Low 3G speeds, speeds widely vary. Post your 3G speeds people!

[WeAreNotAlone]

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LG Optimus V
Carrier= Virgin Mobile (owned by Sprint), running on Sprint 3G network.
Plan Beyond Talk and text, unlimited data @3g speed (up to 2.5gb, then throttled to 256k- Throttling to start OCT-2011)


Problem: Low 3G speeds, speeds widely vary. What can we as customers do?

NOTE: It appears that Native Sprint customers are also experiencing LOW 3G speeds as well, see here: Sprint Community: Very Slow 3g Data Speeds -- you too ?


Gentlemen /Ladies,

1: Virgin Mobile (owned by Sprint) advertises Virgin Mobile using the Sprint 3G network, implying that they run at full speed on the Sprint Network.

2: Sprint states 3G speeds as= Peak up to 3.1Mbps (3,100kps) 600-1400kps average (.6 > 1.4 Mbps).

3: From the hundreds upon hundreds (really thousands) of posts I've read on the net real world speeds indicate SPRINT network is SERIOUSLY OVERLOADED.

4: There are also indications Sprint customers are assigned priority- VM customers are considered "second rate" citizens.
PRL= marks you as a VM customer- and towers give SPRINT customers priority)


So far my experiences are Virgin Mobile speeds are WAY below what 3G should be. New customer here so it's not a case I've reached a data overage limit. To me if it is implied that you will be running on a 3G network- you should be getting "real-world" 3G speeds.

Here are my Speedtest results: Virgin Mobile and Sprint should be ashamed.

(I use Open Signal maps more so than Speedtest... Here are some of the " speeds I've been getting in a major metropolitan market.)

Date,ConnType,Download,Upload,Latency
"2011-08-31 14:59","EvdoA",174,202,256
"2011-08-31 08:46","EvdoA",144,646,209
"2011-08-31 08:31","EvdoA",578,626,181
"2011-08-31 08:30","EvdoA",484,539,201
"2011-08-31 08:29","EvdoA", 37,467,227
"2011-08-31 08:28","EvdoA",264,265,1077
"2011-08-31 08:27","EvdoA",130,316,540
"2011-08-31 08:27","EvdoA",252,262,238
"2011-08-31 08:25","EvdoA", 31,308,188
"2011-08-31 08:11","EvdoA",184,328,236
"2011-08-31 08:09","EvdoA",146,240,202
"2011-08-31 00:53","EvdoA",130,212,432
"2011-08-30 22:06","EvdoA",126,209,216
"2011-08-30 22:04","EvdoA", 33,193,532
"2011-08-30 22:03","EvdoA",,40,198,229
"2011-08-30 22:02","EvdoA",,25,164,202
"2011-08-30 22:01","EvdoA",204,167,219
"2011-08-30 16:12","EvdoA",147,305,982
"2011-08-30 14:09","EvdoA",1389,279,269
"2011-08-30 13:49","EvdoA",280,267,974
"2011-08-30 13:48","EvdoA",371,453,710
"2011-08-30 08:26","EvdoA",,60,136,275
"2011-08-30 08:24","EvdoA",,64,147,292
"2011-08-30 08:22","EvdoA",239,207,312
"2011-08-30 07:26","EvdoA",651,618,285
"2011-08-30 07:25","EvdoA",692,661,261
"2011-08-30 03:14","EvdoA",,77,59,221
"2011-08-30 00:26","EvdoA",211,324,367
"2011-08-29 23:28","EvdoA",277,250,187
"2011-08-29 15:26","EvdoA",384,263,194
"2011-08-29 15:24","EvdoA",,59,128,365
"2011-08-29 13:30","EvdoA",,37,143,481
"2011-08-28 12:24","EvdoA",672,400,181
"2011-08-26 15:31","EvdoA",127,92,298
"2011-08-26 14:46","EvdoA",284,267,188
"2011-08-26 14:45","EvdoA",336,416,205
"2011-08-26 13:09","EvdoA",108,462,262
"2011-08-26 12:52","EvdoA",227,322,206
"2011-08-25 19:08","EvdoA",197,207,995
"2011-08-25 19:07","EvdoA",177,174,768
"2011-08-25 15:31","EvdoA",,30,505,414
"2011-08-25 15:11","EvdoA",151,99,809
"2011-08-24 14:56","EvdoA",702,543,179
"2011-08-20 15:38","EvdoA",1484,549,539
"2011-08-20 15:34","EvdoA",1930,540,292
"2011-08-20 13:00","EvdoA","14,56,640
"2011-08-19 23:10","EvdoA",365,311,719
"2011-08-19 16:34","EvdoA",293,90,314
"2011-08-19 16:34","EvdoA",421,50,408
"2011-08-19 15:34","EvdoA",703,589,434
"2011-08-19 15:32","EvdoA",313,157,506


Please everyone post their speeds.



