Coverage complaints vs Verizon

[lameid]

I manage the cell plans for my company. A while ago we switched to Sprint from Verizon. 2 reasons. Verizon Customer Service is horrible, and Sprint offers pooling of no-roaming plans offering a much better solution for our minutes jumping from phone to phone.

However, despite having roaming included in the plans, I receive user complaints who travel for bad reception (no signal, dropped calls). Sometimes the problem is at a major hotel or driving down major interstates. People travel to PA, NY, KY throughought OH and ocassionally even IN and IL. We have Samsung A500 phones. A friend of mine and coworker has this phone and similar service on Sprints network, travels recreationally and has no problems.

Can anyone give me some advice on how to combat these coverage issues? Could it be the model?

[wordpowa]

I manage the cell plans for my company. A while ago we switched to Sprint from Verizon. 2 reasons. Verizon Customer Service is horrible, and Sprint offers pooling of no-roaming plans offering a much better solution for our minutes jumping from phone to phone.

However, despite having roaming included in the plans, I receive user complaints who travel for bad reception (no signal, dropped calls). Sometimes the problem is at a major hotel or driving down major interstates. People travel to PA, NY, KY throughought OH and ocassionally even IN and IL. We have Samsung A500 phones. A friend of mine and coworker has this phone and similar service on Sprints network, travels recreationally and has no problems.

Can anyone give me some advice on how to combat these coverage issues? Could it be the model?

did u try a prl update? did u try taking ur phones to a sprint store to have them tested? if not, u might want to check into that.

[DcDave63]

I manage the cell plans for my company. A while ago we switched to Sprint from Verizon. 2 reasons. Verizon Customer Service is horrible, and Sprint offers pooling of no-roaming plans offering a much better solution for our minutes jumping from phone to phone.

However, despite having roaming included in the plans, I receive user complaints who travel for bad reception (no signal, dropped calls). Sometimes the problem is at a major hotel or driving down major interstates. People travel to PA, NY, KY throughought OH and ocassionally even IN and IL. We have Samsung A500 phones. A friend of mine and coworker has this phone and similar service on Sprints network, travels recreationally and has no problems.

Can anyone give me some advice on how to combat these coverage issues? Could it be the model?

Add the Free & Clear America plan. You can pay $5 and get to use up to half of your minutes for roaming, and you can roam on others networks.

[NDnut]

Add the Free & Clear America plan. You can pay $5 and get to use up to half of your minutes for roaming, and you can roam on others networks.

According to the original post, he already has this

"...despite having roaming included in the plans..."

[mcurtiss1970]

were the A500 known for their reception? i don't remember them being all that great from what people reported here.

[DF@Work]

The A500 was a very nice phone when it came out, and I don't recall any reception issues with it. However, if it has an outdated PRL and the fact the phone came out 2 years ago may be factors in regards to signal strength and call stability. The company may want to consider updating to new PRL/SW to see if that helps, then look in regards to upgrading. If they're business users, I'm sure they are eligible for some sort of newer handset option.

[vikingjunior]

Wirelessly posted (AU-MIC/2.0 MMP/2.0)

AS THE OWNER OF A A500 THE RECEPTION IS THE ONLY FLAW BUT IT IS A BIG FLAW

[lameid]

I haven't tried taking the phones to the store... Since all the phones are similar, it would mean a bad manufacturing run. Since I got them at the same time, I guess that makes sense. The President just gave up her Sprint phone for reactivating her old Verizon Startac P8767. So I have a phone I can take to the store.

Naturally there was an issue activating the Verizon phone, so after 2 days (3 people) and about 3 hours total on the phone, I finally got it activated. There are some good people at Verizon. The trick is I often have to call several times to find him (ok, I'll admit it's usually her).

[DF@Work]

It never hurts to take it in and have it checked out. Then if this is on a business account, you may want to talk to your sales rep about demo other phones in the area of usuage to see how they compare.

[DcDave63]

I had my a500 for a year and a half and had no real issues. If its that you "DO" have roaming, and its just the signals, maybe you need your PRL updated. From each phone, call *2, ask them to flag your account for a "PRL Update". Then hang up and call back 4 or 5 mins later. It should tell you that you have to stand by while your phone is updated. That may fix your issues. Otherwise, the only other option is to buy a better, newer phone, which may ( or may not) give better reception.

[MsRandall]

Agreed I had the a500 and it wasnt the best reception wise and wasnt the worst either....I find in my area I get more dropped calls with Sprint vs Verizon but I couldnt get signal in places with Verizon I could with Sprint...IE Walmart store in town doesnt like Verizon at all.

