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Recent and Sporadic Roaming in My Home (just in last month)

MarcNJ

By MarcNJ
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MarcNJ Member Level: Smoke Signals

MarcNJ

Posted
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I have a Pixel 2 XL BYOD device on Sprint's network and live in Northern NJ in a townhouse.  In the last few weeks, my phone has started to roam in my townhouse sporadically...making it much more difficult to use since MMS messages don't download automatically (and when I click to download them manually, they come through all out of order, with the wrong time stamps, and several times have completely failed to download and I've lost the message).  

Two separate Sprint chat support reps told me it was a network issue / tower outage, although after a month I doubted this and called Sprint's Executive office and was told there was no network issue / tower outage and that basically it is what it is and they couldn't really help me.  They opened a network ticket for me, but the executive offices rep basically said nothing would come of this.

I'm wondering if perhaps something happened to my phone that could be causing this, since otherwise the only other explanations it seems are there really is something that happened with a tower, or something else is causing interference outside of my home (since I haven't changed anything in my home) - but if it's either of those it doesn't seem as if the problem will get resolved since I doubt Sprint will do anything.

Anyone know of any way I can troubleshoot this or test to try and find out if it's a problem with my phone vs. the tower/network?  Maybe a signal strength app, or something else?  Or any advice at all?  I'm on a grandfathered plan with Sprint that is a really good deal and would prefer not to have to switch to another provider and lose it, but on the other hand also want to be able to actually utilize my service.  Any help/suggestions/advice is greatly appreciated.  Thanks!

P.S. I haven't yet updated from Android 8.1 to Android 9 - just haven't had the time to do it - not sure if that will really make a difference, but just wanted to throw that info in here.  I have done a profile and PRL update on my phone under carrier settings though.

ingenium Member Level: 4G WiMax

ingenium

Posted
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Use an app like Signal Check Lite or Pro to see who you're roaming on. It's possible that it's T-Mobile roaming (shows as Clearwire), which is treated as native (ie not throttled with no usage limits). But the phone doesn't know that it's native, and shows roaming. T-Mobile roaming was recently turned on.

You can also just set your SMS app to always download messages while roaming. I know Google Messages allows it under Advanced settings.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

dkyeager Member Level: LTE Advanced

dkyeager

Posted
Posted

T-Mobile can also show up as nTelos in other parts of the country away from West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Ohio , and Kentucky

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though Member Level: 4G WiMax

though

Posted
Posted

Keep us updated on what you figure out.

My Pixel 2 XL's would not roam no matter what I did a couple months ago in my market in areas that roam beautifully (on US Cellular).

Both devices were on 9.0 Pie (August release). I haven't been back out there to test since...

  • 2 weeks later...
MarcNJ Member Level: Smoke Signals

MarcNJ

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On 10/29/2018 at 11:30 PM, ingenium said:

You can also just set your SMS app to always download messages while roaming. I know Google Messages allows it under Advanced settings.

Completely forgot about this - enabled it and now at least I don't lose MMS messages.  

Am going to update to Android 9.0 Pie and see if that helps, and otherwise might get a replacement phone.  Or might just live with it...haven't decided yet.  Will also try Signal Check app next time I'm roaming at home to see what network I'm connected to.  

Thanks!

MarcNJ Member Level: Smoke Signals

MarcNJ

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Actually just went roaming again in the last few hours and downloaded the Signal Check app - see attached for results.  Any thoughts?  Thanks!

Screenshot_20181108-223358.png

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ingenium Member Level: 4G WiMax

ingenium

Posted
Posted
Actually just went roaming again in the last few hours and downloaded the Signal Check app - see attached for results.  Any thoughts?  Thanks!
Screenshot_20181108-223358.thumb.png.1b22d224da79c57d011e48f274eff096.png
That's probably not actually Clearwire B41, but it is the Clearwire PLMN. That is T-Mobile roaming, which is treated as native and doesn't count towards your roaming allowance.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

dkyeager Member Level: LTE Advanced

dkyeager

Posted
Posted
6 hours ago, MarcNJ said:

Actually just went roaming again in the last few hours and downloaded the Signal Check app - see attached for results.  Any thoughts?  Thanks!

Screenshot_20181108-223358.png

For a more definitive answer, acquire the SCP pro version for several dollars.  It will provide you with GCI data and possibly EARFCN which will make possible certainty on identifying that signal.

Joski1624 Member Level: 4G WiMax

Joski1624

Posted
Posted
45 minutes ago, belusnecropolis said:

Doesn't the Pixel 2 have a debug screen that can give detailed info like this?

One can only hope.  My last two phones have had a busted LTE engineering debug menu.

ingenium Member Level: 4G WiMax

ingenium

Posted
Posted
Doesn't the Pixel 2 have a debug screen that can give detailed info like this?
Actually, yes. Those are some of the fields that actually work in the engineering screen.4c33e2683c8d4464e9fece4a58fcaf6a.jpg

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

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