• After 15+ years, we've made a big change: Android Forums is now Early Bird Club. Learn more here.

How's 4G in DC?

igot5onitt

Newbie
Jun 7, 2010
22
0
Curious as to how 4G speeds have been for DC users. From what I've heard it isnt "fully 4G" or the services is often "iffy". What kind of experiences have you guys had? How far down 395 have you received 4G signal?

Picking up my Evo tomorrow on BBuy's 2nd-batch!
 
Hi everybody. First post and i'm enjoying my first android device. In the "ballston common" section of Arlington 4g service is steady. I took some speedtests yesterday while being inside the Regal Cinema located at the ballston common mall....(was bored with a very bad movie that I should not have wasted $$$ on)

Got 4.92mbps download and almost exactly 1mb upload. Tried to post a screenshot from the speedtest.net app but the screen shot was too big to upload. Took 8 tests and all the upload speeds were 1.02-1.04 mbps....my downloads over these tests had a low of 3.03 mbps and a high of 4.92 mbps. 4g signal strength was very strong.

Baileys Crossroads area gets ok signal. My fastest tests there topped me out around 3.7mbps download and I'd say I average 2-2.5mbps on a regular basis. Uploads are also close to 1mbps.

Have not done a lot of tests in dc but on the red line subway, the above grond section of track from ny avenue to takoma park metro stations there is a 4g presence-but signal strength is spotty.
 
Upvote 0
I have been testing the 4g speeds in random places. I started off with the Sprint Overdrive and got consistent 3 mbps down and 1.5 up in Alexandria (Old town area) and in the Crystal City area it is even better around 4.5 down and 1.5 - 2.0 up. Sprint out in the Reston area is slower around 1.5down/800kup. In SW DC around 2mbps down/1 up. In the Tysons Corner area it is somewhere in between. I loose 4G around Manassas, VA and it is spotty in that area anyway.
 
Upvote 0
Let me preface my comments by stating that I LOVE my EVO. My "build quality" is flawless and my battery life is fantastic. In short EVO rocks! 4G on the other hand, not so much...

For my DMV (D.C., MD, VA) peeps, I was at the Nats game last night and I decided to fire up the ol EVO during the half-innings when Strasburg wasn't pitching and guess what? I had a constant 4G signal that was full strength! My phone was FLYING!

Up until last night, I wasn't completely sold on 4G because the signal in D.C. is patchy (at best). But after getting a consistent, strong 4G connection for an extended period of time at Nationals Park, my love for the EVO grew exponentially! So for what it's worth, if you ever find yourself taking in a Nats game in D.C., you will have a strong 4G signal. This is particularly handy for those times when the Nats start stinking up the joint...

That said, I am still not completely sold on 4G, and I won't be sold on the value of 4G until I can go anywhere in the District and get a signal comparable to the one at Nationals Park. Cmon Sprint! You can DO this!

As you were...
 
Upvote 0
Well now don't I feel like a dumbass. I've had this phone since Jun 9th and I've been under the impression that they haven't started to roll out 4G in the DC area yet. So I never bothered to even turn it on. FML.

One 4G bar standing outside at 10th & Penn. 3mbps down, 1mbps up. Incredible. Too bad it doesn't work INSIDE. I could be the office hotspot!
 
Upvote 0

BEST TECH IN 2023

We've been tracking upcoming products and ranking the best tech since 2007. Thanks for trusting our opinion: we get rewarded through affiliate links that earn us a commission and we invite you to learn more about us.

Smartphones