SF connectivity troubles: Riddle me this?

[LandSurveyor]

So I'm using a Galaxy S on T-Mo. I have a co-worker who sits within an arm's length of my desk who is also on T-Mo and has a Sidekick.

All too often, I call up a website and get treated to the endless spinner. It just ain't going through.

Meanwhile my friend stays online way too much of the time, so much so that he keeps a charger at his desk. He even streams Pandora. He says he's not having any of the issues that are plaguing my device.

Is it the difference between our two devices?

Or could it be that since he's on a postpaid plan and I'm on prepay, he gets network priority?

Or something else? I'm stumped.

[NetBrakr]

Perhaps there is a differences between in radio technology (I am presume it's the Sidekick 4G). But I don't think so, cause both of these devices made by Samsung.

[Hook]

So I'm using a Galaxy S on T-Mo. I have a co-worker who sits within an arm's length of my desk who is also on T-Mo and has a Sidekick.

All too often, I call up a website and get treated to the endless spinner. It just ain't going through.

Meanwhile my friend stays online way too much of the time, so much so that he keeps a charger at his desk. He even streams Pandora. He says he's not having any of the issues that are plaguing my device.

Is it the difference between our two devices?

Or could it be that since he's on a postpaid plan and I'm on prepay, he gets network priority?

Or something else? I'm stumped.

SF? I kept looking for you talking about your trip out West.

Yes, absolutely, it is possible. If your friend is on a contract plan and you are not, the coverage may be very different. Go to T-mobile and look at the coverage map for the zip code of your office. Then look at the same pre-paid coverage map.

I could also be the difference in the phones and their antennas or even the software/firmware differences in each.

[jigwashere]

It's hard to know. I'd start by contacting T-Mo. On Sprint, we sometimes have to update things like the Preferred Roaming List.

I had a buddy who had the exact same phone model and carrier as his wife. They were traveling in Chicago and standing right next to each other, she had a strong signal and he had none.

From what I understand, there can be variations in tolerances when radios are built. It could be you've got one that's not as strong as your friend's.

EDIT: Are you sure you're holding the phone correctly?

[headcronie]

When I worked for T-Mobile, prepay had a smaller coverage map. It wouldn't surprise me if they do network priority to postpaid.

[raspabalsa]

Also, I wouldn't rule out device differences. My Galaxy Player 5 loads pages, downloads files - anything over WiFi - much faster than my Galaxy Mini does. Even considering the Player is 1GHz and the Mini is 600MHz, I think the difference in speed is much more marked than it should be. I believe the Galaxy S and Sidekick are both 1GHz and have similar RAM sizes. So maybe there are different cell or WiFi radio assemblies and firmwares, even within the same manufacturer.

[LandSurveyor]

The maps both show the strongest coverage in this particular area so it shouldn't be that.

[Hook]

Did you get the galaxy S from T-Mobile or ebay? If from T-Mobile, take it in and have them check out the radio and compare it to another Galaxy S. See if they can find a problem.

[LandSurveyor]

Sorry, I missed your reply earlier. It came new from Tmo. I'm a bit sheepish about taking it to a store since the plan I have is one the brick and mortar stores aren't even allowed to sell, which I agree is unfair. Still, if it persists I may be forced to go that route.

[LandSurveyor]

Aw c'mon. If you're gonna be a spammer, at least try.