Replacing Cell Phone… what has good range or all about the same?

[deserteagle71]

My limited experience with sat phones is that they don't work under trees. It's been years since I tried one though so that may have changed but I doubt it. Sirius is satellite based yet that also was constantly fading out on me. I also have a satellite based "Inreach" for emergencies and light texting. It's better than nothing but you still need a very clear line of sight to the Sats for it to work.

Not just under trees. So unless you have an external antenna mounted on your house or vehicle they won't work in either. No clear view of the sky - no satellite service.

I used an Iridium sat phone for years because of where I live and where I travel...cell service is very limited. But every year they kept jacking up the price of their service...got to be it would cost close to $1000 a year even if I never used the phone. If I did use the phone, it was like $7 a minute additional charge. So a couple years ago I dropped the sat phone subscription and got an InReach unit. Can't talk on it but I can send/receive text messages, using the same satellites as the sat phone used, for only like $12 a month. Still have my old sat phone...been thinking about selling it since it doesn't look like the price of sat phone service is ever going to drop.

 

[ponytug]

One thing I need is a lot of hotspot time… currently it is unlimited but does throttle back once a threshold is reached.

Given where you live, and the local politics in fiber rollout, I would not expect anything to change very much in the near future.

I would still look at cell amplifiers as they are a one time expense. If AT&T has the best local service, such as it is, go with AT&T, or one of their MVNOs.

You might want to look at family plans and sharing, even if it is just you, because you can access larger data pools. Some of the MVNOs offer fairly large data programs but the days of unlimited are gone, except for large commercial accounts.

I think that you might also want to look at Starlink and go for the route of home WiFi calling, moving data over something other than a phone line, which these days is almost always pricey.

All the best,

Peter

 

[ultrarunner]

Part of the reason I’m lagging is for the last 8 or so years I spent very little time at my home as when not working I was caring for mom at her home…

Being frugal it is against my nature to set up monthly recurring costs with little benefit.

Two minutes walking up the road and carrier signals vastly improve and I’m looking forward to trying my brothers Verizon cube around my house…

I can look out my window and see the waters of the SF Bay looking down through the valley…

But being hemmed in on three sides by terrain is my explanation as to why no coverage here.

On a separate note my brothers ranch selected for cell site with layers of reviews and contracts presented and modified and then full pandemic stop.

Kind of makes one wonder all the hurry up and now nothing?

Reaching out ATT says still a priority and wants to do the deal… so what gives?

ATT spent money on engineering, site study, setting up test equipment and all good.

 

[ericm979]

The FCC publishes coverage maps for the various 4g networks: Mobile LTE Coverage Map

I worked for a cell phone company a while ago. That was in the 3G days and back then Verizon was usually better than ATT and T Mobile in rural and mountain areas in California. With 4G they're using the same frequencies and protocol but Verizon appears to be better over all. I think they have more towers. Exact results depends on your location however.

 

[ultrarunner]

When I check coverage on the maps my little area is always greyed out...

I use to receive a lot of advertising in the mailbox from providers and currently on several wait lists as I always respond with my address and the response is not yet available.

Just for grins I try other addresses up the street and service available.

I don't expect any concerted effort to connect everyone like was the plan with landlines.

Had a friend 7 miles up a dirt and gravel road in the Santa Cruz mountains where a few homes stand at an old logging camp and about 40 years ago ATT brought in underground landlines under the rural connect program... simply amazing.

Remote deep in redwood forest with no electricity and spring fed water system, no tv reception and then I hear the rotary dial phone ring...

 

[bigtiller]

On a separate note my brothers ranch selected for cell site with layers of reviews and contracts presented and modified and then full pandemic stop.

Kind of makes one wonder all the hurry up and now nothing?

Reaching out ATT says still a priority and wants to do the deal… so what gives?

ATT spent money on engineering, site study, setting up test equipment and all good.

I had the same experience 20 years ago with Sprint.
They spent a lot of money and time confirming that all issues had been cleared and ready to build a 250' free standing tower.

Then no communication for about a year or so. Then, one day Verizon came knocking on my door. They picked up where Spring left off and built the tower.

Your place probably has been proven to be one of the best spots for that area for a tower. They're not just looking at topo maps, they have people and equipment to prove that. Give it time, someone will eventually build a tower there.