Sprint wireless and dead zones or low connectivity

[compuwiz1]

I have this wireless

Using this laptop

I can't get more than 20% of potential 5 bar connection. Streaming audio and video obviously sucks. Since I just signed up with sprint, should I just look for a different provider? This problem is happening at home, but across town it's working fine. I think sprint has a near dead zone where I live.

 

[kevnich2]

If sprint doesn't have good signal in that area, what exactly are you expecting to achieve? A sprint card won't get very good signal in a low signal area. You'll need to find another provider that has signal in that area.

 

[compuwiz1]

Originally posted by: kevnich2
If sprint doesn't have good signal in that area, what exactly are you expecting to achieve? A sprint card won't get very good signal in a low signal area. You'll need to find another provider that has signal in that area.

Really, what I was hoping to answer is if I just didn't pick the right provider for my area. I believe you are onto the same thing as I am. I'm gonna check out AT&T, maybe they can provide this service for me since they have my cell phone account and I do get all my bars at home with them.

 

[Crusty]

Sprint uses CDMA while the majority of the rest of carriers use GSM, therefore having full bars using AT&T does not mean you will get full bars using Sprint. Even though you might be using Sprint '3g' it's not the same as AT&T's '3g'.

 

[compuwiz1]

Originally posted by: Crusty
Sprint uses CDMA while the majority of the rest of carriers use GSM, therefore having full bars using AT&T does not mean you will get full bars using Sprint. Even though you might be using Sprint '3g' it's not the same as AT&T's '3g'.

Do you recommend AT&T's 3G?

 

[kevnich2]

Originally posted by: compuwiz1

Originally posted by: Crusty
Sprint uses CDMA while the majority of the rest of carriers use GSM, therefore having full bars using AT&T does not mean you will get full bars using Sprint. Even though you might be using Sprint '3g' it's not the same as AT&T's '3g'.

Do you recommend AT&T's 3G?

Check to see if anyone has a verizon phone in that area and see what the signal is. I highly recommend against AT&T. Why? Because AT&T is GSM which is dramatically reduced speed. On my EVDO card, I average between 800-1350kb/sec down and between 125-500kb/sec up, which I don't think is too bad but GSM is a fraction of this typically. But it is up to you, I've just heard from alot of people with GSM air cards and even at full connection they can never understand why their speed isn't as much as they thought. Verizon and Sprint both use EVDO. If verizon doesn't offer service in that area then take a look at GSM but again, it'll have reduced speeds.

Also, you can sign up for a card with Verizon or AT&T for 30 days to try it out and if it doesn't work, just take it back and not be in any contract.

 

[Fardringle]

Enter your address in this link, click the Map It button, then click on the arrow next to "Data, Email and Multimedia" to get data/broadband coverage information for your area on the Sprint network.

Then enter your address on this link, click the View Map button, then click on the Data link above the map to get broadband coverage for your area on the AT&T network.

That should give you an idea of how the two services will compare for your your area.


edit: Use this link, click the Search button, select the option for "Broadband and V CAST", then click the Refresh Map button to view coverage on the Verizon network.

 

[compuwiz1]

Thanks Fardringle. AT&T looks like my best bet around here. Sprint is weak at best. I'm cancelling sprint, per my 30 day trial period.

Update: I called my wife and had her go to AT&T so a new air card was waiting at home last night. I installed the software and connected up right away with no problem, at full capacity. All is well that ends well. 🙂