I use Verizon to power my data and phone calls, but other networks are handy in places I can’t get a strong Verizon signal.
Straight Talk’s coverage has been good as of late, but their connection speeds aren’t.
I used to get fast internet speeds in the same areas where I now experience slower speeds.
I saw a lot of articles about people who had improved their internet connection speeds by reviewing their tower settings. So, I set out to explore how I might be able to do the same. After only a few hours of research, I found that switching my network tower settings might allow me to speed up my connection.
In this article, we’ll help you find out how to make your Straight Talk connection as efficient as possible and how to increase the speed.
Straight Talk uses GPRS/Edge, so you’ll need to use a custom APN, change your Preferred Roaming List, and check your Carrier settings. Now let’s go through each step to learn how to switch our towers on Straight Talk.
Below are some Straight Talk APN settings for your iPhone or Android. These will get you unlimited data and voicemail on Straight Talk.
Updates are essential to our phones. Update Tower Settings On Straight Talk.
If the internet connection on your phone isn’t working or if you’re having trouble connecting to a voice call, you may need to update your tower settings. That might mean changing how your phone connects with the Straight Talk network.
Whenever you update your settings, it’s worth considering what would be best for your location. There are lots of factors you should take into consideration: which network Straight Talk is using in your area, location, etc. Therefore, it comes down to personal preference when deciding what the optimal state is.
Straight Talk is a virtual operator that leases cell towers from other companies, such as AT&T and Tracfone.
I’ve noticed a lot of blackspot areas while traveling, with my connection dropping out constantly before it was too late. But our recent update, with Settings such as Connectivity Optimization and Choose Data Speed, helps to get a reliable connection in both the internet and voice so that I don’t have any issues while driving or making calls.
Update Your APN
To change your tower settings, you’ll have to update your phone’s APN settings. These settings let your phone connect to the Straight Talk networks and make tweaks to several settings.
Straight Talk leases towers, which means APN settings vary depending on who owns the tower in your area.
It’s difficult to find which providers offer the best coverage, but you can ensure a good connection by trying both the AT&T APN settings and those for Tracfone. If stepping through instructions for the Tracfone APN doesn’t work, troubleshoot your device for Tracfone not having service.
Tracfone
To configure an APN on a Tracfone network, use the following steps:
- To access the Settings menu on your phone, open the Wireless & Networks option found under the general settings.
- Scroll down to Mobile networks, and tap Access Point Names.
- Select the three dots in your screen’s upper-right corner and choose Add APN.
In the fields that appear, type in:
- APN: tfdata
- Username: (leave this blank)
- Password: (leave this blank)
- MMSC: http://mms-tf.net
- MMS Proxy: mms3.tracfone.com:80
- Max Size: 1048576
- MMS UA Prof URL: http://www.apple.com/mms/uaprof.rdf
Leave all fields empty and save this APN.
AT&T
Setting up an APN on AT&T is easy. Repeat steps 1 to 3 from the Tracfone section listed above.
In the fields that appear, type in:
- APN: att. mvno
- Username: (leave this blank)
- Password: (leave this blank)
- MMSC: http://mmsc.cingular.com
- MMS Proxy: 66.209.11.33:80
- Max Size: 1048576
- MMS UA Prof URL: http://www.apple.com/mms/uaprof.rdf
After updating your APN, you can follow these additional steps to update your Preferred Roaming List.
Update Your Preferred Roaming List
A PRL is a list of frequencies and carriers other than Straight Talk that your phone will keep in mind whenever it’s away from the Straight Talk network.
You can optimize this list and ensure it stays up to date to help improve wireless internet speed. Using an exemplary APN configuration, you should be able to connect to the best wireless network possible at home and while roaming.
To update your PRL on Straight Talk, do the following:
Dial *22891, then follow the prompts.
This code can initiate the PRL update process and ensure your phone receives the updated information.
Update Carrier Settings
If you’re connected to Straight Talk and haven’t updated your carrier settings lately, it might be time to. This tells your phone how to connect to Straight Talk, allowing you to establish a better connection with their towers.
Keep these updated, and you’ll have the best possible connection quality.
To update carrier settings on Android, you’ll need to do 3 easy steps.
To update your profile on your phone,
- Go to the Settings app.
- Choose About Phone
- You’ll see the Update Profile.
If you can’t find it there, try looking for System Updates on the main Settings page.
If the option is not in About phone:
- Select the Setting icon.
- Scroll to the bottom and tap Network Settings.
- Scroll to Carrier settings and find the Update profile option.
IOS Method
Connect your phone to your preferred Wi-Fi network and then dial ##873283#. The phone will update its settings, and you can tap OK when it finishes.
Connect your phone to your preferred Wi-Fi network and then dial ##873283#. The phone will update its settings, and you can tap OK when it finishes.
After performing an APN, PRL, and carrier setting update, your network quality should have improved.
To find out, complete a few speed tests and watch video content to see the results.
I want to update the information on my Straight Talk phone. Which number do I call?
You can get your phone’s network settings updated by dialing 22891.
FAQ’s
What towers does Straight Talk use?
Straight Talk is a virtual mobile service, meaning they use the towers from other carriers to transmit their network.
They purchase airtime from AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, and Verizon.
What do I need to do to refresh the signal on my phone?
To refresh your phone, turn off the device and wait for at least a minute before turning it back on.
Did you know you could tell which cell tower you’re using?
If you have an Android phone, a third-party app called Netmonster may be able to tell you the cell towers your phone currently connects to.
This guide contains everything you need to know about renewing your Straight Tower plan.
Dr Router is the founder of Myinternetmaster.com and an expert in routers and modems. With years of experience in the field and a Master’s degree in Computer Science, Dr Router is dedicated to helping others troubleshoot and solve problems with their internet connections. Whether you’re a tech expert or a beginner, Dr Router is here to provide you with the resources and information you need to optimize your internet experience.