Q: How can we as customers band together to force VM /Sprint address sub par 3g speeds?
(As I see it the more people that post to face-book?, etc their sub-par speeds the faster Sprint /VM upgrade towers/the network?)

Q: I've read here and there carriers will issue a updated *PRL file, Any chance of a official PRL file?

(*PRL from what read a configuration file that specifies what towers you can access, speeds and priorities tower /network assigns....


Q: From the PRL file I would assume that Virgin Mobile customers are ID'd as "second rate" citizens on the Sprint Network- Does anyone have anything in writing about Sprint customers get max speed/bandwidth and VM customers are assigned to spare capacity as some have suggested?

Q: What is the procedure to file a trouble ticket with VM? Does VM / Sprint act on tickets filed?

Q: Any "approved" apps (like Speedtest/Open Signal Maps) that VM approves of? I read posts here and there saying Sprint 99.999% of the time never admits any problems on their end- low speed readings due to app not reading speeds correctly- Even when customer states web-pages, etc aren't loading /timing out because speeds are so low.

Q: I've read here and there VM, Sprint are over-selling the network- that they have underestimated amount of data smart-phones and the like need...
Based upon past performance - Is Sprint the type of company that is likely to upgrade the network to meet demand?

Q: Is Sprint likely to put money into 3G, when 4G and other technologies are on the horizon?


.

 

[DaManWitDaPlan]

Don't have any speeds to post yet, but I wanted to point out that data throttling after 2.5 gb doesn't start until October.

Also I've never had problems with speed on the network. However I've never had another 3G phone, so I'm not sure if it's slow in comparison.

 

[raynoldsk]

I average 1 mg down and .5 mg up.

Frankly, I am okay with this on my phone.

If I needed blinding fast speed, I would pay 75/month and whine to Verizon. Since I am cheap and paying 25/month, I am pretty satisfied.

My opinion.

 

[WeAreNotAlone]

Don't have any speeds to post yet, but I wanted to point out that data throttling after 2.5 gb doesn't start until October.

Also I've never had problems with speed on the network. However I've never had another 3G phone, so I'm not sure if it's slow in comparison.

Yep, throttling starts OCT 2011

Look forward to seeing your speeds. You can get SpeedTest /Open Signal Maps free on the marketplace.

I average 1 mg down and .5 mg up.

Frankly, I am okay with this on my phone.

If I needed blinding fast speed, I would pay 75/month and whine to Verizon. Since I am cheap and paying 25/month, I am pretty satisfied.

My opinion.

You must be one of the lucky ones- 1mb down and .5mb up from what I've been seeing, and reading is the NOT the norm in cities of any size. I don't know everything "Sprint" but reading thru the thread over on the Sprint forums (And doing some Speedtests @ a local Radio Shack store on RS personal Sprint phones indicates in my area the network/backhaul or whatever you want to call it is overloaded.
For the most part I've been seeing speeds in the sub 100-200k range, or lower.... Got a bunch when running Open Signal maps less than 56k.

(Yes I know about time of day affecting loading)


PS: Today around 2:00-2:30 all of the sudden 3G was bouncing between 1x and 3G, by 4pm -4:30pm 3G indicator /network access was totally gone. Called Virgin Mobile- was told nationwide / widespread outage. 3G back up around 6pm.

Note to self: If it was a GSM phone, I'd swap the SIM into another phone to see if the problem is the phone OR the network..
(Have another Optimus, but alas there is no money applied towards that account yet so 3G isn't on..)


Reading thru that thread on the Sprint forum /doing Google searches gives me the impression Sprint's network is A: Overloaded /Oversold, B: They do not have the proper reporting software in place to track when data speeds drop. C: They are not actively upgrading the 3G network. D: Sprint customers get preference, VM customers get the leftovers...

Hope I'm wrong on all accounts- as I'm needing to save some money.

Keep the posts coming guys.

 

[TX-Dennis]

I've done several speed tests over the last week. Downpload has ranged for me between 258kbps - 684kbps. Not too bad, really all things considered. Upload, though has been dismal ranging from a low of 1 to a high of 214

 

[droidadam]

I'm getting 256kbps if i'm lucky. I'm nowhere near the data limit. How could I be? I've had the phone 3 days. Unlimited data? 3g speeds? More corporate BS?

