No that wasn't me, and I don't even know what the SERO plan is

that was a response to highlander not you 😉

It's not the Sprint customers that should be whining. Their service always has sucked, so nothing has changed there. It's the Nextel side who, up until the merger, always received quality service, and have now watched that quality disappear. I suppose we have a right to be somewhat frustrated.

sprint sercive has never sucked for me. It has been great. Clearest calls and best data. So were would you say they suck in? Coverage. Their footprint is a little larger then verizon and larger then ATT. Won't even include tmobile. Only Alltel is close but alltel has the alrgest per square miles. Sprint is in more places that counts.

Over the years of having Sprint I was having a little bit of issues throughout my tenure with them, but as the years grow longer with my tenure the service has gotten a lot better. I actually noticed a significant improvement after the Sprint Nextel merger was closed and they started the co-location. Within the last few years Sprint and Nextel built more towers in my area as well as some of the areas in Mass where I travel to. When I travel nationwide with my Sprint and Nextel phones, I actually see an improvement in the service when I went previous.

Everyone’s experience will differ because of a their area and their device. If they do not like one carrier they should move to one that supports them.

I agree.

On the network side: I have several friends that have had Sprint and ended up switching to Nextel, Verizon, or Alltel (the three that perform well here in the northern Ohio area). Sprint's network is spotty, at best, where others are solid.

On the customer service side: Before the merger, it used to take me one call to reach a knowledgeable Nextel representative if I had a question, and my question was always answered. Now with Sprint Customer Service, at least two more calls are required to obtain something that slightly resembles an answer to my question.

Yea Sprint did a horrible job when it came with customer representatives going forward for the new company. they obviously thought that Sprint’s CSRs are better than Nextel’s which obviously wasn’t true and that’s why there is a reason why when you call Nextel you aren’t on hold for very long if at all, but if you are on with Sprint not only are you on hold but they don’t give a lot of good information. Nextel CSRs were first class all the way; it was a shame that they were let go. this is the problem with mergers of this size. Sprint’s network is very good, but they need to do a better job managing their massive spectrum and tower portfolio. Once they do that, they will be better. The co-locating is very important to expand on that coverage...
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Yes, that's right, and I do believe the company can improve all the way around, in time. Merging companies wasn't the wrong thing to do, but they have handled it the wrong way so far. The future is very bright for the company if they can get their act together. I just think that so far, they have failed at one of the most important factors in business - keeping the customer happy. This is one of the things that Nextel as a standalone company excelled in and brought their customers to expect and trust.

Well with the assets that this company has, it must or else it would be facing more problems in the future. When Barry West, since working at Nextel with its spectrum issues, came to Sprint obviously I am sure that he didn’t know what to do with Sprint’s spectrum surplus and didn’t know how to leverage it, but obviously he is learning more and more about the networks and the assets they have which will allow for better coverage and capacity going forward. That co-location is very important. It provides better coverage and capacity in many areas.

I have talked about this before being execution. If they can just execute on their plan and get rid of Forsee they would do a lot better going forward unless Forsee can change his ugly ways and a...
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Its i dont thinks the issue with cust service is the reps themselves. Its the way Sprint trains the reps. I cant beleive that with all the talk about sprint's customer service and the long wait times that no one has implemented any drastic changes. As a rep all i see are this gimmicky ways to improve cust service. Sprint is a tech company more than a voice company so they need to train their reps with this in mind. Any changes that are made concerning new plans,phones, or services are done with out informing the reps first. that why we have cust's that call in about a service/phone/plan and we have no idea that we offer that now. Sprint's training sucks plain and simple!!, i wish i was a trainer ☹️

Well customer care is only good if the reps themselves are good. Yet it is still interesting with the problems they are facing in that department still doing well with ads in the data side. Maybe they don’t care? They obviously thought that Sprint reps were better than Nextel’s which is flat out wrong. Another mistake by Sprint. Can they fix it? Of course, but it will take some time. I think they should flush out many of the people and re-hire the Nextel people.

Now you're starting to sound like me, I feel sorry for you already! 🤣

Crap. I don’t want to do that. Help me change!!!

Jk

🤣

My powersource phone is working great. Yeah, cellular roaming would've been nice, but PCS roaming is actually not too bad these days, at least in my neck of the woods.

