My observation while visiting 4G Chicago

[twospirits]

As some may know, I took a trip to Chicago last week for a seminar. While driving around I was astounded as to the number of Wimax towers lining the highways and city itself. While my EVO's 4G never worked (since day 1), my partners EVO had 4G throughout the trip. The point being is that the place was full of 4G towers. Yet here in NYC, I hardly see any towers and the signal is come and go (except at my work area where its strong).

Hopefully I am not looking at the right spots, but I don't see so many towers here in NYC.

TS out

 

[wase4711]

Dont forget that Chicago is one of the "Anchor" cities for CLEAR 4G service as well, so, we have ALOT of 4G stuff here, and more coming on line every day..No wonder chicago is "our kinda town"....

 

[hellcatt]

yea well it could get a little stronger out here in some of the burbs

 

[Bek]

*hums Sweet Home Chicago*

Get yourself any deep dish, Chicago style hotdogs, or Italian Beef?

 

[novox77]

As some may know, I took a trip to Chicago last week for a seminar. While driving around I was astounded as to the number of Wimax towers lining the highways and city itself.

Did you visually identify these 4G towers? Or are you basing this on signal strength? Just curious if 4G towers looked different from the typical cell phone tower...

 

[Geekslayer]

I will be in Chicago, in and around the McCormick Plaza next month. How is Sprint's siginal in that area?

-thanks

 

[dietcoke]

Did you visually identify these 4G towers? Or are you basing this on signal strength? Just curious if 4G towers looked different from the typical cell phone tower...

I don't know how the OP is telling the difference from one cell phone providers equipment from another. I'm in Chicago, they all look the same to me.

 

[JUSTQUAN2]

oh yes, we gets it in 4g style lol!

downtown is the best hands down. your phone just might overload sucking down 4g. i really wish they would expand that radius to the surrounding burbs, especially south =).

 

[wase4711]

yeah, I am in the Burr Ridge area, and its really strong near I55, but alot weaker the farther away you go
Downtown near McCormick Plance you should be "balls to the wall" with 4G..

 

[FunDroid]

yea well it could get a little stronger out here in some of the burbs

Exactly, Im in Downers Grove and I have ZERO 4G signal to my phone or my Sprint wireless modem with an external antenna.

 

[81_]

now if we could only get rid of all the corruption and taxes out the ass

 

[wase4711]

now if we could only get rid of all the corruption and taxes out the ass

you have a much better chance of 4G coverage in your bathroom than you do of THAT ever happening here!

 

[bvbull200]

I'm not sure I understand the point of this thread. Are you just saying that you visually confirmed 4g towers (didn't know they were recognizable) in Chicago, while saying nothing about the speed and signal strength? Thanks, I guess?

 

[XOS THW]

yeah, I am in the Burr Ridge area, and its really strong near I55, but alot weaker the farther away you go
Downtown near McCormick Plance you should be "balls to the wall" with 4G..

Do you get your signal inside? I have a friend that works around there.

Me, I'm over in by Harlem and 55. I too get a good 4G signal in most of the buildings....not mine that I work at though.

 

[some.devil]

It's pretty spotty driving but otherwise

 

[wase4711]

well, I get a decent 4g signal inside my house; outside, in my yard, its alot better

I have superfast wireless in my house, so 4G doesnt mean anything to me, except when listening to slacker radio, which, for some reason, only works well using 4G..

I live about 1/2 mile south of I-55

 

[Wile-E]

you have a much better chance of 4G coverage in your bathroom than you do of THAT ever happening here!

Well, then there's hope - I get 4G in my bathroom. Living the dream.

 

[kast107]

I will be in Chicago, in and around the McCormick Plaza next month. How is Sprint's siginal in that area?

-thanks

I live and work near the area. On an average day, I get a steady 4-5 Mbps. On off peak hours, I've gotten as high as 9 Mbps. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at the 4G here.

Enjoy your trip.

 

[Geekslayer]

Thanks for the information everyone!

 

[81_]

Well, then there's hope - I get 4G in my bathroom. Living the dream.

i get it in both my bathrooms. life is good in the 81 household

 

[twospirits]

Did you visually identify these 4G towers? Or are you basing this on signal strength? Just curious if 4G towers looked different from the typical cell phone tower...

See below

I don't know how the OP is telling the difference from one cell phone providers equipment from another. I'm in Chicago, they all look the same to me.

Granted, they may look the same, but I thought the Wimax ones were set up in a triangular configuration as oppose to the usual cell phone tower configuration. This page shows where they are and what they look like.

I'm not sure I understand the point of this thread. Are you just saying that you visually confirmed 4g towers (didn't know they were recognizable) in Chicago, while saying nothing about the speed and signal strength? Thanks, I guess?

The point i was trying to make was, the signal was very good while I was out there and I noticed that there were more than usual cell phone towers (which to me look like wimax ones due to their triangular setup). The speeds and signal strength I got were really good.

TS

 

[wase4711]

Nice link to tower pix, TS!
There are even MORE locations than the ones shown there; I have two near me that dont show up there..
The goal of CLEAR 4G is to have the ENTIRE chicago area covered by the end of 2010, so they are putting those things up all over the place..One of my good friends work for CLEAR, and he is always trying to get me to sign up!
Problem is, until the area is SATURATED with those towers, you get spotty 4G speeds in certain areas of Metro Chicagoland; that is confirmed by folks who have posted in this thread!
Not much doubt that Chicagoland is the best city in the country right now for getting 4G, but, its not 100% of the area yet..I've never dropped a call with Sprint, EVER...

 

[mcbtrain929]

i'm supposed to be in the best 4g area, but it can't penetrate my house . luckily i have wifi. i was at wrigley yesterday tho and had full 3 bars of 4G, so i was glad to at least see it in action on my phone in some capacity. i was getting around 4.75-5.25 download and 1.02 upload.

 

[wase4711]

yeah, you need something to keep your attention, considering the way the Cubs are playing this year...

 

[kazi86]

get amazing 4G out here in the Aurora, Naperville, Downers Grove and of course downtown....been living in chi my whole life and have to move to

San Jose, CA for work

hows the 4g/Sprint out there? any one know?