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4G LTE coverage

I have a Sprint HTC Evo that I unfortunately am still paying for an additional 20 days, so I thought I'd report about my experiences with Sprint and Verizon 4G networks.
Of course, Sprint uses a 2.5GHz frequency and Verizon uses 800mhz or so. First of all, this makes a huge difference, with Sprint being forced to map out "best" supposedly indoor 4g coverage and other outdoor 4g coverage separately. The higher frequency sprint uses is very poor to penetrate building walls and other obstructions.
I live right in the city of Chicago and 4g on Sprint is a joke. Their coverage map shows coverage where it doesn't exist, you can fall out of 4g suddenly, and its just not that fast. Yes there are some places where it's fast (close to towers) but it is far from reliable.
I am very impressed with Verizon 4g coverage already. I know it isn't in very many markets yet, but they really seem to be getting it right in the markets they decide to cover. Drove 20 miles out to the Chicago suburbs for work this morning, and had a 4g signal the whole time.
Sprint (and T-Mobile/ATT with their 3.5G) can unveil all the fancy new phones they want, but I would never go back to their awful network. Having a smartphone on Sprint is like driving a lamborghini on city streets. I'd rather take mine out on the highway.
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4G LTE in the San Francisco Bay Area

Hey all.
How's the 4G coverage in the SF Bay Area, specifically in the BART subway system in downtown San Francisco and in the transbay tube (underwater tunnel)?
I ask because a few years ago they wired the subway and Verizon gets a good 3G signal underground now, so I am wondering if they wired it for LTE also? If you commute through this area and have a TBolt or VZW data card, do you get LTE in these areas?
I'm considering a TBolt and I work in downtown SF and commute via BART, so that's why I am asking. Thanks.

im in the same boat as you. in the city in buildings 4g coverage is excellent. In the tunnels you will get only 3g. I am suprised at how good the coverage is in the east bay. I have 4g all around, in valleys and pretty much everywhere (excepy my house which has no signal ever
anyway, no 4g in tunnels.

4G work EVERYWHERE I've been in the bay area. I been in East Bay, San Bruno, San Fran, Palo Alto, San Jose, etc. Only issue is that 4G sucks battery fast. I've disabled it and run 3G to get all day battery life.

VZ's 4G coverage in the Bay Area seriously rocks. I get coverage EVERYWHERE!! all the dead spots i had with AT&T are gone.
Been to South Bay, East Bay and SF. never lost 4G even once and building penetration is very good.

clubtech said:
VZ's 4G coverage in the Bay Area seriously rocks. I get coverage EVERYWHERE!! all the dead spots i had with AT&T are gone.
Been to South Bay, East Bay and SF. never lost 4G even once and building penetration is very good.
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Looks like someone needs to update their profile

4G LTE Coverage Map

Hey all,
I'm sharing the link from Verizon's website of their 3G/4G Coverage Map. You can see how close 4G is to you, way more specifically than a city only.
For instance, Memphis does not have LTE officially but there are areas in the south part of the area (Germantown/Collierville) that do have LTE. I've confirmed this myself.
So if you have not experienced LTE and/or it's expected in your area soon, you can search by address and see exactly how close it is to you.
This is straight from the horse's (VZW) mouth, no bull or speculation.
http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/CoverageLocatorController?requesttype=NEWREQUEST&lid=//global//coverage%20locator

I am at least several miles inside the 4G area in the Oklahoma City area, yet I only get a weak 3G signal. I need to get yet another mile into the area indicated for 4G coverage in order to pull in a 4G signal. I mention this because the maps on the Verizon Wireless website probably imply more specificity than they should. I'm sure they use some detailed GIS (DEM, etc.), but by being able to zoom in so far, it implies that there's a level of certainty in their coverage. My own anecdotal evidence indicates that this is not the case. YMMV, of course.

