Verizon wireless - Determining bands in use?

Author

Determining bands in use?

Pegleg

2007-05-01, 10:33 am

I have Moto V710 with Verizon. Is there a way to determine which
band(s) the phone is operating on either in test mode or in the settings
menu? I am setting up an in-house amplifier and antenna and need to
know if I need two Yagi outside antennas to cover both the 800 and 1900
bands.

I understand Verizon is tight-lipped about this info for some reason and
that they typically use 800 for voice and 1900 for data with 800 being
used in rural areas (I guess this reads as no data support) and 800 &
1900 being used in urban/suburban areas.

TIA

Todd Allcock

2007-05-01, 12:33 pm

At 01 May 2007 08:24:02 -0700 Pegleg wrote:
> I have Moto V710 with Verizon. Is there a way to determine which
> band(s) the phone is operating on either in test mode or in the settings
> menu?

If Verizon uses both bands in your area, the phone will change bands as
needed based on what channels are available at the time of the call, so
knowing what band you're on NOW isn't necessarily helpful.

> I am setting up an in-house amplifier and antenna and need to
> know if I need two Yagi outside antennas to cover both the 800 and 1900
> bands.

Most likely Verizon is on 800MHZ in your area. A trip to
Wirelessadvisor.com would tell you what band(s) Verizon is licensed for
in your city.

> I understand Verizon is tight-lipped about this info for some reason

Not really- it's all a matter of public record. It's all just radio
licenses. I doubt it's "tight-lipped" as much as simply a question most
Verizon reps aren't trained to answer because it really doesn't affect
customers- all Verizon phones they currently allow on the system are dual-
band, so it's a non-issue from a customer service standpoint.
> and
> that they typically use 800 for voice and 1900 for data with 800 being
> used in rural areas (I guess this reads as no data support) and 800 &
> 1900 being used in urban/suburban areas.

It doesn't work like that- it depends what bands they are licensed to
use in a particular market.

Typically Verizon is on 800MHz because they were (or bought) the
"Bell" or "wireline" cell carrier in the old days when only the 800MHz
band was in use, and only two companies per area could provide wireless.
1900 was added later to offer more competitors (up to five more) to get
into the game.

Through mergers and acquisitions Verizon gained some 1900 MHz spectrum in
a few markets but they are primarily 800. Only relatively recently did
the Feds even let a single carrier own both an 800 and 1900 license in
the same market- it used to be considered anti-competitive, since the
total number of licenses per market are finite (seven- two 800s and five
1900s.)

Here in Denver, for example, Verizon is 800-only, Cingular has both 800
and 1900, and Sprint, T-Mobile, and Cricket are 1900-only.

--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com

Dennis Ferguson

2007-05-01, 3:33 pm

On 2007-05-01, Pegleg <Pegleg@usnavyret.mil> wrote:
> I have Moto V710 with Verizon. Is there a way to determine which
> band(s) the phone is operating on either in test mode or in the settings
> menu? I am setting up an in-house amplifier and antenna and need to
> know if I need two Yagi outside antennas to cover both the 800 and 1900
> bands.

It is fairly easy to determine the voice band if you have a friend with
an LG phone. Go to the Test Menu->Force Mode, select either cellular
only or PCS only, and see which works.

As for data, I don't know what you can do to determine that but you shouldn't
just assume it is 1900 MHz. Where I live in California I think the data
might also be on 850 MHz since I don't think Verizon has any 1900 MHz spectrum
here (and it is urban). You can see where Verizon has cellular and PCS
allocations on maps here

http://www.mountainwireless.com/maps.htm

though I don't know how up-to-date these are.

Dennis Ferguson

Pegleg

2007-05-01, 10:33 pm

On Tue, 01 May 2007 10:36:39 -0600, Todd Allcock
< elecconnec@AmericaOn
Line.com> wrote:

>
>Not really- it's all a matter of public record. It's all just radio
>licenses. I doubt it's "tight-lipped" as much as simply a question most
>Verizon reps aren't trained to answer because it really doesn't affect
>customers- all Verizon phones they currently allow on the system are dual-
>band, so it's a non-issue from a customer service standpoint.
>
>It doesn't work like that- it depends what bands they are licensed to
>use in a particular market.
>
>Typically Verizon is on 800MHz because they were (or bought) the
>"Bell" or "wireline" cell carrier in the old days when only the 800MHz
>band was in use, and only two companies per area could provide wireless.
>1900 was added later to offer more competitors (up to five more) to get
>into the game.
>
>Through mergers and acquisitions Verizon gained some 1900 MHz spectrum in
>a few markets but they are primarily 800. Only relatively recently did
>the Feds even let a single carrier own both an 800 and 1900 license in
>the same market- it used to be considered anti-competitive, since the
>total number of licenses per market are finite (seven- two 800s and five
>1900s.)

