WirelessAdvisor.com

sandor · 09-26-2002, 8:22 PM

From what I understand, Verizon uses the Sprint PCS network when a user is out of their range (at no charge with certain plans). Now, I have Verizon and have lousy reception in my apartment (low bars, dropped calls, etc), but my friend has Sprint and has had no trouble in my place (4-5 bars, clear reception). Instead of dropping most of my calls, shouldn't my phone automatically use the Sprint network instead? Since I'm technically in an area serviced by Verizon, maybe they won't allow it- would there be any way I can "make" it use it? (i.e. is there some setting on the phone, or could Verizon allow it, etc).

Rich · 09-26-2002, 10:27 PM

Hi Sandor,

I too had the same problem in Northern Arizona. My Verizon phone would barley pickup a "Verizon" signal...but, sometimes it would roam off Sprint Pcs and when it did.. i had a full signal. So I got sick and tired of not getting voicemail's, dropped calls and lousy reception, so I switched to Sprint and couldn't be happier.

larry · 09-27-2002, 2:22 AM

I believe that Verizon has been cutting back on their agreements with Sprint. Verizon phones may still favor a weak Verizon or Alltel signal over a stronger Sprint signal.

sandor · 09-27-2002, 2:37 AM

Looks like I might join you Rich and switch to Sprint. I'll talk to Verizon and see if they can do anything about my situation (after all, their moto is "they never stop working for you"), but I doubt it. I still have a week in my trial period for Verizon, so switching shouldn't be an issue. But I really like the phone I have and the fact that the off peak starts at 8:00pm instead of 9:00pm like all the other programs- since I'm in CA and all of my family is on the East Coast, that extra hour really is nice. Bust of course, so is reception in my apartment.

BillRadio · 09-27-2002, 11:21 AM

Sandor,
The phone will NOT roam onto Sprint PCS unless it loses the Verizon signal entirely. The phone will always prefer the Verizon signal, no matter how weak, analog or digital.

The intention of adding Sprint PCS was to give America's Choice customers a signal in cities where Verizon has no coverage, like OK City, Little Rock, Yakima, etc. It was not intended as a backup in states where Verizon has coverage over most of the area. You just happen to live in a VZ weak spot.

-Bill

sandor · 09-27-2002, 12:45 PM

Thanks BillRadio- I was just hoping for an easy solution to my problem. Looks like I'm switching to Sprint tomorrow after I drop Verizon. Maybe if I ask nicely, they'll give me off-peak hours starting at 8:00 like Verizon.

coalminer · 09-27-2002, 5:39 PM

Well, depending on what kind of phone you have, you could make the phone select the Sprint phone over the Verizon signal. Verizon does not lock the programming in their phones, so this is possible. And you have to make sure that Sprint is in the PRL for your area. I know, it is not the right thing to do, but oh well, I would do that if I were in that situation. Hmmmm, not many areas around here that would happen, but I guess anything is possible.

BigBroni · 09-27-2002, 6:46 PM

When I was testing out Sprint and Verizon at the same time, it seemed like there were a lot of areas where Verizon had a signal, but it wasn't very strong. A lot of those areas Sprint had a strong signal. Sprint also had a few dead spots whereas Verizon always had a signal whether it was weak or strong. Sprint also roamed onto AT&T's analog in some of those dead spots. Where are you located exactly Sandor?

09-27-2002, 8:12 PM

I had about the same problem in slc, ut. What I did to resolve the problem is program sprints system id in to my phone had set it to home only when at my house. It works like a charm

SprintTechRep · 09-27-2002, 10:24 PM

verizon gave you a plan with off peak starting at 8 PM? As far as I know, all verizon off peaks are after 9PM. But I could be wrong. Sprint use to have 8 PM offpeak for a long time. Sprint converted to 9PM offpeak a little over a year ago because it had no reason to stay at 8PM since all other providers had 9PM (including verizon). I wouldnt bother asking sprint for 8PM offpeak. They will say "no". Doesnt matter how nicely you ask. Besides, the codes for those plans are no longer available in most systems.

