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Sprint Speeds Up Three More Cities

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Round One to Sprint!

Sprint Guy James

Nov 7, 2006, 7:05 PM
MMhmm. Here we go again.

Sprint's powerful EVDO data network is at it again. In FOUR major metro areas. Where are you Verizon?

What the five fingers say to Verizon?
SLAP!

Ha!
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John_in_Vegas

Nov 7, 2006, 8:11 PM
That's true and I am pleasantly surprised that Sprint now has the largest voice and mobile broadband calling area in the US. For all the TV commercials for Verizon & Cingular touting coverage, it's great to see that it is Sprint with the largest, most reliable nationwide network.

(For those of you that haven't yet seen the new commercials for Sprint, that is where they've confirmed this fact.) Looks like my next provider will be Sprint - I hate getting dropped calls. 👿
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kvazzz

Nov 7, 2006, 8:28 PM
For those who haven't heard yet, Spinxtel added 233000 customers during 3rd quarter (Verizon 1.9M, Cingular 1.4M). Plus Sprint Nextel’s postpaid churn rate increased to 2.4 percent (Verizon 0.95%), up from the 2.1 percent it reported in both the second quarter of 2006 and the third quarter of 2005. In lame terms, more people leaving them, less (a lot less) people joining.

Don't get me wrong, I'm happy for them to be able to launch rev A ahead of Verizon, but I think other areas need more attention at this time.
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Sprint Guy James

Nov 7, 2006, 9:20 PM
Yeah, we are all aware that Sprint's numbers are not too hot. But how can you expect the company to just halt the progress? Sure, Sprint needs work in a lot of areas (ie churn, ARPU, net subs). But still, they can be done concurrently.

Having watched the Q3 presentation, I'm excited about the future. The company has plans. The only thing I'm worried about is the implementation.
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SkillciaX

Nov 9, 2006, 3:04 PM
Yeah, even if you have a kick ass product and kick ass network, you've gotta have kick ass customer service to back it up. That's what they need work on. And to stop calling accounts with employee discounts on them Business customers because they're not business customers unless they have a business plan.... If they separated the two it would make things easier...
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RUFF1415

Nov 7, 2006, 11:31 PM
Sprint most certainly does not have the largest voice calling area in the US. That title belongs to Cingular--100% owned and operated, 47000 tower all-digital goodness.

And Sprint is most definitely not the most reliable network nationwide either. Again, that title belongs to someone else, particularly Verizon (and T-Mobile).

Sprint has a habit of putting false and misrepresented information in their marketing strategy. They've been sued over it before, and lost. They'll be sued over it again, and lose.

I will agree that Sprint does have the largest mobile broadband network in the US though...for now.
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Sprint Guy James

Nov 7, 2006, 11:44 PM
Puhleeze. Every single cellular provider states that they have the fewest dropped calls. Just because you have the most towers does not mean that you have the most reliable network. Every network is susceptible to holes in coverage; not one provider is absolutely EVERYWHERE.

Sprint is not the only company that misrepresents info. Lets look at ALL the Cingular billboards that boast about the "Fewest dropped calls." And they say that the independant study confirmed this.

However, that independant study ranked Cingular pretty low in a LOT of areas, particularly network reliability. How's that for false advertising? Don't rip Sprint becuz they say something thats not true. That's the POINT of advertising, to get somebody to buy something ...
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barryefau

Nov 8, 2006, 1:39 AM
Puhleeze. Every single cellular provider states that they have the fewest dropped calls. Just because you have the most towers does not mean that you have the most reliable network. Every network is susceptible to holes in coverage; not one provider is absolutely EVERYWHERE.

VERIZON WIRELESS DOES NOT ADVERTISE FEWEST DROPPED CALLS

Sprint is not the only company that misrepresents info. Lets look at ALL the Cingular billboards that boast about the "Fewest dropped calls." And they say that the independant study confirmed this.

LOL, you just said that Sprint is full of it

However, that independant study ranked Cingular pretty low in a LOT of areas, particularly network reliability. How's that for false advertising? Do...
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nextel18

Nov 8, 2006, 9:08 AM
“SPRINT CAN HAVE THEIR SMALL REV A COVERAGE, VZW WILL LEAP-FROG THEM IN REV A POP'S EARLY '07 AND THEY'LL DO IT RIGHT”

So what? Even if that will be true, Verizon will not beat Sprint in total subscribers on their EV-DO network. In fact, Verizon is too ashamed to broadcast their numbers, while Sprint does.

Face it; Sprint will beat Verizon in every way with data.

