Roaming and coverage issues
I am a very happy T-mobil customer, but my wife's new job driving around rural areas is forcing us to look for a new carrier.
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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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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All verizon plans are nationwide. Meaning that if you are in the US, you won't have to worry about roaming. nationwide phones are locked so they won't roam where Verizon doesn't have either coverage or roaming agreements. Roaming only really counts if you are in another country.
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 don't know about that specific highway you are talking about, but with the acquisition of alltel, coverage in the south has improved dramatically.
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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.
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.
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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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Some of the areas mentioned like DC and the BWI Airport...I've never NOT had a strong Verizon signal in those areas. Did you reset your phone for a certain coverage pattern? Just asking...
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.
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.
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the way the calling plans work:
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.
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.
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No. We do Roam, but do not call it Roaming, we call it extended Network so people dont think they are being charged. All the Roaming aggrements are still there, but we dont charge our customers for it. You can have 0 bars of Verizon service and it still show 1X and make calls. We have no Roaming charges in the US. Its part of our Nationwide Plans which have changed from 03-04. I don't even know if they had Nationwide plans then, I thought they were Americas Choice which had Extended Network(alltel/sprint) and Roaming (Cell South/Unicel). Now it is all Extended Network.
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You can check your voice mail while roaming by dialing your full ten-digit number, then pressing # during your voice mail prompt. It should then ask you for your password. This works on any phone, not just your cell phone.
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Now that you mention that...I remember having to go through those steps. Its been a while.
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.
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.
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Go to Verizons coverage map.
Click Pre Paid.
All the Purple is Verizon service area. the sliver color is Extended Network on Post Paid and Roaming on Pre Paid.
Click Pre Paid.
All the Purple is Verizon service area. the sliver color is Extended Network on Post Paid and Roaming on Pre Paid.
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You did not have a Nationwide plan back in 03 04. Verizon did not offer it then. If you were actually charge roaming fees for using your phone in the U.S. then you had an original America's Choice plan. No longer offered so roaming fees are not an issue. All current plans are No roaming and No long distance charges in the U.S.
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Hey, I use to live on Scott AFB if you know where that is, which I am sure you do. I graduated from Mascoutah last year. Anyway, I had AT&T for 15 years, and when I moved to IL it is horrible. It doesnt even work in parts of downtown STL (Metro Link). AT&T has a lot of Roaming in IL, and in 03-04 you were on Americas Choice, which had some Roaming. In 05 (I think it was) All Roaming was free no matter what. Things have really changed for Verizon sense then. I would give Verizon a try for the 30 days. Im sure will you like them more then you did in 03-04. There is 3G all over IL and MO. There is a store next to St. Clair Square Mall.
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VZW611LA has been the only one to catch the biggest aspect of this question: you said "We were Verizon customer's from 2003-2004."
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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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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There is not Alltel coverage in the area. Only sounthern IL and Northern MO. But, there is less to 0 roaming where he will be going maybe. Roaming is free through the US. BlackBerrys sometimes will have the triangle, but it just when you go into a network your phone hasnt been in yet. Even thought it has it, you will NOT be billed for Roaming charges UNLESS you go outside the US or PR.
For his area, Verizon is the best. I had AT&T when I lived there and its horrible.
For his area, Verizon is the best. I had AT&T when I lived there and its horrible.
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Thanks for a better perspective. As I said, I'm not in that area and don't know the carrier makeup near him. Plus, I'm off today, or I could have looked into it better. All I could find was an Alltel divestment map that showed some divested network in that area, but the map was at a US-level view.
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Epik...I emailed you my cellphone number like you wanted me to and you never got back to me about a new phone...I thought you worked for Verizon Corporate?
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I do. I'm sorry, I've been through a hellacious month culminating in moving up in the company. I'll check it today.
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Eh No Worries...Just thought you forgot to check or something happened. If there is anything you can do...Does it have to be a Voyager phone? Or am I getting greedy?
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Thanks all for the insights...espicially the local info. It has been very helpful. We may have to give them a try again when my contract ends.
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.
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.
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FYI, military still gets a discount on Verizon (not sure if you knew that), as do many companies.
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.
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.
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Thanks.
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.
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.
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It seems that you got a lot of stuff here.
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.
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.
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I'm glad to hear all of the positive reports on the coverage.
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
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
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That's funny, we're divesting a fair amount of Alltel's spectrum license in your area.
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That is strange. I have never seen one of their stores in the metro area.
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.
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.
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Nashville, IL.
There are no Alltel markets in STL area. I think he may be looking at a wrong map.
There are no Alltel markets in STL area. I think he may be looking at a wrong map.
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35 miles away is about the range of most CDMA towers. If you have a store nearby and it in the same state, then you likely have spectrum in that area.
Also, we need to remember that just because someone owns spectrum doesn't necessarily mean they're using it at this time.
Also, we need to remember that just because someone owns spectrum doesn't necessarily mean they're using it at this time.
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