Home  ›  News  ›

Sprint's Spark Phones Don't Support Simultaneous Voice/Data

Article Comments  54  

Apr 3, 2014, 4:04 PM   by Eric M. Zeman

Sprint today confirmed a report that its Spark smartphones cannot make phones calls and surf the web at the same time. The issue, first noticed by Consumer Reports, affects only Sprint Spark LTE smartphones and not normal LTE smartphones. For example, the first version of the Samsung Galaxy S4 released in April 2013 can conduct voice calls and data sessions over LTE at the same time, but the newer Spark version of the GS4 cannot. "Sprint Spark devices leverage eCSFB technology (enhanced Circuit Switch Fall Back) which enables single radio functionality in the handset," said Sprint in an email to Phonescoop.com. "This allows Sprint to leverage the many benefits of Network Vision, including the ability to utilize multiple CDMA and LTE spectrum bands efficiently. Simultaneous voice and LTE is not supported on new Sprint Spark devices." Sprint went on to claim, however, that Spark, which uses a tri-band LTE configuration, does offer much better data service, much better voice service, and better battery life. Phones sold by AT&T, T-Mobile, and other GSM-based operators have long been able to talk and surf at the same time.

source: Sprint

Related

more news about:

Sprint
Samsung
 

Comments

This forum is closed.

This forum is closed.

JoeKnows

Apr 8, 2014, 3:47 PM

Here’s the scoop on simultaneous voice and data

Here’s the scoop on simultaneous voice and data

Simultaneous voice and data over the carrier network, lets you be on a call, and simultaneous look something up on the Web, or use Maps/Navigation, or post on face book, or tweet, etc

And simply put

* AT&T & T-Mobile phones have simultaneous voice and data, including the iPhones.

* Verizon LTE phones have simultaneous voice and data, except the iPhones.

* Sprint LTE or WiMax phones have simultaneous voice and data, except the iPhones.
* Sprint Spark LTE phones do not have simultaneous voice and data.
Versed

Apr 3, 2014, 4:39 PM

LOLZ

Oh please, and people want these special needs clowns to take over T-Mobile????? The screwed this up like everything else they touch. 🙄
It seems like a fair compromise to me, though. I mean, I've never had to go on the internet at the same time as I was making a phone call, ever, at any time in my past, and I cannot think of a situation where I'd need to use it.

It offers faster da...
(continues)
...
Sprint does seem to have a special way of screwing up just about everything. Fortunately for me, I just got my Note 3 so it'll be a couple years before I have to worry about Spark or if I can do both data and voice. Also, I don't think I talk and surf...
(continues)
...
What does one have to do with the other. For most Sprint customers this isn't a big issue. Unless they are coming from another LTE device most haven't had the ability to use data and voice at the same time, unless they were in wifi. And the reason for...
(continues)
...
I don't ever use both on my phone, but at the office I routinely talk to people on the phone and use the Internet at the same time for related things (both websites and email).

If I used my phone for business regularly, I would probably need a phon...
(continues)
What a joke.. lol. That's a big trade-off to be able to keep up with the competition.. I bet they probably won't even reach those speeds they advertise the Shart nertwork, I'm sorry, Spark network will be able to obtain.

While I would never consid...
(continues)
>> Oh please, and people want these special needs clowns to take over T-Mobile????? The screwed this up like everything else they touch. Rolling Eyes

Unnecessarily harsh comment. The technology for 4G to 3G fallback *today* for the CDMA / LTE carr...
(continues)
...
willbx718

Apr 5, 2014, 6:58 AM

Really a non-issue to me and more 90% of all subs.

Just like lots of people don't use 30-40gbs a month on their cellular devices, many don't require simultaneous voice and data. And many don't really ever think of doing both. Only the enthusiast and maybe the business sector do, but then again they don;t make up the majority of the subs base either.

And given that all other single channel LTE devices can do both voice and data on Sprint accept the iphone 5/5S this is really a non-issue. The Spark devices have lots of radios active and at this time and can't do both voice and because of it in this first generation of devices. Not a big deal future ones most likely will.

Like I've previously mentioned, I'd much rather have faster data instead. Plus people barely talk on the phone as i...
(continues)
Id say 90% of subs at some point do wish they could check their email, facebook, twitter, etc while in a call.
...
Slammer

Apr 4, 2014, 6:22 PM
edited

My Thought

Sprint is correct in claiming that Spark will not handle simultaneous voice and data.

However, LTE together with CDMA can. With future Sprint handsets offering all these, the option is still there.

Those that want super fast data "or" clear voice calls, will benefit through Spark. Those that want simultaneous mutitasking such as Voice and Data, I believe the handsets will default to LTE and CDMA allowing the option.

If I'm correct in this thought, data intensive groups that seek just data will not effect those that want to do both due to freeing up needless spectrum for this group and still allowing respectable speed. This is a win for Sprint consumers that no other carrier would be able to offer.

Again, if I'm correct, Not eve...
(continues)
I probably should have read further.

I guess the handsets do not implement all three radios.

John B.
Sprint has only been talking about 2.5 GHz aggregation. In the real world, that will only reach a small percentage of POPs - those that live within visual range of the tower. Because 2.5 GHz does not propagate or penetrate structures as well as the l...
(continues)
amarryat

Apr 4, 2014, 7:30 AM

VoLTE

This "limitation" goes away in the future.

99.9% of the time it's not a limitation at all for anyone, and 100% of the time has never been a limitation for me.
It's not an issue for me, but only because I rarely use voice, except to talk to my family.

But it's a useful feature for a lot of people.

"Hey where do you want to meet for lunch/dinner/coffee?"
"Let me pop open Maps/Opentable and find a place...
(continues)
akidwai

Apr 4, 2014, 7:28 AM
edited

one step forward and 2 steps back??

Hummm, speeds are up, but we (Sprint) do not believe in multitasking.

That explains a lot. I gues the CEO cannot chew gum and walk at the same time?

🙂

Asif S. Kidwai
 
 
Page  1  of 1

Subscribe to news & reviews with RSS Follow @phonescoop on Threads Follow @phonescoop on Mastodon Phone Scoop on Facebook Follow on Instagram

 

Playwire

All content Copyright 2001-2024 Phone Factor, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Content on this site may not be copied or republished without formal permission.