Sprint & Bold 9650 issues

[Voclu]

My problem just started yesterday while I was at work (I work on the Fort Polk Army post). My BB is constantly looking for the Sprint network, I only get an "x" with intermittent No Service for coverage in the upper right hand corner of the screen, and I noticed today the my BB was feeling warmer than usual. Yesterday, seems as soon as I left post my BB picked up EVX (or whatever it is) and I was flooded with my missing text messages, emails, and BBMs. But service was still fluctuating driving home. Today back at work, same problems arising as I sit in my office of post. I did a battery pull and let it sit a while to let the device cool off before popping it back in, and I'm still at "x" or No Service for coverage. I'm running Sprint's OS 6. Anyone know if it's carrier or device related? Or perhaps because I'm just in the "sticks" here at Fort Polk, Louisiana?

Wondering if maybe upgrading to the Alltel OS 6 and removing the vendor file would help any? Please help! I essentially have a paperweight with a keyboard sitting next to me because I can't communicate through it at all! (Oh, how I miss Verizon...ZERO coverage by them in this region!)

[lak611]

It sounds like a coverage issue, not a device or OS issue.

Have you updated your PRL?
http://forums.crackberry.com/f217/[b][/b][b][/b]...sprint-553771/

[lev874]

I had similiar issues yesterday evening with my web connections over sprint network. I did a battery pull and it cleared up. Then again this morning I had the same issue. No battery pull this time. Tried a little while later and all is well... for now.

[rdiddy_25]

I agree, make sure you have the latest PRL and if that doesn't work, u may be out of luck. Sounds like Ft. Polk is in a dead zone. Has this always been an issue? Maybe there are some towers out in the area too. Try calling Sprint if after you update your PRL that doesn't resolve the issue. BTW, I lived in Leesville in '83 when my Dad was stationed @ Ft. Polk. Go Army!

[danisnotstan]

Originally Posted by Voclu

My problem just started yesterday while I was at work (

As someone else had mentioned, is this a new phone for you? Have you been using this phone at the same location without having issues in the past? I used to have a Tour and one time out of nowhere I lost all connectivity to BIS so I had no data, also my signal was all over the place. I have an Airave so I shouldntve had any signal issue. Somehow the phone just "pulled a stupid" and decided it forgot how to connect! I called Sprint and had them re-send the service books and all was well after that.

[SCrid2000]

I think you're problem is that you're at fort polk that's the armpit of the army right there. You need to get yourself transferred to Ft. Lewis.

[Voclu]

Seems the towers for Sprint were affected for 2 days and they got them resolved by about 2:30 yesterday afternoon. So back at work, I went from No Service back to mediocre service...yea (insert tone of sarcasm here). Yes, Fort Polk/Leesville/DeRidder are really in the sticks for coverage. I've been told that you're going to suck unless you're with AT&T here, and AT&T only got 3G coverage here just this past August! I tried AT&T, didn't like that they only had 2 BBs to choose from. I tried using my unlocked Bold 9650 from Verizon on their service and I got close but not close enough to be paying them for a data package that I couldn't use all the options on, and their customer service sucked. I felt like I was talking to a kid 1 day out of high school popping their gum every time I called them. So I switched to Sprint, got their branded 9650 (again, not a very wide selection of BBs), and just deal with the coverage issues the best I can.

I'm stationed here for 2-3 years. By the time I move to another duty station, the contract will be up and hopefully I'll move to some place where I have excellent Verizon coverage again. I MISS Big Red!!!!

[Zeeke803]

Searched google for Sprint Fort Polk and found this thread. Been having the exact same issues on North Fort myself. I couldn't even re-provision. The Sprint tech rep tried blaming it on my phone's old antenna and suggested I upgrade my 8330 to something new...all the while my co-worker sitting next to me with an EVO 4G having the same issues.

Received a voicemail saying "they're working on the towers" and whatever other excuses. I've been here almost 2 years and have had nothing but problems for the past 6 months, on and off. Now, in Maple Terrace, I don't get data...at least I get voice.

I'm ETSing soon, and I'd be switching to AT&T if they had service back home...Verizon doesn't even come close to the 69.99 plan w/unlimited data & text, not even with the military discount.

ETA: I've had good service both at work and at home in the past. It's just been recent (last few months) that service is spotty. I woke up one morning a few weeks ago and saw 1XEV on my screen - I got excited that maybe we'd finally gotten decent data speeds...now this. Horray, Fort Polk...gotta love Tigerland.

Can't wait to get out of here!

[computertekguy]

They are working on the network hard core right now, service in alot of states will be shady, It's their whole network re-modeling plan

[rocco225]

Originally Posted by computertekguy

They are working on the network hard core right now, service in alot of states will be shady, It's their whole network re-modeling plan

That could be. I noticed deteriorating service over the last few months. Its been really bad in the Chicago area. I had a few dropped calls every day, inability to find a network and the SOS signal in the upper right corner. They swapped out my Bold for me under TEP but the new one was just as bad. After a half hour on the phone with Sprint, the rep reduced my $170 ETF to $50 - essentially reducing the two year ETF to a one year.

After 12 years with Sprint I ported to VZW. I expected it to be better but I was blown away with how much better. There is no comparison. The VZ phone is crystal clear. I can talk deep inside any retail store or restaurant where I'd never get a Sprint signal before. I have a signal in my gym locker room for the first time ever. Four days now and not one dropped call. No more, "What's that? I couldn't hear you" while trying to angle my head in different positions to improve reception.

Sprint is going downhill and its a shame because they have a lot going for them, but there network is so inferior. You really don't know how bad it is until you get something that works. You can beat Sprint's plans for value. I got so much bang for my buck with 2 Sprint lines. Now I'm paying premium with VZW but its worth every penny to have a phone that works all the time. I wish I had done this years ago.

I'm not trying to persuade anyone to switch. I'm just sharing my experience with Sprint after 12 years. If it works in your area then I see no reason to switch.



Roc

[cscott44]

There is a significant difference between Sprint and Verizon. I have 2 BB's. Sprint on my personal phone and Verizon on my work phone. I never have a problem with reception on the Verizon phone. The Sprint phone's reception is spotty at best. They definately need to put up more towers.

[cheech4]

Significant? i seriously doubt it, but funny you say that, I had Sprint then switched to Verizon and now back to Sprint you know why ( well for me at least ) Reception performance was similar. Everywhere i go with my Sprint phone i have service just as i did when i was with Verizon. But the cost savings of 30$ a month is just icing on my cake.