So, I have been using Verizon for years as my cell phone provider and have thought it funny that they claim such good coverage yet it seems that I have terrible coverage. In fact, in my lab at Novell, the indicator says “roaming” which I have always thought was weird and I get hardly any signal and have to step out of the lab or go to my office to make cell phone calls. Last night, the service was so bad that every single call was dropped in a matter of seconds or would not connect at all. After calling technical support, I found that I had not updated my Preferred Roaming List (PRL) in over a year. Hey, how was I supposed to know that I should do that? I didn’t see any notice about it anywhere. However, I did find this FAQ on the subject:

(especially note item #4)

General Information:

   1. Why do I need to perform this update on my wireless phone?
      By performing this update your phone will stay on the Verizon
      Wireless network  and/or digital service whenever possible. 
      Also, for most price plans after 2/1/2002 the phone roam indicator
      will turn off/on in accordance to the price plan you  have chosen.

   2. What are the steps I need to take to complete this update?
      The following are the steps you need to take to complete the 
      update:

            1. Power on your Verizon Wireless phone
            2. Dial *228 from your home digital coverage area, followed
                 by the SEND key
            3. When prompted, press option #2, to update your phones
                 roaming capabilities (This process may take up to 2 minutes)
            4. Once completed, a confirmation message will be played, 
                 and a message will display on the phone screen.

   3. What if the update fails to complete successfully?
      If for some reason the update does not complete successfully, 
      please try again at a later time. If the problem persists, your
      phone may not be capable of this update process.

   4. What benefits will this update provide?
      Benefits of this update may include:

          * Longer battery life
          * Fewer dropped or blocked calls
          * Clear, crisp connections in even more areas across the United 
              States
          * Roaming indicator will reflect the price plan you have chosen 
              (available on most price plans after 2/1/2002).

   5. How often do I need to perform this update?
        This update should be performed every three months, and/or 
         after changing price plans.

   6. How much will this *228 call cost me?
      This call is offered FREE of airtime charges from Verizon
       Wireless.

   7. When can I perform this update?
      You may perform this update at your convenience. This FREE software
      update is available to you 24 hours a  day, seven days a week!

So, I updated my phone and now – hey! no roaming in my lab for the first time since I got my phone. I’ll see how my signals are over the next few days. What I don’t understand is why they didn’t do this when i got my phone – It’s obvious that they didn’t because I have never not had the roaming indicator while in my lab. Also, it should be clear in the instructions that you get with you phone that you have to do this at least every three months.

So…can you hear me now?