Roaming and coverage issues
We were Verizon customer's from 2003-2004 but left for the following reasons
1. I was constantly having to call customer service to get re-embursed for roaming charges in areas they had coverage. Places like BWI airport, the Pentagon, downtown St Louis, suburban Denver, suburban Tulsa etc. I had at least 2~3 calls a month I had to do this for. Also, my phone was constantly "in-network roaming" and call quality was bad.
2. We frequently drive the I-44 corridor from St Louis to Tulsa. The Verizon maps even then showed complete coverage along the interstate itself, but we found 50~60 of the route had no sign...
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I don't know about that specific highway you are talking about, but with the acquisition of alltel, coverage in the south has improved dramatically.
I had a nationwide plan back then too because of all my buisness travelling. However, I was still getting billed for roaming charges in some really odd places in major US cities like Baltimore, Washington DC, Denver, Phillidelphia, Oklahoma City, Tulsa, St. Louis etc. Having to review my bill line-by-line each month was a pain. I felt like I was getting to know the CS folks on a first name basis. The charges were always waived, but the constant errors were frustrating. Looking at the display on my phone it always seemed as if I roamed as much as was in network. The roaming also made it difficult if not impossible to check/get voice mail messages.
desertnate said:
Thanks.
I had a nationwide plan back then too because of all my buisness travelling. However, I was still getting billed for roaming charges in some really odd places in major US cities like Baltimore, Washington DC, Denver, Phillidelphia, Oklahoma City, Tulsa, St. Louis etc. Having to review my bill line-by-line each month was a pain. I felt like I was getting to know the CS folks on a first name basis. The charges were always waived, but the constant errors were frustrating. Looking at the display on my phone it always seemed as if I roamed as much as was in network. The roaming also made it difficult if not impossible to check/get voice mail messages.
That's why they have a tri...
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Insofar as being billed for roaming here in the U.S...Isn't that a function of the indicator? If you are in an area where there is no roaming agreement, the indicator (a triangle on my phone) will not flash on and off. It will stay solid until you go back into an agreement area, and it pulses on and off. My undertanding was that if that indicator doesn't flash, you can use your phone, but you will be charged for roaming. If that's not right, tell me, because I've always observed that rule.
if Verizon does not have coverage you will not roam but your phone may not work... thus no roaming.
So if you had an area you used to roam in you most likely would not be charged roaming but you may not have service either.
Good news is you have a couple options, 1) try the equipment for the trial period. Also 2)if you find that your phone will not work in an area you need it to and Verizon advertises it will work, Customer Service should technically disconnect and waive ETF.
If you have an intersection that was troublesome previously call and ask if service has improved.
It sounds like my problems back then were due to Verizon's patchwork network. I guess I could deal with the roaming if I can get better coverage.
Click Pre Paid.
All the Purple is Verizon service area. the sliver color is Extended Network on Post Paid and Roaming on Pre Paid.
I started with Verizon in 2004. I can assure you that things have changed (improved) about 15 times since then.
The one thing you're going to need to look into, and I wish I could just direct you to someone in your area who knows, but I don't know anyone in your area, is what will the new coverage areas look like after the Alltel tranistion is complete.
Back in 2003-2004, there was a lot (as in mostly) extended network and roaming coverage in your area. Extended network is simply roaming that you didn't have to pay a per-minute rate for. Long ago, the government kept Verizon (and its predecessors) out...
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For his area, Verizon is the best. I had AT&T when I lived there and its horrible.
I actually jumped from Verizon to Cingular/AT&T because of all the roaming issues (and a great military discount at that time) and was pretty happy with it in this area. We made the leap to T-Mobil when we moved away because all of my wife's friends were on that network it it allowed her to talk to them as much as she liked without us getting an unlimited plan.
We really like the price, simplicity of the plans, and customer service of T-Mobil, but they just don't give us the rural coverage we need now.
And if you get on the 1400 minute Nationwide Family Share plan you can designate 10 numbers for unlimited calling with Friends and Family. Helpful when your wife's talking to T-Mobile customers.
The Friends and Family option will be a huge help should we make the switch. Enough so that it may be the point where we finally say "good bye" to our land-line phone.
Let me simplify it.
All VZW plans are Nationwide.
NO Roaming Fees
I travel recreationally and haven't been anywhere that I haven't had coverage. I live north of Denver and get there 2 or 3 times a year and have no problems. Wife has been all over the country with her work and no issues with her phone. Spent a week in VA/Dc Area and was awesome.
In your area, the acquisiton of Alltel has probably improved the coverage that VZW has since your were subscribers.
I don't know if T-moblie changes their network like VZW does.
Alltell isn't in this area. The only regional provider is US Cellular. Other than that it is only the national providers. So for CDMA coverage...you have it or you don't.
I'm also glad to hear that over time Verizon has shored up that patchwork network of partners they had when we were customers before. At the time I was last a customer, even with a National plan you could still be billed for roaming. Its nice to know that isn't the case anymore.
T-mobil's network has been pretty good for us in metro areas...I haven't noticed that many changes
A quick check of their website sends me to the Verizon page when I enter my zip code...not surprising due to the merger.
According to Google the closest store is 35 miles away to the south-east in a small town of around 700 people.
There are no Alltel markets in STL area. I think he may be looking at a wrong map.
Also, we need to remember that just because someone owns spectrum doesn't necessarily mean they're using it at this time.