So I've been using one of the Verizon prl files for a while and today I flipped back to Sprint to see if any of these tower upgrades made a difference. One thing I noticed is that sitting in the train station I have 0 signal on Sprint. X inside of the bars and everything. After 15 minutes of no service the phone still wouldn't flip itself into roaming so I flashed a Verizon prl again and had full bars including almost 1meg on a real quick speed test. I guess what I'm wondering is why wouldn't the phone switch to roaming when it had no service, not just bad service, and there was a super strong Verizon signal available? And yes I have roaming set to automatic.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
Preferred Roaming List is what PRL is and this is a defined list of towers the phone is allowed to use. When you have a Verizon one this allows for use of the obvious. That's why when on a sprint one you won't get service in an area with terrible Sprint coverage.
Sent From My Sprint Galaxy Nexus
Right, that I understand. What I don't understand is why when I'm on the most current sprint prl my phone won't roam when I have NO Sprint signal, even though there is a strong VZW signal available. I always figured if it's week they leave you on Sprint because they don't want you roaming, but if there is absolutely no sprint connection at all shouldn't it switch and roam?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
Because it is cheaper for them if you have no signal for a small period of time than if you are roaming.
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Related
here is my problem i got my nexus 2 days ago and activated it by driving 15 min. down the road to where i get actual verizon coverage. But when i come back to my house where i should get 3g extended network i get nothing the 3g pops up but the bars stay gray and dont turn blue everyone else who has verizon at my house gets good 3g speeds mine are at 60kbps. ive tried every radio on i can find and every combo possible talked to verizon they went through all there stuff and said i should send it back to wirefly is this route to go or is there a fix.
thanks
Same problem here. Does anyone know if it's possible to roam on Sprint with the Nexus? I don't get any signal at all in some parts of my city where Sprint gets full bars.
You can try updating your prl. I know they're supposed to update automatically but I had to do it manually to get signal where I'm at.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA
ok so updating the prl is a no go it will either end the call right away or give me a message saying all circuts are busy now and its a carolina west wireless message.i tried *22899 and *228
In order to do it on my phone I had to save the *22899 number as a contact and dial it. I pressed 2 and it took what seemed like forever and the music stopped for a while then it finally said successful after what seemed like 5 minutes or so
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA
yes I finally got it to work had to drive to a Verizon area went from prl 15098 to 52686 but still can't get my signal bars to turn blue at home I can surf the web and look at the forums but my speed test ran with gray bars is .05mbps and can't even think about downloading an app
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
You're not supposed to dial *228 on an LTE phone which is why it's disabled. I can't remember the exact reason, but I believe the SIM card handles the PRL and dialing *228 doesn't play well with that.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=20385139
digitalcrash said:
yes I finally got it to work had to drive to a Verizon area went from prl 15098 to 52686 but still can't get my signal bars to turn blue at home I can surf the web and look at the forums but my speed test ran with gray bars is .05mbps and can't even think about downloading an app
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
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Click to collapse
Are you even supposed to get full speed when roaming? And doesn't VZW limit the amount of data and minutes you can do while roaming?
If you're roaming, I think you should be happy with any connection at all... or just use wifi at home? Not sure why you'd buy a VZW phone if you know you'll always be roaming at home.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus i9250
Hey I've been looking for an answer for about an hour and people don't seem to understand what I mean; What 3G service does AT&T use?
e.g. - EVDO, EVDV, RTT, CDMA, etc.
I'm only wondering because Sprint service is non-existent here in Dallas and I'm planning on switching to them and grabbing a Galaxy Note or something else that can actually receive signal through a small, plywood, house.
Okay the house isn't "plywood" but it IS extremely thin wood and dry wall with no bricks so I'm wondering why I never have cell phone or 3G and especially no 4G anywhere in my entire city.(Grand Prairie)
I've walked here and there from one side of the city to another and I only got 4G with 1 bar in a few random locations like the baseball field and at the grocery store. 3G was here and there but I received signal and then it would drop off like it was never there. Cell phone reception is 1-2 bars consistently.
