ST Coverage - map - for Android... tiny...?

**KrisM77** · 07-10-2012, 07:39 PM

I just received my ST tmo sim card and was looking at the instructions and the site and happened on this page
http://www.straighttalk.com/Coverage

The coverage for Android phones is miniscule compared to non-Android phones... What's up with this?

It's not even a difference between at&t and tmo.

EDIT: okay, so it's Sprint coverage. How can a GSM phone use cdma towers. Or is this the very old iDEN setup?

**ec334500** · 07-10-2012, 08:09 PM

As far as I know, the gsm BYOP program runs on the AT&T and tmobile towers while the map you saw on the site is for the android phones that ST sells which are CDMA phones that run on the sprite towers

**ndtv88** · 07-10-2012, 08:10 PM

Originally Posted by ec334500

As far as I know, the gsm BYOP program runs on the AT&T and tmobile towers while the map you saw on the site is for the android phones that ST sells which are CDMA phones that run on the sprite towers

+1
see the link on my signature below for the actual maps

**KrisM77** · 07-10-2012, 08:11 PM

@ec334500 yeah, been scrambling around doing reading and I think (hope!) you're right...

edit - (posted out of order)

**october262** · 07-10-2012, 08:11 PM

the gsm phones use AT&T or tmobile towers with roaming. the android phones that use sprint network are non roaming. (same coverage as boost/virgin mobile) and the phones that use verizon network are native coverage only (no roaming).

**KrisM77** · 07-10-2012, 08:32 PM

@ndtv88 thanks for the links!!!!!!! actually tmo's footprint looks pretty small!

Do we get charged if we have a ST tmo sim and it roams to at&t, or visa versa? I understand that it won't roam unless it matches ST's list of allowable roams.

**mirayge** · 07-10-2012, 09:51 PM

We can't be charged for roaming on prepaid. The problem comes when you are excessively roaming. Straight Talk will be charged, or rather the carrier, and then dump you. Biggest time that happens probably is when someone orders the wrong SIM for their area.

**KrisM77** · 07-10-2012, 09:59 PM

Yep, I can see that... Has anyone ported a number from a ST tmo SIM to a ST at&t SIM? I have already received (but not activated a ST tmo sim, but comparing coverage maps, thinking I should have gone with the ST at&t SIM... or maybe just a generic "ST unlocked GSM phone SIM"... (I also have sims for H2O, red pocket, simple mobile, and air voice (.99 each) in the drawer)

**ec334500** · 07-10-2012, 10:20 PM

This might be a stupid question, but what exactly is roaming and what are the bennifits? Is it suggested that ST BYOD users keep national roaming setting checked...?

**KrisM77** · 07-10-2012, 10:24 PM

Let's say you're on straight tmobile. And you come to an area where tmo has no coverage, but at&t has towers. If all the capabilities are present in your phone and your plan, you could use the at&t towers. Roaming

**ec334500** · 07-10-2012, 10:32 PM

Originally Posted by KrisM77

Let's say you're on straight tmobile. And you come to an area where tmo has no coverage, but at&t has towers. If all the capabilities are present in your phone and your plan, you could use the at&t towers. Roaming

That makes sense! So is it good to turn roaming on if you're in an area when you have no service does ST charge for roaming?

**KrisM77** · 07-10-2012, 10:36 PM

Earlier this evening I believe I came across a list of what to do when and it said if your phone is roaming, call this number. I think they want to check / know what's going on...

http://www.straighttalk.com/controll...ry=trouroaming

**GTwannabe** · 07-10-2012, 10:38 PM

Originally Posted by ec334500

That makes sense! So is it good to turn roaming on if you're in an area when you have no service does ST charge for roaming?

There is no "roaming" on ST. If you have a T-mobile SIM and it can only find an AT&T tower, you're still on the ST "Home" network. Data may or may not work though depending on ST's agreement with that particular network operator.

**KrisM77** · 07-10-2012, 10:40 PM

Originally Posted by GTwannabe

There is no "roaming" on ST. If you have a T-mobile SIM and it can only find an AT&T tower, you're still on the ST "Home" network. Data may or may not work though depending on ST's agreement with that particular network operator.

Thanks for that comment!

**Hellyon** · 07-11-2012, 05:10 AM

Originally Posted by KrisM77

Yep, I can see that... Has anyone ported a number from a ST tmo SIM to a ST at&t SIM? I have already received (but not activated a ST tmo sim, but comparing coverage maps, thinking I should have gone with the ST at&t SIM... or maybe just a generic "ST unlocked GSM phone SIM"... (I also have sims for H2O, red pocket, simple mobile, and air voice (.99 each) in the drawer)

You want select the following Activation tab if you are swapping two ST SIMS :

Transfer my number and service from one Straight Talk phone to another. You can transfer an existing Straight Talk number to another Straight Talk phone.