[Q] What Exactly is data roaming? - Samsung Epic 4G Touch

I know im going to sound like a noob right now but oh well. I Never understood what roaming really is, Can someone explain it to me? I saw some threads about people hacking the prl to verizon and people getting faster speeds?. I have the unlimited plan. Will sprint charge me for roaming? My sprint 3g is crap and we don't have 4g here where i live. I'm running CM9 alpha 2. How can i hack the prl to verizon on this rom.

19fonzy said:
I know im going to sound like a noob right now but oh well. I Never understood what roaming really is, Can someone explain it to me? I saw some threads about people hacking the prl to verizon and people getting faster speeds?. I have the unlimited plan. Will sprint charge me for roaming? My sprint 3g is crap and we don't have 4g here where i live. I'm running CM9 alpha 2. How can i hack the prl to verizon on this rom.
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Click to collapse
Data roaming is using data from another cellular network, when outside of your service providers network area. Sprint allows unlimited roaming (as far as I know) with a catch, when a certain amount of data is exceeded they can terminate your account. A prl is a preferred roaming list, it chooses what towers your phone will connect to first which will determine speeds and service. If you install a custom prl to your phone, you may get much better service, but depending on the prl you may be roaming (some prl's your phone will alert you for roaming, others may not) if you are, and you use data a lot, you may get terminated.

Thank you so much. I went ahead and hacked the prl. if i get terminated will i have to pay a termination fee or what ?

19fonzy said:
Thank you so much. I went ahead and hacked the prl. if i get terminated will i have to pay a termination fee or what ?
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I don't think so but to be honest with you I'm not completely sure what they do, as far as I know they just terminate your contract which is good if you don't like Sprint but you may not be able to ever sign up with them again. Are you getting better speeds now?

Related

[Q]Changing sprint PRL to verizon PRL

So i know that if you put a verizon PRL in your sprint phone not uncommon for sprint to terminate your contract for roaming too much. But my question is: do they charge fees for terminating it?
Im 99.9% tempted to switch to a verizon PRL so I can get good coverage until they just terminate me then I can start a contract with verizon with a different phone .
I dont know if its my coverage here or what but I have slow 3g, never get 4g, signal drops to 0 for 30 seconds every few minutes, and webpages time out almost always. Kinda over it..
Can someone who knows more than me chime in on how good/bad this idea is?
I have done it just to see how it is, my only issue and reason for switching back is I could never get text msg's to work even with the option check to retrieve while roaming.
I just wanna know if its a clean loophole into getting out of the contract pretty much
try going back to sprint prl1 with cdma workshop.
Would vrz prl get u 3G or u stocked with slow data thing.
Sent from my SPH-D700
blu9987 said:
I just wanna know if its a clean loophole into getting out of the contract pretty much
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yeah i would like to try the same thing lol. i would think that they could only charge you if you "voluntarily" choose to terminate your agreement, but if the wording is in there, they may be able to charge you for any kind of breach that terminates your contract. i am with sprint. ill try browsing the ToS to see if it has any conventions for this. anyone know for sure?