The information I posted was based on information I received from
Wilson. A search at the site you suggested shows the following:

SYSTEM: 850 MHz AMPS CDMA 3G: CDMA2000 1X

A search at http://www.cdg.org/worldwide/index.asp
shows:

3G-CDMA2000, 1xEV-DO Cellular 1900mHZ
and
3G-CDMA2000, 1X Cellular 800mHZ (Alcatel-Lucent,Nortel)

So, at least theoretically, I should be able to use and omni
directional, dual band whip and tie it to a dual band in-house amp and
indoor antenna. Am I correct?

Thanks for your input Todd.

Todd Allcock

2007-05-01, 10:33 pm

At 01 May 2007 14:02:21 -0700 Pegleg wrote:

> The information I posted was based on information I received from
> Wilson. A search at the site you suggested shows the following:
>
> SYSTEM: 850 MHz AMPS CDMA 3G: CDMA2000 1X

That tells you Verizon is at 800 in your neck of the woods.

>
> A search at http://www.cdg.org/worldwide/index.asp
> shows:
>
> 3G-CDMA2000, 1xEV-DO Cellular 1900mHZ
> and
> 3G-CDMA2000, 1X Cellular 800mHZ (Alcatel-Lucent,Nortel)

I'm confused- is this a sarch specific to your area for Verizon or for
"CDMA"? If the former, then Verizon might use both in your area, if the
latter, it's likely showing Sprint as the CDMA carrier at 1900MHz.

> So, at least theoretically, I should be able to use and omni
> directional, dual band whip and tie it to a dual band in-house amp and
> indoor antenna. Am I correct?

Of course. There was never any doubt that a dual-band would work. What
we're trying to figure out is if you can use a cheaper single-band setup
instead! ;-) What city/market are you in?

--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com

Frankster

2007-05-01, 10:33 pm

"Pegleg" <Pegleg@usnavyret.mil> wrote in message
news:po1f331hmuqntu2
lmm4al7e70a6j2jft95@
4ax.com...
> On Tue, 01 May 2007 10:36:39 -0600, Todd Allcock
> < elecconnec@AmericaOn
Line.com> wrote:
>
>
>
> The information I posted was based on information I received from
> Wilson. A search at the site you suggested shows the following:
>
> SYSTEM: 850 MHz AMPS CDMA 3G: CDMA2000 1X
>
> A search at http://www.cdg.org/worldwide/index.asp
> shows:
>
> 3G-CDMA2000, 1xEV-DO Cellular 1900mHZ
> and
> 3G-CDMA2000, 1X Cellular 800mHZ (Alcatel-Lucent,Nortel)
>
> So, at least theoretically, I should be able to use and omni
> directional, dual band whip and tie it to a dual band in-house amp and
> indoor antenna. Am I correct?
>
> Thanks for your input Todd.

This is the dual band system I got...

http://www.gpsandmarineworld.com/di...-da4000sbr.html

-Frank

Pegleg

2007-05-02, 4:33 am

On Tue, 01 May 2007 15:14:17 -0600, Todd Allcock
< elecconnec@AmericaOn
Line.com> wrote:

>At 01 May 2007 14:02:21 -0700 Pegleg wrote:
>
>
>
>That tells you Verizon is at 800 in your neck of the woods.
>
>
>
>I'm confused- is this a sarch specific to your area for Verizon or for
>"CDMA"? If the former, then Verizon might use both in your area, if the
>latter, it's likely showing Sprint as the CDMA carrier at 1900MHz.

This is a quote from the site:

The CDMA Development Group (CDG), founded in December 1993, is an
international consortium of companies who have joined together to lead
the adoption and evolution of 3G CDMA wireless systems around the world.

The CDG is comprised of CDMA service providers and manufacturers,
application developers and content providers. By working together, the
members help to ensure interoperability among systems, while expediting
the availability of 3G CDMA technology to consumers.

You can select a region, then state, then carrier, then cities. In my
case Bellingham, WA.

