[KillerFurby]

I was hoping there would be a Sprint smartphone user in the Des Moines area, who could tell me what kind of 3G data speeds they currently get (since 4G isn't available, save for a couple tiny spots.) Thank you!

[sfhub]

I don't know what the 3G speeds are, but you should also look at the coverage map here (make sure you zoom in or it won't be granular enough to see coverage holes):
http://coverage.sprint.com/IMPACT.jsp

If you have a phone like Evo 3D or Shift, expect to be roaming where the map says Fair (when you zoom in). Something like the Photon, might be able to get native signal in those areas.

If you end up roaming it will be with US Cellular and I believe roaming is 1x only in Des Moine, but might be wrong on that. 1x Roaming data will probably be around 125k, possibly 250k.

[KillerFurby]

Everywhere I will be is dark orange, so not roaming.

EDIT: Oh, and you were looking at the voice coverage map?

[sfhub]

Originally Posted by KillerFurby

Everywhere I will be is dark orange, so not roaming.

EDIT: Oh, and you were looking at the voice coverage map?

I'm saying ignore the data coverage map. It doesn't provide signal-level granularity. It assumes all signal levels (even 1 bar) are "on network".

If the voice coverage says "fair", then you have a good chance to be roaming for both voice and data (they are usually the same tower), or even worse, getting stuck with just enough signal where your phone won't roam, but also not enough signal to have a stable connection. Sprint took away the force roam option on most phones so being stuck in this limbo state is a possibility. On some phones you can add the capability back.

Basically if there is a good chance you'd be roaming based on the voice map (which includes signal levels), your data will likely also be roaming.

Also the phone you get makes a difference. Evo 3D and Evo Shift are not as good with signal. Fair signal on the map is equivalent to poor signal for those phones.

The way to use the data map is to say "*If* I got signal in an area, would it be 3g or 1x" For the question of whether you would get signal look at the voice coverage map and be careful in areas where it says "Fair". Not saying you will definitely be roaming, but it is the area where you may potentially have issues, especially inside a building or if you have a phone that doesn't handle weak signals that well.

[jalan]

Des Moines is a large area. It varies depending on where you are at. It will range from several MB / sec to a couple hundred KB / sec in trouble spots. All depends on what specific areas you are interested in.

Originally Posted by KillerFurby

I was hoping there would be a Sprint smartphone user in the Des Moines area, who could tell me what kind of 3G data speeds they currently get (since 4G isn't available, save for a couple tiny spots.) Thank you!

[KillerFurby]

Originally Posted by jalan

Des Moines is a large area. It varies depending on where you are at. It will range from several MB / sec to a couple hundred KB / sec in trouble spots. All depends on what specific areas you are interested in.

Alright, thank you. I think I'm just going to visit a Sprint store or two where I live and test out the speeds there.

[sfhub]

Originally Posted by KillerFurby

Alright, thank you. I think I'm just going to visit a Sprint store or two where I live and test out the speeds there.

That's like testing whether the cops will show up quickly at the precinct

I would suggest you just take advantage of the 30-day trial period and run around to all the places you frequent, especially the ones (if any) listed as Fair in the coverage map.

[austin4435]

Originally Posted by sfhub

I'm saying ignore the data coverage map. It doesn't provide signal-level granularity. It assumes all signal levels (even 1 bar) are "on network".

If the voice coverage says "fair", then you have a good chance to be roaming for both voice and data (they are usually the same tower), or even worse, getting stuck with just enough signal where your phone won't roam, but also not enough signal to have a stable connection. Sprint took away the force roam option on most phones so being stuck in this limbo state is a possibility. On some phones you can add the capability back.

Basically if there is a good chance you'd be roaming based on the voice map (which includes signal levels), your data will likely also be roaming.

Also the phone you get makes a difference. Evo 3D and Evo Shift are not as good with signal. Fair signal on the map is equivalent to poor signal for those phones.