Yea I have a few of those devices and they have done as great job especially with the new IC902 the one with DO high speed on it. If you are in a good service area then you will be fine. If not, don’t bother. PCS roaming in this case wouldn’t have worked so easily because it would perhaps be a little bit more difficult to see who the roaming users are but more importantly how to bill them. In addition, the phones wouldn’t be as good as they are now and at pretty reasonable price points. You know the more radios the more PAs, which will take up a lot of battery life and could affect RF performance.

Glad you like them.

The battery life and interference issues would have been HORRIBLE with cellular roaming, and I think most folks don't realize that.

This was one of the main reasons, prior to the merger, that both Sprint and Nextel realized the potential for a dual-mode phone. They knew then that such a phone could operate two networks simultaneously without static and minimal battery usage (for such a device).

Had it been, say, a Verizon-Nextel merger, A dual mode phone would not have been feasible since the vast majority of Verizon's network is still cellular. A dual-mode phone such as that, would have had terrible RF issues, issues I believe would have been too costly to surmount, thus, delaying a CDMA PTT Nextel phone until QChat could arrive a who...
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Another thing to consider with the ic phones is that even in areas where the coverage maps show no service, often, you will have one bar of service. I have discovered I can talk WAY beyond the shaded green areas on the maps.

Actually it would. We had this conversation many times before and that is one of the reasons why it is not done a lot. Either the battery life would be impacted which means not a lot of functionality on the device and then more expensive would be, or the billing would be a lot more difficulty than first thought.

Of course that it was the main issue why they merged but having roaming is very expensive and very draining on the battery. They have two networks on the device; one for Sprint’s data and voice. 2. Nextel’s Direct Connect.

It drains the battery and hurts the performance on any network with more PAs and radios inside the device. Obviously with T-mobile and Cingular it wouldn’t have worked well because Nextel has precedent with...
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The BIG problem with the overlap issue, I think, is with the business-end of it. Where I work, we have a mini iDEN tower in our industrial park area along with Wilson repeater antennas on the roof to pull in the Nextel signal. Sprint PCS, while good in that area, has a harder time penetrating the building due to the fact that nothing has been done to ensure boosting that particular signal.

Those issues need to be looked at as well, because if you are a large corporation, you don't want to spend money on new hybrid phones for your employees that won't perform as well inside the location where they are intended to be used.

That is why I mentioned that Sprint failed at this situation too while you said they got it right. They planned well on paper but could not execute on those plans. Well, I do not seem to be having some problems in building with Sprint so I am not sure I buy that.

Regardless, the networks need to be overlapping more than they were to allow some kind of seamless transition between the two networks. Obviously, some customers came over but it is not enough to just the cost that it took to do so. Moreover, IDEN subscribers are leaving in droves, but obviously are slowing as of yet.

nextel18 said:
That is why I mentioned that Sprint failed at this situation too while you said they got it right. They planned well on paper but could not execute on those plans. Well, I do not seem to be having some problems in building with Sprint so I am not sure I buy that.

Sprint does not have any greater problems with metal buildings than other carriers do, but ALL carriers do have those issues, if you are in an area where your signal strength is less than "excellent".

This is why Nextel made a fortune catering to the needs of businesses, they realized that in order for a walkie-talkie to work and perform solidly for whatever industry was going to use it for their employees, they had to make sure ...
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I forgot to mention that five years ago when I went with Nextel for my communication needs, they were the ONLY carrier that would work inside the building where I am employed, now both Nextel and Cingular work well, and Sprint has boosted its signal strength in that area.

But even so, there are places inside the building I still can't call out due to low signal strength on my hybrid phone, though the Direct Connect feature works seamlessly throughout. In other words, the phone part does o.k. in there, but not great like the DC, which is still on iDEN.

I can't see my company switching to hybrid phones or the QChat phones unless Sprint works with them as Nextel did to transition over.

This will be a challenge everywhere it needs to ha...
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Qchat is a very good product and solution that companies would probably get especially if they like the performance because the data products that can be used for companies are a lot, which in turn can help Sprint’s ARPU and Data ARPU. Direct Connect will always have an edge on the performance and capacity side, but Sprint has a ton of spectrum and capacity that it should not be any problems. Qchat I think will be different then the dual mode devices because Sprint obviously has a wide area with the DO and they do not have to overlap any network.

