Expert: DebiN - 5/15/2010

Question
Both my husband and I have older 8330s with 1G sim cards. My husband is a long-haul truck driver and we have a data/phone plan from Sprint. My hubby was wondering what with all the hype about Sprint's new (albeit it limited) 4G network coverage and the 3G coverage its had for a while if upgrading (esp. his) 1G sim card would make his phone capabilities faster/better/improved coverage? Presently he cannot talk and surf at the same time, and if he is using mapping software, sometimes cannot talk at the same time. He cannot receive calls while using Google maps and some other apps. The key question I guess would be if upgrading Sim would improve his phone situation or if he should consider upgrading the phone?

Answer
Sprint doesn't use SIM cards. They have a CDMA network and what activates the phone is the ESN and phone number combination. SIM cards are only used with iDEN (Nextel) and GSM (AT&T, T-Mobile). Your 8330 does not use a SIM card. None of Sprint's network allows for simultaneous voice and data. That is only available on a GSM network today. You can't upgrade anything in your phone to use the 4G network. You have to have a phone that is capable to accessing the 4G network and today, only the data cards can access the 4G network. However, in June, Sprint will be launching the HTC EVO 4G, which will be their first and only 4G phone. This phone will work on both the 3G and 4G networks for Sprint. I can't tell you that it will have simultaneous voice and data, that may be the case, but you will need to check your area to be sure. It's likely that it will in a 4G area, but it won't be able to in 3G since Sprint's 3G network is CDMA technology. This phone will have a dual radio - one for CDMA and one for 4G. If you really want to have simultaneous voice and data and wide choice of devices, you would need to switch carriers to T-Mobile or AT&T who have 3G with simultaneous voice and data and many devices available for it. I hope this helps. Thanks. DebiN