How to block out other carriers/roaming towers?

[freakshow85]

I got a Galaxy S3 through Straight Talk. I assumed it would be Verizon or AT&T but instead it ended up being Sprint.. and at my house I am on unusable Verizon becaise they have strong signal around here.. and I guess both being cdma is why I pick up on it.. but I can't use it for anything.
Is there anyway to make my phone only pick up on Sprint towers and nothing else?

 

[BRAINZ2013]

Did u edit the build dot prop correctly

 

[BRAINZ2013]

That means also the supported carrier you changing from but u say CDMA

 

[freakshow85]

I can't make sense of your second post and don't know what you mean by your first. I am not rooted. I run Sprint.with low sig at my house. I am picking up on Verizon towers, I assume, because if I make a call it voes to verion saying I can pay to make a call.. and they are cdma like sprint if I am not mistaken. Does anyone understand what I am saying? It's like it's making me roam.. I can't text or call unless I get on the sprint tower by standing on one leg and holding my finger to my nose ..

 

[BRAINZ2013]

Who is your carrier and did you select the correct APN . and to answer your question it's no way to block out the device is like a scanner it searches for the best signal for the user to make calls or use data for the web browser . to alter the Build.prop if you was rooted would allow you to do a few things . so do that answer your question

 

[freakshow85]

I have Straight Talk and had no choices like that to choose from when I turned my phone on. I upgraded from a Galaxy Centura on Verizon.

 

[BRAINZ2013]

Did u call your carrier to get the correct settings to enter such as your sid,min and etc.this would allow the phone to pick up on their band and adjust to scan to just them also make sure u paid the bill and it went through .

 

[funkylogik]

I know how to turn off data roaming if that helps? Not sure if it does and im no expert on US networks

 

[BRAINZ2013]

Do you see something similar to this for APN

 

[freakshow85]

Thanks I will give it a shot. Just was checking if it was a normal issue for anyone else. I did it through the automated phone system.

 

[BRAINZ2013]

I think the op needs to turn on data he said low signal that maybe the 2g

 

[freakshow85]

Where are you guys going to see these options? I have the S960L S3.. Sprint's version.. running Android 4.1.2.

 

[BRAINZ2013]

Go into settings under the first it will be a break but u will see the words more.....just like this

 

[freakshow85]

Brainz your picture isn't loading for me. And don't be a smart ass... I obviously have 3G and 4G pop up. I'm going elsewhere.. last post in here.

And for you Brainz yes I have been there.. enabled data and have cdma/lte/evdo selected. Ill just call.

 

[BRAINZ2013]

Do u see the wireless settings section. But as I said call the carrier and ask for settings on your device cause u can't make calls. When u do post back wit a fix since u feel that I have told u something wrong

 

[funkylogik]

Freakshow chill out man. Peeps here are only trying to help you. Theres no "smartass" about it.
Someone has taken the time to reply to you for no other reason than to share the love.
Its a two way street man

 

[freakshow85]

I guess I took it wrong but to assume I had data off? Hell, that's not even related. No one has given an answer to my topic now that I think about it.

 

[Mikestony]

@freakshow...I wish I knew more to comment about what towers ST uses, but I briefly searched for your device...:
Samsung Galaxy S III SCH-S960L LTE (Net 10 and Straight Talk) Specifications | Smartphone Zero

General & Network
2G: CDMA
3G: EVDO Rev. A/PCS 1900 MHz
4G: LTE B25

Also, from what I've found, Verizon and ST parted ways, which would appear to me, like you have stated, your phone runs on Sprint towers.
Now, I would assume your Sprint signal is poor and connects to Verizon's towers...or attempts to.

I don't know how you can force your device to run on Sprint only short of what funky said and turn off roaming?

Some findings of mine....the box that the device came in..on the front/lower corner...does it say CDMA-V, or CDMA-S. (V=Verizon, S=Sprint)? I'm curious.

Like I said, I wish I knew more about your issue to help.

How long ago did you get this device?
Perhaps instead of messing with the APN settings etc, it may be easier to just call your carrier like you said you may do, and see what they can offer?

 

[Mikestony]

FWIW
Where are you located? The reason I ask is, I was looking at these coverage maps:
Coverage | Straight Talk

More info about ST and the carrier towers: (scroll down a little on that page)
List of United States mobile virtual network operators - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Edit: some more info on your device:
The Galaxy S III Is StraightTalk's First LTE Phone, Available Now For $439.99 - Uses Sprint Network

 

[GTWalling]

Check Settings>More>Mobile networks make sure Data roaming is unchecked. This is about all you can do.

 

[freakshow85]

Check Settings>More>Mobile networks make sure Data roaming is unchecked. This is about all you can do.

I don't have an option to turn roaming off there.

 

[BRAINZ2013]

I am not being smartazz but I can say I was just in your situation not to long ago I went to st aka straight talk and didn't like . so I am here to help but your problem Show that u need to get with your carrier and do a manual programming but I Dont need to be a smartazz your problems that you have either teach me or I help you we all been in that very same situation and had to learn to make me as what I am today . we all here to help

 

[Mikestony]

I am not being smartazz but I can say I was just in your situation not to long ago I went to st aka straight talk and didn't like . so I am here to help but your problem Show that u need to get with your carrier and do a manual programming but I Dont need to be a smartazz your problems that you have either teach me or I help you we all been in that very same situation and had to learn to make me as what I am today . we all here to help

You're fine Brainz...all is cool Thanks for your help

 

[freakshow85]

I am not being smartazz but I can say I was just in your situation not to long ago I went to st aka straight talk and didn't like . so I am here to help but your problem Show that u need to get with your carrier and do a manual programming but I Dont need to be a smartazz your problems that you have either teach me or I help you we all been in that very same situation and had to learn to make me as what I am today . we all here to help

Like I already said, I took your post the wrong way. My bad. Language barriers cause misunderstandings.. that is I assume English isn't your native language. I just wanted to see if anyone knew a fix before I had to call the terrible help desk of Straight Talk. Ill let everyone know the real deal when I call tomorrow.

 

[freakshow85]

Wow I dread calling them so bad... always takes so long. I emailed them and they gave me instructions to update my profile and PRL. Well they must not study their own phones because they gave me the wrong instructions. But I found it anyways and it didn't help. They gave me a PIN and phone number to call if it didn't work... still trying to build my calmness up before I call them.

One thing I worry about is... see I still get 3G and 4G that works whether I can text/call or not from roaming. I wonder if it is actually Sprint's data or if it is messed up and letting me roam and use Verizon's data. I don't know how I can be using data that works fine but be roaming on Verizon at the same time unable to text or call. Maybe it is just how the phone is set up and I am using Sprint for data.