Do you think the QChat phones will have cellular roaming? I think if they don't, and it's PCS roaming only, the devices, as a product line, will flop.

Just my $.02.

Well, remember Qchat will have REV A so if they are going to do cellular roaming it needs to be with a company that has REV A on its network already. I doubt that would happen, but it could. Verizon obviously isn’t sharing (could though if it purchases and has enough spectrum to do so), but Alltel and Sprint already have a DO deal so that might expand. The devices won’t flop either way, especially if the devices are good and it is marketed right. They should be a lot more successful with Qchat than with the Dual Modes. The good thing is that it will be on the REV A network, which is obviously expanding both coverage wise and capacity wise so we shouldn’t see any problems along those lines. Moreover, people love the REV O/A networks (it is e...
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I'm not as concerned whether or not the QChat phones will have high-speed roaming as I am that they have VOICE roaming. Let's face it, digital cellular roaming similar to what is offered on regular PCS phones would be a big plus, because most of us can do without the extras while outside our coverage area, we don't want to do without phone service altogether.

Even though I totally understand why the hybrid phones are PCS and iDEN only, had it been possible to have the cellular roaming included, it would have been a big plus.

After all, does anyone really want to have less coverage, or more?

Roaming is always a plus but since Qchat is a proprietary solution to Sprint it is tough to give even close to access to that technology. It is the same situation with the dual mode phones. If you aren’t in a good area with those dual mode phones then don’t get it. If you are not in a good area with REV A then Qchat isn’t for you. Sprint and other companies don’t cater to everyone they just cater to a certain demographics.

Again, cellular roaming with those dual modes would have been bad for the phone in many ways. RF performance, costs, and battery life. Moreover, that is targeting different demographics. As in the customers who are in the range or coverage area and who are Nextel customers.

People want to have more coverage obvious...
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If the QChat phones are all CDMA, then surely cellular voice roaming shouldn't be a problem. Why would it be more of a problem on a PTT Rev A phone as opposed to a regular PCS phone with Rev A? Presumably, the regular PCS phones will have cellular roaming, just as their powervision phones (except ic902) do now.

Again, I get why the hybrids don't, but an all-CDMA phone shouldn't have the same RF issues and battery life problems the dual network hybrids do. Sprint doesn't seem to have a problem making money on the Powervision phones, while giving the customer enhanced roaming to boot.

Qchat runs on CDMA but on REV A data network. Without that network it won’t work. So even if there is roaming it would have to be with REV A attached to be able to use that Qchat solution. If there were cellular roaming, then obviously they would be able to use the voice but not that Qchat solution, as it needs to be on REV A. I think you are misunderstanding how Qchat actually works and what it needs. More importantly, there would be billing issues that would take place and Sprint would never allow Verizon or any other company to use their own proprietary solution.

Well, as you know with cellular roaming in general there would be more PAs and radios installed in that baseband so that means three things; 1. The battery life would be hor...
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I understand that without the Rev A data network, QChat won't work, but my point is that there needs to be cellular roaming for regular VOICE communications. In other words, these phones need to provide the same coverage a regular PCS phone does for VOICE so that at least one can make and receive regular telephone calls while out of network coverage.

Well cellular for voice is different, but again the economics of the situation is needed in order to adopt such a roaming offering.

nextel18 said:
Well cellular for voice is different, but again the economics of the situation is needed in order to adopt such a roaming offering.

Do you think that a PTT feature on a phone adds a lot of $$$ to the equation? Just wondering, because I know that text messaging is considered a premium service, usually adding anywhere from 5 to 20 bucks extra to a rate plan.

I've noticed, too that ALL Nextel phones are not only pricier than their PCS counterparts, but adding additional lines is more expensive too($20 for Nextel vs. $10 for Sprint), and free M2M is included at no extra charge for Sprint, but $5.00 per line on Nextel.

I may have just answered my own question, because my guess is that Sprint would eventually like to adopt a uniform pricing system for both Nextel and Sprint, thus allowing to mix and match plans and services.

If Sprint makes a QChat phone that is also capable of digital cellular AND PCS roaming (analog being out of the picture completely by that time), then they would have to probably go back to Nextel's old pricing they had before the merger (which was HORRIBLE, to say the least!).

