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.
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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.
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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
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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
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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?
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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
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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.
Related
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
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You'll need to buy the Canadian version of the DZ (from Bell Mobility).
I've seen a lot of threads about different devices on other networks, but I haven't been able to find an answer on this question. I've seen pictures of the back of Sprint SGS3s compared to VZW, AT&T, T-mobile, etc and I know it doesn't have a SIM card slot - but I've only seen this in reference to global capability. I also know the Verizon is locked, but obviously that is only important from going Verizon to a different carrier. How does this apply when going from a different carrier to VZW?
I have a company phone on Sprint, and a personal cell phone on Verizon. I just got a new phone on Verizon, but it isn't working (the screen doesn't turn on 95% of the time) and didn't get insurance on it. I do, however, have an upgrade available through my company Sprint phone. Sprint's service is awful in Phoenix, though - so I'm hoping to be able to get an SIII through Sprint but use it on my Verizon plan. Is this possible?
Thanks!
kasmira said:
I've seen a lot of threads about different devices on other networks, but I haven't been able to find an answer on this question. I've seen pictures of the back of Sprint SGS3s compared to VZW, AT&T, T-mobile, etc and I know it doesn't have a SIM card slot - but I've only seen this in reference to global capability. I also know the Verizon is locked, but obviously that is only important from going Verizon to a different carrier. How does this apply when going from a different carrier to VZW?
I have a company phone on Sprint, and a personal cell phone on Verizon. I just got a new phone on Verizon, but it isn't working (the screen doesn't turn on 95% of the time) and didn't get insurance on it. I do, however, have an upgrade available through my company Sprint phone. Sprint's service is awful in Phoenix, though - so I'm hoping to be able to get an SIII through Sprint but use it on my Verizon plan. Is this possible?
Thanks!
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I honestly don't know but I know Sprint phone went with with Verizon's lte
Sent from my SPH-L710...if some one helps you press the thanks button
According to the guy at the Verizon store, who I plan to upgrade to in November when my contract is up due to T-Mobiles terrible service, seems to think that since it is a SIM phone, and Verizon's new network phones (4G / XLTE) use a SIM card, that I can unlock my TMO phone and it will be able to then be assigned a new IMEI so that I can use it on a Verizon network...
Think this is true and if so, how do I do this? I don't know that I want to upgrade phones... I love my N2 and will only upgrade if there is a Note 4 out by then...
svavrek said:
According to the guy at the Verizon store, who I plan to upgrade to in November when my contract is up due to T-Mobiles terrible service, seems to think that since it is a SIM phone, and Verizon's new network phones (4G / XLTE) use a SIM card, that I can unlock my TMO phone and it will be able to then be assigned a new IMEI so that I can use it on a Verizon network...
Think this is true and if so, how do I do this? I don't know that I want to upgrade phones... I love my N2 and will only upgrade if there is a Note 4 out by then...
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As far as i know, Verizon uses a hybrid cdma/lte network. Voice is still handled through the cdma2000 antennae and network, whereas data (in lte coveted areas) by lte anrennae and network. If this holds true, shoving a Verizon SIM into a tmous phone will only give you data in lte covered areas. Assuming the sgh-t889 has the right band requirements to function on Verizons network.
In a nutshel: it is a very very long shot. Either way, you're guaranteed not to be able to make phonecalls.
Unfortunately, i have no sources to present you. This is just gleamed knowledge aqwired from countless hours of googletubing.
It is extremely possible the cdma functionality is just switched off, and could be jtagged. But that's way over my head.
I wouldn't bet on it. Even with VoLTE I doubt it would work all that well on LTE. Then if you are in a non LTE area you are SOL.
Hastily spouted for your befuddlement
I typed in my imei on the Straight Talk website and it said that my phone was compatible and that I would only have to use the CDMA network access code for my note 4. Does anyone know if this will be on the Verizon network or Sprint
Probably Sprint. But I'd call them and find out before you activate it. If you want Verizon network (better network if you ask me), go to Page Plus Cellular.