I know it's not my phone that's the issue because they sent me an Airvana and now I have phone signal and 3G but it's nothing to write home about.
Also my wife's Epic 4G is in the exact same position with no 3G, 4G, etc.
Any advice? I will have to pay them $350 for the etf, which I don't have, as well as the $110 for the bill, which I actually don't have either...
Help?
Hspa I believe. Someone correct me if I'm wrong
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium
Exactly whereabouts in Dallas are you getting such a bad signal? I live in Valley Ranch and get 3-4 bars of 4G. I work close to I-635 and the Dallas North Tollway and get full bars of 4G there. So far I haven't found anyplace in the Metroplex where I don't get at least a decent 4G signal.
Edge is 2g, HSPA is 3g, and HSPA+ is 4g.
/*edit- If the coverage map shows you have no service at your house, you can push to get the ETF waived. Just call Customer Service until you get someone to help with that. But, be aware if you do so, you will not be able to re-start your service for ~12-18 months if you choose to come back.
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azyouthinkeyeiz said:
Edge is 2g, HSPA is 3g, and HSPA+ is 4g.
/*edit- If the coverage map shows you have no service at your house, you can push to get the ETF waived. Just call Customer Service until you get someone to help with that. But, be aware if you do so, you will not be able to re-start your service for ~12-18 months if you choose to come back.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Everyone in metroplex should prepare to start losing 3g service as the LTE rollout is beginning, San Antonio is seeing that now, however if you're having trouble with 4G, especially in the DFW area, that's a phone issue, yes possible with both of the phones, but I would definitely check service map first, especially if you're planning to leave Sprint and watch your cell phone bill skyrocket any where else, as well consider that soon unlimited data will be gone, but those currently on Sprint service at that time, will not lose that service
Sent from my SPH-D710 using XDA
azyouthinkeyeiz said:
Edge is 2g, HSPA is 3g, and HSPA+ is 4g.
/*edit- If the coverage map shows you have no service at your house, you can push to get the ETF waived. Just call Customer Service until you get someone to help with that. But, be aware if you do so, you will not be able to re-start your service for ~12-18 months if you choose to come back.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
EDGE is 2G, UMTS is 3G, HSPA and HSPA+ are 4G under the rewritten standards.
Fixed
Atts 4g *not lte* is only 3.5G lol hspa+
Sent from my SPH-D710 using XDA
My girlfriend and I have the exact same Epic Touch purchased at the same time from Amazon. Since we began our contract, When we travel to the Eastern suburbs her phone switches to roaming (data) until we travel West back towards Sacramento. Mine has no issues whatsoever.
I have checked the service maps on Sprint.com and they indicate strong 3G service for voice and data in the area that her phone switches to roaming.
Anyone have any similar experiences?
assuming that both phones have updated prl's, its possible that one phone may have roaming guard on while the other doesn't. Sounds like the roaming phone may be hitting a dead zone and staying on stronger roaming signal.
Make sure u turn roaming off. I used to just be switched to roaming in places I could get 4g but then after I disable roaming I got good sprint signal
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gtuansdiamm said:
Make sure u turn roaming off. I used to just be switched to roaming in places I could get 4g but then after I disable roaming I got good sprint signal
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium
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Click to collapse
Does turning off roaming affect just data, Voice or both?
Anyone else having problems establishing and keeping an LTE connection?
I'm in San Antonio and the while city is orange (LTE) on the coverage map. However I rarely get 4g and if I do it never stays connected for more than a few minutes. I have been sitting at my desk all day and I have had 4g maybe 20% of the time. When it does connect I get 3-4 bars so I don't think it is a bad signal issue.
Currently running RUJellin M1 with the FG01 radios. Same thing was happening with the stock radios.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
You are lucky, I'm in Dallas and I've checked the 4g coverage map and there's coverage where I live, but have I once ever received 4g? No. Tried ICS roms and JB. FD02 and FG01 radios. No go for me. So you're lucky bud. :thumbup:
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
blame sprint
I think it's because the time out to default to 3g is too short. Try toggling airplane mode off/on and see if it reconnects. Also if you haven't already, try the latest modem leaked a few days ago.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Xparent ICS Tapatalk 2
I always got full bars of 4G WiMax with my E4gt in my office. With my Nexus I only get 4G LTE about 10% of the time, and the 3G that it reverts to is usually only two or three bars.
