This happened several times before, where I'd lose signal and have to either restart the phone by pulling the battery or let it chill for a day or two and it would work as if nothing happened. Lost signal again yesterday (battery died) and almost 24h later, still nothing.
I see that 4636 menu has an option to toggle radio on (it's showing radio as being off currently), but this menu does not work on this phone. I have tried another secret menu that has a ton of options, but nothing that would trigger radio on/off.
Running out of options at this point. Any ideas? Sim is fine, I am using it in my other phone currently. Don't want to hard-reset at this point.
Thanks.
did you try to switch on/off the airplane mode? Maybe it will trigger the radio to turn back on.
neptun2 said:
did you try to switch on/off the airplane mode? Maybe it will trigger the radio to turn back on.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, tried that already. Phone is not blacklisted, btw.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using XDA-Developers mobile app
Well, in my exasperation I had to resort to a very old Russian method of fixing things: I threw the phone down a few times and whadyaknow? It started looking for network lol I can only get HSPA currently (no LTE), so it's def. looking like a hardware problem. Never buying another LG phone from now on...
No answer guys? same problem, could use some help.
francoguesalaga said:
No answer guys? same problem, could use some help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mine's most likely a hardware issue. I got hspa back, but no lte.
RussianBear said:
Mine's most likely a hardware issue. I got hspa back, but no lte.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't mind about lte, just want it to pick up any signal :/
francoguesalaga said:
I don't mind about lte, just want it to pick up any signal :/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you tried my method yet? Lol
Related
Ever since Verizon network went down a few days ago I can't get a solid connection whenever I download anything. Browser seems to load fine. I try downloading several apps from the market but cannot complete the download due to lost connectioime. It will just stop at any time during The download. Same with files. I dont think is the rom. I'm on cm7 pre-release. Flash back to Tesla but still have the issue. Is anyone else have this issue?
Are you close to a 4G area? Try locking your radio to 3G and see if it improves.
akanatrix said:
Are you close to a 4G area? Try locking your radio to 3G and see if it improves.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No I don't get 4g in my area. How do I lock 3g? I have it set on cdma / edvo auto.
xxxdroidxxx said:
No I don't get 4g in my area. How do I lock 3g? I have it set on cdma / edvo auto.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You go into the phone dialer and input *#*#4636#*#*, choose phone information. LTE mode for only 4G, CDMA auto (PRL) for only 3G. You can change it back to normal by using CDMA + LTE/EvDo auto.
I've been having the same exact problem.
akanatrix said:
You go into the phone dialer and input *#*#4636#*#*, choose phone information. LTE mode for only 4G, CDMA auto (PRL) for only 3G. You can change it back to normal by using CDMA + LTE/EvDo auto.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll try this later tonight.
slckofit said:
I've been having the same exact problem.
I'll try this later tonight.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just installed the latest radio and is still having the same issue. I hope is the network then since you're having the same problem too.
I have das bamf remix 1.5 on my phone and I've been having very slow downloads lately when it says I have a full signal.... Tried both modes as mentioned above and problem persists. Can't even load a whole you tube vid. WTF
New radio problems
I had similair issues, and I went back to stock 605.6 radio and a simple debloat rom and it fixed my issues, I am also set to CDMA(PRL) as I'm in a 3G only area
on the new radio my 3G connection was unstable and my GPS wouldn't lock
all of this only occurred after the verizon network went down and came back up.
before that I was having my problem with the new radio. I'm waiting on 605.6 until Verizon officially updates the radio, because I think they changed something that is currently only working with the old radio, the only one they have to support at this time, just my conjecture of course, but I've tried it a few times going between an old radio/old rom and new radio/new rom and it's consistant
Having the same issues. Tried all the radios, but downloading from the market place still goes at a snails place. Like everyone else this started after the lte network went down and came back up.
