If you're a Sprint user, it's a good idea to update your preferred roaming list at least once a year. The good news is you don't even have to go to a Sprint store.

As cell phones have progressed, so have the methods for getting updates. It wasn't too long ago that when you bought a Sprint phone you had to go to a Sprint Store to get your PRL updated. This was the case for me two years ago when I bought my Kyocera phone.

If you're not familiar with a PRL, it stands for preferred roaming list. This list tells your cell phone how to connect to the preferred network in your area. One of the key benefits to an updated list is you can make your connections faster. The list also helps your phone when you have to roam to one of Sprint's partner networks. In our case, updating the PRL fixed one area where we always had dropped calls.

Although the US isn't going through the same network growth rate, the PRL still gets updated once or twice a year. Many updates are to accommodate the newer CDMA frequencies and international roaming coverage.

If you haven't updated your list recently, you no longer have to go to a Sprint Store.

To update your PRL,

1. Make sure you're connected to the Sprint network and you're not roaming.

2. Dial *2 on your Sprint phone.

3. Ask the Customer Solutions Rep for a "PRL update"