Nexus 5 on Sprint Network - Nexus 5 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Can someone confirm if you could receive a Spark signal from Sprint? I am in Chicago area under Spark coverage but my nexus 5 still running on 4G LTE band 25 even I set priority to band 41. I called Sprint and I was told that I need to wait for update from Google to be able to get Nexus 5 work with Sprint Spark. is it true while Sprint is selling Nexus 5 on their site? I am thinking about returning the phone back to Google.

I am in NYC which also has Spark and I don't get those speeds or bands either. I have enabled them in the phone but always connect to the stadard band.
From what I read about Spark, there is a "Spark" network icon similar to LTE on devices that support it when they are on Spark. So it looks like we will need an update for this to work even though we have enabled the bands. Sprint has said that the Nexus 5 and LG G2 will get the update for Spark in 2014, lets just hope they mean January....

Thanks. Will wait to have another try before leaving Sprint.I hope Sprint spark is faster than T-mobile HPSA+.

There is Sprint LTE in my area, but my Nexus will not connect.
However, if I enable LTE-Only mode via the dialer menu:
*#*#4636#*#*
Then it connects to LTE.
I believe this is related to the issue described here: http://s4gru.com/index.php?/blog/1/...-due-to-circuit-switched-fallback-technology/
The Nexus 5 only has a single shared LTE/CDMA radio... So if the Sprint LTE tower doesn't support the new CDMA fallback (or if it's not enabled) then your N5 will ignore the LTE signal.
So you can try forcing LTE to make sure it works, but doing so will cut off your SMS/MMS/Voice access.
At least until the fallback is working properly in your area.

It's two fold. The firmware on the LG G2 and Nexus 5 is incredibly picky if you do by chance get a B41 connection. If it even sniffs a B25 connection then you will absolutely not get the B41 even if it's stronger. On the other hand, if you do get a B41 connection you need to keep an active data session or it'll boot you off in a few seconds. There is also ==the eCSFB issues that affect all sprint spark devices.
The second thing is that the Clearwire network (aka spark network) is very unpredictable. Some sites that are confirmed and known to be live for Band 41 refuses to allow connections from cell devices but allows hotspots while others allow certain cell devices and some all devices. YMMV.