Update:
Found this on Android Central: Created Cheeta186
cheeta186 said:
Alright, I just got off the phone with them and they fixed my problem in less then 5 minutes. The problem was caused when the network went down, and when it came back up, some of the thunderbolts would not connect correctly causing the connection issues. When I called customer service the woman brought a tech guy on the phone and he had me take the battery out of the phone WHILE IT WAS POWERED UP and then take the SIM card out and he did some kind of "network reset" to my SIM card and now all the issues are gone. Worth giving them a call and seeing if this fixes your problem. IMO VZW has the best customer service hands down, they are always so helpful and will make conversation with you during the luls while on the phone (IE when your phone is booting up).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can't check this myself yet, because verizon customer service isn't open as of now.
Interesting. I'll give Verizon a call. Thanks.
I've been hiving this strange issue for a couple of months now.
Hi,
I own an Optimus one Currently running on Froyo Final + franco v19 set at 729/480, smartass. (None of this matters now) Anyway...
Whenever I'm home, the signal is in full strength. However, when I travel, or am at a different destination, there is a constant signal loss.
Signal bar will be at 100% and then suddenly it'll drop to emergency mode and then start hunting for signal. This happens very frequently and drains my battery.
At first I thought this was a rom issue and so I reinstalled everything from scratch (no titanium restores) only to find out that the problem cropped up again.
I switched back to my stock froyo rom which I'd backed up some 4 months ago and the problem didn't seem to go away!
So the only 2 suspects now left are the phone itself, and the sim card.
What am I supposed to do now? Has anyone else experienced such a problem?
blueren said:
I've been hiving this strange issue for a couple of months now.
Hi,
I own an Optimus one Currently running on Froyo Final + franco v19 set at 729/480, smartass. (None of this matters now) Anyway...
Whenever I'm home, the signal is in full strength. However, when I travel, or am at a different destination, there is a constant signal loss.
Signal bar will be at 100% and then suddenly it'll drop to emergency mode and then start hunting for signal. This happens very frequently and drains my battery.
At first I thought this was a rom issue and so I reinstalled everything from scratch (no titanium restores) only to find out that the problem cropped up again.
I switched back to my stock froyo rom which I'd backed up some 4 months ago and the problem didn't seem to go away!
So the only 2 suspects now left are the phone itself, and the sim card.
What am I supposed to do now? Has anyone else experienced such a problem?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tink is ur service provider satellite...
Sent from LGE Secret phone using tapatalk app...
blueren said:
Whenever I'm home, the signal is in full strength. However, when I travel, or am at a different destination, there is a constant signal loss.
Signal bar will be at 100% and then suddenly it'll drop to emergency mode and then start hunting for signal. This happens very frequently and drains my battery.
At first I thought this was a rom issue and so I reinstalled everything from scratch (no titanium restores) only to find out that the problem cropped up again.
I switched back to my stock froyo rom which I'd backed up some 4 months ago and the problem didn't seem to go away!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sounds like the phone fails to switch between BTSes properly depending on signal strength, not to mention the failed signal display. RMA it. (Either way, we would not fix your faulty SIM either). Talk to the guys who sold you the phone.
dax4182 said:
I tink is ur service provider satellite...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sir, this is a GSM phone, not a satellite one.
dr.notor said:
Sounds like the phone fails to switch between BTSes properly depending on signal strength, not to mention the failed signal display. RMA it. (Either way, we would not fix your faulty SIM either). Talk to the guys who sold you the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I suspected that too. But the thing is, it was all ok a couple of months before. So its really hard to tell whether its the sim fault or the phone fault. I think I'll talk to the vodafone people first and see if they're able to assist. If not, then rma it is
I would like to know if it was resolved. My wife has the LG P500 model and it drops signal when not at home. LG some how is ignoring our complaints, I've gone for a new sim, but no luck. I'm on the official stock 2.3.3
Edit:
Updated from v20b to v20c, hoping it fixes the issue.