The way to use the data map is to say "*If* I got signal in an area, would it be 3g or 1x" For the question of whether you would get signal look at the voice coverage map and be careful in areas where it says "Fair". Not saying you will definitely be roaming, but it is the area where you may potentially have issues, especially inside a building or if you have a phone that doesn't handle weak signals that well.

Get ROAM CONTROL..FOR ANDROID PHONES ON MARKET!

[sfhub]

Originally Posted by austin4435

Get ROAM CONTROL..FOR ANDROID PHONES ON MARKET!

As I mentioned, some phones can put that functionality back. However, this only gets you out of the limbo state (if it works for your particular phone). There is a secondary issue that roaming is likely 1x on US Cellular (in that area) and the OP was specifically asking about data rates.

[TheBlackAngel]

i live in the des moines area and coverage and speeds here are excellent. data speeds avg 700-800K but i get at least 1meg or more consistently, have even hit 2meg a few times. voice coverage is excellent and is more dependant on what phone you have. crappy phone = crappy coverage. i have 9 total lines on my account and we are all over the des moines to ames area and no one has had a problem yet, even when my phone says 1 bar i can still make and receive calls. the only times i've roamed is if i go in a building that is good at blocking signal and then it finally switches over but that is very very rare. i would not worry about any places listed on the map as "fair" coverage as a poster above said, you shouldn't have any problems.

as to 4G there are 2 spectrum protection sites live in des moines. 1 is across from walgreens on douglas east of merle hay mall, the other is next to 235 across from walmart and sams.

hope that helps let me know if you have any other questions

[KillerFurby]

Originally Posted by TheBlackAngel

i live in the des moines area and coverage and speeds here are excellent. data speeds avg 700-800K but i get at least 1meg or more consistently, have even hit 2meg a few times. voice coverage is excellent and is more dependant on what phone you have. crappy phone = crappy coverage. i have 9 total lines on my account and we are all over the des moines to ames area and no one has had a problem yet, even when my phone says 1 bar i can still make and receive calls. the only times i've roamed is if i go in a building that is good at blocking signal and then it finally switches over but that is very very rare. i would not worry about any places listed on the map as "fair" coverage as a poster above said, you shouldn't have any problems.

as to 4G there are 2 spectrum protection sites live in des moines. 1 is across from walgreens on douglas east of merle hay mall, the other is next to 235 across from walmart and sams.

hope that helps let me know if you have any other questions

Yes, very helpful. Thanks!

[andre141]

Others here might be able to give a little more insight than me, but I'm from Omaha and at least in Omaha roaming is on Verizon EVDO, not US Cellular.

But a 2 hour drive can make a big difference! Good luck!

[sfhub]

Originally Posted by andre141

Others here might be able to give a little more insight than me, but I'm from Omaha and at least in Omaha roaming is on Verizon EVDO, not US Cellular.

But a 2 hour drive can make a big difference! Good luck!

Don't update your PRL

For Omaha, between 60680 (7/14) and 60681 (8/18) they *removed* your Alltel/VZW EVDO roaming.

*As of PRL 60681*, your highest priority roaming is Cricket.

*As of PRL 60681*, you can potentially roam with Cricket (SID 5914), US Cellular (SID 5911), and Alltel (SID 152). Alltel roaming is 1x.

[andre141]

Originally Posted by sfhub

Don't update your PRL

For Omaha, between 60680 (7/14) and 60681 (8/18) they *removed* your Alltel/VZW EVDO roaming.

*As of PRL 60681*, your highest priority roaming is Cricket.

*As of PRL 60681*, you can potentially roam with Cricket (SID 5914), US Cellular (SID 5911), and Alltel (SID 152). Alltel roaming is 1x.

That's not cool. Is Cricket or US Cellular EVDO or 1x?

My current PRL is 21081 and I don't plan on updating lol. I would die without my Alltel EVDO!