They are not a threat to Sprint in the data and prepaid segments.
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reachrulz

Nov 8, 2006, 5:46 PM
the biggest difference, the reason i got sprint instead of verizon? UNLIMITED DATA MEANS UNLIMITED DATA!
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nextel18

Nov 8, 2006, 9:42 PM
Very good point. See what happens if you use 1g/month on Verizon.
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RUFF1415

Nov 8, 2006, 2:53 AM
Sprint Guy James said:
Puhleeze. Every single cellular provider states that they have the fewest dropped calls.

No...last time I checked, Cingular was the only one. T-Mobile has their own little bogus claim (fewest dropped calls in five major markets) on their website but they don't push it with marketing. So essentially, that's one company. Not "every single cellular provider."

Just because you have the most towers does not mean that you have the most reliable network.

Correct. Cingular has the most towers and right now the "most reliable network" is in Verizon's hands. Nobody ever said otherwise (except the user I was responding to. Sprint? Come on...)

Every netw
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sanchezkk

Nov 8, 2006, 11:17 AM
Sprint Guy James said:
Just because you have the most towers does not mean that you have the most reliable network.

Let me say something here. Cingular purchased the AT&T network a couple years ago. Their subscriber base grew because of the buy out. Why the hell does everyone and their mother think that automatically Cingular has the biggest (network) infrastructure. Its subscriber base that got larger not the overall network. If you or anyone does their studies right, you will find out that where Cingular was so was AT&T. Therefore the only thing that they accomplished to do was strengthen their present territories. Do your research before you guys start shouting out your imaginative fantasies. Get it right or shut up.
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RUFF1415

Nov 8, 2006, 1:43 PM
sanchezkk said:
Sprint Guy James said:
Just because you have the most towers does not mean that you have the most reliable network.

Let me say something here. Cingular purchased the AT&T network a couple years ago. Their subscriber base grew because of the buy out. Why the hell does everyone and their mother think that automatically Cingular has the biggest (network) infrastructure. Its subscriber base that got larger not the overall network. If you or anyone does their studies right, you will find out that where Cingular was so was AT&T. Therefore the only thing that they accomplished to do was strengthen their present territories. Do your research before you guys start shouting out your imaginative fantasies.
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sanchezkk

Nov 8, 2006, 5:26 PM
Please tell me where you seem to get your nonsense info, oh great one?
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RUFF1415

Nov 8, 2006, 6:49 PM
Which information, specifically? There have been several places. News releases, PhoneScoop, a lot of statistics can be found on Cingular's own website. EngadgetMobile did a wonderful little diddy on how Sprint's claims got shut down after Cingular countersued them.

Basically, any information that I give can be easily found in news releases on the web. Cingular's network integration process was no secret. I honestly don't know where you have been for the past two years to say that the two networks remain redundant.

And where do you get yours? Sprint commercials?
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jcoberg10

Nov 8, 2006, 9:35 PM
as far as # of towers go. you can't compare cingular and vzw. Cingular vs tmobile is ok... and vzw VS sprint. because cdma towers cover a larger area so not as many are needed. That explains why verizon has half the towers and more/better coverage overall.
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nextel18

Nov 8, 2006, 9:53 PM
Yea with towers, it is difficult because if you have 1.9 GHz you need at least twice more of the towers in a given area then those who use 800 MHz.

“That explains why Verizon has half the towers and more/better coverage overall.”

Well it also has to deal with frequency. 800 MHz has better propagation than 1.9 GHz.
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RUFF1415

Nov 12, 2006, 10:00 PM
That's the biggest misconception in the wireless industry. Actually, no tower, whether it be GSM, CDMA, iDen or whatever else, covers a smaller area based on just the technology.

The tower's structure itself may affect the area that a signal reaches, however no other factors really come into play. Coverage area all depends on frequency and as you know, we all run off of the same two bands in the US.

What really is the difference between GSM, CDMA and other technologies when it comes to number of towers is capacity. GSM requires two towers to support all of the users that CDMA could support with one.

There's a difference.
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kiwietnies

Nov 8, 2006, 5:38 PM
Oi... JD Power just did a survey about a month ago on Cingular and went clearly against Cingular's "fewest dropped calls" claim. The Telephia study was limited to certain areas and didn't take the nation as a whole into account, making a nationwide claim based on the study more than just simple puffery like it is in the Sprint claim. As far as the final sentence in there, its not "illegal" to make claim like Sprint, Cingular, T-Mobile and Verizon have because all the claims are based on a shred of truth.
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RUFF1415

Nov 8, 2006, 7:00 PM
kiwietnies said:
Oi... JD Power just did a survey about a month ago on Cingular and went clearly against Cingular's "fewest dropped calls" claim.