Read this, might solve ur problem too:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1414506
For me it was because I'd set the network mode to GSM/wcdma auto. The moment I set it to Gsm only or wcdma only, the problem disappeared
blueren said:
For me it was because I'd set the network mode to GSM/wcdma auto. The moment I set it to Gsm only or wcdma only, the problem disappeared
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Alternatively you can go to dialer and press on *#*#4636#*#* and go to phone infomation and scroll down and click on gsm auto prl. Default i think is wcdma preferred which is 3G only while GSM Auto uses 2G when 3G is unavailable
myawan said:
Read this, might solve ur problem too:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1414506
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tried this, still facing the same issue.
blueren said:
For me it was because I'd set the network mode to GSM/wcdma auto. The moment I set it to Gsm only or wcdma only, the problem disappeared
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
simplyred123 said:
Alternatively you can go to dialer and press on *#*#4636#*#* and go to phone infomation and scroll down and click on gsm auto prl. Default i think is wcdma preferred which is 3G only while GSM Auto uses 2G when 3G is unavailable
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I already have GSM only, tried GSP auto prl which changes the signal icon into roaming mode, so switched back to GSM only.
Does anybody know what is going on?
Problem: Data will periodically not work. (No indication on the status bar)
It is also worth mentioning that I have already used over 7 gigs in this bill cycle, and am most likely being throttled :angel:
Current Work-around: Enable airplane mode, then disable airplane mode. This works 95% of the time. If it does not, I reset the phone.
Has anyone else seen this type of behavior?
It happens to me. Called Att about the the situation and they checked the surrounding towers, told me reset the phone, blah, blah, blah. They told me to go to my Att local warranty repair shop and swap it out. Lol.
Sent from my LG-E970 using xda premium
I have to do this at least three times a day. Turning on and off airplane always works. I'm on the base 0.7.3 and the freegee kernel that comes packaged with the base.
Sent from my LG-E970 using xda app-developers app
gregk232 said:
Does anybody know what is going on?
Problem: Data will periodically not work. (No indication on the status bar)
It is also worth mentioning that I have already used over 7 gigs in this bill cycle, and am most likely being throttled :angel:
Current Work-around: Enable airplane mode, then disable airplane mode. This works 95% of the time. If it does not, I reset the phone.
Has anyone else seen this type of behavior?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So the data indicator disappears altogether? Does the issue occur in multiple locations more than a few miles apart? When data returns is it slow, pages time out etc or does it function as it should? Has it been that way since you got the phone or did you notice it after a change to the device (software update/ change in software)?
charleswesde said:
So the data indicator disappears altogether? Does the issue occur in multiple locations more than a few miles apart? When data returns is it slow, pages time out etc or does it function as it should? Has it been that way since you got the phone or did you notice it after a change to the device (software update/ change in software)?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The indicator on the status bar is unchanged. You can have full bars showing 4g, and this will happen.
This occurs all over the place. (My apartment, office, etc)
When it returns, everything is normal and fast.
I flashed The Base about one week after getting the phone (got it right before Thanksgiving). Started noticing this behavior maybe 2-3 weeks ago. (also random reboots, but this thing reboots so fast I could care less.)
If it's occurring everywhere you go it's def not a network issue, could potentially be related to provisioning but its doubtful, if you're being throttled it would be consistent edge speeds not intermittent on then off. All signs point to device, could be hardware but 90 percent of the time it's software related. You could call tech support first, they can verify its not provisioning or network related then will recommend flash back to stock or you can just skip the call and flash first. If all else fails hardware would be the culprit in which case its covered under manufacturers warranty. On a side note I do know our roaming agreement for some parts of TX expired a few weeks ago and that could potentially be related to your issues, although if you show good sig and others around you hadn't been experiencing the same probs you could rule that out too.
Happened to me on pure stock. I rooted and it stopped. No clue what caused it.
Sent from my LG-E970 using xda app-developers app
I've had the same issue. it's like the device isn't switching between wifi and LTE properly. sometimes it transitions just fine and other times it only looks like i have a connection. in fact, some things will come thru, like email...but web browsing or facebook do not work. if i do the 'airplane mode' trick or I'll just reboot it the issue is resolved.
I'm hoping CM10 will correct this issue...if not, I'll go back to stock and try to swap the device.