[Q] Roaming Penalty

so I see that excessive roaming will prompt sprint to give you the boot with no warning but how does it work with family plans. if one person on the plan roams too much does the entire account get canceled or just that one phone number?
Just the line that abused it. Also the send you a letter telling you to stop first
Sent from my BAD A$$ EPIC TOUCH 4G
I got a letter from Sprint myself after I messed with my RTSP and HTTPD server settings. I read an article about speeding up network access like at my desk at work on an AT&T (roaming) network. After about 2 weeks of enjoying better coverage and speeds, I got a love letter from Sprint.
At first I had no clue, then I remembered I had messed with those settings. Turns out I was ONLY roaming with them. So now I put them back to stock and no issues with Sprint.
Actually, on Calkulins latest v1.2 ICS Rom, with the FC18 modem, I get 3G at my work where I only had a 1X network data connection before!
thanks for the info
So do I have to use calks rom plus fc18 modem for it to work
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium
ScubaSteev said:
So do I have to use calks rom plus fc18 modem for it to work
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Different devices, different areas, and different radios all play a part in your signal strength. There is not a one-size-fits-all, so try different modems, using each one a couple of days, and keep an eye on your signal strength.
ScubaSteev said:
So do I have to use calks rom plus fc18 modem for it to work
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium
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Click to collapse
Not sure what you mean by "it"
Wait...what does roaming mean in this case? I am going to get this phone soon, and I have been out of the loop for this community for a few months now. Is roaming a term for something mod related or does it just mean being in a roaming area.
My concern is that when I had the Epic, I rode the subway everyday and every 3 seconds my phone says "You are roaming" and does the annoying sound and screen, have they disabled this?
iball8888 said:
Wait...what does roaming mean in this case? I am going to get this phone soon, and I have been out of the loop for this community for a few months now. Is roaming a term for something mod related or does it just mean being in a roaming area.
My concern is that when I had the Epic, I rode the subway everyday and every 3 seconds my phone says "You are roaming" and does the annoying sound and screen, have they disabled this?
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Click to collapse
It just means you are using another carrier's tower, not Sprint's... The default Sprint proxy settings on the phone are fine, but you can hack them and get into trouble if you do this.
I know this thread is somewhat old, but I wanted to share that the second letter I recently received from Sprint was one informing me that my account WILL be terminated as of July 17th.
I tried numerous times to explain that when I am at work, I am ALWAYS on roaming data. I use WiFi at home, so the only time I typically user Sprint 3G is during my commute. They said there were NO exceptions and the decision comes from Corporate and is FINAL. 18 years with my company and 8 in good standing with Sprint on different phones... And they axed me! My Epic 4G Touch apparently is rather data hungry...
So beware, peeps...
Sent from somewhere in Galaxy SII...
You have be roaming at least 75% of the time (not an exact number, just ballpark) in order for Sprint to boot you.
Basically, while you're roaming, Sprint is having to pay the other carrier for your usage. If you're using the other network more than Sprint, it's not profitable to keep you.
Sunsparc said:
You have be roaming at least 75% of the time (not an exact number, just ballpark) in order for Sprint to boot you.
Basically, while you're roaming, Sprint is having to pay the other carrier for your usage. If you're using the other network more than Sprint, it's not profitable to keep you.
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Click to collapse
Last I heard it was 300MB of roaming then they send the letter. Do it again over that limit and you get the boot.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using XDA
peanut1596 said:
Last I heard it was 300MB of roaming then they send the letter. Do it again over that limit and you get the boot.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, the letter says 300MB or the majority of 3G data. There were 2 months since November 2011 where
My roaming data % was more than non-roaming.
The thing that kills me is that my usage pattern hadn't changed across the last 3 phones I've had with them. The Google Play Store and all the apps connecting in the background had changed my consumption no doubt...
