device you want to test HSPA+ on. Yes, the HD2 will benefit from HSPA+ (getting faster speeds than it would on the regular HSPA network) but it will not see the full HSPA+ speeds.

Seriously? Where do you get your facts from? Your but?

1.) Where did Sprint say anything about tiered data? I honestly haven't seen it. Please link me. And even if they did go tiered, they will most likely keep their unlimited data an option.

2.)T-Mobile doesn't know what they are doing for 4G. They've talked to Clearwire about leasing WiMax, and LTE dealers as well. Sounds like they are in the process of deciding.

4G shocker! T-Mobile USA boss talked to LTE wholesaler earlier this year -- Engadget

Also, currently Tmo Doesn't have the spectrum requirements to acquire the LTE licensing.

3.) The tmobile website coverage map is misleading. My fault. They should really use a different color scheme than dark purple/darker purple/purple.

4.)meh. They way I read it HSPA+ Was supposed to be backwards compatible. Looks like the definitions been skewed in this case.

And with HSPA+, you still have that nastly little network congestion problem, in which here in chicago, would definitely be a factor.

 

[chrisinsocalif]

They way I read it HSPA+ Was supposed to be backwards compatible. Looks like the definitions been skewed in this case.

What? The HD2and Nexus 1 are still limited to 7.2 Mbps down/2 Mbps up. No definitions are skewed, you just have the wrong understanding of backward compatibility.

 

[ashykat]

4G Networks Tested: WiMAX vs. HSPA+ : Intro (Phone Scoop)

 

[IOWA]

LOL @ phonescoop.

Your more likely to find more reliable information over at the Onion.

 

[BlackDynamite]

Seriously? Where do you get your facts from? Your but?

1.) Where did Sprint say anything about tiered data? I honestly haven't seen it. Please link me. And even if they did go tiered, they will most likely keep their unlimited data an option.

I'll ignore the childish nonsense and just address the meat of your post. Sprint's CEO clearly says it in this video, but has said it many times now:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-sRcRf0CbA

2.)T-Mobile doesn't know what they are doing for 4G. They've talked to Clearwire about leasing WiMax, and LTE dealers as well. Sounds like they are in the process of deciding.

4G shocker! T-Mobile USA boss talked to LTE wholesaler earlier this year -- Engadget

Also, currently Tmo Doesn't have the spectrum requirements to acquire the LTE licensing.

T-Mobile demonstrated LTE here:
http://www.itexaminer.com/t-mobile-demos-mobile-lte.aspx
They announced plans to deploy it here:
http://www.lightreading.com/document.asp?doc_id=172272
There are tons of links on this. T-Mobile has said many times they will deploy LTE in 2011 (actually beginning deployment in late 2010 if I remember correctly).

4.)meh. They way I read it HSPA+ Was supposed to be backwards compatible. Looks like the definitions been skewed in this case.

HSPA+ IS backwards compatible... The HD2 does in fact work on the HSPA+ network. It does NOT connect any faster than its own hardware supports though, which is obviously the slower data speeds that it was designed to run on. So the HD2 will get faster speeds on an HSPA+ network that it would on a regular HSPA network, but it still won't connect at speeds as fast as a device that was designed for an HSPA+ network.

And with HSPA+, you still have that nastly little network congestion problem, in which here in chicago, would definitely be a factor.

Maybe so, but it has not been a problem so far anywhere except in hypothetical situations posted on websites. What HAS been a real world problem though, is getting a Wimax signal indoors. And, of course, that's if you can even get Wimax at all (which I don't have here yet).

 

[gear.h34d.2012]

so i guess that project emerald thing will be crawling at blazing speeds on EDGE in my area...

Ain't it the damn truth. Been with T-Mobile in my area since way back when they were Suncom locally. Been rocking my 9700 since last year, and my 8900 before that. No 3G anywhere around here, and no plans to add it either. I'm tired of EDGE, so EVO it is for me.


...and three cities here in my state have 4G, so. More than I can say for T-Mobile. Alas

*welcomes himself to 3G speeds*

 

[chrisinsocalif]

Salty Dawg, when you stated T-mobile will deploy LTE, I was under the impression it was for other markets and not the USA. Do you have confirmation for the T-mo US to employ LTE? T-Mobile USA does not own spectrum for LTE yet. Correct me if i am wrong. Only stuff i have read is they may lease 4g from Harbinger Capital Partners or possible to purchase a spectrum in the future.

 

[BlackDynamite]

Salty Dawg, when you stated T-mobile will deploy LTE, I was under the impression it was for other markets and not the USA. Do you have confirmation for the T-mo US to employ LTE? T-Mobile USA does not own spectrum for LTE yet. Correct me if i am wrong. Only stuff i have read is they may lease 4g from Harbinger Capital Partners or possible to purchase a spectrum in the future.

They are deploying LTE overseas and in the USA. Here are soem links:
T-Mobile USA Q3 results, backing LTE: CommsUpdate : TeleGeography Research
T-Mobile will be next U.S. iPhone carrier, analyst says - Computerworld
Light Reading Mobile - 4G/LTE - T-Mobile Hangs Growth Hopes on HSPA+ in US - Telecom News Analysis