Last week there were some folks from Alabama got trapped by a snowslide on the Beartooth Highway between Red Lodge and the Wyoming line. They were surprised to discover they had NO cell service. Luckily, back up the road there was an emergency call box, so they hiked back up there and called in for rescue. Three hours later, they were on their way again.
The point is, around here it really doesn't matter all that much what company you have, you get a few miles from town, and there is no service, or you are Roaming. In fact, I know of one place not far from a small town, where, with Verizon or Tracfone, you can go from "no service" to "roaming" to about 2 bars of service within about 100 yards.
I have Verizon and Tracfone, both, and often carry both phones. I don't know why, they aren't much good in between towns.
CM1, USN (RET)
'94 Dodge 3500 4X2 CTD, Std. cab, LB, 5 speed, 4.10 LS diff., Jacobs Rambrake, 273,000 Miles
'99 Monaco McKenzie 32' triple slide
'95 Tioga 29H Ford-based Class C
Daily driver: '06 Jeep Liberty CRD
Towed: '06 Jeep Rubicon Unlimited
Verizon, without question. Everyone can give you good service if you stay on the Interstate system (look at the coverage maps) but Verizon coverage is almost seamless, even in the "boondocks" with their nationwide "no roaming charge" package.
Hans, KØHB & Colleen, KØCKB Master Chief Radioman, US Navy -
'04 Prairie Schooner 34FBR Platinum XL
'08 3500HD Silverado Big Dooley LTZ Go-power by Max & Allie
My stepson works for T-Mobile and he didn't recommend it for nation wide coverage for our travels.
We went with Verizon and have been very pleased with it. You won't have any cell service in the middle of national parks so just accept that. We have only been in one or two places where we had no Verizon service. I have a Wilson cell phone antenna as well so other than an area in Louisana just north of I-10, we've always had good coverage.
Good luck
Ron & Carolyn
Sadie the Irish Terrier
Happy the Lakeland Terrier
From sailing yacht to land yacht
KE7BZC
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We had Sprint and had a lot of problems with dropped calls and weak service. Switched to Cingular and was very pleased. When AT&T bought Cingular I noticed a drop in service around our local area, including the house. I still have AT & T because I haven't talked to a Verizon owner that travels a lot. My TV has a built in Verizon phone, however, I do not use it very often, however, the On-Star has always worked. I just bought an A T & T air card and so far it has worked OK.
After having Cingular for years we saw our coverage drop to almost zero when they were taken over by AT&T. Switched to Verizon and are happy with it. Even use their air card. Using it right now as a matter of fact.
"BIG BOB" & DIANE:
Big Mac & Sarah (Retired Greyhounds)
2005 Prowler Regal AX6 365BSQS
2005 F-350 Lariat Crew Cab 4x4, DRW, 8'bed, 6.0 P/S Diesel,
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Be sure to match your intended useage with the reports you read. Most reports are aimed at most of the population which is in most of the cities or near the interstate highways.
OTOH, if you are slowly traveling the back roads and camping in off the beaten track places, those reports may have little value.
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