Question regarding roaming

Ok, so I have the SPCS Free & Clear plan. I'm just wondering, more or less,
how will I know when I'm roaming (truly roaming, where I'm going to be
charged roaming costs). I have the Samsung VGA1000.
I'm just wondering as I'm getting ready to take a small road trip to see how
well this phone holds us versus my VZW phone before getting that one turned
off.

I searched Sprints webpage, but it doesn't clearly explain anything in
regards to how to determine when *truly roaming*.

Thanks!

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› See More: Question regarding roaming

In article <[email protected]>,
"boxermansr" <[email protected]> wrote:

> Ok, so I have the SPCS Free & Clear plan. I'm just wondering, more or less,
> how will I know when I'm roaming (truly roaming, where I'm going to be
> charged roaming costs). I have the Samsung VGA1000.
> I'm just wondering as I'm getting ready to take a small road trip to see how
> well this phone holds us versus my VZW phone before getting that one turned
> off.
>
> I searched Sprints webpage, but it doesn't clearly explain anything in
> regards to how to determine when *truly roaming*.

First look at Sprint's Coverage Map to get a general idea.
Sprint's Network basically is in cities and 50 miles out on the
Interstate. If you're in the middle of Montana, you're outa luck. Then
your phone should say roaming when it is roaming, although most phones
may be set to not roam NETWORK setting: "PCS ONLY"

"boxermansr" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Ok, so I have the SPCS Free & Clear plan. I'm just wondering, more or
less,
> how will I know when I'm roaming (truly roaming, where I'm going to be
> charged roaming costs). I have the Samsung VGA1000.
> I'm just wondering as I'm getting ready to take a small road trip to see
how
> well this phone holds us versus my VZW phone before getting that one
turned
> off.
>
> I searched Sprints webpage, but it doesn't clearly explain anything in
> regards to how to determine when *truly roaming*.
>
> Thanks!

Your phone should have analog / digital roaming icons that pop up when
roaming ...

Bob

So, anytime that I'm using analog would be considering 'charged roaming'?
That's where I'm kinda sketchy on understanding.

I looked at the map, and it *appears* that most of the areas I'm driving
through (all major interstate) have coverage -- I just know that maps tend
to be more of a representation of where coverage 'is' available, but not
guaranteed.

The phone is set to "automatic" as well, so I assume it'll do it's own thing
when it has to. I just know that w/ VZW it shows "extended network" when
you're roaming, and 'safe' and 'roaming' when you're roaming and paying.
Any further information based on those factors?


"Bob Smith" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "boxermansr" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > Ok, so I have the SPCS Free & Clear plan. I'm just wondering, more or
> less,
> > how will I know when I'm roaming (truly roaming, where I'm going to be
> > charged roaming costs). I have the Samsung VGA1000.
> > I'm just wondering as I'm getting ready to take a small road trip to see
> how
> > well this phone holds us versus my VZW phone before getting that one
> turned
> > off.
> >
> > I searched Sprints webpage, but it doesn't clearly explain anything in
> > regards to how to determine when *truly roaming*.
> >
> > Thanks!
>
> Your phone should have analog / digital roaming icons that pop up when
> roaming ...
>
> Bob
>
>

"boxermansr" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> So, anytime that I'm using analog would be considering 'charged roaming'?
> That's where I'm kinda sketchy on understanding.

Absolutely. SPCS's system is on 1900 CDMA. You would also be roaming on 800
Mhz digital as well.
>
> I looked at the map, and it *appears* that most of the areas I'm driving
> through (all major interstate) have coverage -- I just know that maps tend
> to be more of a representation of where coverage 'is' available, but not
> guaranteed.
>
> The phone is set to "automatic" as well, so I assume it'll do it's own
thing
> when it has to. I just know that w/ VZW it shows "extended network" when
> you're roaming, and 'safe' and 'roaming' when you're roaming and paying.
> Any further information based on those factors?

Sure. For $5/mo. more, if your account is in a SPCS coverage area (not an
affiliate's coverage area), you can add the F&CA option, which provides for
those times you might roam.

Bob

Hmm. I just checked Sprint's page. I don't see anything related to the free
& clear for $5.00. My plans listed as PCS Free & Clear Plan right now. The
only other 'added' option I see is for 'off-network' roaming for $10.00 more
a month - doesn't say how many minutes either.

I'm starting to wonder if I made a mistake going with SPCS now with all of
this information. I assumed that I would be pretty well covered, for the
most part, anywhere, without roaming. Maybe I still am.. I dunno..


