Virgin mobile to allow roaming?

[Darkencypher]

It goes for all phones. ^Ernest R.

That's was their answer when asked about which phones would be able to do so.

 

[Petrah]

Link to the VM USA official press release regarding this? Id like to see it.

 

[Nate456]

Me too.

 

[schlar01]

That would be really awesome but I'd also like some official info.

 

[Darkencypher]

Screenshot from their Facebook page

 

[Nate456]

Screenshot from their Facebook page

Sweet we get the Evo, 4g, and now roaming. I think they're going to really try and compete with the T-Mobile prepaid plans.

 

[OverByter]

On the FB page they also stated that it will start on 7/1 with no info yet on if there will be any additional charge associated with it. They didn't say so but the only partner it could be is Verizon. Plus our Evo V is so much sweeter than the Evo Design that Boost is receiving for the same price. For once it seems that we're not the bastard step-child over at Sprint!

 

[Petrah]

Screenshot from their Facebook page

Sweet! While I don't always trust the Twitter/FB posts (they've been wrong numerous times in the past), it would be nice to finally see VM USA picking up the pace and be competitive with some of the other prepaid carriers. Perhaps I won't switch carriers just yet.

 

[agianne]

They didn't say so but the only partner it could be is Verizon.

There are also a bunch of regional CDMA network operators. I don't know any specifics, but Verizon is not Sprint's only roaming partner.

The CDMA Development Group keeps an inexact listing of CDMA network operators worldwide. Check it:

CDMA Development Group Worldwide Deployment Search

Choose "North America" at the top, then scroll down to see the U.S. CDMA network operators

OR

In the left hand menu column, you can choose

Region - North America
Country - United States

then click search

The list isn't perfect, but it will give you an idea of how many different CDMA-based networks are in operation in the U.S.

 

[Petrah]

On May 9, 2006, Sprint Nextel and Alltel agreed on a new Nationwide Roaming partnership. The new roaming agreement is for voice and 1x & EV-DO data roaming coverage. This new partnership is different from the voice-only roaming agreement between Alltel & Verizon Wireless in that it is reciprocal, giving Alltel customers access to the Sprint 1x & EV-DO network, and Sprint customers access to Alltel's denser, rural 1x & EV-DO voice and data coverage. This agreement represents the first of its kind between U.S. wireless carriers. Although Alltel merged with Verizon Wireless in 2008, one of the conditions of the merger was that Verizon would honor all preexisting agreements between Alltel and other companies. The roaming reciprocity agreement between Alltel and Sprint is set to expire in 2016.

Sprint and Verizon Wireless have a reciprocal data roaming agreement that allows for the use of Sprint Power Vision content like TV, movie downloads, and stream radio in Verizon 1x coverage areas.

Sprint and US Cellular have a 1xRTT data and voice roaming agreement.

Sprint Nextel - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[schlar01]

I'm sure there will be an extra charge, there almost has to be since its prepaid. Still, its a nice feature to have for short calls, texts, etc instead of a dead phone of Sprint's coverage isn't available.

How would it work for data???

 

[Petrah]

I would imagine there will be a roaming charge once you reach a certain limit. I only hope that if they do add this roaming feature for us that we will have the option of disabling it should we so desire.

But then the next question is will roaming be available to all customers who have phones that can roam, or will it only be an option for 4G customers?

And yet another question; If they do offer it for all customers, how will they enable the feature itself in the options list for the stock OpV? I don't remember ever seeing it when my phone was stock. Would they not have to push an OTA update to enable/unhide it (make it to where you can actually see it in the options)?

 

[thebryceee]

Maybe they'll update the PRL?

 

[Nate456]

If they don't update the prl for the OV we can use QPST to update it ourselves.

 

[thebryceee]

I've swapped PRLs and tried at least 5 or 6 different ones with not a lot of data speed improvement. I'm done trying to improve the MT anymore since I'm upgrading to the Evo V. I have excellent 4G coverage so I'll just rely on that when I'm out and about. Voice coverage is excellent here as well.

 

[Petrah]

I swear I think that with some peoples phones it's a hardware issue, and not a VM coverage issue.

 

[zachavm]

I would imagine there will be a roaming charge once you reach a certain limit. I only hope that if they do add this roaming feature for us that we will have the option of disabling it should we so desire.

But then the next question is will roaming be available to all customers who have phones that can roam, or will it only be an option for 4G customers?

And yet another question; If they do offer it for all customers, how will they enable the feature itself in the options list for the stock OpV? I don't remember ever seeing it when my phone was stock. Would they not have to push an OTA update to enable/unhide it (make it to where you can actually see it in the options)?

I do believe that the towers interface with a phones ESN from that they can identify a specific account or if they are Sprint/VM/Boost or whatever.

 

[septembersrain]

I swear I think that with some peoples phones it's a hardware issue, and not a VM coverage issue.

It is actually. If you compare Boost and Virgin Mobile according to the phones, It'll show you a huge difference in bars. Even though the actual coverage is exactly the same.

I think it's the radio that is unable to pick up signal from longer distances in these Virgin Mobile handsets.

Hopefully these new phones will have this problem sorted out.

 

[pbf98]

So what will this mean? The only time I had roaming was years ago when I was on tracfone and that was basically if I went 20 miles from my home I was roaming and I had to pay double minutes for everything.. I am assuming it will not be the same factor with this roaming, any details to what it will be.. I am just a little confused, will it be worth staying with Virgin, because I am planning on switching to Verizon for actual coverage, yes big change in price, but my job requires a reliable phone on a reliable network.. but if this solves coverage issue I can see sticking with virgin and upgrading phones

 

[Petrah]

No one really knows for absolute certain how it's going to work. We're mainly just theorizing until VM USA gives us more info.

 

[mastersoup]

Virgin Mobile USA Hi everyone. I need to clarify comments about roaming on Virgin Mobile. Roaming is not available. We did recently update our terms and conditions (effective 7/1/12) in order to make our language more consistent with Sprint’s. There is a new reference to roaming, but we have no plans to add roaming at this time. For information on whether roaming applies, see your service plan details. Our sincere apologies. ^Justin C

....

 

[schlar01]

Great......just a tease.

 

[marc12868]

....

that is contradictory... he first says roaming isn't available.... Then says to check your service plan to see if roaming applies.... What?

 

[Darkencypher]

....

Well, ain't that some poo! Sorry guys :/

 

[schlar01]

You'd think their facebook page would be run by a corporate marketing / communications type not some rube customer service type. Seems rather unprofessional.