Related

T-mobile LTE N4 vs N5

I just helped my son install the hybrid modem for his Nexus 4 and set up the T-mobile APN for it. I was about to tell him that he would have to go somewhere else to test it since I never get LTE at home, and then boom, the 4G icon shows up on his phone! I checked Network Signal Info and sure enough, it's got an LTE connection with about 6Mbps transfer rate. Sitting right next to him my N5 has only 3G with occasional switches up to HSPA and back, and a very low transfer rate. What gives? I am able to get LTE on the N5 in other areas of town and it works wonderfully, but around my home it is very weak and almost never runs in LTE mode.
Could it be that the N4 is connecting on a different LTE band? If so, why is the N5 not using that band as well? Is there something that can be done for the N5 to tweak it to improve its LTE reception or how it chooses how to connect to available LTE signals?
Both N4 and N5 have 1700 band so it should get perfect HSDPA.
It might be the towers in your area are busy or the signal is weak.
I use straight talk t-mobil and I get HSDPA around 15Mbps and my friend get a little more on LTE here in chicagoland.
Also for people on Straight talk if you want to get LTE att version you need to get a new simcard and change APN and for t-mobil
just get a new simcard and boom you get LTE.
Idk if I'd worry about it. In most places the HSDPA speeds for T-Mobile are the same or better than the LTE speeds you would get. I'm in the far north chicago suburbs and I get LTE and HSDPA downloads at 25mbps. The LTE coverage is still a bit spotty. Its probably only worth it if I you're in a developed urban area. However it is a bit strange that you guys have the same hardware, service and location but different connections. The only thing I can think of is that I've seen some people instruct to setup the apn as fast.tmobile.com. however mine only worked with fast.T-Mobile.com (with the dash). I would also check to confirm that your phone is set to lte preferred (LTE/gsm) and not gsm priority. Those are the only things I can think that I can think of. Hope it helps.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
gorilla p said:
Idk if I'd worry about it. In most places the HSDPA speeds for T-Mobile are the same or better than the LTE speeds you would get. I'm in the far north chicago suburbs and I get LTE and HSDPA downloads at 25mbps. The LTE coverage is still a bit spotty. Its probably only worth it if I you're in a developed urban area. However it is a bit strange that you guys have the same hardware, service and location but different connections. The only thing I can think of is that I've seen some people instruct to setup the apn as fast.tmobile.com. however mine only worked with fast.T-Mobile.com (with the dash). I would also check to confirm that your phone is set to lte preferred (LTE/gsm) and not gsm priority. Those are the only things I can think that I can think of. Hope it helps.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
T-Mobile 4G LTE will properly works on fast.t-mobile.com, fast.tmobile.com is not the proper APN (the - matters)
There are just way too many variables. Maybe his modem has better reception, newer sim card, etc.
RobinD42 said:
I just helped my son install the hybrid modem for his Nexus 4 and set up the T-mobile APN for it. I was about to tell him that he would have to go somewhere else to test it since I never get LTE at home, and then boom, the 4G icon shows up on his phone! I checked Network Signal Info and sure enough, it's got an LTE connection with about 6Mbps transfer rate. Sitting right next to him my N5 has only 3G with occasional switches up to HSPA and back, and a very low transfer rate. What gives? I am able to get LTE on the N5 in other areas of town and it works wonderfully, but around my home it is very weak and almost never runs in LTE mode.
Could it be that the N4 is connecting on a different LTE band? If so, why is the N5 not using that band as well? Is there something that can be done for the N5 to tweak it to improve its LTE reception or how it chooses how to connect to available LTE signals?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Fwiw there are other threads where people have reported that the N4 picks up LTE in the same place that an N5 does not. So you are not alone. N4 may have a stronger radio. That would be unfortunate... Never good to see a step backwards on something as important as that.
Sent from my Nexus 5
Good news everyone! I too has having this problem. My Nexus 4 was an LTE champ and then it was a huge let down that my Nexus 5 was treating LTE like it had cooties, but now my Nexus 5 works the way it should. What I did was go to my nearest T-Mobile store and told the representative what was happening. He called tech support and they ended up doing some sort of reset to my account. I also had questions about my SIM card and felt that it could have been at fault. He offered to switch it out to the new ISIS SIM and as soon as my phone booted up, it was on LTE. Since then, it has behaved like my Nexus 4. I am even in my office where the Nexus 5 wasn't picking up LTE, but my Nexus 4 was, and it is on LTE at the moment.
I am not sure if the reset that tech support did solved the problem or the new SIM, but I would definately give that a try--it didn't cost me anything and now I am happy with my Nexus 5. Good luck!
In my experience my N4 has slightly better signal pickup than my N5.
The real reason is probably differences in the radios' priority algorithms. Set your N5 to LTE-only and see what happens, I imagine you'll get LTE.
dijit4l said:
I am not sure if the reset that tech support did solved the problem or the new SIM, but I would definately give that a try--it didn't cost me anything and now I am happy with my Nexus 5. Good luck!
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Did you not get LTE at all, or really poor LTE signal/speed?
tcristy said:
Did you not get LTE at all, or really poor LTE signal/speed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would get LTE eventually only to lose it when it reached 2 bars or lower. It was really weird. I would be in areas where one would get 5 bars of LTE and the phone would sit on HSPA until I would show the phone it was on LTE by switching to LTE Only under the secret dialer menu and then back to GSM/LTE (if you use LTE only, you will lose voice). Then it would hold LTE until it reached 1-2 bars and then go back to HSPA.
I hope this helps.
I am seeing strange readings of signal strength. I see a 10+ db difference between what is reported in the phone status and an app like rootmetrics.
I don't know which one is misrepresenting the signal strength but it seems the roometrics is more accurate because my nexus 4 the signal strength is roughly the same on lte.
Can anyone else confirm?
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

[Q] Verizon phone on ATT network questions

I have a Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini from Verizon (Model SCH-I435). My boss gave it to me since I needed a new phone and to my surprise, it was unlocked and I was able to get it working with ATT. My only problem so far is that the data speeds are not what I was expecting. I only get 2mbits/s when compared to my company phone (which is verizon) gets 10mbits/s. My thought was that the phone could did not support ATT's 4g/LTE network but from all my research, it looks like it should. When testing the speed or using data, it shows shows "H+" at the top of the screen.
Here is a list of supported networks from Samsung's website for the SCH-I435
Frequencies and Data Type Digital (CDMA/PCS)/1x, EVDO Rev A; Global(GPRS/EDGE/GSM(850/900/1800/1900); HSPA/UMTS(850/900/1900/2100), LTE (Band 13, Band 4)
Judging from wikipedia, Att uses band 4 and it says the phone supports band 4 so I do not get why it is not going faster. Any help would be appreciated.
You need to have LTE enabled in your AT&T account otherwise it won't let you connect with the LTE APN settings (you'll need to make sure you have the LTE APN in the phone as well).