My E4GT is my first Android phone though, and they even made me pay an extra $10 per month for "premium data" with this phone because it is a "smartphone" (just like my previous Blackberry Curve)!
Wtf? Faaaaaaaq Sprint
Sent from somewhere in Galaxy SII...
Do they make you pay an ETF when they do this? I know for most, roaming isn't an issue but some are on the edge of the network and are more likely to roam. Would kind of suck if they had to pay an ETF.
I'm expecting a letter reeeeeeeeeeaaaally soon. I used 2.5GB of roaming last month so I imagine they are a little pissy about that.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using XDA
KCRic said:
Do they make you pay an ETF when they do this? I know for most, roaming isn't an issue but some are on the edge of the network and are more likely to roam. Would kind of suck if they had to pay an ETF.
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Sprint did offer to waive the ETFs (2 off them) AND any recurring charges for the last month of service... Actually, on AT&T, I'm now getting better coverage and speed, both in and out of my workplace, and with the wife's employee discount we are paying less overall.
3GB data plan on each phone... Most I've ever used on Sprint is like 1.2GB.
One of the best things about the AT&T data plan is that if you go over the limit, for $10 they automatically add another GB, not cancel your account. And roaming data only applies to international data usage.
peanut1596 said:
I'm expecting a letter reeeeeeeeeeaaaally soon. I used 2.5GB of roaming last month so I imagine they are a little pissy about that.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using XDA
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Click to collapse
If your Sprint 3G data is more than your Sprint 3G roaming data, then they won't usually take any action other than maybe warning letters.
I'm sure my usage was costing them money, but my usage was costing ME plenty of money too!
I was happy about no ETFs and the free last month... but there should be legal implications for them since they don't report any of this on your invoice OR USAGE DETAILS. When I asked why there was no mention of the roaming data issue on my bill, they said that some things changed earlier this year, and their Marketing and Billing departments weren't on the same page yet.
This a$$ reaming was brought to you by Sprint... Bringing a whole new meaning to the term "Unlimited"...
GFY, Sprint. I hope you face legal action for screwing your customers over like this
Sent from somewhere in Galaxy SII...
The problem is, there is no way to tell from your bill whether you are roaming on Sprint's network (as in, out of your home calling area) or roaming OFF of Sprint's network.
"Changes earlier this year" is BS. Their bill has stated "Sprint 3G Roaming - Unlimited" forever.
Dalmus said:
The problem is, there is no way to tell from your bill whether you are roaming on Sprint's network (as in, out of your home calling area) or roaming OFF of Sprint's network.
"Changes earlier this year" is BS. Their bill has stated "Sprint 3G Roaming - Unlimited" forever.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Their lack of reporting is BS too...
Sent from somewhere in Galaxy SII...
10 plus year Sprint customer checking in here!
I've been using the EK02 modem combo'ed with PRL 11115 and Mr. Greg's ROAM Control for almost 3 months now, set to roam only and I haven't gotten a single letter, threat or anything!
I'm actually hoping to get one, I want out of my Sprint contract without paying the ETF, I'm sick of the slow 3G data speeds. Now before someone says well you've been a customer for over 10 years and you have resigned the contracts so you have no one else to blame but yourself, blah blah blah, back before the HTC EVO 4G, I didn't have these issues.
Over the past 3 years Sprints network has done to hell. My Samsung Instinct and my Palm Pre were FAST. I used them as modems for my laptop and everything else, NO problems. Browsing on them was FAST, no problems. Apps online on them, no problems. I get my EVO and its SLOW! That was about when 4G was coming so I waited it out and yep we finally GET 4G locally but only downtown. I keep hearing promisses of expansion blah blah blah so I renew picking up the Epic 4G Touch, oh, no more 4G expansion blah blah, LTE is the next big thing.
Well my Epic Touch is even slower then my EVO was.
Sprint got too big and there network just cant handle it.
My friends ATT Skyrocket blows my phone out of the water speed wise. Hell, just roaming to Verizon I get upward of a meg a second but on Sprint I'm luck to get 100 kbps. Sometimes it bursts to 600+ but it doesnt hold. Sometimes its as low as 20 kbps. Most webpages don't load.
I'm burned out.
they haven't sent me one yet..... crossing fingures