The first entry above is listed for: WA: Bellingham, Olympia, Seattle

The second entry is listed for:WA: Auburn, Bellevue, Bellingham,
Bothell, Bremerton, Edmonds, Everett, Federal Way, Gig Harbor, Kent,
Kirkland, Lakewood, Lynnwood, Marysville, Olympia, Port Orchard,
Puyallup, Redmond, Renton, Seattle, Snohomish, Sumner, Tacoma, Vancouver
Does this clarify anything?

>
>
>
>Of course. There was never any doubt that a dual-band would work. What
>we're trying to figure out is if you can use a cheaper single-band setup
>instead! ;-) What city/market are you in?

Dennis Ferguson

2007-05-02, 4:33 am

On 2007-05-02, Pegleg <Pegleg@usnavyret.mil> wrote:
> On Tue, 01 May 2007 15:14:17 -0600, Todd Allcock wrote:
>
[...]
>
> You can select a region, then state, then carrier, then cities. In my
> case Bellingham, WA.
>
> The first entry above is listed for: WA: Bellingham, Olympia, Seattle

Yes, I think the above is correct. Verizon is the B-side cellular
operator in Bellingham, and also acquired 1900 MHz spectrum from
Qwest 2 or 3 years ago. You probably need both bands.

Dennis Ferguson

Todd Allcock

2007-05-02, 4:33 am

At 01 May 2007 21:11:36 -0700 Pegleg wrote:

> You can select a region, then state, then carrier, then cities. In my
> case Bellingham, WA.
>
> The first entry above is listed for: WA: Bellingham, Olympia, Seattle
>
> The second entry is listed for:WA: Auburn, Bellevue, Bellingham,
> Bothell, Bremerton, Edmonds, Everett, Federal Way, Gig Harbor, Kent,
> Kirkland, Lakewood, Lynnwood, Marysville, Olympia, Port Orchard,
> Puyallup, Redmond, Renton, Seattle, Snohomish, Sumner, Tacoma, Vancouver
> Does this clarify anything?

Kind of. I ran Denver through it and it listed the 800MHz coverage,
along with the type of switches used, and also 1900MHz (which I'm not
aware that Verizon uses here) with no equipment listed. I suspect the
Wireless Advisor information is, perhaps, outdated.

The dual-band omni and amp will certainly work, and also allow you to
continue using it if you ever move or change carriers.

--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com

Pegleg

2007-05-02, 10:33 am

On Tue, 01 May 2007 23:37:37 -0600, Todd Allcock
< elecconnec@AmericaOn
Line.com> wrote:

>Kind of. I ran Denver through it and it listed the 800MHz coverage,
>along with the type of switches used, and also 1900MHz (which I'm not
>aware that Verizon uses here) with no equipment listed. I suspect the
>Wireless Advisor information is, perhaps, outdated.
>
>The dual-band omni and amp will certainly work, and also allow you to
>continue using it if you ever move or change carriers.

Yea, I'm always suspect of many of the cell-service related sites as to
how current/accurate they are.

I think my best bet is the dual band omni (Wilson Marine) or the Wilson
dual band trucker whip antenna and dual band amp with a compatible
indoor antenna.

Thanks for wading through this with me Todd.

Bill Radio

2007-05-03, 4:33 am

Todd,
Verizon bought all of the Qwest PCS licenses and some of their cell sites.
They have used that 1900 MHz spectrum for V-Cast and data for couple years
in all of the Qwest Wireless markets, including Denver. They also used it
for new service where they had no license before, like Elizabeth, CO.

Pegleg,
If you intend to use your system for voice calls, you can just use the 850
MHz model. While VZW may be using 1900 in your area, if your home system is
850 MHz, your calls will stay there. If you use data or video, then you
will need 1900.

Bill Radio
Click for Wireless Reviews at:
http://www.mountainwireless.com

"Todd Allcock" < elecconnec@AmericaOn
Line.com> wrote in message
news:4638187a$0$1629
7$88260bb3@free.teranews.com...
> At 01 May 2007 21:11:36 -0700 Pegleg wrote:
>
>
> Kind of. I ran Denver through it and it listed the 800MHz coverage,
> along with the type of switches used, and also 1900MHz (which I'm not
> aware that Verizon uses here) with no equipment listed. I suspect the
> Wireless Advisor information is, perhaps, outdated.
>
> The dual-band omni and amp will certainly work, and also allow you to
> continue using it if you ever move or change carriers.
>
>
> --
> Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com
>

--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com

Todd Allcock

2007-05-03, 10:33 am

At 02 May 2007 23:23:11 -0600 Bill Radio wrote:
> Todd,
> Verizon bought all of the Qwest PCS licenses and some of their cell
sites.
> They have used that 1900 MHz spectrum for V-Cast and data for couple
years

> in all of the Qwest Wireless markets, including Denver. They also used
it
> for new service where they had no license before, like Elizabeth, CO.

