jbrouer is having problems with the multi text thing, where he is working he gets bed reception. I was thinking it has something to do with multiple towers picking up the text at the same time. Don't know about the advertisements maybe Sprint is testing something in your area. The new revision A network is dew out soon.
Source:mobiledia
Sprint today announced an accelerated schedule to begin its roll out of the upgraded technology known as EV-DO Revision A during 4Q 2006 with coverage expected to reach more than 40 million people by year end.
IF your problems continue I would contact sprint.