Changing Pricing Plans to improve Verizon's VX 6000 Perf.?????

[Trojan]

I was told the most absurd story by Verizon Customer service today that I need to change my pricing plan in order for my LG VX 6000 to work properly. I had called to complain about fluctuating signal and difficulties picking up signal in traditioanally digital areas.
I even changed my phone thinking it might have been a defective headset and now after the 15 day trial has expired, I am being told this story. Is there any validity in it??? I could not comprehend what pricing plan has to do with digital service. I am currently on America's Choice 300 with 8 pm as starting time of night and weekends, something I really like. Are they trying to have me go to the more expensive plans that they now offer and why wasn't I told that I need to change plans for optimal phone performance at the time of purchasing the VX???
I would appreciate your comments.
Thanks.
[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-mad.gif[/img]

[Cenobyte]

Verizon requires that digital only handsets like the vx6000 be activated on price plans starting 06/02/03 or newer, and they should've gone over this with you when you purchased it, but the plan itself does not affect the performance of the phone. They can add the 1x provisioning code to your existing plan, and it should work just fine. The only problem I've noticed with using the phone on older pricing is that some people have trouble receiving pix messages from e-mail addresses. It does not have any affect on how well your handset receives the signal from the tower.

[CaliforniaJay]

I hate to say this but I was having trouble with my VX6000 in that it had the same signal strength issues described here (bars would seem to almost randomly go from full strength to one or two bars). A few days ago, I changed from a local plan to an America's Choice plan and I swear it seems as though it helped the reception problems. When I changed plans I noticed this change in behavior and wondered if changing plans (and thus doing a *228 to upgrade the PRL) just might have made a difference in reception, but I kind've dropped the issue and didn't think about it again until I read this thread.

As far as problems with being able to send pictures, make sure that when you change a plan that you have the customer service rep make sure you still have the ability to send pictures. I was unable to after the plan change (also my caller ID blocking was no longer in effect) until I called customer service and had them make sure these two options were checked off in their system for me.

[Trojan]

Thank you for the valuable information. I will try to ask Customer Service to add the 1x provisioning code-hope they would do it without changing my pricing plan.

[Cenobyte]

Originally posted by: CaliforniaJay I hate to say this but I was having trouble with my VX6000 in that it had the same signal strength issues described here (bars would seem to almost randomly go from full strength to one or two bars). A few days ago, I changed from a local plan to an America's Choice plan and I swear it seems as though it helped the reception problems. When I changed plans I noticed this change in behavior and wondered if changing plans (and thus doing a *228 to upgrade the PRL) just might have made a difference in reception, but I kind've dropped the issue and didn't think about it again until I read this thread. As far as problems with being able to send pictures, make sure that when you change a plan that you have the customer service rep make sure you still have the ability to send pictures. I was unable to after the plan change (also my caller ID blocking was no longer in effect) until I called customer service and had them make sure these two options were checked off in their system for me.

Updating the PRL won't improve the reception of your phone, it only updates the phone as to what System ID's it should be looking for in certain areas, for roaming.

[Codepyro]

force you phone to p_rev_3(maybe its p_rev_4 try both) it should improve your singla strength and the abilit to make calls but you'll loose 1x capabilities(pic messaging..)
menu > 0 > 000000 -> p_rev_3 or p_rev_4 see if that works..

[Trojan]

I apologize for my ignorance but how do I force it to rev_3 or 4?
Thank you.

[Trojan]

Sorry, just figured it out.

[jayc]

There is a problem with the VX6000 dropping singal to no/1 bar of service, VZW is aware of this.

[Trojan]

Dear Codepyro,

I did force my phone into rev_4 and now I have the D icon instead of 1x and it seems to hold the signal a bit better. You mentioned by doing that, I will loose the 1x benefits of receiving picture messages. Are there any other downsides I should be aware of?
Thank you.

[Codepyro]

nope those are the only down sides...you can easily switch it back anytime you need pic messaign also bec careful because it someitmse switch backs when u power cycle the phone...see what happens from what i know from what the experts(the mods) have said....is that there are channel like 1,2,3,4(the numbers are different but does not matter much for my point) channel 1 would be used for 1x(enhanced digital) calls while 2,3,4 would be reserved for digital calls(the D showing up on your phone)...sometimes channel 1 gets crowded hence the calls dont go through as fast...or sometimes the signal may appear to be weaker...i think verizon will convert the other channels to 1x as soon as more people start using 1x phones...adn then the capacity would be equal tot what you expereince right now with Digital service....also its good to power cycle your phone once in a while...

[CaliforniaJay]

jayc, if Verizon is aware of this, are they DOING anything about it?