JD Powers surveys are exactly that, surveys. It's a compilation of opinions, not hard factual data. Think about it before you go spouting off that Cingular's claims are untrue. First, how many consumers actually know the full technical definition of a dropped call? Probably less than 10%. Second, those polls are easily influenced by customer perception. If you may have had a bad experience with Cingular's customer service, you're automatically more prone to claiming that the network isn't up to par as well. JD Powers can't measure the specific opinions on dropped c...
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John_in_Vegas

Nov 8, 2006, 6:47 PM
RUFF - I'm afraid I'm going to have to disagree with you. Sprint does have the largest network coverage for VOICE and/or broadband wireless. They make that point very clear in the latest TV commercials that are now playing. What most likely happened is that Sprint kept seeing the Verizon message about their network reliability in their advertsing (which goes back quite a few years) and decided to simply, quietly work on making their voice network larger and more relaible.

It's not that surprising, that's what I would have done if I were in their shoes. (And I don't work for any company in the wireless industry.) I do agree with you RUFF that having the largest / most relaible nationwide network is a very important asset in this indus...
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RShACkSUX

Nov 8, 2006, 7:19 PM
I'm a VZW fanboy so I'm biased, but for customers who travel alot, Verizon can't be beat. If you REALLY want to read into coverage, Alltel actually has the most network by square miles, but VZW covers the most population. You're free to go wherever you like, but Verizon will rarely drop your call and have you calling into customer service the least. JD Power, Consumer Reports and the Wall Street Journal are rarely wrong.
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RedBoa

Nov 9, 2006, 11:16 AM
to be honest Verizon is 4th down on the list for covered pops.

Sprint: 298 Million
Cingular: 273 Million
T-Mobile: 268 Million
Verizon: 255 Million
Alltel: 72 Million
US Cellular: 44 Million
Cellular One: 12 Million
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John_in_Vegas

Nov 9, 2006, 8:16 PM
Maybe these are the figures that they're basing their claim on for having the largest nationwide network. That seems to make sense.

And I don't expect Sprint can be sued with these recent ads. In one TV ad they have their legal council actually approving their claims right on the spot (pretty impressive!). Although the Sprint legal council made the spokesperson recount the wacky claim that the Sprint Nationwide Network was powerful enough to protect us from meteors. Although if you think about it, that just proves that the other claim of Sprint having the largest, most reliable network is in fact the truth!

Has anyone else seen these new TV ads I'm talking about?
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jimkrell

Nov 9, 2006, 11:46 PM
Remember, though, that Sprint's coverage claim is based largely on roaming providers.

Sprint's "Native" coverage (that is, what Sprint actually owns and operates) is far smaller in terms of geographic area and covered pops than either Verizon or Cingular. They are much closer to (pre-merger) Nextel, as well as T-Mobile.

Sprint's rural coverage is minimal next to VZ and Cing....

Sprint HAS been successful at creating roaming agreements with smaller rural operators, as well as VZ and Cingular (analog) in various areas, which allows them to make the claim.

Is this really "their" network? Debateable.... Makes for good - if misleading - ad claims, though.
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Azraelalpha

Nov 11, 2006, 8:35 PM
i guess that HAVING A NETWORK actually means being able to provide SERVICE, not claiming that a company OWNS the NETWORK itself, most of the current wireless carriers make alliances with roaming providers to broaden their coverage, whether it is for voice or data services (Alltel comes to mind)...
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jimkrell

Nov 11, 2006, 10:06 PM
Well, given that more of Sprint's "network" is really someone else's network than is the case with their 2 competitors, Sprint's network claims are a bit sketchy. If I owned a tiny network and then roamed on Verizon and Cingular (as Sprint does) and then claimed the biggest network title for myself, am I lying...?

😲

That's pretty much what Sprint does.
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John_in_Vegas

Nov 13, 2006, 1:55 PM
No, I don't think that's what Sprint is trying to do. That would just seem way too simple not to be called out on. And if I were a huge nationwide company with millions of customers - regardless of the industry - would I do something like that? Honestly no and it is very difficult to image that any large company would.

I work for a company, not quite as large as Sprint, but when we develop marketing messages, every one is scrutinized by our corporate marketing & legal departments just to protect the company from any sort of misunderstandings. Legal council departments are a HUGE expense and their recommendations are ALWAYS followed (at least that has been my experience).
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RShACkSUX

Nov 10, 2006, 3:51 PM
Where did you get that data?
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RUFF1415

Nov 8, 2006, 7:25 PM
I think you might have missed the part where Sprint is (often) sued for the claims they make in their marketing.

Just a few months ago, Sprint took a complaint to the BBB over Cingular's claim to fewest dropped calls. In turn, Cingular countersued Sprint and took the matter of Sprint's claims (pretty much all of them) to the DoJ. The matter of Cingular's claim was quickly dropped by Sprint, and the DoJ ruled against Sprint, preventing them from continuing to use their current marketing.