And in response to the previous replier. Sprint wont activate any other phone that doesnt actually say "sprint" on it. So you can not use a verizon handset. Doesnt matter if verizon locks their phones or not

If you try sprint, post here with a little review [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

If you switch to sprint, do it quick while they are still offering free phones (or $100 in store rebate)
If you choose a free phone, do us techs and yourself a favor and chose the sanyo 4700. If you decide you want to pay the difference for a more expensive phone, then get the sanyo 4900. Either way, GET A SANYO!

TNDan21 · 09-28-2002, 8:57 AM

SprintTechRep I believe in some parts on the west coast Verizon Wireless still offers night minutes starting at 8 PM. On the East Coast however its all 9 PM start times.

larry · 09-29-2002, 2:02 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by: BigBroni
When I was testing out Sprint and Verizon at the same time, it seemed like there were a lot of areas where Verizon had a signal, but it wasn't very strong. A lot of those areas Sprint had a strong signal. Sprint also had a few dead spots whereas Verizon always had a signal whether it was weak or strong. Sprint also roamed onto AT&T's analog in some of those dead spots. Where are you located exactly Sandor?

BigBroni,

Just curious as to where Sprint roamed onto AT&T analog. I know you live just a couple of miles from me. Sprint does not have roaming agreements with AT&T in most of So. California including Orange and LA Counties. Verizon is their roaming partner here. If you somehow land on AT&T analog you would not be able to place or receive a call without a credit card. On the rare occasions that I do roam in the mountains or desert I almost always pick up Verizon analog.

BigBroni · 09-29-2002, 10:51 AM

Larry, Sprint roamed onto AT&T analog at my work in Walnut and also in my friend's apartment in Santa Ana. It said roaming analog and when I would call *2 it would go to AT&T wireless customer service, really weird!!!!

larry · 09-29-2002, 1:05 PM

That is weird considering there are no roaming agreements with AT&T. That has never happened to me in the 5 years that I've been using Sprint. Did you try to place a test call besides customer service? Do you happen to know which PRL version the phone had?

BigBroni · 09-29-2002, 2:53 PM

To tell you the truth I have no idea. I had the Sanyo 5150 and I hadn't activated service, if this makes a difference. So the only thing I could do to check reception was call *2. When it would roam into analog I would call *2 and it would say "Welcome to AT&T Wireless". Really weird.

sandor · 09-30-2002, 8:49 PM

Update- I switched to Sprint when they still had the $100 off on the phones deal. I decided to go the path of least resistance and get the service that I knew worked at my place. I know people here aren't too thrilled with the Samsung A460, but I decided to try it out (I've heard good things, too)- I can always switch it during the first 14 days of service, if need be. So far, its been working great.

BigBroni- I live in Berkeley, CA (near University and San Pablo Ave, if you're familiar with the area). With Verizon, I would get reception in the neighborhood, just not in my apartment or backyard.

SprintTechRep- Verizon is offering 8:00pm as the start of off peak in my area- what it may be elsewhere, I really can't say. And I will post a review after I've tried it all out.

Thanks for all the input!

BigBroni · 10-01-2002, 7:10 PM

What's the point of having my tri-band phone if i cant use 1900 mhz from SPCS???? Why do they make me buy a tri band when i can get away with a dual band?

larry · 10-01-2002, 8:40 PM

In case you travel out of state where Verizon does have 1900 MHZ coverage.

calwatch · 10-07-2002, 4:47 AM

Sprint isn't too bad in Berkeley, primarily because they have made a major push to add more cell towers in the area. There's one on one of the buildings in the Telegraph area and a microcell on top of Etcheverry Hall. My phone will roam onto Sprint randomly as well. One trick that occasionally works to get Sprint from a Verizon phone is wrapping your fist around the phone's antenna, although I'm not sure if that's more of a placebo effect than anything real.

larry · 10-07-2002, 1:11 PM

Hey calwatch,

How did you know the locations of those Sprint antennas in Berkeley? I already knew about the one on Etcheverry Hall but I was wondering if you could give me the exact address of the one on Telegraph? I have a friend in Berkeley who noticed the increased signal a few months ago but was unable to find the exact location of the Telegraph antenna. Thanks

calwatch · 10-07-2002, 11:50 PM

Larry, I'm an engineering student and so I was made aware of the Etcheverry site by a friend who's in the building next door (Soda Hall) constantly. As for the Telegraph site, that was also mentioned to me by someone in the office who noticed that "Sprint sucks less here"; my guess would be the tower is near Telegraph Commons, which is the highest non-UC building in the area, but I'm not sure.

larry · 10-08-2002, 1:46 AM

Thanks. If you ever find out for sure about the Telegraph site please let me know. I believe it went online somtime in early July.