Sakete said:
Probably Sprint. But I'd call them and find out before you activate it. If you want Verizon network (better network if you ask me), go to Page Plus Cellular.
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Nothing but Verizon even works in my area that's why I was asking to begin with because I am currently with Verizon but wanted to switch my verizon phone to prepay. I will have to look into pagepluscellular I honestly have never heard of them until just now, thanks
I'm currently in the process of porting my number to Page Plus from Straight Talk (wanted to switch to the Verizon network, as with the AT&T network I have 0 signal at work). They just started offering 4G LTE plans and I think they work exclusively with the Verizon network.
Hey guys, I asked awhile back about switching to ST and I've done it. I finally got data working by using a TMO SIM, but I can only get EDGE, no more, no less. Even in relatively large cities in my area that have TMO towers, I only get EDGE. My question is, is there anything I can do to get better data?
I have Verizon LG G4 on Straight Talk Verizon Towers and everything works great! Not sure what your issue is. Only issue I see is when I make a phone call, it drops to 1x always
photos.by.fako said:
I have Verizon LG G4 on Straight Talk Verizon Towers and everything works great! Not sure what your issue is. Only issue I see is when I make a phone call, it drops to 1x always
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That's because you're not using Advanced Calling (VoLTE). On Verizon's network, calls always drop to 1X unless you're using Advanced Calling. In the past, most Verizon phones didn't indicate this. They would continue to show whatever data connection the phone had (3G, 4G) even though the call was being done over 1X. Several recent Verizon devices have been more honest about which networks are actually in use, including the G4.
So, what you're experiencing isn't an issue. It's what should be happening.
photos.by.fako said:
I have Verizon LG G4 on Straight Talk Verizon Towers and everything works great! Not sure what your issue is. Only issue I see is when I make a phone call, it drops to 1x always
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That's because you're using a Verizon ST SIM, the OP is using a T-Mobile ST SIM. Also, you need to enable Advanced Calling on your account and your phone to use voice and data at the same time over LTE.
To the OP, I have the same problem. When I put my T-Mobile SIM in my VS986 I only get 2G at home, while LTE only works in the older LTE sites that are using band 4 primarily. Most 2G > LTE sites are using band 2, which according to the Verizon spec page this phone supports, but it must not be active as it doesn't work. I've been looking at ways to enable band 2 without any success yet.
To the OP, you added the APN configs for Straight Talk T-Mobile, correct?
Sent from my VS986 using Tapatalk
official.xian said:
Hey guys, I asked awhile back about switching to ST and I've done it. I finally got data working by using a TMO SIM, but I can only get EDGE, no more, no less. Even in relatively large cities in my area that have TMO towers, I only get EDGE. My question is, is there anything I can do to get better data?
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I just opened a thread asking about VS986 wcdma bands availability. I was reading LG specs and they say this phone has no 3g, just 2g and LTE. Reading in many other web pages they say this phone has all 4 wcdma bands available. Maybe they are software locked?
I think, I made a mistake buying this phone to be used in a GSM network. Have you checked with Verizon/Tmo rep?
photos.by.fako said:
I have Verizon LG G4 on Straight Talk Verizon Towers and everything works great! Not sure what your issue is. Only issue I see is when I make a phone call, it drops to 1x always
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What are your LTE speeds like? I thought about making the switch but then I read that Verizon limits LTE speeds on ST to 5MBPS...Is that true? As it is my 3g+ speeds end up being faster than that most of the time.
rick09 said:
What are your LTE speeds like? I thought about making the switch but then I read that Verizon limits LTE speeds on ST to 5MBPS...Is that true? As it is my 3g+ speeds end up being faster than that most of the time.
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I'm getting better than 5Mbps, but definitely shaped/limited bandwidth. If you actually use 10Mbps+ regularly, keep shopping.