LTE and Verizon

Has anyone with a Verizon data sim try and drop it into the LTE model yet?
Curious if it picks up a data signal.
Hitman3984 said:
Has anyone with a Verizon data sim try and drop it into the LTE model yet?
Curious if it picks up a data signal.
Click to expand...
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I've not tried it, but I read that the modem does not support the Verizon LTE bands.
cam30era said:
I've not tried it, but I read that the modem does not support the Verizon LTE bands.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
was worth a shot
Hitman3984 said:
was worth a shot
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Click to collapse
When I scanned for networks while playing around, I noticed that it did find the Verizon (4G) network. Obviously, I have no idea if it works as I'm on T-Mobile, but I thought I'd let you know.
mikeyadon said:
When I scanned for networks while playing around, I noticed that it did find the Verizon (4G) network. Obviously, I have no idea if it works as I'm on T-Mobile, but I thought I'd let you know.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Looking at the specs it "APPEARS" two supported bands are there? The whole thing is annoying honestly, especially when Verizon won't allow an actual activation so you need an active data sim to try.
Confirmed
Verizon sim card does not work. Just got mine today, popped in my Verizon card from my note 2 and it doesn't even recognize the carrier.
A network scan (for my area) only shows at&t and t-mobile.
First the nexus 5 and now this. It's really starting to such to be on Verizon ...
It would only support AWS LTE on Verizon (what they call XLTE). It doesn't support Verizon's primary LTE band, which is Band 13. And AFAIK Verizon hasn't deployed LTE on PCS.
AFAIK there are three makes of the shield tablet
npaladin2000 said:
It would only support AWS LTE on Verizon (what they call XLTE). It doesn't support Verizon's primary LTE band, which is Band 13. And AFAIK Verizon hasn't deployed LTE on PCS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
May want to check this out just got it from the shield tablet site - just putting this here so anyone who finds this thread also finds the relevant data
There are three versions of SHIELD tablet LTE. There is a North American version that works on AT&T, T-Mobile and Rogers on LTE bands 2, 4, 5, 7, and 17 and HSPA bands 1, 2, 4, 5.
There is a second International version that works on popular European and Asian networks. It supports LTE bands 3, 7, 20 and HSPA+ bands 1, 2, 5, 8.
Check with your favorite store/carrier to verify coverage in your area and as to what device variant you'll ACTUALLY be getting
That being said Verizon uses these bands AFAIK 13(700 MHz Block C) and 4(1700/2100 MHz AWS) for LTE(XLTE for the latter) and 0 and 1 for 3G (1xRTT/EV-DO/eHRPD) - so the only chance of using it is on band 4 - and that will only happen if the devices radio can use the AWS network which i suppose is possible AND the tower in your area having XLTE support - will just need to see - guess i wont know till i get it since they have XLTE in my town, or it could have a snowballs chance in heck or only work after a soft update..ill post an update on what happens
CodieRae said:
May want to check this out just got it from the shield tablet site - just putting this here so anyone who finds this thread also finds the relevant data
There are three versions of SHIELD tablet LTE. There is a North American version that works on AT&T, T-Mobile and Rogers on LTE bands 2, 4, 5, 7, and 17 and HSPA bands 1, 2, 4, 5.
There is a second International version that works on popular European and Asian networks. It supports LTE bands 3, 7, 20 and HSPA+ bands 1, 2, 5, 8.
Check with your favorite store/carrier to verify coverage in your area and as to what device variant you'll ACTUALLY be getting
That being said Verizon uses these bands AFAIK 13(700 MHz Block C) and 4(1700/2100 MHz AWS) for LTE(XLTE for the latter) and 0 and 1 for 3G (1xRTT/EV-DO/eHRPD) - so the only chance of using it is on band 4 - and that will only happen if the devices radio can use the AWS network which i suppose is possible AND the tower in your area having XLTE support - will just need to see - guess i wont know till i get it since they have XLTE in my town, or it could have a snowballs chance in heck or only work after a soft update..ill post an update on what happens
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you have any luck with Verizon?
Sent from my LG-VS985 using Tapatalk
Did you have any luck with Verizon? I'm thinking about purchasing one.

I need assistance with LTE Radio

Hi, I have a 64gb OPO in USA on Straight Talk, using AT&T network. For some reason I'm not able to get an LTE signal in Burlington, Vermont area despite LTE service being available locally. As soon as I cross into New York, New Jersey, or other states I can and do receive LTE signal, so I know my device and Sim card are capable. Others have told me AT&T uses an unconventional LTE band in this area because they took over another carrier called Unicel. What I need help determining is what band they use locally and subsequently which radio I need to flash to get LTE on that band. Currently my battery drains fast constantly switching from hspa to hspa+, yet doesn't do so in other cities and states. Any help, and links are greatly appreciated.
The OPO hardware LTE bands are: 1, 3, 4, 7, 17, 38 and 40. ATT US uses bands: 2, 4, 5, 17. So, if your ATT LTE signal is on 2 or 5 you won't get LTE in that area on your OPO. The bands are a hardware limitation of the OPO and can't be unlocked, as some people have tried in this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=56577252&postcount=455.

Note 5 on Canadian GSM network

I am in Canada on Rogers/Fido network. I bought a Sprint note 5, it works OK in my house but loses signals at various other locations. is there any way this could be fixed?
Short answer: nope.
Longer answer: You probably already know that the N920P supports only some of the LTE bands in use in Canada, specifically for Fido/Rogers it's only one of them. In practice, having used both an N920P and a N920W8 on Fido, while the W8 shows a way better signal most of the time, when the cell is congested it doesn't really feel any different. I don't know why this is exactly, but as an example - on the train platforms in Union Station, the Sprint phone would show no connection/poor connection and the Canadian phone would show a good connection. On either phone, transfer speeds are reduced to a trickle.
P.S. if you don't already have it, Package Disabler Pro can get rid of the stupid Sprint activation screen every time you power cycle the phone

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