SIM CARD
Not applicable

Might be a dumb question, but:  With 4G LTE does a SIM CARD have anything to do with the reception? (ie: number of bars)  I live in a 3g area and only receiving 2 bars at the moment.

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Re: SIM CARD
budone
Legend

I do not pay attention to the number of bars. Go into settings and see what your signal strength is. -95dBm or higher, (or would that be lower) is where you may drop a call or have a slow data connection, -70dBm up to -90dBm you are fine.

Where I used to live my signal was -101dBm. Data was painfully slow but calls were fine.

I remember when Apple had their antenna issue, they initially sent out an update that just changed the number of bars shown with a poor signal.

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Re: SIM CARD
Not applicable

Ugh..... mine ranges from -94 dBm to -101.  The asu from 1 to 8.  No problem with data (mainly use wifi). Dropped call now and then. Maybe 1-2 a week do make a lot of calls.

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Re: SIM CARD
mortb
Specialist - Level 3

No, it doesn't. The SIM card holds the story of your phone (telephone number, serial number, etc.) and your Verizon account information (account number, etc.). It's the "radio" in your cell phone that determines signal strength.

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Re: SIM CARD
Dave-in-Decatur
Specialist - Level 2

Also (as I learned on this forum soon after I got my first 4G phone) the number of bars only indicates voice signal strength, not data. 4G or 3G only show up as on or off. (3G does have that lovely little D under it sometimes, which I believe stands for Dysfunctional, or Dropped, or Defunct, or Dead, or something).

budone's suggestion may give you more actual information.

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Re: SIM CARD
budone
Legend

There is an app, 'Real Signal' that offers the signal strength for data also

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Re: SIM CARD
lemew
Contributor - Level 3

The PRL is also on the sim card. Also, mip settings.

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Re: SIM CARD
Not applicable

okay, what is PRL and MIP stand for?  Learning a lot now. I have no problems with data, etc.  only voice.  Do plan on purchasing a Network extender.

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Re: SIM CARD
Ann154
Community Leader
Community Leader

PRL is Preferred Roaming List. I don't know what MIP stands for either.

I'm most definitely NOT a VZW employee. If a post answered your question, please mark it as the answer.

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Re: SIM CARD
Not applicable

okay, Preferred Roaming list is for what specific purpose.  wow, so much to learn.

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