Unfair treatment when roaming

[Lenagainster]

I'm in western Maryland, in Little Orleans, roaming on US Cellular. My smartphone (Rezound) only gets 1X data. My friend, who lives in western MD, and has US Cellular service, is sitting with me on the same bench, and his smartphone is pulling in 3G data. Why is it that when a Verizon phone is roaming on US Cellular, it only gets 1X (slower than dial-up), while in the exact same spot, a US Cellular customer gets 3G? Is Verizon so cheap that they won't pay a higher premium for their customers roaming, so we get second class treatment on USC? Perhaps VZW is trying to discourage us from using data while roaming. I thought I was a VZW customer for life, but between the slow data while roaming, the new upgrade fees, and the outrageous taxes, I'm ready to quit.

[Guest 214]

I'm in western Maryland, in Little Orleans, roaming on US Cellular. My smartphone (Rezound) only gets 1X data. My friend, who lives in western MD, and has US Cellular service, is sitting with me on the same bench, and his smartphone is pulling in 3G data. Why is it that when a Verizon phone is roaming on US Cellular, it only gets 1X (slower than dial-up), while in the exact same spot, a US Cellular customer gets 3G? Is Verizon so cheap that they won't pay a higher premium for their customers roaming, so we get second class treatment on USC? Perhaps VZW is trying to discourage us from using data while roaming. I thought I was a VZW customer for life, but between the slow data while roaming, the new upgrade fees, and the outrageous taxes, I'm ready to quit.

Hah, this is with EVERY carrier. You're lucky to have UNLIMITED roaming with Verizon off network. Every other company will cut you off after so much off network usage. AT&T cuts you off after using ONLY about 25mb, T-Mobile will cut your data off entirely after using 200mb or less depending on your plan, and Sprint also has a 300mb roaming limit. All of AT&T's roaming is on EDGE or GPRS which are about dial up speed more often than not, T-Mobile is supposed to have 3G roaming, but what good is that if you get cut off after 50mb, and most of Sprint's roaming is also 1X as well.

Verizon has the most relaxed policy in place as far as roaming, you can live in a non Verizon area and still they won't say a word.

Verizon DOES offer 3G roaming in some area's on US Cellular also, your area just happens to not be one of those. The reason your friend gets 3G on US Cellular is because they are a customer of US Cellular, and they probably will get 1X when off US Cell's network....

Also while the upgrade fee's are very ridiculous, they are still cheaper than what everyone else charges..

[Lenagainster]

Hah, this is with EVERY carrier. You're lucky to have UNLIMITED roaming with Verizon off network. .......

Good info. Thanks!

[gurm04]

I roam on US Cell at home and get 3G.

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[ilvla2]

I roam on US Cell at home and get 3G.

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using HowardForums

Verizon and USCC both roam in-market onto each other in dead spots here (Mendocino County, NW CA) and across NorCal, in both 1X and EVDO (3G). I see you're from Silver Spring, that's a nice area! I lived there for a while on my LDS Church Mission (Washington DC North Mission).

[ilvla2]

The reason your friend gets 3G on US Cellular is because they are a customer of US Cellular, and they probably will get 1X when off US Cell's network.
.

USCC roams on Verizon's EVDO, they won't get 1X unless Verizon only has that wherever they are.

[Guest 214]

USCC roams on Verizon's EVDO, they won't get 1X unless Verizon only has that wherever they are.

Really? That's great to have when traveling, but also do they impose off network limits?

[ilvla2]

Really? That's great to have when traveling, but also do they impose off network limits?

They do, I believe it's more than 50% off network for 3 consecutive months.

[Guest 214]

Good info. Thanks!

No problem, my cousin has Verizon and has the Canada North America plan, and has been living in Ontario, Canada for 2 1/2 years in school and he's almost finished, but has had unlimited texting and minutes according to his plan this entire time with a 770 Atlanta number we have been able to call him on and its treated like a local call, same for SMS messages. Also has a setup something like Google voice where he has a Canadian number that people in Ontario can text and call as a local call, and it forwards to his US Verizon number at no charge.

Verizon hasn't said a peep.

I roamed off-network on AT&T at 22meg's and got a call warning me they would terminate me, or disable roaming altogether if this continued.

[Guest 214]

They do, I believe it's more than 50% off network for 3 consecutive months.

That's still pretty good compared to other company's at least

[dsquare86]

I'm in western Maryland, in Little Orleans, roaming on US Cellular. My smartphone (Rezound) only gets 1X data. My friend, who lives in western MD, and has US Cellular service, is sitting with me on the same bench, and his smartphone is pulling in 3G data. Why is it that when a Verizon phone is roaming on US Cellular, it only gets 1X (slower than dial-up), while in the exact same spot, a US Cellular customer gets 3G? Is Verizon so cheap that they won't pay a higher premium for their customers roaming, so we get second class treatment on USC? Perhaps VZW is trying to discourage us from using data while roaming. I thought I was a VZW customer for life, but between the slow data while roaming, the new upgrade fees, and the outrageous taxes, I'm ready to quit.

I am in the same boat and have been for the best end of about 9 years that I have been with Verizon and living in Western MD. In case you are wondering, I am in Friendsville, MD and just like you are in the same situation. I have been sticking around hoping that the situation would improve but I am just now realizing that it likely will not. I have about 18 months left in my contract with Verizon and have 2 smartphones, a feature phone, and a tablet. At this point, I am very happy to pay my $650 ETF fees to get away from Verizon. I convinced my family members to get Verizon also. 10 lines total and I am at the point now I am recommending they jump ship as well. US Cellular is deploying 4G LTE in the area soon and I am ecstatic that I can switch to them and not be treated as a second class citizen meanwhile paying top dollar. I attempted to get a quote on my ETF fees and it took me 30 minutes and I spoke to 3 different people WHY!?!? They simply could not understand what the issue was with these slow data speeds. I am done with Verizon, I am fed up with their ****. These new upgrade fees just go to show what Verizon is all about, the money. I suppose this is why they insist on calling me at least once if I go past the due date by a few days - I can't change my payday. End rant.

[dsquare86]

Verizon DOES offer 3G roaming in some area's on US Cellular also, your area just happens to not be one of those. The reason your friend gets 3G on US Cellular is because they are a customer of US Cellular, and they probably will get 1X when off US Cell's network....

They offer 3G roaming is certain other area, not here. Let me also add that the US Cellular subscriber gets 3G roaming through Verizon!!!

Isn't that just a smack in the face to the Verizon customer, I guess we know where we stand.

[Lenagainster]

..... In case you are wondering, I am in Friendsville, MD ....

At least you have the pleasure of living in the most beautiful part of Maryland. Hope that mitigates your displeasure with VZW.

[ilvla2]

At least you have the pleasure of living in the most beautiful part of Maryland. Hope that mitigates your displeasure with VZW.

There are some beautiful places around Silver Spring too, but yeah, definitely some rough areas when you venture into Takoma Park and Hyattsville.

[dsquare86]

There are some beautiful places around Silver Spring too, but yeah, definitely some rough areas when you venture into Takoma Park and Hyattsville.

Heard that. Unfortunately, I graced both of these places on my travels to and fro DC.