HSPA+ (T-Mobile) vs. Sprint WiMax 4G

[FreakyLocz14]

Which faster and more reliable? Back up your claims because I'll be making a decision on whether to stay on Sprint or go to T-Mobile on them.

T-Mobile has HSPA+ in my hometown of San Jose, CA. While Sprint doesn't officially have 4G in San Jose, I've been picking up 4G signal in numbers places in the city. I can get 4G signal throughout mostly all of downtown, and along most freeways north of the downtown area all the way up to San Francisco.

I'm not relying on these speeds as being average, since 4G isn't official here, but I'm getting 4-8 Mbps down and 900Kbps-3 Mbps up on average using my EPIC 4G. How does T-Mobile's HSPA+ network compare?

 

[BenChase7]

well, in some cases HSPA+ is better (faster) than Sprints 4G. But what you have to understand is that T-Mobile's HSPA+ is intergrated into their already standing 3G network, therefore it is easy and fast to deploy. (more or less)

Here is the problem with T-Mobile, there 3G footprint is pretty weak. Youll be using EDGE alot of the time. With Sprint, their 3G footprint is very solid. So, even if you cannot get 4G with sprint, most likely youll get 3G. With T-Mob, not so much. In other words, its better to get some data than none! If you want reliable data at all times, stick with Sprint... only time will tell what is going to happen in the 4g wars. But for now, I'll take Sprint over T-Mob any day.

 

[FreakyLocz14]

well, in some cases HSPA+ is better (faster) than Sprints 4G. But what you have to understand is that T-Mobile's HSPA+ is intergrated into their already standing 3G network, therefore it is easy and fast to deploy. (more or less)

Here is the problem with T-Mobile, there 3G footprint is pretty weak. Youll be using EDGE alot of the time. With Sprint, their 3G footprint is very solid. So, even if you cannot get 4G with sprint, most likely youll get 3G. With T-Mob, not so much. In other words, its better to get some data than none! If you want reliable data at all times, stick with Sprint... only time will tell what is going to happen in the 4g wars. But for now, I'll take Sprint over T-Mob any day.

So is that why HSPA+ came after Sprint's WiMax and it already covers more cities than Sprint does?

 

[BenChase7]

I was simply trying to say that if you cant get 3G you wont be able to get HSPA+. Since T-Mobile has a pretty weak 3G footprint and Sprints is pretty strong, I would rather take my chances with Sprint, since 3G is better than 0G.

 

[FreakyLocz14]

I was simply trying to say that if you cant get 3G you wont be able to get HSPA+. Since T-Mobile has a pretty weak 3G footprint and Sprints is pretty strong, I would rather take my chances with Sprint, since 3G is better than 0G.

0G? I thought EDGE was 2.5G?

Anyway, I'll probably stay with Sprint. The town I'm in college in doesn't have 4G from either carrier anyway.

 

[eieio]

I am sure results will vary buy device, location etc.. But this was a good article..

Is T-Mobile?s HSPA+ really as fast as 4G WiMax?

 

[RiverOfIce]

The biggie is bandwidth. HSPA+ has to have very few users and a lot of bandwidth to get good speeds. Wimax will deliver good speeds regardless of users. If you live in a low population area, with 3g, hspa+ could be better. But if you live in a denser populated area, wimax will be better.

 

[jimhanseng]

I just got Sprint 4G in Sacramento a couple weeks ago. I was expecting to get maybe 2 to 4 Mbps as that is what most are saying Sprints WiMax will deliver. I have been very surprised. I consistently get 8 Mbps down and 1 Mbps up. My signal strength for Cell and 3g is horrible at my house and I have to use an Airave to get quality calls. BUT, the 4G signal strength is great. I think it is because the WiMax is totally separate and delivered by Clearwire. Clearwire already has a good network here in SAC and across the country. For that reason, I think Sprint is going to be the best for 4G. Also, Sprints WiMax is a totally separate radio that has nothing to do with their Cell system. So one does not affect the other. It will be possible to get great WiMax with little or no 3g as it is at my house.