Sprint and VM Cell phone tower coverage...

[hemplacrosse4]

So I was a little confused today at work and I was wondering if anyone would have a good answer as to why my co worker (who has Sprint) can get reception within our work building but my VM Optimus can not get anything. I thought that VM used the same cell phones towers as Sprint did?

I had both our phones near each other and he was getting 3 bars while mine was still searching for a signal. Its a little depressing because I have to leave my cell phone by the window all the time at work. Just was curious thats all. Still love the phone though, cant complain for 25 a month!

 

[Scyy]

It's most likely that your coworker is being connected to a verizon tower since sprint plans allow roaming to verizon whereas on VM you are stuck with sprint towers. Sprint and Verizon have an agreement so wherever you don't get a sprint signal you are allowed to use verizons for free(assuming roaming is free on whatever plan the person is using)

 

[TampaShooters]

Also, certain phones have better antenna's..

 

[jp3515]

Hello,
Newbie question here. I opened my optimus V today and was using it on wifi. I also was checking out how many bars I had around my house and outside my house. My question is does activating the phone change the amount of bars I am seeing now or is what I see now, what I 'll get once I activate? Please forgive me if this is a dumb question. Thanks.

 

[TampaShooters]

Hello,
Newbie question here. I opened my optimus V today and was using it on wifi. I also was checking out how many bars I had around my house and outside my house. My question is does activating the phone change the amount of bars I am seeing now or is what I see now, what I 'll get once I activate? Please forgive me if this is a dumb question. Thanks.

Yes, once you activate it, it will raise significantly. I noticed this too prior to activating both of mine.

 

[jp3515]

Tampa,
Thank you so much for responding. I was starting to freak out a little. Both Sprint and Vm coverage map say my location is "best" coverage for voice and data FWTW. I know VM and Sprint are the same but I still checked both of them. Thanks again for your response and if I may ask... How many bars did you get before activating compared to now? Thanks again.

 

[TampaShooters]

Tampa,
Thank you so much for responding. I was starting to freak out a little. Both Sprint and Vm coverage map say my location is "best" coverage for voice and data FWTW. I know VM and Sprint are the same but I still checked both of them. Thanks again for your response and if I may ask... How many bars did you get before activating compared to now? Thanks again.

I don't remember how many bars prior to activation, but it wasn't many, but after activation, I have full bars at home which is rural. I came from Sprint and found no coverage or power differences. I don't roam, so that didn't matter. I actually tested VM for two months (Side by side with my Sprint Evo) prior to switching and cancelling my Sprint account. It only cost me $25/mo on the low plan to test, and then after that I was happy, I ported my Sprint numbers over and activated my wifes VM phone.

 

[jp3515]

Thanks again for your responses. I had two to three bars in most of my house and barely one bar in other areas. Outside in my driveway I had 4 to 5 bars. Outside was fine it was in the house that was freaking me out because me and my family do not have a house phone. We all will be using VM soon when I activate and leave other carrier. Anyway thanks for your help with my questions.