Sprint Wi-Max 4G Users...Signal Penetration vs 3g??

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To those lucky few who have an EVO (or 4g USB dongles) AND are in 4g markets, what is your signal penetration like vs 3g?

It is my understanding that 4g runs on a different frequency band, so has anyone experienced better/poorer signal penetration, such as indoors, or in any other signal-sapping topographies?

What is your experience vs 3g signal penetration in the same area?

Originally Posted by khov07

To those lucky few who have an EVO (or 4g USB dongles) AND are in 4g markets, what is your signal penetration like vs 3g?

It is my understanding that 4g runs on a different frequency band, so has anyone experienced better/poorer signal penetration, such as indoors, or in any other signal-sapping topographies?

What is your experience vs 3g signal penetration in the same area?

Unfortunately signal penetration is one thing that Sprint and Clear do not ever mention. They don't because it is terrible.

Sprint/Clear WiMax is running at 2500Mhz which is so high that it does not penetrate buildings well at all.

So, if you had your hopes up that you could have WiMax while in your office, you will be greatly disappointed. (Disclaimer: an office with a window will get coverage, but interior offices will likely be out of luck)

I guess no 4G for me at work

Originally Posted by cacesasa

I guess no 4G for me at work

so no penetration at work??

Ahhh, right. iDen runs at 800-900 mhz, which is probably why you get great coverage on those older devices.

In my building we use Sprint-provided BDA's to boost our 3g signal to full bars. I've tested and used a Airave device, it works very well, albeit for smaller areas.

If wimax's frequency is higher, can the carrier just broadcast the signal with more juice? My RF knowledge is limited, as you can see.

What is done to overcome this inherent limitation in urban areas? WiMax providers must have an answer...more towers vs 3g?

I have not seen a problem and my office is in a 100 year old brick building. No difference for me inside or outside the building. Could be that we have a strong signal here, but it actually is showing only 1 bar on 4G inside or outside. YMMV.

Originally Posted by misticjeff

Unfortunately signal penetration is one thing that Sprint and Clear do not ever mention. They don't because it is terrible.

Sprint/Clear WiMax is running at 2500Mhz which is so high that it does not penetrate buildings well at all.

So, if you had your hopes up that you could have WiMax while in your office, you will be greatly disappointed. (Disclaimer: an office with a window will get coverage, but interior offices will likely be out of luck)

I definitely concur. I have a Clear 4g/3g dongle and unless you are by a window in my "vintage" condo in Chicago, you will hardly get a signal. If you switch to 3G you get full bars. Sprint and Clear make little if any mention of this but it is a point to consider.

Please note that 4G towers, in my experience, don't do tower to tower handoffs. It seems like it just drops when out of range and searches(battery drain) for another 4g. If unsuccessful, it will scan for 3G. All being said, it is not a seamless experience

Hmmm...makes me wonder: will Verizon/AT&T 4g have the same issue?

If this is the future of wireless broadband, something seems to be missing here...

Originally Posted by khov07

Hmmm...makes me wonder: will Verizon/AT&T 4g have the same issue?

If this is the future of wireless broadband, something seems to be missing here...

Verizon & AT&T is using 700 MHz for 4G/LTE that was vacated by the DTV transition.

Cheers,
Kermee

I have pretty decent 4g coverage outside my office, but inside it drops to 0-1 bars. Indoor 3g is at the other end of the spectrum. Though I don't know where the towers are.