"Bob Smith" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "boxermansr" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > So, anytime that I'm using analog would be considering 'charged
roaming'?
> > That's where I'm kinda sketchy on understanding.
>
> Absolutely. SPCS's system is on 1900 CDMA. You would also be roaming on
800
> Mhz digital as well.
> >
> > I looked at the map, and it *appears* that most of the areas I'm driving
> > through (all major interstate) have coverage -- I just know that maps
tend
> > to be more of a representation of where coverage 'is' available, but not
> > guaranteed.
> >
> > The phone is set to "automatic" as well, so I assume it'll do it's own
> thing
> > when it has to. I just know that w/ VZW it shows "extended network" when
> > you're roaming, and 'safe' and 'roaming' when you're roaming and paying.
> > Any further information based on those factors?
>
> Sure. For $5/mo. more, if your account is in a SPCS coverage area (not an
> affiliate's coverage area), you can add the F&CA option, which provides
for
> those times you might roam.
>
> Bob
>
>

"boxermansr" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Hmm. I just checked Sprint's page. I don't see anything related to the
free
> & clear for $5.00. My plans listed as PCS Free & Clear Plan right now. The
> only other 'added' option I see is for 'off-network' roaming for $10.00
more
> a month - doesn't say how many minutes either.
>
> I'm starting to wonder if I made a mistake going with SPCS now with all of
> this information. I assumed that I would be pretty well covered, for the
> most part, anywhere, without roaming. Maybe I still am.. I dunno..

The option is called F&CA. When you go to your manage page, and then to your
plan, is there an option for Free & Clear America for $5?

What's your zip code? It's easy to see if it's available in your area.

Bob

I just read up more on it. It says if you're in a corporate market, you can
add it for $5.00 and use 50% of your minutes. If you're in an affiliate
market, it's $10.00, and gives you 100 minutes to use on the 'expanded'
something or another network. Since I won't be leaving my area that often,
$10.00 is a little pricey (to me) for 100 minutes that I may or may not use
but once or twice; of course weighing having to pay .69 to roam, plus .25
for long distance, isn't appealing either.

I guess the dude at the store *really* lied to me when I signed up - he told
me I'd be covered in digital or analog for the most part..


"Bob Smith" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "boxermansr" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > Hmm. I just checked Sprint's page. I don't see anything related to the
> free
> > & clear for $5.00. My plans listed as PCS Free & Clear Plan right now.
The
> > only other 'added' option I see is for 'off-network' roaming for $10.00
> more
> > a month - doesn't say how many minutes either.
> >
> > I'm starting to wonder if I made a mistake going with SPCS now with all
of
> > this information. I assumed that I would be pretty well covered, for the
> > most part, anywhere, without roaming. Maybe I still am.. I dunno..
>
> The option is called F&CA. When you go to your manage page, and then to
your
> plan, is there an option for Free & Clear America for $5?
>
> What's your zip code? It's easy to see if it's available in your area.
>
> Bob
>
>

Ok, to essentially sum this up. I'm looking at SPCS webpage right now.

It says.. "With a dual-band PCS Phone from Sprint, you are able to use voice
services while off the Sprint Nationwide PCS Network. To see off-network
roaming coverage in Texas, browse the list of cities below.


^

Are all of the cities listed, cites that I *am* going to be covered in,
without roaming? If so, then I'm no longer worried. Considering it shows my
city in the list, as well as every major city in Texas (Dallas, Austin, San
Antonio, etc), I'd assume that all the cities listed there, are the ones
that SPCS works in w/o roaming charges?


"Bob Smith" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "boxermansr" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > Hmm. I just checked Sprint's page. I don't see anything related to the
> free
> > & clear for $5.00. My plans listed as PCS Free & Clear Plan right now.
The
> > only other 'added' option I see is for 'off-network' roaming for $10.00
> more
> > a month - doesn't say how many minutes either.
> >
> > I'm starting to wonder if I made a mistake going with SPCS now with all
of
> > this information. I assumed that I would be pretty well covered, for the
> > most part, anywhere, without roaming. Maybe I still am.. I dunno..
>
> The option is called F&CA. When you go to your manage page, and then to
your
> plan, is there an option for Free & Clear America for $5?
>
> What's your zip code? It's easy to see if it's available in your area.
>
> Bob
>
>

"boxermansr" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news[email protected]...
> Ok, to essentially sum this up. I'm looking at SPCS webpage right now.
>
> It says.. "With a dual-band PCS Phone from Sprint, you are able to use
voice
> services while off the Sprint Nationwide PCS Network. To see off-network
> roaming coverage in Texas, browse the list of cities below.
>
>
> ^
>
> Are all of the cities listed, cites that I *am* going to be covered in,
> without roaming? If so, then I'm no longer worried. Considering it shows
my
> city in the list, as well as every major city in Texas (Dallas, Austin,
San
> Antonio, etc), I'd assume that all the cities listed there, are the ones
> that SPCS works in w/o roaming charges?

