How do you know if a phone will get 4g on Straight Talk?
- Thread starter Arsinek
- Start date
- Aug 23, 2003
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First, we should define 4G.
In the US, depending on the carrier, we have at least 3 types of 4G or pseudo-4G.
LTE - This is true 4G, and also the fastest of the options. Verizon has the biggest LTE network, followed AT&T, Sprint is bringing up the rear, and T-Mobile has no LTE at this time (coming in 2013). There are also other smaller carriers that offer LTE. Straight Talk does not have LTE at this time. Speeds are 10MB/s down avg, 30MB/s down peak.
WiMAX - Only offered by Sprint (and a few smaller carriers), but not offered by Straight Talk. It's faster than 3G but slower than LTE (LTE has average speeds that are 2-3x faster (up to 6x faster peak speeds). Speeds are 3MB/s down avg, 6-10MB/s down peak.
HSDPA - Pseudo-4G, it can be as fast as WiMAX in certain markets, but is not as fast as LTE. Offered by AT&T, T-Mobile, a lot of smaller carriers, and Straight Talk. Speeds are 1-3MB/s down avg, 6-8MB/s down peak.
Most smartphones made in the last year for AT&T/T-Mobile will have HSDPA. Some like the Galaxy S3 will have HSDPA and LTE, so using it on Straight Talk will default to HSDPA.
In the US, depending on the carrier, we have at least 3 types of 4G or pseudo-4G.
LTE - This is true 4G, and also the fastest of the options. Verizon has the biggest LTE network, followed AT&T, Sprint is bringing up the rear, and T-Mobile has no LTE at this time (coming in 2013). There are also other smaller carriers that offer LTE. Straight Talk does not have LTE at this time. Speeds are 10MB/s down avg, 30MB/s down peak.
WiMAX - Only offered by Sprint (and a few smaller carriers), but not offered by Straight Talk. It's faster than 3G but slower than LTE (LTE has average speeds that are 2-3x faster (up to 6x faster peak speeds). Speeds are 3MB/s down avg, 6-10MB/s down peak.
HSDPA - Pseudo-4G, it can be as fast as WiMAX in certain markets, but is not as fast as LTE. Offered by AT&T, T-Mobile, a lot of smaller carriers, and Straight Talk. Speeds are 1-3MB/s down avg, 6-8MB/s down peak.
Most smartphones made in the last year for AT&T/T-Mobile will have HSDPA. Some like the Galaxy S3 will have HSDPA and LTE, so using it on Straight Talk will default to HSDPA.
Last edited:
- Aug 23, 2003
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to answer your question, straight talk uses hspda+ as "4g"
tmobiles lte network hasn't rolled out yet.
They use both AT&T and T-Mo's networks. You pick the SIM depending on who has the better coverage in your area, or whether or not your phone is only compatible with one network.
Upside is that you currently use AT&T, you won't need to unlock the phone for use on ST, because it's still AT&T's network.
To be clear ST, like both T-Mo and AT&T, call their HSDPA network "4"G.
I see nowhere where ST claims to offer 4G. They put you on AT&T's HSPA network, beyond that they make no guarantees of HSPA+ or 4G. With that said I use their service and have seen up to about 4-4.5 Mbps and am happy with it.
Does this mean Boost mobile and Virgin Mobile's 4g is WiMAX? I believe they both use Sprints network.
Yes, and unless you are only using them for text and calls, I would stay clear. I am on Sprint and it is really bad. It didn't used to be, but the last few months has been pure misery. WiMAX still works for me, but it is VERY spotty, and unstable.
Ok not sure why you are getting butturt over a light humor comment, points stands jpeyton laid it out not sure how you cant understand it
Yes, and I responded with some light humor of my own. Why youre still talking, I dont know. Did you have anything useful to add to the thread or are you strictly a troll?
Sprint has been behind for so long with 4G it is shameful. Especially with a $10 MONTHLY premium data charge!:sneaky:
I live about 20 MINTUES north of LTE service and recently purchased the Galaxy Note II. Debating returning the device as Sprint service has declined severely over the past year. Absolutely horrible service. The Galaxy Note II is a fabulous device but it is near useless without WiFi.
Meanwhile AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon all have 4G or LTE in my area, actually right in my neighborhood!
Have considered Straighttalk but wasn't sure if the service would be any better. Any suggestions?
I live about 20 MINTUES north of LTE service and recently purchased the Galaxy Note II. Debating returning the device as Sprint service has declined severely over the past year. Absolutely horrible service. The Galaxy Note II is a fabulous device but it is near useless without WiFi.
Meanwhile AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon all have 4G or LTE in my area, actually right in my neighborhood!
Have considered Straighttalk but wasn't sure if the service would be any better. Any suggestions?
Wrong. No currently deployed technology meets the original definition of "4g". Furthermore, DC-HSPA+ on T-Mobile can be just as fast or faster than current versions of LTE (though not as good on latency).
Both beat the pants off of Sprint WiMax, of course.
As for Straight Talk, it will run on whatever version of HSPA is offered, but only T-Mobile has enabled the DC version so its version of Straight Talk will be faster than the AT&T-based Straight Talk. There are rumors of Straight Talk enabling LTE soon, but it hasn't happened yet.
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Midwayman
Diamond Member
- Jan 28, 2000
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I connect on HSPA+ all the time on straight talk. In theory its like 18 down on ATT and something like 42 on Tmobile. Not that you ever get those speeds.
The main issue with straight talk is that you'll get booted if you use more than about 2gb a month or more than 100mb a day for several days. If you're a heavy data user straight talk isn't for you anyways.
The main issue with straight talk is that you'll get booted if you use more than about 2gb a month or more than 100mb a day for several days. If you're a heavy data user straight talk isn't for you anyways.
No network is hitting the kind of speeds you posted. Mb, not MB. Also, your numbers are VERY generous to LTE, esp Verizon's LTE and VERY much wrong on HSDPA due to Tmobile not being AT&T.
Also, for anyone interested:
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2405596,00.asp
30 cities, all the major networks tested. Straight Talk uses either Tmobile or AT&T, so you can see which would give you better service in your city. Also, remember, these numbers are BEFORE the iPhone was released with LTE, so those LTE numbers will be higher than what you would see in reality today.
From what I have heard, you only get kicked off of Straight Talk if you are using AT&T Straight Talk. Tmobile doesn't seem to have any data restrictions at all, as people use ridiculous amounts. At least that is what people say. Many claim to be using 20-70gb a month in data without even being throttled.
Highly skeptical of 20-70GB on Straight Talk t-mobile SIM.
I believe I read 10GB.
Att SIM doesn't get you kicked off anymore. They throttle now to 120kbps speeds.
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