Best cell phone provider with nationwide coverage

Discussion in 'Trucking Electronics, Gadgets and Software Forum' started by MacGuy81, Mar 30, 2012.

  1. MacGuy81

    MacGuy81 Light Load Member

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    Mar 23, 2012
    Longmont, CO
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    I am looking to be joining the Truck driving world after attending SAGE, and I'm curious which cell phone providers out there have the best nationwide coverage. It appears most companies have amazing coverage in the Eastern two-thirds of the country, but the Western third looks more like a connect-the-dots. I was curious what different providers people have had across the country and their experiences.

    First off, I'm kind of a techie-geek, and I love being on the internet during any down time I have. Where most people start their day with a newspaper and coffee, mine is with Coca-Cola and the internet. Don't worry, I don't touch my phone at all when I'm driving. Currently I have Union Wireless, which is a local Wyoming company. They have great rural coverage, but anything outside Wyoming is roaming. Its a nationwide plan, but the signal is a lot weaker. We will be moving to Colorado before I start trucking, and this provider is liable to drop us for being outside their local area.

    I have had Verizon twice before, and didn't really care for their hidden charges and fees. We are probably looking at either T-Mobile or Sprint. I know both providers have good coverage in towns, but I'm more curious in those "middle of nowhere" places. Especially coverage from the Rocky Mountains to the West Coast, in those "connect-the-dots" areas. Any insight would be appreciated. Thanks.
     
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  3. Coldest1

    Coldest1 Bobtail Member

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    Mar 8, 2012
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    Totally :biggrin_25514: with Sprint for Nationwide coverage. Big advantage with the Unlimited data plan. Can't beat that! Hope this helps.
     
  4. Moosetek13

    Moosetek13 Road Train Member

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    I have Verizon, a MyFi.

    No hidden charges, and the coverage is great.
    Sometimes I have to roam, but that is also covered. It is just a slower connection.

    And I don't think I can remember roaming out west, only back east.
     
    MNdriver Thanks this.
  5. MacGuy81

    MacGuy81 Light Load Member

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    Mar 23, 2012
    Longmont, CO
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    For some reason, Verizon charged us a State tax, county tax, and city tax. All in all it was an extra $20 a month. Maybe they did away with that garbage now. The other time we signed a 1-year contract, and they entered it in as a 2 year contract, then wouldn't change it for us when we proved it to them. They had great coverage, but we've been burnt twice by them and my wife refuses to go back with them.

    As far as Sprint, I love their phone selection. Personally, I'm considering an iPhone 4S. I've just heard their rural coverage is poor out here. Still a consideration, right now I'm just doing my homework on them.

    T-Mobile seems to have better rural coverage, but they don't have the iPhone 4S that I want. Not a disqualification, but I'm still doing some research on them.
     
  6. sedain

    sedain Medium Load Member

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    i prefer sprint because of their unlimited data which is truly unlimited, been with them over 6 yrs now.

    i have a regular flip phone for talking and a "smart phone" added onto the plan to tether to comp for highspeed connection. broadband connection most anywhere in the country,without the 5 gb cap (unlimited). there are 168 hrs in a week,legally you can only work 70'ish,youll sleep maybe 50 hrs... so youll have 40+ hrs of free time every week, you dont want to be bored out of your mind. i have netflix for streaming movies, and that works great, you can also play online games,whatever floats your boat.
     
  7. MysticHZ

    MysticHZ Road Train Member

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    I have VZ. Gave up ATT, thier coverage had too many holes and random drops. Can't speak to Sprint. Tmobile has a lot of area that is covered by roaming, not to mention that since the FCC put the kabosh on the ATT merger, they will probably just go belly up.
     
  8. Roadmedic

    Roadmedic Road Train Member

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    Do a search on cell phones. This has been beat to death many times.

    Verizon hidden fees you mentioned are those that the government puts on them.
     
  9. MacGuy81

    MacGuy81 Light Load Member

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    Mar 23, 2012
    Longmont, CO
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    I have searched cell phone companies. My wife just wanted me to get some opinions of coverage from people who are out there, as opposed to just looking at a computer generated map.
     
  10. Roadmedic

    Roadmedic Road Train Member

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    Use the search function on the bar above to find many other threads here.
     
  11. MacGuy81

    MacGuy81 Light Load Member

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    Mar 23, 2012
    Longmont, CO
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    I am highly considering Sprint. They have the phone I want and unlimited data. My only concern is the coverage in the Western 11 states, where I will more than likely be at.
     
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