09-26-2002, 8:22 PM	#1 (permalink)
sandor Fresh Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 19 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	If Verizon uses Sprint network where they don't have coverage, should I/can I be getting better reception in my apt.? From what I understand, Verizon uses the Sprint PCS network when a user is out of their range (at no charge with certain plans). Now, I have Verizon and have lousy reception in my apartment (low bars, dropped calls, etc), but my friend has Sprint and has had no trouble in my place (4-5 bars, clear reception). Instead of dropping most of my calls, shouldn't my phone automatically use the Sprint network instead? Since I'm technically in an area serviced by Verizon, maybe they won't allow it- would there be any way I can "make" it use it? (i.e. is there some setting on the phone, or could Verizon allow it, etc).

09-26-2002, 10:27 PM	#2 (permalink)
Rich Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Pennsauken,NJ Posts: 761 Phone(s): Instinct Provider(s): Sprint Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts My Auctions	If Verizon uses Sprint network where they don't have coverage, should I/can I be getting better reception in my apt.? Hi Sandor, I too had the same problem in Northern Arizona. My Verizon phone would barley pickup a "Verizon" signal...but, sometimes it would roam off Sprint Pcs and when it did.. i had a full signal. So I got sick and tired of not getting voicemail's, dropped calls and lousy reception, so I switched to Sprint and couldn't be happier. __________________ "Make something fool-proof and someone will make a better fool."

09-27-2002, 2:22 AM	#3 (permalink)
larry Go Angels! Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 12,949 Phone(s): LG Rumor Provider(s): Sprint Thanks: 17 Thanked 16 Times in 15 Posts Images: 146 My Auctions	If Verizon uses Sprint network where they don't have coverage, should I/can I be getting better reception in my apt.? I believe that Verizon has been cutting back on their agreements with Sprint. Verizon phones may still favor a weak Verizon or Alltel signal over a stronger Sprint signal.

09-27-2002, 2:37 AM	#4 (permalink)
sandor Fresh Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 19 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	If Verizon uses Sprint network where they don't have coverage, should I/can I be getting better reception in my apt.? Looks like I might join you Rich and switch to Sprint. I'll talk to Verizon and see if they can do anything about my situation (after all, their moto is "they never stop working for you"), but I doubt it. I still have a week in my trial period for Verizon, so switching shouldn't be an issue. But I really like the phone I have and the fact that the off peak starts at 8:00pm instead of 9:00pm like all the other programs- since I'm in CA and all of my family is on the East Coast, that extra hour really is nice. Bust of course, so is reception in my apartment.

09-27-2002, 11:21 AM	#5 (permalink)
BillRadio Wireless Consultant Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Denver Posts: 1,387 Phone(s): Motorola, Nokia Provider(s): Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, Sprint Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts Images: 1	If Verizon uses Sprint network where they don't have coverage, should I/can I be getting better reception in my apt.? Sandor, The phone will NOT roam onto Sprint PCS unless it loses the Verizon signal entirely. The phone will always prefer the Verizon signal, no matter how weak, analog or digital. The intention of adding Sprint PCS was to give America's Choice customers a signal in cities where Verizon has no coverage, like OK City, Little Rock, Yakima, etc. It was not intended as a backup in states where Verizon has coverage over most of the area. You just happen to live in a VZ weak spot. -Bill __________________ Cellular Reviews & Ratings. www.MountainWireless.com

09-27-2002, 12:45 PM	#6 (permalink)
sandor Fresh Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 19 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	If Verizon uses Sprint network where they don't have coverage, should I/can I be getting better reception in my apt.? Thanks BillRadio- I was just hoping for an easy solution to my problem. Looks like I'm switching to Sprint tomorrow after I drop Verizon. Maybe if I ask nicely, they'll give me off-peak hours starting at 8:00 like Verizon.

