VOIP etc > Voice Over IP - VOIP > VOIP Tech Chat > Sprint PCS Over IP Beta

Sprint PCS Over IP Beta

Advantage is that you can use ANY exisitng Sprint phone.
Disadvantage is that you can't use it through any open WiFi networkd like T-Mobile.
I thinjk it's a little overpriced considering it's likely use will be in ones home where/when most minuted become unlimited anyway.

According to the Daily Wireless blurb on this its possible to just get the box to improve in home reception w/o buying the $15 add on. (where its available).

Here is the Airave Website: »airave.sprint.com/

Some disadvantages:

When you leave your home and the phone switches to the towers, you start using your minutes, this is unlike T-Mobile where the entire call is free when started over the WiFi

When you arrive home and are on a call, the call does not switch to Airave. This is a deal breaker for me, since the Sprint coverage in my garage is noexistent and if it can't switch over to the Airave, my call will drop when I enter the garage.

reply to ChuckIL9
from the airave site..

"just $15 per month for individuals and $30 per month for families"

awww.. i was half excited for a minute until i read that.

reply to ChuckIL9
I'm in the coverage area! Should I get it?

reply to RockyBB
I would spend the $50 just to get reliable service in my house since I knoww that every call will drop eventually. Just too darn far from the tower...

reply to RockyBB

for $75 it's yours!

I have talked with a Sprint sales manager about this device. Its currently on a pre-launch "test" to see how it will work. The goal is to launch this service is areas where cell service is "Jammed". Releaving some of its traffic to the internet. However with that said, its the wrong thinking for this device, and if this is the intention, it should be offered to those who want it free.

Second the unit has a GPS for the reason of tracking 911 calls. If you dial 911 while in your signal area, this information is relayed to the 911 dispatcher as a cell phone call and provides the GPS location. Why this is vitally important is to conform with 911 regs over VOIP. The device will not LOCK if you travel with your device. If you were to say travel to Canada. Yes you would pay roaming if you were in Canada, plug this little device in, and WOW your in a local area. GPS signal is required for 911 reporting.

It will not interfear with any other cell phone devices that would normally "roam" on the mini cell site. If you were in Toronto in a hotel, and the next room has a phone on CDMA, they would not even see your signal because their phones PRI list will favor the signal in Toronto. It some minor cases it will favor your signal if your device is wide open and that users pri list says to favor that SID.

Enough on this. I have checked this out, and the device is supported on the go. As for international travel, thats going to be a different story as it has yet to be tested that way.

UPDATE.. Unconfirmed now if the unit will work outside its designated area. From what I am finding reading around the net, the buzz is that the unit WILL NOT roam if you take it with you. We'll have to see how this works.

I will be picking up a device when they come out and trying it in Canada when I travel back and forth and we'll see how it weathers in Canada.

reply to ChuckIL9
TMobile works fine outside the US. I think Sprint is more concerned about radio license issues and problems of people "accidentally roaming" on the Sprint network while in Canada.

reply to shutrbug

reply to ChuckIL9
The Tmobile solution is better because:

1) you can use your OWN router.

2) you can use it without a monthly fee (use your regular minutes)

3) if tou do choose an unlimited "plan" its 1/3 to 1/2 the price of Sprint.
--
Canada = economically, militarily, politically, and culturally irrelevant.

The losers in any case here are the big Telcos. Whether its $10 for T-Mobile or $15 for Sprint it gives them a way to replace landlines and VOIP with a one number solution.