[Q] Possible Roaming Problem? - Samsung Galaxy Nexus

Hi All,
I live in Kansas where in a lot of places service can be poor or not existent. While visiting my family and my girlfriends family over Christmas, who live in two different areas in Southeast Kansas, where both phone and 4g/3g/1x data signal does not exist from Verizon. US Cellular is the main carrier for service in both areas with great coverage and I noticed that my new galaxy nexus did not automatically connect to the US Cellular network in either location for roaming. I was left with no connectivity at all for the entire weekend
My question is there a reason why my galaxy nexus did not automatically connect to the US Cellular network to roam?
Also is there a way to force my phone to connect to US Cellular when I am in these dead zones for Verizon?
Thanks in advance?
As a side note, I have the Data Roaming checked in the Mobile Network Settings and I have the System Select set to Automatic.

Well I broke down and called Verizon Wireless technical support today.
The tech that I spoke with checked the two areas that I go to and confirmed that Verizon is mostly non existent. He then went on to say that the phone should roam in both areas and he did not have any answer as to why it was not roaming.
His solution to my problem was to purchase a prepaid US Cellular phone and forward my calls to it when I am in these areas. I must admit that it is a solution, but what an asinine thing for a Verizon employee to tell a subscriber. He also stated that Verizon just needs to add more towers in the area, which I can almost guarantee will never happen.
So as of now I am still at a loss as to why my phone is not roaming in these areas.

Related

[Q] G2 on AT&T?

Hey guys, new to Android and T-Mobile. I got a G2 last week, and I live and work in kind of a fringe area for T-Mo coverage. AT&T has good coverage out here, but the G2 doesn't roam over to ATT, I can't even register on their system when I select it in the mobile networks settings. My question is- how can I set the phone to roam onto their system when I lose T-Mo coverage? (I have heard that T-Mo can roam to ATT on EDGE). Thanks!
As far as I know, the only way to use AT&T on the G2 would be to SIM unlock the phone and use an AT&T SIM with an AT&T account. The TMO SIM won't just allow you to roam because they don't have a reciprocal billing agreement --- though I am no expert on this.
I believe, though I could be wrong, that the G2 does not have the ability for 3G (UMTS) data on AT&T. As you stated, if you could connect to the network, Edge should work.
One solution would be to switch to an AT&T SIM and use the Samsung Vibrant, which has the ability to connect to one of the two AT&T 3G bands. Of course, if you want to use AT&T regularly, getting an AT&T phone would be a better solution. So, for you, unless you want to switch to AT&T, wifi might be your only solution.
Ugh! That is exactly what I was hoping I wouldn't read lol. Well, I do really want to stick with tmo, just wish my phone would auto roam to att when I lose the tmo signal. Thanks for the reply!
Sent from my G2 using XDA app
I asked around at work a bit, and there are cases where you can roam on AT&T's network. These cases exist in areas where T-Mobile has not, cannot, or will not build out a network. In these cases, they contract with AT&T to provide their customers with network access. Some phones will show roaming, but I think the software, at this point, has made it a seamless experience, and you don't even know you are attached to AT&T's network. For billing, purposes, if you have a national plan, you are not roaming.
This doesn't help you, but I wanted to clarify my blanket statement above.
Check out the coverage map (Select NO for Are you a Rep, then go to the Data Coverage Map):
compass(DOT)t-mobile(DOT)com
Unfortunately in your area of CA, there is no roaming partner.
The only roaming in CA is in some parts of N. CA up Hwy 1 and 101, towards the Oregon border, and in the 395 corridor.
I'm thinking of upgrading from my HTC Rhodium on ATT to a Desire Z (also on ATT). Is there anything I should be looking for to make sure it will play nice with the 3G network?
Thanks
nnvpears
nnvpears said:
I'm thinking of upgrading from my HTC Rhodium on ATT to a Desire Z (also on ATT). Is there anything I should be looking for to make sure it will play nice with the 3G network?
Thanks
nnvpears
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You'll need to buy the Canadian version of the DZ (from Bell Mobility).

