Sprint, Framily plan

I've been a Sprint customer since 1999, and unfortunately, as stated above, the coverage in the midwest is not great, especially outside of metro areas. That said, Sprint does have roaming agreements. I think the new plans (like Framily) limit roaming data to 150 MB data per line per month. I have an older Everything Data plan that allows 300 MB of roaming data per line per month, and voice roaming of 800 minutes per line per month. Sprint can terminate your service if these limits are exceeded, or if the majority of voice or data in any month is roaming.

One unfortunate aspect regarding roaming with Sprint is that Sprint has adjusted its consumer account PRLs to roam only on 1xRTT, which is rather useless for a smart phone. The business account PRLs allow 3G EVDO roaming and are available on the Internet. It is possible, although not trivial, to load the corporate PRLs. Of course, data usage will accumulate much faster roaming with 3G. There don't seem to be any negative repercussions to using the corporate PRLs as long as the data limits are not exceeded.

Trying to keep a long story short...prior to 2010, Sprint had a reciprocity agreement with Alltel, which gave Sprint excellent coverage in the midwest. Verizon subsequently bought a good part of Alltel. There are different stories about what happened next, but ultimately Sprint was left with big coverage holes throughout the midwest. Sprint has been concentrating on their LTE rollout, and it seems has been doing very little building in the midwest to cover the holes.
 
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We switched to Sprint. Data isn't great in some areas, but unlimited everything with two phones is like $140/mo for us with my work discount.
 
I've been a Sprint customer since 1999, and unfortunately, as stated above, the coverage in the midwest is not great, especially outside of metro areas. That said, Sprint does have roaming agreements. I think the new plans (like Framily) limit roaming data to 150 MB data per line per month. I have an older Everything Data plan that allows 300 MB of roaming data per line per month, and voice roaming of 800 minutes per line per month. Sprint can terminate your service if these limits are exceeded, or if the majority of voice or data in any month is roaming.

One unfortunate aspect regarding roaming with Sprint is that Sprint has adjusted its consumer account PRLs to roam only on 1xRTT, which is rather useless for a smart phone. The business account PRLs allow 3G EVDO roaming and are available on the Internet. It is possible, although not trivial, to load the corporate PRLs. Of course, data usage will accumulate much faster roaming with 3G. There don't seem to be any negative repercussions to using the corporate PRLs as long as the data limits are not exceeded.

Trying to keep a long story short...prior to 2010, Sprint had a reciprocity agreement with Alltel, which gave Sprint excellent coverage in the midwest. Verizon subsequently bought a good part of Alltel. There are different stories about what happened next, but ultimately Sprint was left with big coverage holes throughout the midwest. Sprint has been concentrating on their LTE rollout, and it seems has been doing very little building in the midwest to cover the holes.

I've been wondering why I couldn't connect to 3G while roaming. Any idea on how to load the corporate PRLs?
 
Sprint has been concentrating on their LTE rollout

Then they need to concentrate harder. I live in the Chicago area and seems like I'm rarely able to get a 4G signal on my phone.

Or it could just be that my phone sucks. I don't know.
 
We've been trying to find a decent price and it's tough anymore. You either pay for good service, get nailed on the phone price or accept spotty service or deal with one of the wifi dependent providers. You're giving something up no matter what. I've had verizon since before it was verizon and I'm almost done paying their high prices. Wife is looking into republic for herself.

Republic is probably the best deal out there. $25 a month for unlimited talk and text I believe w/ 5 GB of data if you don't mind going off of Sprints network. I just wish I knew about them when I switched; I have Virgin mobile which I like but it's $10 a month more than Republic
 
I've been wondering why I couldn't connect to 3G while roaming. Any idea on how to load the corporate PRLs?

It's not easy, and it varies by phone and ROM. The best thing would be to go to the XDA-Developers website, find the forum for your phone, and search for "PRL". If it can be done for your phone, someone has probably figured it out. For some phones, it can be done with ROM hacks, others require using a PC.

I gave up on the ROM hack methods and forked over some money for CDMA Workshop. This program supports a number of different phones. This method requires that you find a USB diagnostic driver for your phone, know how to put your phone in diagnostic mode, and have the MSL code. Getting the MSL can be another challenge. Sprint should give it to you, but often the techs won't. My android phones are rooted and S-OFF, so there are apps that can read the MSL, so I don't have to mess with Sprint.