DraginMagik said:
I've had the same issue. it's like the device isn't switching between wifi and LTE properly. sometimes it transitions just fine and other times it only looks like i have a connection. in fact, some things will come thru, like email...but web browsing or facebook do not work. if i do the 'airplane mode' trick or I'll just reboot it the issue is resolved.
I'm hoping CM10 will correct this issue...if not, I'll go back to stock and try to swap the device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm having the issue well. I called att and they said they were going to replace the sim and if that didn't fix it, they would see what LG said for warranty replacement. I just noticed it a few weeks ago.
I'm completely stock.
Happening to me too on my replacement device. For example I will try to access an address via Google Maps and it will say "No Connection" despite '4g' displaying with full bars. A toggle to airplane mode and back fixes the issue - and all of a sudden LTE will show up. This did not happen on my previous LGOG and I'm running the same software environment (unlocked, thebase .73) It's frustrating for sure.
I have the same problem
Sent from my LG-E970 using xda premium
This just started doing it for me too. I also just lose signal at random times even though I'm in a city and I'm in one place
Sent from my LG-E970 using xda app-developers app
Me Too
Seeing this behavior here as well. I can also verify it seems to happen when switching for HSPA to LTE.
I'm all stock too.
Also getting this issue. I'm on Nocturnal with unlocked sim running on Tmobile. I'm glad it isn't just a Tmobile issue... It's probably software related
Sent from my LG-E970 using Tapatalk 2
This problem presented itself to me yesterday. It basically went into airplane mode by itself and then immediately reconnected. It was after a phone call, when it was switching back to lte.
I think this is a baseband software problem as well. That ~300MB ota seems to have a new modem bin in it so it'll be nice to see if the newer radio firmware helps. Moden bins seem to be easily dd'd from pc to phone.
DeathmonkeyGTX said:
This problem presented itself to me yesterday. It basically went into airplane mode by itself and then immediately reconnected. It was after a phone call, when it was switching back to lte.
I think this is a baseband software problem as well. That ~300MB ota seems to have a new modem bin in it so it'll be nice to see if the newer radio firmware helps. Moden bins seem to be easily dd'd from pc to phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I was thinking the new update would solve this but I guess I'll just wait until Nocturnal incorporates this into one of their roms
Interesting, this may be why the stock weather app periodically is not updating (even though I have 4 bars and 4G logo) and I get the message that it "cannot retrieve current location" turn on WiFi and everything is good?
- My LGOG is stock
I think its just att.. Lol
Sent from my LG-E970 using Tapatalk 2
MrPlNK said:
I think its just att.. Lol
Sent from my LG-E970 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm on T-Mobile and having this issue, I wasn't before on my old Sensation 4g so I know it isn't the area that I'm in.
I work two weeks at a time in an area where I don't get data coverage (even cell coverage is spotty at best). I do have access to (slow) WiFi. I've noticed that if I connect to the WiFi, then go out of range or if my phone goes into deep sleep, when the phone tries to reconnect, sometimes it will tell me I'm connected, but have no actual connection (404 error when loading websites), or it will tell me the WiFi network is out of range, when I know it's not.
The only way I can get it to reconnect is to reboot. The airplane mode on/off trick doesn't work for me.
Is this part of the same issue as the switching from data to WiFi? Anyone have any clue as to how to fix this?
The issue is I cannot turn off 4g. When I do it does connect to 3g but then I have no way of connecting to 4g again. If I reboot I loose all mobile network connection period. No voice/data. The only way to fix this is to factory reset. This is rather annoying. Ive tired three different AOSP roms and all the radios available. Ive tried searching and cant seem to find any other problem like this.
tmurj33 said:
The issue is I cannot turn off 4g. When I do it does connect to 3g but then I have no way of connecting to 4g again. If I reboot I loose all mobile network connection period. No voice/data. The only way to fix this is to factory reset. This is rather annoying. Ive tired three different AOSP roms and all the radios available. Ive tried searching and cant seem to find any other problem like this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use the data toggle in whatever rom im using, off to kill 4g, then switch on, and as long as in a 4g area it picks right back up, i would check comparible device in same area, if it works and yours dont may need warranty repair, in which cade odin back to stock in case they send it out, if in 14 day guarentee, verizon reps at least around here do not check modified status, but if they send it in u may get charged.