Plus, there would be no incentive for folks to buy just regular PCS phones, if you had the same coverage and paid the same amount for either. Even if you weren't that interested in PTT, if it was included, why not get it?

Kinda like getting free web ser...
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Well, Nextel’s pricing is not bad; it is just towards different demographics that actually pay their bills and for their services. It is expensive to deploy certain functionality into the network so they will look at whether to put Qchat in all devices. Remember, it has to be REV A to be able to do so. Some of the devices are still REV O or even 1x. Nextel was so successful because Direct Connect was on all of its phones.

Nextel pricing isn't bad NOW, but a few short years ago, they were the highest in the industry. When Verizon was first offering "IN", with free long distance and free roaming and free nights and weekends, and Cingular and T-Mobile had similar offerings, Nextel was still charging 50 bucks a month for a basic plan with unlimited DC. Then, if you wanted the DC to be nationwide, that was another 10 bucks, making the grand total, for a basic plan, $60. Free M2M? F'get 'bout it!

Although I do miss the old Nextel in many ways, I don't miss what they use to charge. I just hope, again, the QChat phones WILL have digital cellular roaming for voice. A phone like that would be a homerun!

I guess we'll have to wait and see, though.

Since they cater to a different type of demographic both in the prepaid and post paid markets against their competitors, Nextel can offer those price points now and back then. That is why their ARPU for both prepaid and postpaid is/was the highest in the industry.

I thought Nextel was high priced back then. Now, you can get 450 daytime minutes, unlimited N&W starting at 7 p.m., unlimited NW DC, VM , caller I.D. & LD, for $39.99 per month.

Back then, the same plan had your N&W minutes starting at 9 p.m., 250 local DC minutes, 400 daytime minutes, $2 extra for VM and caller I.D. and $10 extra for unlimited nationwide DC, so the total for LESS minutes was $52.00 vs. $39.99 today. Really, more like $60.00 if you wanted more than 400 minutes.

I don't miss the old prices, at all. Sprint's reputation and poor execution of the merger and combined company has tarnished Nextel's image, but for those of us who are customers from back then, it's much better, with more choices for less money.

I actually didn’t mind that the prices were high for Nextel because you pay for what you get and they had a premium service that differentiates them from the pack. Businesses don’t mind of paying the high costs, but consumers do. Actually, the later changed when their prepaid model Boost came into the frame because their ARPU is the highest in the prepaid industry and only $15 from postpaid.

Of course. The addition of any functionality is expensive either on the device or on the network itself. Nextel’s price points are high because of a number of factors. Customers are paying that high for their services and it is very expensive to run their networks based on the capacity issues they are having.

Of course, all carriers have that issue but I am just saying in the places where I have been, I have not had any issue with my Sprint and my Nextel devices. Maybe I have a dedicated tower on my car? Now obviously with the transition the company needs to do a better job with putting out more coverage and capacity in the areas in which they want to do that transition. It is very important to offer now high quality products because if they do not, there would be in some kind of trouble going into the future. perhaps it wasn’t a big deal that they were not gaining as much subscribers earlier but now is when the A+ work and execution need to play especially when it comes to the data and voice markets. Now is more crucial than anything especially ...
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i hate to disagree with you seeing as u have very valid points on this issue. But if u rehire all nextel employees back and have sprint train them with their customer care style then ur going to have the same issue. Customer care is only as good as the rep and the rep is only as good as the one who trains him.

Well, it is Sprint’s issue not Nextel’s so what I was suggesting that Nextel ex-employees would be re-hired and then get rid of every single Sprint CSR there is. I don’t think they would need to train because that Nextel CSR would already be familiar with the system. It isn’t that different especially since they are forming one billing system. If there needs to be training the Nextel side of things would be doing the training not Sprint’s.

I think it is just a bad correlation to put that Sprint and Nextel merged caused coverage issues. It should be a 180-degree statement because when Sprint and Nextel merged, it allowed for co-location of towers, which adds to the coverage and capacity not reducing.

How much overlap is there right now? The coverage maps on their website aren't always accurate. In other words, I'm finding I have PCS coverage in, supposedly, only iDEN areas.

The overlap is around 80% and rising.

Coverage maps for all carriers are suspect. The most important and crucial determination is to use their test trials to see if the coverage map is good or not. That is why these carriers have those test promotions.

Thanks! 🙂