checking coverage without sim card?

[dcofre]

Hi, I have a new Evo that I ordered from Amazon. It was shipped to me with no sim card, but no big deal... Im just setting up the phone and getting to know it for a few days before I activate it. I had my husband drive me around with it to check the tower reception, but I can never seem to get the phone to keep a steady signal. It jumps up and down from 0-6 bars.

I think its because there's no sim card in it, so the the phone has no way of knowing where to connect to... Just wondering if this sounds right, because I read about Evo having crappy tower reception right after I purchased it. I don't want to have to buy a sim card and go thru the hassle of switching service from att prepaid (I'm taking my phone number with me), if this isn't going to work

Also, does messing with the prl really matter for reception? I read about people doing that but it seems like something I don't want to mess with. I read somewhere that a person changed one setting and was "able to get at the top of the list right after 911" to never drop calls. I don't know...

Thanks for reading my novel LOL

 

[ZingBot]

I don't want to have to buy a sim card and go thru the hassle of switching service from att prepaid (I'm taking my phone number with me), if this isn't going to work

You are trying to go from AT&T prepaid to Boost with the same phone? AT&T phones do not work with Boost (Sprint network). AT&T is GSM technology (and uses a sim card) while Sprint is CDMA technology and does not use a sim. To start using Boost, you either need a Boost branded phone or a Sprint phone flashed to work with Boost.

 

[dcofre]

You are trying to go from AT&T prepaid to Boost with the same phone? AT&T phones do not work with Boost (Sprint network). AT&T is GSM technology (and uses a sim card) while Sprint is CDMA technology and does not use a sim. To start using Boost, you either need a Boost branded phone or a Sprint phone flashed to work with Boost.

I'm just taking my phone number from AT&T with me, I have an Evo on Boost.

 

[dcofre]

What I really need to know, is this: Can I get an idea of what kind of tower reception I'll get before I activate the phone and switch my number over?

 

[kevindroid]

yes

 

[dcofre]

Well I might as well return the phone to amazon, then... Damn.

 

[rockdoctor1]

Am i missing something? Or does it seem like there are two different conversations going on in this thread?

Just look at the coverage maps on Sprint or Boost. I have found they are actually a little conservative. You do not need to do anything more then just download the newest PRL every once and a while. There is no way to move your priority on the tower. Those old hacker posts only applied to the old generation analog system. They do nothing now a days and if you find a modern post that says it does, the poster is messing with you or they have convinced themselves it worked...

To take your phone number from att to boost you have to activate boost and request boost to move the number from att to boost. Boost then will cancel your att account. If you cancel att before boost does, you will loose your number. Moving the sim card only works on GSM phones and i think with in the same provider (I don't know for sure).

You may consider moving (porting) your number to google voice and letting boost give you a new number. Then attach your boost phone to your google voice account. When somebody calls your att number (after it has been taken by google) google will route it to your cell or if there is no answer google will answer it and take a message. Plus if the person talked clear enough google will also email and text the message to you in text form. You can get the message via the web, you can block callers and so on. If you have a gmail account then all you need to do is use that account and set up google voice on it.

 

[ZingBot]

What I really need to know, is this: Can I get an idea of what kind of tower reception I'll get before I activate the phone and switch my number over?

I don't know how you can check the reception on your new Boost phone without activating it...because the phone is not up and running on the network. As mentioned, check the coverage map...it seems to be reasonably accurate. Do you know anybody with Boost or Sprint in your area?...ask them. Before I left Verizon for Boost, I had a buddy with Boost come over to my house with his phone so I could see for myself what I was getting into.

 

[kolosus]

The signal running amuck is normal. But it is no indication of how your service really is going to be. A better indicator is asking someone in the area who has Boost service how their phone is doing.

 

[ZingBot]

A better indicator is asking someone in the area who has Boost service how their phone is doing.

+1

 

[dcofre]

Thanks for all the helpful replies. I went ahead and activated my Evo, and I'm so glad I did! It gets great tower reception, better than I ever expected... I'm an android user for life, the iPhone 3gs has nothing on my Evo! Despite some reviews about poor reception, it's great. The touch screen is super responsive, the swipe feature is amazing! I have nerve impairment in my arms and hands from tendonitis and disc problems in my neck, and texting is so much easier. Anyway, needless to say I'm very pleased. Thanks again everyone

 

[ZingBot]

It gets great tower reception, better than I ever expected

Good to hear Boost is working for you

 

[dcofre]

Don't get me wrong. The reception is good, but their service as far as porting my number over and setting up my account is painfully slow and uncoordinated at best. I started on Thursday and finally have a working voicemail just this afternoon. But what more do I expect. It's Boost...

 

[rockdoctor1]

Porting the number from one provider to another is always painful. The old provider never gives up the number easily. Unfortunately, you are at the mercy of the old provider, who has no vested interest to keep you happy. I left sprint (14 yrs with them) to come to Boost. Did not even try to port the number over. From what i have read that is a nightmare run rampant... And it is the same company!!!...

I think you will be fine. I have yet to find a location were Sprint has no coverage and I have owned quite a few HTC phones...they are well made. Good luck.

 

[ZingBot]

I ported from Verizon and my new Boost account was fully operational in about an hour...guess I was lucky.

 

[kolosus]

I ported my wife's Sprint number to Boost. I was on hold for about 15 minutes but by the end of the call my number was ported. I had two numbers ported from Verizon. Took about 30 min for both.

BTW. The Sprint to Boost is a migration, not a port. The difference is that you'll not be able to qualify for a "new subscriber" perks. Either they've streamlined the process recently or I (like Zingbot) got lucky.

 

[dcofre]

Thanks for all the input, can anyone point me in the right direction for software help ?? I'm having trouble getting the HTC sync software to work. Thanks on advance ...

 

[kolosus]

You should start a new thread. It'll get more eyes on your question and from the appropriate eyes. This thread is pretty much solved.

Plus you should put your thread in the appropriate section according to your device. This is the Boost Mobile section and you might benefit from folks who are dealing with the device and not necessarily Boost Mobile.

 

[dcofre]

Ok thanks that does make more sense, I'll look for another section to post this thanks

 

[rockdoctor1]

I could never get HTC sync to work with my touch pro 2 on windows 7 because (at least this is what i read) there were no phone drivers for Win 7. Do a search on google... You may be in the same boat. If it an android phone you can download skydrive software from Play and you can install skydrive on your computer using a hotmail or live account. I have a hotmail account, 8gigs of skydrive storage and with the program on my phone i can put what ever i want in my skydrive and have it on all of my computers as well as access on my phone. Something to consider...