Sent from my SCH-I605 using XDA Premium HD app
Chance77 said:
I use the data toggle in whatever rom im using, off to kill 4g, then switch on, and as long as in a 4g area it picks right back up, i would check comparible device in same area, if it works and yours dont may need warranty repair, in which cade odin back to stock in case they send it out, if in 14 day guarentee, verizon reps at least around here do not check modified status, but if they send it in u may get charged.
Sent from my SCH-I605 using XDA Premium HD app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only thing that struck me as odd is on stock I had no problems with this. To me that just says it has to be a software issue not a hardware one but again I cant be sure
EDIT: I do use the toggle thats what gets me. I also noticed that when I do have network connection It says LTE/CDMA. After a reboot it says global and will not change to anything else
Look at the pic and sumone please explain this to me I googled it and all I found was that using global gives you better connection by using all antennas in the phone and just keep the roam off so switch to global and keep roaming disabled to not get over charges but is it worth it
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda app-developers app
gabrielpina4 said:
Look at the pic and sumone please explain this to me I googled it and all I found was that using global gives you better connection by using all antennas in the phone and just keep the roam off so switch to global and keep roaming disabled to not get over charges but is it worth it
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hmmm gonna have to check this one out
CCoR87 said:
hmmm gonna have to check this one out
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This randomly popped up for me in Lowes yesterday. I was wondering whether it would cause additional charges so I didn't change anything.
gabrielpina4 said:
Look at the pic and sumone please explain this to me I googled it and all I found was that using global gives you better connection by using all antennas in the phone and just keep the roam off so switch to global and keep roaming disabled to not get over charges but is it worth it
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I ordered mine online from verizon and when i posted this i was curious enough to check. Mine, by default, was set in global mode and reception has been 1000x's better then my GNex.
I'll try two battery charge cycles both ways (global mode) and one in LTE/CDMA mode and i'll report back.
gabrielpina4 said:
Look at the pic and sumone please explain this to me I googled it and all I found was that using global gives you better connection by using all antennas in the phone and just keep the roam off so switch to global and keep roaming disabled to not get over charges but is it worth it
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is funny that you would post this because I just had the opposite experience. I am on an unlimited Verizon data plan + pay for the unlimited mobile hotspot so it's our primary internet and we use it all the time. 2 days ago when we got home from work we had about 2 hours to kill before going to a pot luck so i wanted to surf the interwebz (specifically to watch the Youtube video about the Other Guys movie where Will Ferrell talks about Tuna's attacking a lion....). It worked slowly at first and then totally died.
So i called up 611 and wanted to report bad towers because we've been having a lot of storms lately and the lady said there were none and that i should go into the settings you just showed and see if it was on global. It was and she had me change it to the LTE option and BAM! it was fixed. Instantly.
I had already tried power cycling my phone and it did nothing so i think this fixed it. I know she was reading off a script on her screen but she said when the phone is on global mode it tries to reach too far to reach GSM towers as well as LTE and can mess up the data connection.
I have no idea if it's true but it makes sense to leave it on the LTE option since i am not currently traveling.
Just wanted to add my 2cp...
Parafly said:
This randomly popped up for me in Lowes yesterday. I was wondering whether it would cause additional charges so I didn't change anything.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would leave it the way it is. As soon as VZW updates their 4G to use the AWS spectrum we should all see better signal strength and what not.
andross77 said:
This is funny that you would post this because I just had the opposite experience. I am on an unlimited Verizon data plan + pay for the unlimited mobile hotspot so it's our primary internet and we use it all the time. 2 days ago when we got home from work we had about 2 hours to kill before going to a pot luck so i wanted to surf the interwebz (specifically to watch the Youtube video about the Other Guys movie where Will Ferrell talks about Tuna's attacking a lion....). It worked slowly at first and then totally died.