Somairotevoli said:
I think it's because the time out to default to 3g is too short. Try toggling airplane mode off/on and see if it reconnects. Also if you haven't already, try the latest modem leaked a few days ago.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Xparent ICS Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A couple of times I have toggled the data connection off and on and it will connect to LTE.
Is there a way to change the time out. I seem to remember being able to tweak a setting on my Evo that kept 4G connected better.
Went to sprint store. Every phone in the store had 4g except mine. Guy wouldn't swap it out. Said it was a network issue as always. Its always something with sprint. i told the guy well why does this phone "same phone" have 4g and mine doesn't. Well...... Sorry it's a network issue. Yea right.....Long story short i always get these run around when in contracts. I going to GSM and prepaid. No more subsidized for me. I am in North Richland Hills
Hi guys,
Lately I have been noticing that my S4 hasn't been holding a signal as well as before. Seems to be this way since LTE rollout in my neighborhood. I get about 1 bar of LTE indoors. It seems as though the phone is more sensitive and tends to drop to E or 0 bars of 4G when it is in my pocket. Once I take it out of my pocket, it flips back to LTE in about 5 seconds.
Is this normal?
I noticed the same thing when LTE came to my neighborhood, south of Houston last week. When it is on 4G, I get full bars most of the time. As soon as the little LTE showed, I barely got 2 bars. Most of the time it's one or no bar. I manually switched my network back to GSM/WCDMA (auto connect). Now that I know Houston's LTE signal has gone widespread, I'll check it when I'm out and about to see if the signal is like that everywhere. But, for now, I'd rather make sure my calls will come in. I use WIFI at home, anyway. Maybe an updated radio will come with system upgrades.
My LTE connection up here in kingwood has been crap for the last week or so too. Kinda annoying, when I got the phone I was pulling 3 bars in my apt now it drops to E.
I have notice the same thing im in fort worth and since LTE I missed lost of calls because my phone is ether on my pocket or in side mg house I het great speeds outside though like right next to a tower lol
---------- Post added at 01:41 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:39 AM ----------
Meant to say I live right next to a tower lol
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same here, lte i barely get 2 bars. been like that since i got lte about a month ago. i assume its just because they are working on the towers and will take a bit to get the full benefits. Though even though i only get about 2 bars, i still get crazy speeds.
I have yet to see full bars on LTE. Everywhere I go I see two bars.
Sent from my SGH-M919 using Xparent Skyblue Tapatalk 2
You guys do understand that the bars are relatively arbitrary and don't really tell you much, right? If you want to know what your signal really is you need to look in settings, about phone, phone status and see what the dB reading on the phone is.
Anything above -80 is really strong
Anything between -90 and -81 is all right
Anything between -99 and 91 is a little weak but probably okay.
Anything below -100 is where you start to get into the possible dropped call territory.
Anything below -110 and you are probably not going to get a signal for more than a few seconds at a time.
There are other ways to check this as well with apps that will show signal status in widgets or on the status bar. And with many custom ROMs you can switch the signal bars to a dB reading.
Sent from your phone. You should be careful where you leave that thing.
Thanks for that info.
When I was on the LTE, my db was 104-106. On regular 4G, it's on 87. That's why I've opted to stay on 4G for the time being.
I also get 1 bar of LTE when I'm indoors and then couple bars when I'm outside if I'm still in LTE area. Since Tampa isn't covered in LTE yet and some of my apps don't work at all with 1 bar of LTE, I just switched back to HSPA+ and changed the APN that better fits with HSPA+ speeds.
The HSPA+ speeds I get are just as fast as when I was with Verizon's LTE.
I called customer service and the lady told me to enable roaming. Maybe I will get better reception?