Ah, that explains it- I thought the Qwest licenses went to Sprint as part
of Qwest's reseller deal. Thanks!

--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com

Bill Radio

2007-05-04, 12:33 pm

Hi Todd,
Sprint took over ownership of most of Qwest's sites, Verizon bought Qwest's
spectrum. Sprint then added new equipment at each of these sites,
multiplexing on the Qwest antenna. Verizon added new PCS equipment at their
existing sites on Qwest's old spectrum. And in a few cases, Verizon took
over a whole Qwest site (that Sprint didn't want) and added their 850 MHz
equipment. It's a bit confusing, and each site has been evaluated on a
case-by-case basis.

So for the OP, if you can find the nearest site, you look and see if it is a
combination of both large and small antennas. We have a web page w/links to
find cell sites at:

http://www.mountainwireless.com/site_finder.shtml

-Bill Radio

"Todd Allcock" < elecconnec@AmericaOn
Line.com> wrote in message
news:4639f137$0$1628
9$88260bb3@free.teranews.com...
> At 02 May 2007 23:23:11 -0600 Bill Radio wrote:
> sites.
> years
> it
>
> Ah, that explains it- I thought the Qwest licenses went to Sprint as part
> of Qwest's reseller deal. Thanks!
>
>
>
> --
> Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com
>

--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com

Ness_net

2007-05-06, 10:33 pm

They may have the licenses, but at the current moment the Seattle MSA
(Bellingham to Oly) is only 800MHz. Certainly in the future, they may use
1900MHz, but today they aren't - here.

Personally, I try to use dual band antennas always, because of possible roaming
and because of what may happen in the future.

"Bill Radio" < Wireless@MountainWir
elessNOSPAN.com> wrote in message news:46396560$0$1629
4$88260bb3@free.teranews.com...
> Todd,
> Verizon bought all of the Qwest PCS licenses and some of their cell sites. They have used that 1900 MHz spectrum for
> V-Cast and data for couple years in all of the Qwest Wireless markets, including Denver. They also used it for new
> service where they had no license before, like Elizabeth, CO.
>
> Pegleg,
> If you intend to use your system for voice calls, you can just use the 850 MHz model. While VZW may be using 1900 in
> your area, if your home system is 850 MHz, your calls will stay there. If you use data or video, then you will need
> 1900.
>
>
> Bill Radio
> Click for Wireless Reviews at:
> http://www.mountainwireless.com
>
> "Todd Allcock" < elecconnec@AmericaOn
Line.com> wrote in message news:4638187a$0$1629
7$88260bb3@free.teranews.com...
>
>
>
> --
> Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com
>

Pegleg

2007-05-06, 10:33 pm

On Sun, 6 May 2007 15:09:06 -0700, "Ness_net"
<richard@nomore.damn.spam.nessnet.com> wrote:

>They may have the licenses, but at the current moment the Seattle MSA
>(Bellingham to Oly) is only 800MHz. Certainly in the future, they may use
>1900MHz, but today they aren't - here.
>
>Personally, I try to use dual band antennas always, because of possible roaming
>and because of what may happen in the future.

I'm just outside of Bellingham. So they are using 800 for both voice
and data in this market?

Not concerned about roaming, this is a home installation I'm looking at,
but do agree dual band is a better choice.

Ness_net

2007-05-12, 3:33 pm

Yes, 800Mhz...

"Pegleg" <Pegleg@usnavyret.mil> wrote in message news:6bos33lmgsthp4c
mb262k6ktvjv565l0lj@
4ax.com...
> On Sun, 6 May 2007 15:09:06 -0700, "Ness_net"
> <richard@nomore.damn.spam.nessnet.com> wrote:
>
>
> I'm just outside of Bellingham. So they are using 800 for both voice
> and data in this market?
>
> Not concerned about roaming, this is a home installation I'm looking at,
> but do agree dual band is a better choice.

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