09-27-2002, 5:39 PM	#7 (permalink)
coalminer Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North Royalton, OH Posts: 499 Phone(s): Casio Gzone V/RIM 8703e, Novatel s720, LG 8550 (wife) Provider(s): Verizon Sprint (data) Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts My Auctions	If Verizon uses Sprint network where they don't have coverage, should I/can I be getting better reception in my apt.? Well, depending on what kind of phone you have, you could make the phone select the Sprint phone over the Verizon signal. Verizon does not lock the programming in their phones, so this is possible. And you have to make sure that Sprint is in the PRL for your area. I know, it is not the right thing to do, but oh well, I would do that if I were in that situation. Hmmmm, not many areas around here that would happen, but I guess anything is possible.

09-27-2002, 6:46 PM	#8 (permalink)
BigBroni Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 82 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	If Verizon uses Sprint network where they don't have coverage, should I/can I be getting better reception in my apt.? When I was testing out Sprint and Verizon at the same time, it seemed like there were a lot of areas where Verizon had a signal, but it wasn't very strong. A lot of those areas Sprint had a strong signal. Sprint also had a few dead spots whereas Verizon always had a signal whether it was weak or strong. Sprint also roamed onto AT&T's analog in some of those dead spots. Where are you located exactly Sandor?

09-27-2002, 8:12 PM	#9 (permalink)
Guest Posts: n/a	If Verizon uses Sprint network where they don't have coverage, should I/can I be getting better reception in my apt.? I had about the same problem in slc, ut. What I did to resolve the problem is program sprints system id in to my phone had set it to home only when at my house. It works like a charm

09-27-2002, 10:24 PM	#10 (permalink)
SprintTechRep Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 411 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	If Verizon uses Sprint network where they don't have coverage, should I/can I be getting better reception in my apt.? verizon gave you a plan with off peak starting at 8 PM? As far as I know, all verizon off peaks are after 9PM. But I could be wrong. Sprint use to have 8 PM offpeak for a long time. Sprint converted to 9PM offpeak a little over a year ago because it had no reason to stay at 8PM since all other providers had 9PM (including verizon). I wouldnt bother asking sprint for 8PM offpeak. They will say "no". Doesnt matter how nicely you ask. Besides, the codes for those plans are no longer available in most systems. And in response to the previous replier. Sprint wont activate any other phone that doesnt actually say "sprint" on it. So you can not use a verizon handset. Doesnt matter if verizon locks their phones or not If you try sprint, post here with a little review [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img] If you switch to sprint, do it quick while they are still offering free phones (or $100 in store rebate) If you choose a free phone, do us techs and yourself a favor and chose the sanyo 4700. If you decide you want to pay the difference for a more expensive phone, then get the sanyo 4900. Either way, GET A SANYO!

09-28-2002, 8:57 AM	#11 (permalink)
TNDan21 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Kingsport, TN Posts: 5,964 Phone(s): LG enV2, Samsung t219 Provider(s): Verizon Wireless, T-Mobile Devices: iPod Nano Thanks: 0 Thanked 8 Times in 6 Posts	If Verizon uses Sprint network where they don't have coverage, should I/can I be getting better reception in my apt.? SprintTechRep I believe in some parts on the west coast Verizon Wireless still offers night minutes starting at 8 PM. On the East Coast however its all 9 PM start times.

09-29-2002, 10:51 AM	#13 (permalink)
BigBroni Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 82 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	If Verizon uses Sprint network where they don't have coverage, should I/can I be getting better reception in my apt.? Larry, Sprint roamed onto AT&T analog at my work in Walnut and also in my friend's apartment in Santa Ana. It said roaming analog and when I would call *2 it would go to AT&T wireless customer service, really weird!!!!

09-29-2002, 1:05 PM	#14 (permalink)
larry Go Angels! Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 12,949 Phone(s): LG Rumor Provider(s): Sprint Thanks: 17 Thanked 16 Times in 15 Posts Images: 146 My Auctions	If Verizon uses Sprint network where they don't have coverage, should I/can I be getting better reception in my apt.? That is weird considering there are no roaming agreements with AT&T. That has never happened to me in the 5 years that I've been using Sprint. Did you try to place a test call besides customer service? Do you happen to know which PRL version the phone had?