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Soldier 2.0 said:
I called customer service and the lady told me to enable roaming. Maybe I will get better reception?
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Click to collapse
It might if there is a much stronger tower from another carrier near you. However if you utilize roaming it could cost you an arm and a leg.
Sent from your phone. You should be careful where you leave that thing.
Skipjacks said:
It might if there is a much stronger tower from another carrier near you. However if you utilize roaming it could cost you an arm and a leg.
Sent from your phone. You should be careful where you leave that thing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The lady said national roaming is included.
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Soldier 2.0 said:
The lady said national roaming is included.
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Click to collapse
Now that you mention it I think you are right about voice calling. Maybe it was the data use when roaming that had the potential to be expensive. You might want to check on that just to be sure. Nothing like a $400 unexpected cell phone bill to ruin your day.
Either way you will only see an impact on signal if say an AT&T tower is the only one available as the t mobile tower should get priority even with a weaker signal. At least that's how I think it works....I reserve the right to enjoy reading a post by someone who understands tower priority more than me giving a detailed explanation of how that all works.
Sent from your phone. You should be careful where you leave that thing.
Only in certain areas do I get full bars on lte, usually its 2 or 3, but rarely does it go 4g.
Sent from my SGH-M919 using xda app-developers app
Skipjacks said:
Now that you mention it I think you are right about voice calling. Maybe it was the data use when roaming that had the potential to be expensive. You might want to check on that just to be sure. Nothing like a $400 unexpected cell phone bill to ruin your day.
Either way you will only see an impact on signal if say an AT&T tower is the only one available as the t mobile tower should get priority even with a weaker signal. At least that's how I think it works....I reserve the right to enjoy reading a post by someone who understands tower priority more than me giving a detailed explanation of how that all works.
Sent from your phone. You should be careful where you leave that thing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Will I be charged for domestic data roaming?
No, T-Mobile does not charge for domestic data roaming. However, once your domestic data roaming allotment has been reached your data services will be unavailable until you return to a T-Mobile coverage area, your bill cycle starts over or you increase your data plan. If you have a Wi-Fi capable device, you may use Wi-Fi to access unlimited data.
How will domestic data roaming appear on my bill?
It will not appear on your bill as there are no additional charges associated with domestic data roaming.
How will I know that I am near my domestic data roaming allotment?
You will receive a free usage alert via text message to notify you once you use 80% of your monthly domestic data roaming allotment. You will receive another free usage alert via text message to notify you when you reach 100% of your domestic data roaming allotment. These text messages will contain a link that will allow you to view your real-time usage. You can also view your domestic data usage by using the MyAccount feature on your device once you have exceeded 80% of the monthly allotment (whether you are roaming or not).
Link https://t-mobile.jive-mobile.com/#j...d_Will_I_be_charged_for_domestic_data_roaming
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refarm
I had the same thing happen at my house in south Denver. It took three different phone calls but I finally talked to a guy in tech support who said that many people have had the same thing happen after the change to LTE in one's area. There seems to be no real solution to it. At my house the signal dropped so low that we couldn't make calls anymore and they sent me a signal booster. With the signal booster in my upstairs window we can use our phones with voice and data without problems.
I've also noticed that you have to be pretty close to a tower to get the benefits of LTE. I've been playing around speed testing with different distances and it drops off pretty quick - between 1/4-1/2 mile is about as far as you can get at least in my neighborhood.
LTE signal fluctuation is an issue right now but I will say that I'm happy that we can still fall back to hsoa+ because if we were to go from LTE to 3g (like sprint does ) I would have been one angry person.
Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk 4
Ive noticed the signal become a problem too after i got lte. i dont know why.
TheAtheistOtaku said:
same here, lte i barely get 2 bars. been like that since i got lte about a month ago. i assume its just because they are working on the towers and will take a bit to get the full benefits. Though even though i only get about 2 bars, i still get crazy speeds.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
figured out why my signal fluctuates. My idiot self forgot i had my aluminum backing on it since i got it. took it off and put the stock one, instantly got full bars.