[Q] Is There a way to get a verizon prl to get better 3g radio signal

Where i work all my co-workers have verizon and they get a signal no problem is there a way i can improve my Epic Touch 4G signal by changing the prl to use verizons radio just for the calls ? Thanks
Yes, I have the Sprint PRL 11115 on my phone now that allows me to toggle between Sprint and Verizon.
OR you could go with the 00001 which is Verizon only.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1267893
My friend claims he used 00001 to get his service terminated so he could go to AT&T without paying the ETF fee. *Shrug*
kdoggy said:
Yes, I have the Sprint PRL 11115 on my phone now that allows me to toggle between Sprint and Verizon.
OR you could go with the 00001 which is Verizon only.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1267893
My friend claims he used 00001 to get his service terminated so he could go to AT&T without paying the ETF fee. *Shrug*
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Click to collapse
What exactly do you mean "Toggle between verizon and sprint"?
Icebluemale30 said:
What exactly do you mean "Toggle between verizon and sprint"?
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Click to collapse
Meaning he uses the app roam control (not available in the market) to force roam on Verizon's network when he so chooses.
Sent from my ePiC4gT
Correct. And I'll be honest and say I find himself just staying on Verizon lately. I'm so sick of the SLOW Sprint data. What is the freaking point of "Unlimited" if it never works?
I'd rather have 3 or 5GB of data on AT&T that actually WORKS fast then Sprint's so called false advertising slow crap network. It's a shame too, I'm a 10+ year customer. The speed was good at one point then all the sudden it went to crap. I'm so sorry I renewed. Verizon is a little better though. I just leave Roam Control set to Roam Only until I figure out what I wanna do.

Data Roaming MSG

Everyone now and then the area I work in gives me the msg you have left your network & are roaming. Would you like to roam onto another network data charges could be incurred. What would happen if I selected yes? Would this mean I could have 3g or a connection in areas where sprint towers do not reach? How much are charges or how can I see if my cell phone plan includes these?
Charges depend on what kind of plan u have. I don't pay for data roaming.....u might. U will get 1x data if u roam while on a sprint prl. If u are on a prl like 11115 u can get 3g.
How do I change PRLs? This could really help a lot! Thanks for the reply fitz420. Will it show up on my bill if I do or do not have to pay for data roaming? How can I find out?
Pivo187 said:
How do I change PRLs? This could really help a lot! Thanks for the reply fitz420. Will it show up on my bill if I do or do not have to pay for data roaming? How can I find out?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd call sprint and ask what your data roaming charges are. As far as changing prl u gotta be on a sense rom. A search on xda in supersonic forums should yield proper instructions. I would research both the procedure for changing prl and the risks associated with excessive roaming data useage thoroughly before doing anything.

