3G while roaming

[steelerfan7p]

For those of you who didn't know, US Cellular has recently signed a contract with Verizon to use their 3G on the USC network in all USC roaming areas. It used to be that while you were roaming, a 1x would show up on the upper right of your screen which means you are not getting 3G speeds. Anytime you are roaming now where there is a Verizon tower, you should get 3G and it will say EV.

Note: you may have to update your roaming data first. To do this, call *228 from your home area and wait about 30 seconds while it updates. You should get a confirmation and the phone will restart. Now 3G should be available anywhere there is a Verizon tower.

 

[dcollins23]

Can anyone comment on the legitimacy of calling this number?

 

[steelerfan7p]

Call or stop in at USC. They're the ones that did it for me.

 

[llebcire]

Dialing *228 then pressing "send" or "talk" (depending on the device) initiates what's called a PRL (preferred roaming list) update for the device which tells it where to look for towers in a given area.

Key point:

Don't EVER do this if your device shows "roaming" as it will download a list from whichever carrier you're using and could potentially brick your device!

EVDO isn't guaranteed everywhere in the country as there are some limitations based on carrier agreements as well as the fact that if you're on a GSM tower you won't get 3G.

In order to get EVDO data roaming you also must have the appropriate data package which is either a Belief Plan or the $30.00 data package on legacy plans (National 1,000/etc.) and on some Androids data roaming needs to be enabled on the device.

Settings -> Wireless & Networks ->Mobile Networks -> Data Roaming

-Eric