2125_User said:
I am at least several miles inside the 4G area in the Oklahoma City area, yet I only get a weak 3G signal. I need to get yet another mile into the area indicated for 4G coverage in order to pull in a 4G signal. I mention this because the maps on the Verizon Wireless website probably imply more specificity than they should. I'm sure they use some detailed GIS (DEM, etc.), but by being able to zoom in so far, it implies that there's a level of certainty in their coverage. My own anecdotal evidence indicates that this is not the case. YMMV, of course.
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Well as with any coverage, just because you're in a salmon colored area on the map, doesn't mean LTE is guaranteed. I'm no network engineer but that's my guess.
If OKC is a LTE city, I'd call Verizon and ask them. If not, I'd wait it out and stick to 3G until it's official or turns on at your house.
The maps aren't an exact science but should suppress some people's neediness to know when they'll have it in there area.

Just from what others have said in the past versus what verizon says is that what verizon says has LTE may or may not in reality have LTE
I live in an "LTE area" by verizon's map, but in reality it's more like "LTE extended" where LTE likes to drop in and out whenever it feels like.

Map is wrong by me
I live in San Diego and the 4G coverage map on VZW isn't even close, like showing no coverage within 15 miles but I get 4G. There is also my thought that they are currently testing/opening up the 4G signal so they probably know it isn't worth being accurate with that map, and could care less about that being accurate. Their consistency with the new LTE has been shoddy so far anyway..... I also get the terrible 3G in my room, but down the street is cranking the LTE signal. I suspect karma??

I live in an "extended 4G LTE" area and have never gotten 4G. I have to drive a good 5 miles inside the map's 4G coverage area to get a LTE. The map is not reliable, and pretty much useless IMO.

karmajack said:
I live in an "extended 4G LTE" area and have never gotten 4G. I have to drive a good 5 miles inside the map's 4G coverage area to get a LTE. The map is not reliable, and pretty much useless IMO.
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Sounds like a problem for Verizon.
But I appreciate your positive opinion.
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karmajack said:
I live in an "extended 4G LTE" area and have never gotten 4G. I have to drive a good 5 miles inside the map's 4G coverage area to get a LTE. The map is not reliable, and pretty much useless IMO.
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a vzw tech actually told me Verizon doesn't even go by those maps, they have their own internal ones, and he then went on to say something about satellites and coverage, I have no clue. but basically he said they aren't accurate and it doesn't really matter if it says you have 4G or not because of the little disclaimer the coverage maps have.

Its nice to see Verizon posting their best attempt at where their 4G signal can/may/does reach. Thanks for the link OP!
On a very quick side note.... Verizon's 3G map really bothers me, as it doesn't show a clear comparison where signal may be poor. It only says Yes or No you won't have signal, where "Yes" may be.... "Sure, you'll get signal here, but you need to be on the roof of your house jumping on one foot.... but thats only on the second tuesday of the month".... like at my house. I like Sprint/AT&T/T-Mobile's coverage maps because they show the different levels of signal available.

That map is bs unless its 3g and 4g because I live in tallahassee, Florida and rarely get 4g. The main place I get 4g is my home where I don't need it but that map says tallahassee is completely covered which is bullsh!t

I travel pretty extensively in the northeast and the map does rough justice to 4G availability but there is certainly variance depending on location.

OKC, OK LTE 30mbps down.

4g out in houston
ugh having 4g issues in houston

booda3000 said:
OKC, OK LTE 30mbps down.
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Wow! That's blistering fast. Wish that was normal speed. Lol
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Being a radio engineer for almost 10 years I can tell you those maps are more than likely just computer generated estimates of ranges given certain perameters, they usually don't take into account natural and unnatural obstructions, atmospheric density or humidity concentrations which can effect signal strength. I would be surprised if the vzw techs even go by those maps
CanesDrew said:
Well as with any coverage, just because you're in a salmon colored area on the map, doesn't mean LTE is guaranteed. I'm no network engineer but that's my guess.
If OKC is a LTE city, I'd call Verizon and ask them. If not, I'd wait it out and stick to 3G until it's official or turns on at your house.
The maps aren't an exact science but should suppress some people's neediness to know when they'll have it in there area.
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Yeah this map says I should be getting 4G at my house and all around my area, but I only get a weak 1-2 bar 3G signal. I have to travel 8+ miles to get 4G.