[Q] How do I blacklist a network operator? (EE/Tmob/Orange)

Hi guys
I'm on T-Mobile (UK) and use a GSM Galaxy Nexus. In my area (Manchester) the 4G network has been switched on and I now have two 'EE' networks on my phone - one is the T-mobile side of the network and the other is Orange (I guess?) when on the tmobile network i get 2+mbps down on my internet connection. When on the orange side of the network (which the phone is VERY keen to go onto) it drops to >1kbps and ~1500ms ping on speedtest.net and horrific internet performance.
I pay t-mobile a small fortune per month but any complaint falls on deaf ears.
What i'd like to know is if i can modify the ROM in any way to prevent it roaming onto the poor side of the EE network?
Carl
As EE is now a single entity it'll go between the various masts and latch on to which ever it feels is closer/stronger - not a lot you can do about it tbh
However something must sit behind the two network names listed under find networks?
In any case, tmob have admitted it's a problem their end and are working on fixing it.

Roaming on an AT&T S3?

Do AT&T phones roam here in the United States? I'm new to AT&T and normally I always have signal but recently my company has me working in a new area where I virtually get NO signal. I'm always getting the circle with the line threw it, it seems like.
I just came over from Sprint because we have no LTE in my area and the 3G was a JOKE! AT&T has LTE almost everywhere I go and like I said, I normally always have full bars but in this one city I do not.
On Sprint, I could roam over to Verizon if I had no signal and it worked great.
I'm wondering if you can roam or force roaming on an AT&T phone the way you can on Sprints?
I do know that Verizon, Sprint and T-Mobile all work fine in the same area I'm having issues with AT&T.
Thank you.
Yes they automatically roam to other compatible carriers who have roaming agreements with AT&T. However, your phone won't indicate you are roaming. There is no cost to nationwide roaming, so ATT feels it's better to just make it 100% seemless.
If you use more that 100mb of data while roaming you will get a threatening email, text and letter. They will then change your account so that in the future you will see a roaming indicator when you are roaming.
You won't roam to Verizon or Sprint because their networks are not compatible.
richb500 said:
Yes they automatically roam to other compatible carriers who have roaming agreements with AT&T. However, your phone won't indicate you are roaming. There is no cost to nationwide roaming, so ATT feels it's better to just make it 100% seemless.
If you use more that 100mb of data while roaming you will get a threatening email, text and letter. They will then change your account so that in the future you will see a roaming indicator when you are roaming.
You won't roam to Verizon or Sprint because their networks are not compatible.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wondered about the roaming data stuff. If you were to move to an area where you are not under AT&T coverage, and continue to accumulate, will they be willing to let you out of contract without the ETF? After all, you would not be responsible for AT&T lack of coverage in the area. I have looked at a couple of locations while in the market for a home that does not have AT&T coverage and I am only 8 months into contract. I don't want to tally up another cost if I don't have too. I am not intentionally moving there to get out of contract, but rather the prices and locations of the homes are right.
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Cellular Network unavailable

Just switched over to Ting from Sprint using same cellular network. We didn't have any trouble on Sprint. Now however both me and my wife's Nexus 5x get signal drops and when we go to make a call see "Cellular Network is Unavailable" messages. Anyone else see something similar?
I've been having no service issues in and around my apartment complex since Tuesday. T-Mobile. I've tried switching sim cards.
I can drive 100 feet in either direction and pickup signal, but as soon as I get to my home area, I lose it. I also lost signal at a friends apartment complex half way across town, but had signal along the way. Not sure if it's my device or T-mobile....
Try updating the PRL and Carrier Settings. That usually fixes it for me.

PRL/Roam option?