 

[Japanorama]

Tested my speeds here (12:30 am PDT), and here's what I got.

1821 kbps down, 727 kbps up. I'll try this again at around noon when 3G use is higher.

 

[mcrow]

So far I can only get to ~250kb but my signal isn't strong here so I'll try again later.

 

[hiwatt]

Guys, it might help if you posted your location. I'm in Chicago, here's what I am getting at 2:31 am Friday morning:

801 down
339 up

This is on the slow side. Normally it's about twice that.

 

[TX-Dennis]

10:41am Odessa, TX

438 down
266 up

This is the fastest test I've seen in some time. My download seems to average around 250 with really dismal upload of around 25. I don't use much data, so it's not a deal breaker for me given the low price I pay compared to my wife's $86/month on AT&T for her iphone. Her speeds generally test only a little faster in the 400s-600s down and in the 300s up.

 

[mcrow]

OK, got outside the bunker I work in and can consistetly get 500-800kb down and 300-500kb up, in Minneapolis.

 

[ne0tekk]

San Francisco, CA

112-719 kbps down
60-114 kbps up

 

[blmbmj]

I am in Cleveland, and the speed here can be WORSE THAN DIAL-UP. Plus, the 3G goes totally out during the weekday, between noon and 5 p.m. I am CONSTANTLY using the toggling of Airplane mode to get 3G back.

What can be done? For $25/month, I don't think VM gives a hoot about all of our complaining.

 

[hiwatt]

As of 7am today:

891 down
129 up

I'm not complaining.

 

[AndyOpie150]

These speed tests really won't mean much unless a standard for testing is agreed on and maintained, ie.times of day,the number of times a day and the most accurate app for performing these tests. Then you can go to Virgin Mobile with accurate data from all over the country.

 

[surgerush]

My best 3g has been

Download - 361 kbps
Upload - 213 kbps
Ping - 346Ms

Speedtest.net app

 

[surgerush]

Just wanted to update. The speeds I said last time were when I only had a couple bars. I've done it a few times when I had full bars now, my best has been....

Download - 1388 lbps
Upload - 700 kbps
Ping - 372

Speedtest.net app Syracuse, New York

The others were pretty close to that as well, as long as I have a good signal I'm getting decent results. So if anything, I think Virgin needs to get better coverage, not necessarily faster 3g speeds.

 

[129260]

I think to keep everything accurate people should download the speed test app and then in the settings make sure its all the way to the right for performance and then run the test. This way everyone has the same settings and app and its better for the results.

 

[surgerush]

I think to keep everything accurate people should download the speed test app and then in the settings make sure its all the way to the right for performance and then run the test. This way everyone has the same settings and app and its better for the results.

Put the animation bar all the way to the right? Is that what you mean?

 

[129260]

yes that is what I mean. Because the animations are off and its full performance

 

[surgerush]

Ok, didn't know that. I'll have to try again when I have full bars, I'll update when I do so.

 

[AndyOpie150]

I think to keep everything accurate people should download the speed test app and then in the settings make sure its all the way to the right for performance and then run the test. This way everyone has the same settings and app and its better for the results.

Would that be "Speedtest.net Mobile" app you were referring to?

 

[129260]

Sorry yes. Ill re-clarify.

1.) download Speedtest.net Mobile form the android market.

2.) In the settings, there is an option (slider) for performance vs animation. Adjust the slider so the performance is the priority and not the animation. For example, the slider should be all the way to the right.

3.) In the settings after the test is done, it shows you what server was used.

I suggest putting the server, the speeds you got, and post them here.

Look at the results page


Example:


Lancaster, PA

Mine is 0.74 mbps down, 0.50 mbps upload with ping being 173

 

[AndyOpie150]

Something else we need to do because the signal has peaks and valleys. Run the test 5times in a row. Throw out the high and the low in every category including Ping. Then add the remaining three together and devide by three. This will give the true average of the signal. We need to post morning, afternoon, and evening numbers. As well as location city.
I still need to compile morning and afternoon numbers.
EDIT : we also need to establish how that speed is displayed. ie. kbps; Mbps; or KB/s

 

[bac22]

Test will vary depending on how many users are on the cell at any one time. Usually poor speeds consistently off of particular cell towers means low backbone connection. AndyOpie150 has it right in stating that speed test need to run multiple times over the day to get an overall average.