Yellowstone, northern states cellular coverage?

jon10er wrote:
Thank you all for your informative responses. After reading and evaluating your answers, I think I'll rely on our Verizon phones and OnStar (emergency) and save the money for the rental to use on a big steak ... or trinkets and souvenirs. Thanks, again.

Good. You and your elderly wouldn't enjoy conversing on a sat phone.

Thank you all for your informative responses. After reading and evaluating your answers, I think I'll rely on our Verizon phones and OnStar (emergency) and save the money for the rental to use on a big steak ... or trinkets and souvenirs. Thanks, again.

rr2254545 wrote:

WyoTraveler wrote:
Why ATT? Although service is sparse is some areas ATT treats their customers much better than Verizon. ATT rolls over unused time on their Sierra module. Verizon doesn't. Plus in NW WY ATT service is pretty good. In SW WY ATT seems almost non existant but I don't live there. Since we travel we have both a ATT Sierra module and a Verizon Jetpack module.

What a joke if I can not get service because of my lifestyle traveling to remote areas why would I want ATT - been happy for years with Verizon

Ran a ranching business for years in NW WY with ATT and never had a dropped call. We don't have a land line here in rural Wyoming. Great service. However, can't say that with Verizon. For over a year I have had a Verizon Jet Pack module. Verizon has been sending me letters for that time informing me that I must call them immediately because they can't furnish service to anyone without an address. DUH! For a few months I kept calling them and trying to explain to the idiots that I am receiving my bills and that is my address. Doesn't stop them. They are still sending me snail mail requesting my address. I guess Verizon still thinks Wyoming is a territory and not within the U.S. Verizon just tires me out with their incomptetence.

We have been US Cellular customers for many years. Coverage has always been excellent no matter where we've traveled. But the reality is that no matter who you use there isn't always a tower close enough to get service, or things interfere, like hills and mountains.

In Yellowstone I was surprised to receive a call while on a back country trail. But there where a few spots in the park where coverage was just non-existent. Same with Yosemite. Good service in the valley, not so much on other park roads and trails.

We were in Yellowstone last summer. Yellowstone NP installed/upgraded to a new cell tower system to increase reception/coverage. I cannot find the article right now but if you google it you may see it.

For us, a 15 min phone call in the evening each day to my Mom worked fine from Fishing Bridge RV park. We never looked nor cared about coverage while exploring the park with our kids during the day.

We have Verizon and are happy with the service all over the country.Yes, there are dead spots all over the country (recently, Florida, North Carolina, Georgia, Maryland, etc.) But we tend to camp fairly remotely when we can.

Because we do spend time remotely (a lot of off-roading and hiking), we got a DeLorme InReach. It is a satellite communicator and GPS. If we are stuck, lost, or in danger, we can send messages to friends, family, or emergency personnel. If there is an emergency or someone needs to get in touch with us outside cell phone service areas, they can text message us through the DeLorme. It also tracks where we are and have been, so family and friends can follow our travels path on a website.

WyoTraveler wrote:
Why ATT? Although service is sparse is some areas ATT treats their customers much better than Verizon. ATT rolls over unused time on their Sierra module. Verizon doesn't. Plus in NW WY ATT service is pretty good. In SW WY ATT seems almost non existant but I don't live there. Since we travel we have both a ATT Sierra module and a Verizon Jetpack module.

What a joke if I can not get service because of my lifestyle traveling to remote areas why would I want ATT - been happy for years with Verizon

We had no problem with cell coverage in West Yellowstone. Cell coverage within Yellowstone is very spotty. Just our experience.

Why ATT? Although service is sparse is some areas ATT treats their customers much better than Verizon. ATT rolls over unused time on their Sierra module. Verizon doesn't. Plus in NW WY ATT service is pretty good. In SW WY ATT seems almost non existant but I don't live there. Since we travel we have both a ATT Sierra module and a Verizon Jetpack module.

TexasShadow wrote:
A lot of the west/northwest is Verizon country, a disadvantage to us AT&T folks
:)
but cell service in the parks is pretty limited to the hotel/lodge areas and visitor centers.
but they are supposedly working on making that better.

Let's not confuse the OP who is talking about Verizon which is good throughout Yellowstone in our experiences.

Not sure why RV people stay with AT&T when coverage gets 'spotty' in so many places.

Just returned from Virginia City, NV to our home base after a week long stay with friends that have a 5th wheel and Att&t for cell. Loaned then my phone on numerous occasions so they could 'keep in touch' with family and friends.