So i called up 611 and wanted to report bad towers because we've been having a lot of storms lately and the lady said there were none and that i should go into the settings you just showed and see if it was on global. It was and she had me change it to the LTE option and BAM! it was fixed. Instantly.
I had already tried power cycling my phone and it did nothing so i think this fixed it. I know she was reading off a script on her screen but she said when the phone is on global mode it tries to reach too far to reach GSM towers as well as LTE and can mess up the data connection.
I have no idea if it's true but it makes sense to leave it on the LTE option since i am not currently traveling.
Just wanted to add my 2cp...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The reason for this is because you were probably connected to a tower that was not part of Verizon's own network. Turning off Global means your phone only accepts connections to Verizon's towers, which probably connected you with a faster tower.
CCoR87 said:
I would leave it the way it is. As soon as VZW updates their 4G to use the AWS spectrum we should all see better signal strength and what not.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ya...except that won't even *begin* to happen until around the end of the year (October, if I'm not mistaken?), and only in select markets. It won't be in even a majority of LTE markets for another few years. AWS isn't even in its infancy yet.
gabrielpina4 said:
Look at the pic and sumone please explain this to me I googled it and all I found was that using global gives you better connection by using all antennas in the phone and just keep the roam off so switch to global and keep roaming disabled to not get over charges but is it worth it
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Gabriel, what is that icon on the left of the wifi icon?
Thank you!
Kakamarsson said:
Gabriel, what is that icon on the left of the wifi icon?
Thank you!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is the GPS icon.
niv3d said:
That is the GPS icon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But my GPS is off and the icon is still there...
How can i turn that icon off?
Boy, so much wrong information in this thread that my head is starting to hurt.
Let me clarify this for everyone, before everyone starts going, "zOMG Global Mode is the best!!11"
The "Global Mode" has been around for Samsung since the S1. Simply put, it's a way to turn off the INTERNATIONAL radios when you're not traveling. The phone turns off the global ready band radios and only uses LTE/CDMA when you're on your home network when you select the non-global mode. That is it. Nothing more, nothing less. It's not a magical tool to get better signal. It does NOTHING for your signal here in the US, much the same way clearing battery stats does NOTHING for your battery life.
I always keep it off because the firmware eventually scans the global (GSM) bands and well, however small or minute that might be, it eats battery.
Unless you're in South America, or Europe, you don't need the global mode on.
If you ever see the phone asking you about Global mode, is because your phone was out of service for a set amount of time. After that timer has elapsed, the settings apk will ask you if you want to turn the Global feature on (it's trying to be smart and thinking you're out of the country since you have no domestic CDMA/LTE signal) It happens to me all the time in my car port.
Hope this helps.
Kakamarsson said:
But my GPS is off and the icon is still there...
How can i turn that icon off?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its the e911 icon and it cant be turned off. you can however flash a mod if you are rooted with a recovery.
andross77 said:
This is funny that you would post this because I just had the opposite experience. I am on an unlimited Verizon data plan + pay for the unlimited mobile hotspot so it's our primary internet and we use it all the time. 2 days ago when we got home from work we had about 2 hours to kill before going to a pot luck so i wanted to surf the interwebz (specifically to watch the Youtube video about the Other Guys movie where Will Ferrell talks about Tuna's attacking a lion....). It worked slowly at first and then totally died.
So i called up 611 and wanted to report bad towers because we've been having a lot of storms lately and the lady said there were none and that i should go into the settings you just showed and see if it was on global. It was and she had me change it to the LTE option and BAM! it was fixed. Instantly.
I had already tried power cycling my phone and it did nothing so i think this fixed it. I know she was reading off a script on her screen but she said when the phone is on global mode it tries to reach too far to reach GSM towers as well as LTE and can mess up the data connection.
I have no idea if it's true but it makes sense to leave it on the LTE option since i am not currently traveling.
Just wanted to add my 2cp...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
not sure why you pay to enable the mobile hotspot. If you are still on unlimited then get foxfi. It works on the S4 with no root required. It can be a hotspot for you without paying verizon anything additional.
wouldn't that drain the battery faster?