There is also a program called QPST that is supposed to work as well, and one other one I can't remember the name of that can be downloaded for free. I could never find versions of these that worked for me. But many others claim they do, and there are tutorials around.

Another option might be to find a reputable cell phone repair shop. They often have software like CDMA Workshop and might put a PRL in for you if you bring them the file.
 
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I was considering switching to this being that it would be 25 dollars a month it seems like a great deal. Any one on this plan or have sprint for their cell phone coverage? It doesnt seem to have a lot of areas under full power in NE Iowa so Im not sure its worth switching for me. Any help would be appreciated :)
Our friends just did this and immediately regretted it. Horrible coverage in the CR area.
 
Sprint's coverage is the worst imo..... Mostly data-wise.... phone is fine, but not that great either....
 
It's not easy, and it varies by phone and ROM. The best thing would be to go to the XDA-Developers website, find the forum for your phone, and search for "PRL". If it can be done for your phone, someone has probably figured it out. For some phones, it can be done with ROM hacks, other require using a PC.

I gave up on the ROM hack methods and forked over some money for CDMA Workshop. This program supports a number of different phones. This method requires that you find a USB diagnostic driver for your phone, know how to put your phone in diagnostic mode, and have the MSL code. Getting the MSL can be another challenge. Sprint should give it to you, but often the techs won't. My android phones are rooted and S-OFF, so there are apps that can read the MSL, so I don't have to mess with Sprint.

There is also a program called QPST that is supposed to work as well, and one other one I can't remember the name of that can be downloaded for free. I could never find versions of these that worked for me. But many others claim they do, and there are tutorials around.

Another option might be to find a reputable cell phone repair shop. They often have software like CDMA Workshop and might put a PRL in for you if you bring them the file.

Appreciate the feedback, but that's a little more in-depth than I care to go. Sucks.
 
I don't understand why people didn't get on with US Cellular when they had their add a line for $50 deal. I pay $50 a month for unlimited call and text and 5 GB data; usually use 3-3.5 and I never connect to Wi-fi unless it's required for some big update to an app or my phone. My girlfriend switched to Verizon from the plan (idiot maneuver) and pays $75-80 a month for unlimited call and text and 1 GB data. I find it hilarious how many times Verizon people ask for my Wi-fi password when at my house. No reason not to have US Cellular if you want to have a phone and actually be able to use it whenever and wherever you want.

I also have 3 completely free phone replacements every 18 months for lost or damaged phones.
 
The Sprint coverage map is borderline bait and switch. I changed to Sprint because my work and home were both in a Spark coverage area. Spark is dang quick when I can get it, but it doesn't come in at home.

I've complained and all they'll say is that they are working on the towers in my area. I do get Spark coverage at work so I'm unlimited for streaming music and wasting time on CF. I guess that makes it worth it, but those coverage maps are severely misleading
 
I've been wondering why I couldn't connect to 3G while roaming. Any idea on how to load the corporate PRLs?

Check the roaming settings on your phone...some phones default not to allow data roaming so customers don't get charged for fees they aren't expecting...

And sometimes after a software upgrade, etc. my phone will revert back to those settings.

I have a Sprint consumer account and I have no trouble data roaming on 3G networks.
 
Check the roaming settings on your phone...some phones default not to allow data roaming so customers don't get charged for fees they aren't expecting...

And sometimes after a software upgrade, etc. my phone will revert back to those settings.

I have a Sprint consumer account and I have no trouble data roaming on 3G networks.

I've looked several times. It could be because I'm a Ting customer using Sprint coverage.
 
Appreciate the feedback, but that's a little more in-depth than I care to go. Sucks.

This PRL thing has been a sore spot for many Sprint customers (as evidenced by discussion in various forums). I might suggest sending a complaint to Sprint indicating how silly it is to expect a modern smartphone to be useful with 1XRTT, especially given Sprint's shotty coverage. If enough people complain, who knows, they might reverse the policy.

Ten years ago, my Startac worked great with 1XRTT. My HTC One and Google maps, weather radar, etc. and 1xRTT...not so much...
 
Check the roaming settings on your phone...some phones default not to allow data roaming so customers don't get charged for fees they aren't expecting...

And sometimes after a software upgrade, etc. my phone will revert back to those settings.

I have a Sprint consumer account and I have no trouble data roaming on 3G networks.

Your phone may not show an indicator indicating that your data roaming is being done on 1x, but that is the policy for data roaming on consumer accounts. If you try a speed test while roaming, it will be pretty clear that what you are experiencing is not 3G.
 

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