it's funny, i'm in north San Diego county and do not have 4G. Verizon did a service update on the 21st adding a few cities around me to 4G coverage yet here by the beach, no 4G.
even more, for awhile i lived in this tiny town on the Oregon coast(Lincoln City) and from Verizon's coverage map it looks like they have 4G there now. wtf !!!!
i called Verizon asking when 4G will be available here and they just told me they have no idea that their technicians who work on the towers are the only ones with the work plans and do not communicate with them. sure!
so basically had a 4G phone for nearly 6 months now and still no 4G. and to think, Verizon's been making such a big deal about 4G in stores, commercial, billboards, etc all around this area for some time now to.
i think the saddest part is for the new people who no longer get unlimited data and once they are on 4G they'll go over their data in like a a day or 2.

finally have 4G coverage here (even though Verizon says otherwise)

i seem to finally be receiving 4G coverage here in San Diego (north county coastal). speeds are no where near as impressive as the 4G they have in downtown San Diego though.
in downtown SD was able to download a 700MB file in about 5 minutes. here in the N.C. coastal area it takes about 20 minutes. still, better then the 1 1/2 - 2 hours it took on 3G.
weird thing though, according to the verizon 4g coverage map on verizon's website, it still says that there is no 4G in my area yet + i was at a verizon store earlier and the 4G phones they have on display still say 3G.
does it have something to do with updating to the new radio(possibly being able to pick up a 4G that isn't officially turned on in this area yet?) i'm also on a sense 3.5 rom.

voxigenboy said:
i seem to finally be receiving 4G coverage here in San Diego (north county coastal). speeds are no where near as impressive as the 4G they have in downtown San Diego though.
in downtown SD was able to download a 700MB file in about 5 minutes. here in the N.C. coastal area it takes about 20 minutes. still, better then the 1 1/2 - 2 hours it took on 3G.
weird thing though, according to the verizon 4g coverage map on verizon's website, it still says that there is no 4G in my area yet + i was at a verizon store earlier and the 4G phones they have on display still say 3G.
does it have something to do with updating to the new radio(possibly being able to pick up a 4G that isn't officially turned on in this area yet?) i'm also on a sense 3.5 rom.
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The radio might have something to do with it, but there's no way to know for sure. It's kinda pokey in the beginning.

Where in north county? In Oceanside and no 4g yet.

Odds are, they're simply turning it on tower by tower or possibly just testing it. Until it's fully up and running, do NOT expect VZW to say they have 4G in your area or update their online maps.
Should they run radio ads saying "Enjoy amazing 4G speeds on Verizon's network, but only in voxigenboy's general area" ?

antiseen said:
Where in north county? In Oceanside and no 4g yet.
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I'm in Carlsbad (92008) but also tested in Oceanside (92054). 4G all the way.
the radio I'm using is that newer 9## one.. its not the MR 3.5
there was a link to it in that sense 3.5 look-a-like rom thread.
oddly enough, even though Oceanside is closer to the towers I've been getting a stronger signal in Carlsbad. for instance, that Angelo's Burgers in South O, I used to get full 3G reception there.. now on 4G the signal there sucks.
then the Carlsbad library on CVB, it used to have a ****ty 3G signal... now the 4G there is very strong.

Weird, I'm on the fringe of Oceanside but I haven't noticed 4g anywhere i've been. Even downtown. Seen it in some parts of Carlsbad but haven't been around there too recently.