[Ted]

if reception is the criteria replace your phones with 4920/4050/6016i and you should be much better.

[bluecoyote]

That's right, the Vm4050 is a professional grade phone, with professional grade reception, as is thr 6016i, and the 4920.

[mcurtiss1970]

That's right, the Vm4050 is a professional grade phone, with professional grade reception, as is thr 6016i, and the 4920.
does "professional grade" = "audio (ear) + VOX (voice) technology? i guess my phone is professional grade too

[phonecellar]

Isn't "professional grade" GMC's tagline?

[Deval]

yeah it is..............back to topic

OP, I would suggest you have the reps take them to the Sprint stores in whatever area they are in. I have seen quite a few older A500s come in with signal issues. Have them get the PRL and software updates on them.

[DcDave63]

does "professional grade" = "audio (ear) + VOX (voice) technology? i guess my phone is professional grade too

OMG, lets not go there again....my sides are still sore from laughing.

[mcurtiss1970]

OMG, lets not go there again....my sides are still sore from laughing.
my apologies. :)

i just like to keep things simple by not throwing around terms that don't mean anything.

sounds like some tests should be done

[vikingjunior]

I have taken my a500 to the store, got the updated software, got the updated prl, the phone just DOES not pull a good signal. It is no secret and is just a fact, although everything else on the phone is great, if the reception was good it would be the perfect phone, but it's not. I am just one person's opinion in one general area but I have done numerous tests, compared to friends phones and one last time the phone does not get good reception I have dealt with it for 18 mo. but 18 mo.= a upgrade which I will be saying farewell to my a500 and hello to the a760 bearing there are some good reviews here.

[larry]

As a former A500 user and current A680 user I have found no difference in reception between the two. They both work well. There was a software update for the A500 that was supposed to improve reception (WD29) so it's a good idea to update it if it has a different version.

[vikingjunior]

I would like to add I live in NYC which has the worst cell phone reception in all of the US A) there is way to many people here with cell phones none of the companies can keep up with the load. B) there are way to many skyscrappers here. Verizon claims to have the best reception particulary in NY they advertise it all the time maybe, maybe not I never tried verizon but the OP stated that some of the travling is in the NY area, you MUST have a phone that has excellent reception when in NY. I can not speak for any other state.

[bluecoyote]

The A680 doesn't exactly get VM4050 grade reception from my experience. (Mobileburn.com seconds this)

[DF@Work]

YMMV. Some friends find the 680 to be great, others like the 4050 and so forth. My friends and i were comparing the video for example between the 680 versus the 5500. I like the higher frame rate of the VM5500, but they like the greater picture detail yet slower framerate of the 680.

[AWESOM-O]

Maybe it is becasue Verizon has better service in more areas. Sure the roaming option is nice, but I find most of the time you have to be in an area that has no chance of pulling a Sprint signal in order for roaming to kick in. Otherwise it will fluctuate on 1 to 0 bars of Sprint signal instead of the Verizon signal, or whatever other provider actually has service in that area.

[Mr.Cell]

Agreed I had the a500 and it wasnt the best reception wise and wasnt the worst either....I find in my area I get more dropped calls with Sprint vs Verizon but I couldnt get signal in places with Verizon I could with Sprint...IE Walmart store in town doesnt like Verizon at all.
Which Walmart?

[halo17x]

Ditched the a500 after only a week of owning it. Signal was definitely not any better than the old a400 I had to replace it. PRL update can help somewhat, but a new phone would do you more justice. If it's for business needs, by far, my best recommendation would be the 4920. Basic, very good signal, and excellent battery life. If you'd prefer the flip, don't bother with the a660. You can wait for the a760, but I'm not sure of your confidence with Samsung with your current experience with them.

[MsRandall]

Which Walmart?


Fairfield...I was talking to my Verizon manager one day as I shopped...I had to call him back on my Sprint phone after I lost the call about 4 times...lol

[DF@Work]

Really? I haven't been into that Walmart in awhile... have to 'play' aroudn the next time I am there... :D But I know it happens, depending on the roofing material used to build the store. For example, at Ikea, I get excellent signal on ground floor, but when I go upstairs to the showroom level, forget it. (This is Costa Mesa location)

[Mr.Cell]

Really? I haven't been into that Walmart in awhile... have to 'play' aroudn the next time I am there... :D But I know it happens, depending on the roofing material used to build the store. For example, at Ikea, I get excellent signal on ground floor, but when I go upstairs to the showroom level, forget it. (This is Costa Mesa location)
same at macys in the Hillsdale Mall in San Mateo