I promise you that Sprint does not have the largest voice network. The only way that they can possibly be making that claim is including roaming agreements, and their Nextel voice network into the mix. And clearly, a hodgepodge of incompatible networks...
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SPCSVZWJeff

Nov 9, 2006, 1:13 PM
The voice coverage claim is including the roaming agreements. No problem there because Cingular's voice coverage map includes roaming agreements also with Dobson and RCC as well as with the small GSM network that Alltel has from their Western Wireless acquisition.
Cingular does have the largest native footprint but Sprint's is also fairly large. As for the Nextel coverage what is happening is that CDMA network equipment is being put on existing Nextel towers to improve Sprint's coverage. Sprint has been almost as aggressive as Cingular in their buildout over the past few years. They have the disadvantage of only existing in the industry for about 10 years or so.
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RUFF1415

Nov 8, 2006, 7:26 PM
By the way, I would recommend Verizon for rural usage.
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trevor83

Nov 8, 2006, 10:10 AM
John_in_Vegas said:
That's true and I am pleasantly surprised that Sprint now has the largest voice and mobile broadband calling area in the US. For all the TV commercials for Verizon & Cingular touting coverage, it's great to see that it is Sprint with the largest, most reliable nationwide network.

(For those of you that haven't yet seen the new commercials for Sprint, that is where they've confirmed this fact.) Looks like my next provider will be Sprint - I hate getting dropped calls. 👿



Is anyone else saying it besides Sprint? I didn't think so. In the early days of Sprint they used to tout the largest coast to coast ALL digital network in the country. Well they were right but what they f...
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sanchezkk

Nov 8, 2006, 11:54 AM
People could be idiots! I am a war veteran of Operation Desert Storm and CNN said stuff about the war that was not all true, just for publicity. Now everyone: Do you believe anything the media says let alone Sprint or Cingular? Verizon Wireless does not boast about anything, unlike it's lowly competition. Read this archive from Business Week:

http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/apr20 ... »

and:

http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/aug20 ... »

and:

Take note of this comment:

Where are you with the rollout of your super swift 3G (third-generation) network?
We're probably 12 to 18 months behind Verizon today. We will roll out in 15 to 20...
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sanchezkk

Nov 8, 2006, 11:07 AM
Mr. Sprint Guy James,

Do me a favor and lets find out who owns the CDMA network that Sprint uses. Do your research then get back to this forum because obviously you don't know whats going on.
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kiwietnies

Nov 8, 2006, 5:47 PM
Dude, Sprint owns their own network and unlike Verizon it isn't a patchwork network of acquisitional towers.
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sanchezkk

Nov 8, 2006, 5:51 PM
Dude, shut up and mind your business, go back to using your Tracfone. 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣
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kiwietnies

Nov 8, 2006, 5:53 PM
Shove your Verizon phone up.. nevermind.
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Sprint Guy James

Nov 9, 2006, 9:17 PM
Newsflash.

Sprint built their OWN CDMA network from the GROUND UP. Verizon acquired their towers from other providors that they swallowed up.

How about you do YOUR research before you come back to this forum. YOU obviously don't know whats going on.
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sanchezkk

Nov 10, 2006, 8:35 AM
Sprint built their OWN CDMA network from the GROUND UP. Verizon acquired their towers from other providors that they swallowed up.

First of all, Verizon leases their towers to Sprint, why the hell do you think that Sprint is no longer bashing Verizon? They are bashing Cingular now if your dumb ass have not noticed.

How about you do YOUR research before you come back to this forum. YOU obviously don't know whats going on either.
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snang

Nov 8, 2006, 12:21 PM
Props to Sprint.

I just wanted to add how ridiculous these forums get at times. All these fanboys act like you're insulting their mother if you say anything remotely negative towards their provider and/or employer. It's funny and to be honest, pathetic. Get a life, "your" precious company isn't perfect.
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Humdizzle

Nov 8, 2006, 1:23 PM
Agreed, thank you!
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LordObento

Nov 9, 2006, 8:49 AM
yeah, it's true what they say.... Fighting on the Internet is like competing in the Special Olypics, even if you win, you are still a retard.
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rytiffany

Nov 9, 2006, 12:33 PM
Well said. I think it's completely healthy to present arguements but if the other person disagrees trying to get them to agree is like trying to get a democrat to admit George Bush is a good guy or a Republican to say gay marriage is ok. It's not gonna happen so move on.
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trevor83

Nov 8, 2006, 5:53 PM
Sprint Guy James said:
MMhmm. Here we go again.

Sprint's powerful EVDO data network is at it again. In FOUR major metro areas. Where are you Verizon?

What the five fingers say to Verizon?
SLAP!

Ha!


I thought Round 1 was 1X and Round 2 EVDO. But that's just me. And how many total markets does Sprint have under EVDO Rev 0?
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