Hi all, I have Sprint and I get awful reception in my new home. Back in the day, we used to have an option to manually update the PRL file on the phone and it would connect to Verizon or another cell provider. Is there a chance that this option or modification is still available? I guess my question is, do any ROMs offer roam only settings, or is there a way to manually roam. Sprint doesn't seem to care whether I get service or not, so I have to do some manual intervention on this. Any insight would be appreciated.
southernstyle said:
Hi all, I have Sprint and I get awful reception in my new home. Back in the day, we used to have an option to manually update the PRL file on the phone and it would connect to Verizon or another cell provider. Is there a chance that this option or modification is still available? I guess my question is, do any ROMs offer roam only settings, or is there a way to manually roam. Sprint doesn't seem to care whether I get service or not, so I have to do some manual intervention on this. Any insight would be appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are apps like Signal Spy that are made for Project Fi users to manually switch networks since that service is supposed to pick the strongest signal from among 3 networks used on Fi. But there are a lot more networks listed than the ones Fi uses. If you have roaming enabled on your phone maybe you could switch to a different network manually even though you aren't a Fi customer.
By the way, I'm assuming you have a Pixel XL based on where you posted your question. It's more likely an issue with the phone than Sprint. I was on Sprint for years via Virgin Mobile and 100.00 CDMA only phones were much better at picking up the Sprint signal than my 900.00 Pixel XL is. I'm on Fi where Sprint is one of the carriers and Sprint shows no service all over the city which I know is not the case.
I believe with sim cards now, the prl is automatically updated, at least that is what Verizon told me
jhs39 said:
There are apps like Signal Spy that are made for Project Fi users to manually switch networks since that service is supposed to pick the strongest signal from among 3 networks used on Fi. But there are a lot more networks listed than the ones Fi uses. If you have roaming enabled on your phone maybe you could switch to a different network manually even though you aren't a Fi customer.
By the way, I'm assuming you have a Pixel XL based on where you posted your question. It's more likely an issue with the phone than Sprint. I was on Sprint for years via Virgin Mobile and 100.00 CDMA only phones were much better at picking up the Sprint signal than my 900.00 Pixel XL is. I'm on Fi where Sprint is one of the carriers and Sprint shows no service all over the city which I know is not the case.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for the info. I'm on the Pixel XL, but my gf has the same problem on an S7 edge. I put in my project fi Sim to see if t mobile was any better, but both seem to be weak at my house. I'll give the app a try. Thanks again
chapelfreak said:
I believe with sim cards now, the prl is automatically updated, at least that is what Verizon told me
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had a feeling that was the case. I wish there was a way to modify the SIM card. Thanks for verifying that, it must be easier for them to keep us from editing the files.
chapelfreak said:
I believe with sim cards now, the prl is automatically updated, at least that is what Verizon told me
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Verizon works that way, but this is one of the areas where Verizon and Sprint are different in how they implemented 4G LTE. Another example is that customers can switch sim cards between 4G LTE phones on Verizon, while you have to follow Sprint's procedure to switch service between LTE phones.
southernstyle said:
Hi all, I have Sprint and I get awful reception in my new home. Back in the day, we used to have an option to manually update the PRL file on the phone and it would connect to Verizon or another cell provider. Is there a chance that this option or modification is still available?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I haven't used Sprint, and I also haven't tried to pull a PRL off this phone, yet this is what Sprint's website returns.
https://support.sprint.com/support/...pixel |All&question_box=update prl pixel |All
alluringreality said:
Verizon works that way, but this is one of the areas where Verizon and Sprint are different in how they implemented 4G LTE. Another example is that customers can switch sim cards between 4G LTE phones on Verizon, while you have to follow Sprint's procedure to switch service between LTE phones.
I haven't used Sprint, and I also haven't tried to pull a PRL off this phone, yet this is what Sprint's website returns.
https://support.sprint.com/support/...pixel |All&question_box=update prl pixel |All
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've never used sprint because they always roam off Verizon where I live. The nearest native coverage is about 25 miles from where I live. That's good to know.
Sometimes if you aren't stuck with a contract it's a matter of finding who has the best network near you. I was on Sprint via Virgin Mobile for over 10 years and the network was great everywhere I went. Unfortunately Virgin Mobile won't let you bring your own phone so when I got a Nexus I switched to AT&T via Cricket. I couldn't get any phone reception at all in whole rooms in my apartment. It was brutal. After months of putting up with that I switched to Project Fi. I get good reception in my apartment with both Sprint and T-Mobile, although my Nexus 6P preferred T-Mobile and for some reason the Pixel XL prefers Sprint. Sometimes I have to manually switch to T-Mobile because Sprint reception is much spottier than it should be and Fi doesn't always switch on its own.

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