4g seems weird. I am in a strong 4g area but do not get it at my house but do at the station about 2 miles down the road I do.

hallstevenson said:
Odds are, they're simply turning it on tower by tower or possibly just testing it. Until it's fully up and running, do NOT expect VZW to say they have 4G in your area or update their online maps.
Should they run radio ads saying "Enjoy amazing 4G speeds on Verizon's network, but only in voxigenboy's general area" ?
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^What he said. 4G came and went for about 3 weeks in Indy before it was officially here.

Im disappointed, I live about 45 mins outside of Savannah Georgia, and still no LTE... Only place I pick it up is when I head to Jacksonville/St Augustine area... ISO my LTE

still no LTE
There's still no LTE in 92056, 92058, 92057 or anywhere else in Oceanside. Maybe they were just testing it. Vista, Fallbrook and Camp Pendleton still dont have it either. I noticed that Verizon recently lit up all of Riverside County west of the mountains but it seems like they are doing a poor job in San Diego. They are adding one or two cities at a time. Hopefully, that Riverside County crew will move into our area and show the lazy San Diego Verizon workers how to upgrade a network.

You guys are complaining I am in NJ in the state of Verizon's headquters and we have up north and heading toward phillips that's it and in every time they turn on more radios never do they mention NJ so I am thinking 2013
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LTE in the San Fernando Valley?

Anyone have an idea when LTE will be available in the San Fernando Valley? I don't understand how AT&T could ignore two-thirds of the City of Los Angeles?
On HSPA+ I'm getting about 5-6 Mbps down and 1 Mbps up. But part of the joy of owning a One X is its LTE capabilities.

It's weird that Verizon did the SFV with their LTE rollout, but AT&T ignored it. I think if you head south to ventura blvd/405 area, there is LTE.

I asked this question as I live here too. They said since they have 50ish towers out here they're doing them all and don't expect it done Until the end if the year.
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soapbubble said:
I asked this question as I live here too. They said since they have 50ish towers out here they're doing them all and don't expect it done Until the end if the year.
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Well, it's about the end of the year and no hint of LTE in The Valley. Usually you hear people mention brief spottings of LTE service as the towers are tested before the official launch. In Santa Clarita, I saw Verizon LTE service full time for two weeks before VZW announced it as officially available.
mbaran said:
It's weird that Verizon did the SFV with their LTE rollout, but AT&T ignored it. I think if you head south to ventura blvd/405 area, there is LTE.
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There is no LTE service anywhere north of Sunset Blvd, according to their coverage maps.
S8B said:
Anyone have an idea when LTE will be available in the San Fernando Valley? I don't understand how AT&T could ignore two-thirds of the City of Los Angeles?
On HSPA+ I'm getting about 5-6 Mbps down and 1 Mbps up. But part of the joy of owning a One X is its LTE capabilities.
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The Valley's less than half of the actual city's population these days. Either way, they may be ignoring the ~1.75 million residents of The Valley, but when you consider the ~13 million in the LA/OC county areas, most of which are covered now, AT&T's proudly calling LA an LTE city and not in any rush to finish up it seems.
On the brighter side, I've seen reports (and photos) of new LTE compatible panels on AT&T towers near Balboa & the I5, and even up in Santa Clarita near Lyons and the I5. There's also a completely new tower someone's thrown up at Devonshire/Reseda, hopefully it's AT&T LTE.

LTE in the San Fernando Valley
LTE is finally rolling out in the San Fernando Valley.
I was in North Hollywood, Reseda, Sherman Oaks, Tarzana, and Encino last night and all these places were covered in LTE. Signal strength was great and download speeds are amazingly fast. I live in Sherman Oaks and I'm seeing speeds as high as 30 Mbps down and 10 Mbps up in my home. I was seeing 5 down in NoHo, but that may have only been because I caught the beginning of the rollout in my area. Very exciting.
Note: I have a friend that lives in Northridge that claims she did not see LTE out in that area.