[Q] Thinking about switching to Sprit

Hey all,
I've waited out two generations of this phone in order to get this one but I'm currently on AT&T and my contract is up. The AT&T version has a locked bootloader and from the looks of it, it won't be getting root any time soon. I'm contemplating on whether I should go with the Sprint or Tmobile. How do you guys like this phone on the sprint network?
Are there any issues with wifi tethering with this phone (without paying extra for it)? Has anyone come from AT&T and regretted it?
I'm in the NYC area and I've had Sprint on my company's BB which had pretty good service. How is the service where you are.
This is kinda big decision for me because I've been with AT&T for over 17 years now and I'm going to lose my unlimited data if/when I switch. I know Sprint still offers it but AT&T does not and I want to make sure I make the right decision.
Thank you all in advance
Sprint does not offer unlimited data anymore and they are even trying to convince existing users to switch from unlimited to 20GB shared. Not sure about your area but in mine Sprint always have some problems and excuses. Still I stick with them because of employee discount, current unlimited plan, and other carriers are just expensive (Verizon) or I had them on my "black list" (AT&T).
Check Sprint coverage in here http://coverage.sprint.com/IMPACT.jsp?
Sprint still offers unlimited data.
erik077 said:
Sprint does not offer unlimited data anymore and they are even trying to convince existing users to switch from unlimited to 20GB shared. Not sure about your area but in mine Sprint always have some problems and excuses. Still I stick with them because of employee discount, current unlimited plan, and other carriers are just expensive (Verizon) or I had them on my "black list" (AT&T).
Check Sprint coverage in here http://coverage.sprint.com/IMPACT.jsp?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for you input erik077. When I got a quote from the rep over the phone yesterday they were still offering the unlimited data plan. As a matter of fact the lady was even recommending that I get that instead of the shared 20gb plan. Still, I'm not entirely impressed with their coverage map. There are a lot of bare spots on that map for 4g coverage. But they seem to have good coverage around my home and work.
Anyone else like to chime in?
I have unlimited data and just got sprint. I was in the same shoes as you and I switched to sprint I kept going over my data limit and didn't want to worry about my data overages anymore so I switched to sprint! And now use more data than I ever did. And I get full coverage of sprint spark all over my area! ?
I guess different areas has different plans. I was told plan like mine is not available anymore and in case I switch that's lost forever.
Read the terms; IIRC, the newer unlimited data plans have a data roaming limit set rather low; beyond that limit incurs charges. The grandfathered unlimited data plans don't have a roaming data limit that incurs data fees but Sprint terminates those who abuse data roaming. Lose that plan and it is not possible to go back. The phones are still subsidized as well. That's another trend going away. I'm keeping my Everything data 1500 minute plan with employee discount for those reasons. Not sure about discounts on the other plans. Maybe that's three terms to consider if switching plans or providers.
deeken said:
Hey all,
I've waited out two generations of this phone in order to get this one but I'm currently on AT&T and my contract is up. The AT&T version has a locked bootloader and from the looks of it, it won't be getting root any time soon. I'm contemplating on whether I should go with the Sprint or Tmobile. How do you guys like this phone on the sprint network?
Are there any issues with wifi tethering with this phone (without paying extra for it)? Has anyone come from AT&T and regretted it?
I'm in the NYC area and I've had Sprint on my company's BB which had pretty good service. How is the service where you are.
This is kinda big decision for me because I've been with AT&T for over 17 years now and I'm going to lose my unlimited data if/when I switch. I know Sprint still offers it but AT&T does not and I want to make sure I make the right decision.
Thank you all in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which areas of nyc are you in?
I have both T-mobile and Sprint accounts. I'm happy sprint . Spark is great and I usually use about 50 gigs of a data on each phone. I guess what I'm trying to say is I think you should get Sprint since NY has great Sprint service.
ajr0312 said:
I have both T-mobile and Sprint accounts. I'm happy sprint . Spark is great and I usually use about 50 gigs of a data on each phone. I guess what I'm trying to say is I think you should get Sprint since NY has great Sprint service.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sprint in nyc was great with my nexus 5...but the note 4 seems to have connecting issues for me
Thanks for your input guys. I'm all over NYC (pretty much all 5 boroughs) and Long Island so I need good service wherever I am at. But I'm in downtown Manhattan most of the time.
@kwazytazz what kind of connection issues are you having? Poor 4g? GPS? Call quality? Please elaborate.
Also, could any of those issue be a problem with your phone?
deeken said:
Thanks for your input guys. I'm all over NYC (pretty much all 5 boroughs) and Long Island so I need good service wherever I am at. But I'm in downtown Manhattan most of the time.
@kwazytazz what kind of connection issues are you having? Poor 4g? GPS? Call quality? Please elaborate.
Also, could any of those issue be a problem with your phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mainly poor lte issues in the financial district ..few blocks from seaport..lte would not stay connected and will drop to 3g then 3g will drop and reconnect numerous times..whereas my nexus 5 stays connected 100 percent of the time..maybe I have a defective phone but that's my experience
kwazytazz said:
Mainly poor lte issues in the financial district ..few blocks from seaport..lte would not stay connected and will drop to 3g then 3g will drop and reconnect numerous times..whereas my nexus 5 stays connected 100 percent of the time..maybe I have a defective phone but that's my experience
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've got the same issue.
Sprint is decent for lte in nyc. You may have some issues getting lte in SI or Queens but the other three boroughs should be fine.
I think that's fixable with an update tho. Not saying, it's not annoying atm, but Sprint should fix this soon.
How about Long Island? Anyone experiencing connectivity issues in Nassau or Suffolk?
Another thing I wanted to ask about was the GPS. How accurate is it with google maps and its turn by turn? I've read that several people are experiencing issue with it. Not just the Sprint variant.

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