Cell phones
Getting ready to head out on the road in April and need to know about cell phone service. What is the best phone to buy and what service works good while traveling?
Forum Discussion
oldmattb wrote:
We traveled 46 states with AT&T and Verizon. Rarely found a spot that they did not work.
We switched from former to latter when they could not tell us if our phones could tether our laptop, after several frustrating phone calls and a visit to an AT&T office. Verizon verified that the phones could not tether, showed us new phones, demonstrated tethering, killed the old phones, ported the new phones and had us headed home in 1/2 hour.
Matt B
I have found miles and miles of secondary highways and county roads in Montana where cell phones don't work, no matter what carrier you have.
I have been told that there are a couple of counties in Eastern Montana that have no cell towers at all! I don't know if that is true, I have never been there and have no need to go!
good luck.- A Straight Talk smart phone using 3G Verizon is a good choice for what a lot of RVers consider the best overall coverage. But be SURE you buy the Verizon version of their phones. Straight Talk is also available for connecting to sprint towers - which you don't want. Straight Talk does not allow tethering (using your phone as a wi-fi hot spot). And in fact since they only allow 2.5 gig of service a month that would pretty much make tethering not too useful anyway. This a monthly pay as you go service.
wny_pat wrote:
gemsworld wrote:
Except in west Texas where all cell service is very spotty!
Having traveled extensively, including areas that are populated with more critters than humans, I'd say Verizon has the best coverage.
Only not had Verizion twice in 5 years and a whole bunch of campground.
Both times was in a national park in Texas and South Dakota- You could get StraightTalk 4G, which uses the same towers as everyone else and pay less. Service is unlimited for everything and is $42/month, with no contract. I have had no problem with reception in the West or the East for the last few years.
gemsworld wrote:
Except in west Texas where all cell service is very spotty!
Having traveled extensively, including areas that are populated with more critters than humans, I'd say Verizon has the best coverage.- We switched from AT&T to Verizon years ago because my friends with Verizon were making calls in places I could not with AT&T. Not sure if AT&T got any better since then.
As far as a phone that is up to your personal preference. If you get a smart phone you can use it as a hot spot and then tie in your wireless devices such as a laptop, notebook or ipad. If you already have a ipad you may want a iphone as they are similar on how they operate. If you do plan on using the phone as a hotspot make sure the new phone has 4G for faster internet speeds. - We traveled 46 states with AT&T and Verizon. Rarely found a spot that they did not work.
We switched from former to latter when they could not tell us if our phones could tether our laptop, after several frustrating phone calls and a visit to an AT&T office. Verizon verified that the phones could not tether, showed us new phones, demonstrated tethering, killed the old phones, ported the new phones and had us headed home in 1/2 hour.
Matt B - Find a Verizon reseller. Someone like Page Plus Celluar. You provide your own phone and don't need a contract. Pay monthly and cheaper for the same as other pay on a Verizon contract. Its the only way to go. And you get the benefit of the Verizon towers.
- I would stick with AT&T or Verizon. In our MH and stick home we only have cell service. We have have been happy with AT&T on the road and at home. We also have the sierra module unit for the internet. JMHO but I have been in areas where AT&T is bad and Verizon good and also areas where Verizon is bad and AT&T good. Just take your pick, I have stock in both. :B
