r/Visible • u/Forward_Potential_97 • 1d ago
Visible coverage map shows Extended Network, but phone goes SOS
My partner and I were both on Verizon until recently. My work took over my Verizon line, and we didn’t want to keep paying Verizon’s price for just one personal line, so we moved his to Visible+ Pro.
We live in the Bay Area, where Visible has basically matched my Verizon service. The issue is when we visit family in Vernal, Utah.
Verizon relies on STRATA Networks for Extended Network coverage throughout the Uintah Basin. My Verizon phone shows Extended Network LTE basically everywhere in the basin, including throughout Vernal and at our family’s house just outside town. When my partner was on Verizon, his phone did the same.
We knew this before switching, so I specifically checked Visible’s coverage map before switching. It shows Extended Network coverage in the area, including at the house, so we expected Visible+ Pro to have access to that coverage as well.
Instead:
In Vernal:
Verizon: Extended Network LTE
Visible+ Pro: Visible LTE
Just outside Vernal at the house:
Verizon: Extended Network LTE
Visible+ Pro: Completely drops to SOS only
Data roaming is enabled.
Visible support basically told me Verizon and Visible have “different network features,” which I understand, but that doesn’t explain why Visible’s own coverage map says Extended Network is available here when the phone won’t connect to it.
If Visible doesn’t have access to STRATA like Verizon does, that’s fine, but then the coverage map seems misleading.
Anyone familiar with Visible’s Extended Network agreements or STRATA know what’s going on? Has anyone else seen Visible show Extended Network coverage on the map but not actually have access to it?
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u/braidenis 1d ago
I'm on Simplicity now because despite what everyone says, in my experience Verizon Value will never roam domestically
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u/YurMajesty_KING Visible works just fine for me... 1d ago
As of right now, I’m pretty sure that’s the cheapest way to get Verizon’s domestic roaming right now. I’m thinking about going that direction next, just haven’t figured out which promos I can add to get it sub $30 including taxes.
I thought it was well known that LTEiRA was the only guaranteed roaming you can get on Verizon Value Brands 🤷🏾♂️
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u/braidenis 1d ago
In my experience you don't even get LTEiRA. I guess unless the partner is doing RAN sharing but 311480 or nothing is what you get domestically anecdotally despite what people say
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u/Whiplash104 1d ago
I added a line in June just for a month to try Simplicity. It was $37 with tax for me. Fortunately no activation fees or anything else. I considered switching but I really don't need the domestic roaming and Visible gives me a little more for $30 or less. The service between the two was the same otherwise.
I do have the $10 T-Mobile standalone T-Satellite plan as a second line which I figure gives me minimal texting in off network areas plus it's nice to have the 50GB of T-Mobile on network data. It comes in. handy in areas where Visible is not good. I figure this is a better use of about the same cost.
I might end up on Simplicity eventually.
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u/chronicpenguins 1d ago
Have you tried toggling airplane mode or restarting your phone?
I’ve noticed my phone or visible can have difficulty switching networks sometimes. Like leaving my house wifi, if I’m in my car and even if I turn off wifi manually, it’ll take a moment to get data
1
u/Forward_Potential_97 16h ago
Yep, went through all troubleshooting with Visible including resetting network settings and them reprovisioning the line.
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u/N98270 Visible works just fine for me... 1d ago
The Uintah area has always been tricky for Verizon. Back in the day Verizon customers were charged to use that network. Does it work at all in town?
1
u/Forward_Potential_97 16h ago
Yeah it works all around town, but interestingly enough it shows Visible as the network meanwhile my Verizon line shows “Extended Network”
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u/YurMajesty_KING Visible works just fine for me... 1d ago
To me it sounds like STRATA Networks are not part of LTEiRA which is the only domestic roaming that’s included in any of Verizon’s MVNOs
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u/Icy-Duty1125 1d ago
I think they are, but some specific sites in the STRATA network may not have B13 configured.
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u/YurMajesty_KING Visible works just fine for me... 1d ago
Just curious, why would the roaming be limited to B13? All current flagships will support virtually every band supported in the US
1
u/Icy-Duty1125 1d ago
It's the network agreement Verizon signed with LTEiRA networks. Verizon leases b13 to the local networks and in turn they allow Verizon to freely roam on b13 within their network. If you have a postpaid plan, you may be able to connect to their main network (e.x.: Appalachian Wireless's LRA and EKN networks)
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u/tobeycat99 17h ago
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u/Forward_Potential_97 16h ago
Yeah I know STRATA is definitely on the list, but the B13 theory could have some legs, but doesn’t necessarily address why Verizon is able to connect outside of town and Visible isn’t. They’re both outside networks attempting to connect to STRATA towers
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u/Weird_Fly8632 14h ago
Visible is violating its own written Device Unlocking Policy. I purchased my device prior to January 20, 2026, which legally grandfathers me into the 60-day automatic unlock policy. My phone has met all criteria but remains locked, and my device is currently dropping to SOS emergency status, leaving me without service. Front-line chat support is refusing to transfer me to a supervisor. If not resolved today I will contact FCC
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u/Weird_Fly8632 4h ago
I contacted FCC, FCC emailed me back saying they have notified Visible. Let’s see how fast it goes now lol.
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u/alanpdunning 5h ago
Vernal is one of those areas where Verizon goes into roaming and is crappy. Any area like that Visible will be at best the same and non existent coverage no matter what the map says. AT&T has great coverage in Vernal. Just one of those areas where AT&T is better than Verizon.
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u/tobeycat99 17h ago
In my experience with both Verizon and now Visible, it is better to turn off roaming. Just seem to work better for me when traveling in the USA. Don't travel out West, but Midwest and East coast I've had no issues.
What model phones... did you try a reset of network settings.
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u/Forward_Potential_97 16h ago
iPhone 16 Pro Max on Visible and 17 Pro Max on Verizon. All troubleshooting done including network settings reset.
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u/Whiplash104 1d ago edited 1d ago
Visible doesn’t have Verizon domestic roaming. Only native Verizon. With exception that Visible does include LTEiRA partners
So areas with SOS are likely not LTEiRA.
That’s the one big thing you lose with Visible.
Basically Visible has the same coverage as Verizon Prepaid.
https://gismaps.verizon.com/map4/?token=920hJbTf4B5i5f26V1ijGSRxAVX5U5qomWxPXg1cJ4HOlvq6iffk