The
Preferred Roaming List (
PRL) is a
database residing in a
wireless (primarily
CDMA) device, such as a
cellphone, that contains information used during the system selection and acquisition process. In the case of
R-UIM-based CDMA devices, the PRL resides on the
R-UIM. The PRL indicates which
bands, sub bands and
service provider identifiers will be scanned and in what priority order. Without a PRL, the device may not be able to
roam, i.e. obtain service outside of the home area. There may be cases where missing or corrupt PRLs can lead to a customer not having service at all.