What is the purpose of *228 and when do you use it?

[M_R_L]

I have seen references to using *228. Just what does this do and why and when should I use it?

[Steve5127]

It is used to initially program the device  opt 1,  and it can be used to update the PRL list  (cell tower addresses) on the device. 

[AFguy]

I had to call VZW yesterday with anissue and she walked me through calling *228 from my cell.  She said I should do this once a week to update my phone with local towers.

[old_man-58]

Not sure about once a week, but after any upgrade you should allow VZW to re-program for both *228 Option 1 and *228 Option 2

[AFguy]

I thought once a week was too often as well, just what she told me to do to insure I always had the latest list of tower updates.  Could be because I live in an area where VZW was not here until they took over Alltel and they are still switching over towers in my area.

[Jagger-VzW]

*228 is used to update your Preferred Roaming List (PRLs) and to activate devices.  Use *228 to update your PRL about once a month.  Once a week is overkill.

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[AFguy]

Thank you James for clarifying.  I thought once a week was too much when the VZW rep told me that yesterday.  

[immobile2]

Yea, once a week is overkill... I also knowticed that with the Droid, compared to every other device, you can't perform *22899 on the Droid. It brings you right into reg. Programing.

[JungleJim]

I just tried to use the *228 and it said that this feature is not available use *611.  Without going to *611 (whatever that is) why would this feature not be available?

[gmack35]

just did the *228, option #2, on my droid and it worked fine. i read on another board, about doing it monthly and especially after a software update. most say it improves the signal. mine did go from the usual 1 bar that i usually get at home to 3 bars, but it has only been an hour, so don't know long term effects.