Yes, SPCS has coverage in all those cities ... So you shouldn't be roaming.

Bob

Terrific! Then I'm not worried now.. As long as it's a city listed on that
list, I'm alright then? (There are some that are so small I'd hesitate to
even imagine they have service).. but in essence, as long as its on that
list, I'm set? If so, then here comes the road-trip w/o hesitation.


"Bob Smith" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "boxermansr" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news[email protected]...
> > Ok, to essentially sum this up. I'm looking at SPCS webpage right now.
> >
> > It says.. "With a dual-band PCS Phone from Sprint, you are able to use
> voice
> > services while off the Sprint Nationwide PCS Network. To see off-network
> > roaming coverage in Texas, browse the list of cities below.
> >
> >
> > ^
> >
> > Are all of the cities listed, cites that I *am* going to be covered in,
> > without roaming? If so, then I'm no longer worried. Considering it shows
> my
> > city in the list, as well as every major city in Texas (Dallas, Austin,
> San
> > Antonio, etc), I'd assume that all the cities listed there, are the ones
> > that SPCS works in w/o roaming charges?
>
> Yes, SPCS has coverage in all those cities ... So you shouldn't be
roaming.
>
> Bob
>
>

boxermansr <[email protected]> wrote:

> I guess the dude at the store *really* lied to me when I signed up - he told
> me I'd be covered in digital or analog for the most part..

Covered as in "coverage", or covered as in "won't have to pay roaming charges"?

The first is likely to be true. I know Sprint phones can roam in analog
in many places where they don't have native coverage.

The other statement is much less likely to be true.

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boxermansr wrote:

> Hmm. I just checked Sprint's page. I don't see anything related to the free
> & clear for $5.00.


http://www.1800mobiles.com/pcsfreeclear.html

Not Sprint, but it is an independent reseller that is a Sprint agent.
If you pass the Free & clear pan summary, there's a paragraph about Free
& Clear America. You can also just call *2 and ask.



> My plans listed as PCS Free & Clear Plan right now. The
> only other 'added' option I see is for 'off-network' roaming for $10.00 more
> a month - doesn't say how many minutes either.

Definitely call them up and get the facts from a rep. You MIGHT be in
an affiliate market, where the roaming option works differently.


> I'm starting to wonder if I made a mistake going with SPCS now with all of
> this information. I assumed that I would be pretty well covered, for the
> most part, anywhere, without roaming. Maybe I still am.. I dunno..

Well, it's real simple to tell. If your phone says ROAM or has either
an "R" or "A" indicator ("R" is for "Roaming" and "A" is for "Analog"),
then you're roaming. If those indicators aren't there, then you're not
roaming.



--
E-mail fudged to thwart spammers.
Transpose the c's and a's in my e-mail address to reply.

Bob Smith <[email protected]> wrote:

> Sure. For $5/mo. more, if your account is in a SPCS coverage area (not an
> affiliate's coverage area), you can add the F&CA option, which provides for
> those times you might roam.

I have a standard f&c plan.... I see on the website I can add a $10
roaming option... I assume spcs made the f&ca option to be nice, but
other then that they are functionally the same?

"Mark E. Daniel" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Bob Smith <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> > Sure. For $5/mo. more, if your account is in a SPCS coverage area (not
an
> > affiliate's coverage area), you can add the F&CA option, which provides
for
> > those times you might roam.
>
> I have a standard f&c plan.... I see on the website I can add a $10
> roaming option... I assume spcs made the f&ca option to be nice, but
> other then that they are functionally the same?

No, not really. There are 2 different F&CA options. The $5 F&CA option
includes LD and you can use it up to 50% of the minutes used within a month
.... in a direct SPCS coverage area. Then there is a $10 F&CA option offered
to those customers who live in affiliate coverage areas, and offer 100
minutes. Lastly, there is the original $10 Off-Network option, which
included 50 roaming minutes a month, but no LD.

Bob