augustpilot
Sun City, Texas
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Joined: 08/04/2004
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Need help, i am getting ready to change phones, looking at att, sprint, and verizon. Trying to figure out which one has best coverage out in montana, co, wyo when you get more remote areas. Also wanting to get air card for internet. Could use all the experiences that you have to offer. Thanks
Jim
2008 Jayco Eagle 313 Fifth Wheel, 2006 F-250 Ford 6.0 Diesel, 3.73, 4dr, Pullrite super glide hitch, One Co-Pilot
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Bluefreight
heading east to get out of the snow
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Joined: 06/03/2006
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We have Verizon. It works well in Casper, Jackson doesn't work in Yellowstone. No problems in Co, not sure about Mt. Sometimes we need to hook up to the Wilson ant. Air card does not work on extended network.
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TnTtravelers
East Slope Sierra, California, USA
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Joined: 08/15/2004
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Check out ATT/Cingular. I have been told that Cingular seems to work better in remote areas, where Verizon is superior in urban environments.
Heard tell that there is something about the technology in Cingular that is more conducive to rural places. I wish I could remember exactly what it is that makes the difference, but that is what I was told.
But don't take my word for it. Ask around before you sign a contract with any of them, for what will work better for YOU.
Tim and Tina (kudo too)
Livin' good, while the livin's good!
2005 Ford F350, 4x4, Crew Cab, Short box
2007 Everest 295TS 5th Wheel (Superglide hitch)
JT Stabilizers
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dhall2276
Meridian, MS
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Joined: 10/05/2005
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This should help with ATT...cant speak for the others
http://www.wireless.att.com/coverageviewer/
2007 GMC 2500HD LMM CC
PPE programmed level 2; more mods to come
2004 Fleetwood Wilderness 295BH
2007 GMC Yukon Denali
Kubota RTV 900
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Coming soon..
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travelnutz
West Michigan
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Joined: 04/09/2006
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We have Alltel and it seems to work about everywhere we've been in the lower 48 and for the business too. I'm sure there are spots with no signal but so far we haven't noticed any. We started using cell phones phones back in 1987 for the business and had 2 carriers to begin with. About 3 years later we dropped the other and kept the Century Cellunet which is now called Alltel. Been well satisfied for 21 years now. Several other carriers are good also and some would like to be good. They differ in their principal market areas around the U.S. and if they cover county side roads or the more desolate areas or just along the main highways and interstates. We often travel with other RV'er units (friends)and there's usually a couple different carriers among us. Some have very limited use areas and have no signal often and some have almost continuous usability. Big differences!
You'll want to compare service area coverage maps and service plans for the all the areas you think you are going to be in the U.S. Also, check and understand what is designated "free roaming area" included and what area's are "charge for roaming". The charge can be brutal! There are many cell phone communication companies and each has half a dozen or so plans and different agreements with other companies for free reciprocal customer tower use. The devil is in the details not in the salesman's fast double talk.
2004 Chev 2500HD D/A crew cab LB 4X4 - Air Bags - Loaded
915 Lance Camper with 2'X 8' rear porch (my own design n build)
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newk
Gillette, WY
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Joined: 08/18/2007
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For Wyoming and Montana I don't think you'd be happy with AT&T at all. Probably not Sprint either. We use Alltel, and my son switched from Alltel to Verizon a year or so ago. He thinks Verizon does better, so we've been talking about switching to them. Of the three you mentioned, Verizon would definitely be my pick. AT&T isn't interested in the few customers they'd get in the sticks. Burns me because I really wanted an Apple iPhone.
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tazzy
Kentucky
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Joined: 01/27/2008
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my brother lives in the rural part of Montana, near Glacier National Park, and he has Verizon and likes it the best.
2008 Ford F-350 Lariat 4WD 6.4L diesel SRW LB
2009 Keystone Laredo 320TRL 35' triple slide fifth wheel (on order)
1968 Husband, 2007 Baby boy, three ageless golden retrievers
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btd35
Seattle, WA
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Joined: 03/24/2005
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I have worked with other guys in the field doing service work who have Verizon, and I have AT&T. We had almost the same coverage. Only very minor gaps that wern't the same, and about the same on both sides. I couldn't say that one's coverage is better than another. I do know that if you are going to use your computer on an air card, AT&T has a way better air time plan than Verizon.
Tom & Beth
05,Grand Junction 35TMS
99, Dodge 3500 Dually.
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MrIcemaker
Westminster, CO
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Joined: 02/12/2003
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I have both a Verizon phone (family personal phone - we actually have 4) and 2 AT&T phones (company issue - a Blackberry and a Krazr). As to which works best...they all pretty much suck....
I have been dropped by both systems, and it seems more "hit and miss" as to where each phone system works better on any given day and location. I have been all over Colorado and Wyoming with these phones, and couldn't give you a recommendation. I carry both, so if one doesn't work well in a location, I try the other....
I know this isn't much help - sorry, but felt obligated to give you my opinion - I don't think it will matter....
Good luck!
Mark
04 Ameri-Camp F321QBS
08 F-350 CC 4x4 LB PS 6.4
2007 Sea Ray 175 Sport
Honda EU2000I (x2)
RDS 51 Gallon Fuel/Toolbox Combo
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steelpony5555
Altoona pa
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Joined: 10/26/2007
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As long as you go with ATT or Verizon you should have the same coverage--the smaller companies like Alltell and some others it depends if they have an agreement with the big guys to lease space on one of our towers---think about it which companies can afford to put up towers everywhere--none of them do so that is why they all lease space off one another except in the more populated areas--but you have to remember the company calls that owns the tower will take preference if it gets busy=---Me, I am a Verizon employee and I have ATT just because the plan I need is cheaper from ATT even with the 20% discount I get from Verizon and I like the roll over minutes---I have spent alot of time at cell tower sites installing Verizon equipment and also setting up for and baby sitting Alltel and Sprint techs as they installed equipment in our sites---My partner from work had Sprint and claimed their customer service was terrible and switched to Verizon. Also him and I worked together for alot of years and if I didnt have service he usually didnt either once he got his Verizon phone. When he had Sprint he was always borrowing my phone. Also the phone you get has alot to do with weather or not you got bars. Bottom line is go with the big boys and just check both ATT and Verizon for what they have going as far as the phone you can get and the calling plans they have that will fit your habits--free phones are starting to get scarce since most people have cells now and they dont have to woo you over--there straight from the horses mouth so take if for what its worth
95 Bounder 32 Ft "The Big Ugly" Come on gotta admit they are ugly but we love her!
00 Harley Electra Glide (My Baby)
07 Tundra 4.7
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