[barrycinti]

Not sure if this is the proper section to ask about coverage. I currently have VZ and the signal at my house is bad. I got a network extender and it works well inside the house, but does not work outside the house. VZ says I live in a marginal coverage area even though I only live 2 miles outside the city limits and there are no tall buildings.

How can I determine if another carrier would have better coverage? I search for this answer but did not come up with any valuable info. Is there a site that would have DETAILED info on carrier coverage? I do not want to do the hit or miss approach since it would be costly and time consuming. While I had VZ tech support on the phone I asked him if some phones are better than others for cell reception and he said they are all about the same. I also asked if 4G would ber used for voice when it is switched on and he said no, it would be used for data. My NE2 will be up in a few months, so I am starting to investigate now if there are better phones or carriers in my area. If anybody has suggestions please let me know.

Thanks,

Barry

[Spiral_ouT]

All of the coverage maps provided by the carriers are no where near accurate.

This is the #1 site for 100% user reported dead zones for each of the US carriers.
Cell Phone Coverage Maps - AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile

There are some areas that just don't get signal though..

[barrycinti]

Spiral:

Deadcellzones was one of the sites I looked at, unfortunately when I look at my local area on their map there is no data. The only VZ reported outage was from me so I guess not many people know about this site or they do not take the time to report an issue. I guess the only thing I can do is the hit or miss plan. In the mean time I plan on asking my neighbors if they have a strong sig on their phone and if they do who is their carrier. There is a regional carrier with a cell tower not far from my house so I may start with them, I need to find out the details of their roaming agreement.

Barry

[Spiral_ouT]

Spiral:

Deadcellzones was one of the sites I looked at, unfortunately when I look at my local area on their map there is no data. The only VZ reported outage was from me so I guess not many people know about this site or they do not take the time to report an issue. I guess the only thing I can do is the hit or miss plan. In the mean time I plan on asking my neighbors if they have a strong sig on their phone and if they do who is their carrier. There is a regional carrier with a cell tower not far from my house so I may start with them, I need to find out the details of their roaming agreement.

Barry

That's a great idea! All of my neighbors are so arrogant that I tend to forget asking around is even an option.

Best of luck in your search for an adequate carrier.

[xs11e]

In the mean time I plan on asking my neighbors if they have a strong sig on their phone and if they do who is their carrier.

I could ask my neighbor when I see her out in her driveway making a phone call..... <G> Seriously, that would tell me what carrier to avoid.

For best signal my solution was a wireless router on my PC, a phone with WiFi, T-Mobile and UMA. Since neither VZW nor Sprint nor AT&T will provide coverage where I need it, UMA is the best option and that means T-Mobile. It also means no Android phone but at least I know I can use my phone anywhere I can find a Starbucks or.....

NOTE: FWIW there are websites that will show you WiFi locations, here's one:
free wi-fi hotspots wifi cafes coffee shops hotels airports RV Parks

[Spiral_ouT]

I could ask my neighbor when I see her out in her driveway making a phone call..... <G> Seriously, that would tell me what carrier to avoid.

For best signal my solution was a wireless router on my PC, a phone with WiFi, T-Mobile and UMA. Since neither VZW nor Sprint nor AT&T will provide coverage where I need it, UMA is the best option and that means T-Mobile. It also means no Android phone but at least I know I can use my phone anywhere I can find a Starbucks or.....

NOTE: FWIW there are websites that will show you WiFi locations, here's one:
free wi-fi hotspots wifi cafes coffee shops hotels airports RV Parks

The OP has purchased a network extender and resolved his "in house" signal issues. He is looking for something that works well outside of the house (and Starbucks I'm assuming), which UMA wouldn't really fix.

[xs11e]

UMA really does fix it for me. I live in a very poor signal area, UMA allows me to use the phone at home and I need go only a block or two to get a strong 3G signal with 3 or more bars. My other main no-signal area is my sister's house in California, UMA works there and, again, I need go only a block or two to get a strong signal.

I've not had problems in the car, most carriers provide good signal along major routes.

When visiting other towns I can usually find a WiFi spot if there's no signal even if it means drinking a cup of the reclaimed battery acid that Starbucks calls "Coffee."

It depends on the size of the dead zone, the OP might take his phone on a tour of his area and observe the signal strength to create a map of the dead zone. If it's small he *may* need nothing other than his extender.