09-29-2002, 2:53 PM	#15 (permalink)
BigBroni Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 82 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	If Verizon uses Sprint network where they don't have coverage, should I/can I be getting better reception in my apt.? To tell you the truth I have no idea. I had the Sanyo 5150 and I hadn't activated service, if this makes a difference. So the only thing I could do to check reception was call 2. When it would roam into analog I would call 2 and it would say "Welcome to AT&T Wireless". Really weird.

09-30-2002, 8:49 PM	#16 (permalink)
sandor Fresh Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 19 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	If Verizon uses Sprint network where they don't have coverage, should I/can I be getting better reception in my apt.? Update- I switched to Sprint when they still had the $100 off on the phones deal. I decided to go the path of least resistance and get the service that I knew worked at my place. I know people here aren't too thrilled with the Samsung A460, but I decided to try it out (I've heard good things, too)- I can always switch it during the first 14 days of service, if need be. So far, its been working great. BigBroni- I live in Berkeley, CA (near University and San Pablo Ave, if you're familiar with the area). With Verizon, I would get reception in the neighborhood, just not in my apartment or backyard. SprintTechRep- Verizon is offering 8:00pm as the start of off peak in my area- what it may be elsewhere, I really can't say. And I will post a review after I've tried it all out. Thanks for all the input!

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10-01-2002, 7:10 PM	#17 (permalink)
BigBroni Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 82 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	If Verizon uses Sprint network where they don't have coverage, should I/can I be getting better reception in my apt.? What's the point of having my tri-band phone if i cant use 1900 mhz from SPCS???? Why do they make me buy a tri band when i can get away with a dual band?

10-01-2002, 8:40 PM	#18 (permalink)
larry Go Angels! Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 12,949 Phone(s): LG Rumor Provider(s): Sprint Thanks: 17 Thanked 16 Times in 15 Posts Images: 146 My Auctions	If Verizon uses Sprint network where they don't have coverage, should I/can I be getting better reception in my apt.? In case you travel out of state where Verizon does have 1900 MHZ coverage.

10-07-2002, 4:47 AM	#19 (permalink)
calwatch Fresh Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 13 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	If Verizon uses Sprint network where they don't have coverage, should I/can I be getting better reception in my apt.? Sprint isn't too bad in Berkeley, primarily because they have made a major push to add more cell towers in the area. There's one on one of the buildings in the Telegraph area and a microcell on top of Etcheverry Hall. My phone will roam onto Sprint randomly as well. One trick that occasionally works to get Sprint from a Verizon phone is wrapping your fist around the phone's antenna, although I'm not sure if that's more of a placebo effect than anything real.

10-07-2002, 1:11 PM	#20 (permalink)
larry Go Angels! Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 12,949 Phone(s): LG Rumor Provider(s): Sprint Thanks: 17 Thanked 16 Times in 15 Posts Images: 146 My Auctions	If Verizon uses Sprint network where they don't have coverage, should I/can I be getting better reception in my apt.? Hey calwatch, How did you know the locations of those Sprint antennas in Berkeley? I already knew about the one on Etcheverry Hall but I was wondering if you could give me the exact address of the one on Telegraph? I have a friend in Berkeley who noticed the increased signal a few months ago but was unable to find the exact location of the Telegraph antenna. Thanks

10-07-2002, 11:50 PM	#21 (permalink)
calwatch Fresh Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 13 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	If Verizon uses Sprint network where they don't have coverage, should I/can I be getting better reception in my apt.? Larry, I'm an engineering student and so I was made aware of the Etcheverry site by a friend who's in the building next door (Soda Hall) constantly. As for the Telegraph site, that was also mentioned to me by someone in the office who noticed that "Sprint sucks less here"; my guess would be the tower is near Telegraph Commons, which is the highest non-UC building in the area, but I'm not sure.

10-08-2002, 1:46 AM	#22 (permalink)
larry Go Angels! Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 12,949 Phone(s): LG Rumor Provider(s): Sprint Thanks: 17 Thanked 16 Times in 15 Posts Images: 146 My Auctions	If Verizon uses Sprint network where they don't have coverage, should I/can I be getting better reception in my apt.? Thanks. If you ever find out for sure about the Telegraph site please let me know. I believe it went online somtime in early July.

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