Cellular
Network Reviews APPALACHIAN WIRELESS Appalachian has good coverage along the Kentucky - Virginia border with a good selection of CDMA phones, including several Smart phones and data cards. They have a wide variety of a la carte plans that are priced above average. They charge extra for most Calling Features. Their Prepaid plans are expensive for so few features and they have misleading names: the "3G" plan is actually a "3GB" plan. It caught our eye when they claimed a "5G" plan. Since you can only order service on the phone or at the store we're sure there will be no confusion. They have upgraded much of their network to 4G LTE. ASTAC WIRELESS The Arctic Slope Telephone Association Cooperative (ASTAC) provides good GSM service across the northern coast of Alaska. Plans are reasonable and are available with Unlimited use based on Statewide or National coverage. They offer 4G coverage in all areas and 2G phones won't work there. Plan prices start at $15 and their Lifeline program is Free. They have a very large number of Data plans to tailor your cost to your usage. As part of the local telephone cooperative, customer service is better than average and locals are very loyal to this hometown wireless supplier. Bundle discounts are available. They have a surprisingly large selection of phones including smartphones and the Apple iPhone. AT&T has invested in the ASTAC network to provide better broadband coverage to their own customers who are roaming in northern Alaska yielding benefits for local users as well. AT&T As one of the Top 4 networks in the US, most of us know much about AT&T. They are generally considered second nationally in coverage and numbers of subscribers. In some areas AT&T has the best coverage, and in others they can be in third place. With GSM technology, AT&T roams more readily internationally, but there are areas in the US with no GSM coverage. AT&T's takeover of other cellular networks has improved their service in some areas already, including Alaska. AT&T offers a large selection of GSM phones. AT&T gets credit for competing with products and price. Most network improvements are being made in their new markets and are increasing data capacity instead of adding cell sites in older areas. They have added 4G and LTE coverage in almost all markets and 5G Coverage is available in a few small areas. AT&T in some markets is among those with the top data download speeds, but not all. AT&T has acquired wireless networks in Mexico and offer seamless, nationwide wireless service on both sides of the US/Mexico border with big benefits for traveling AT&T customers and users with family in both countries. AT&T offers Prepaid and also operates Cricket Wireless. AT&T Prepaid Review BOOST MOBILE The part of Boost Mobile that was formerly known as Boost Infinite operates their own wireless network as part of Dish Wireless. Plans start at $25 and promise to not increase and includes taxes and fees. Boost also offers a Prepaid plan on their own wireless network which is all-5G and is expanding across the US with the objective of operating a completely separate national cellular network. When traveling away from Boost Mobile coverage, Boost customers will roam on AT&T or T-Mobile, depending on location. Phone selection is small but is expanding. Purchase one of their phones and over time it will automatically switch among the 3 networks depending on the best signal. Expect more coverage and changes with the Boost Infinite product including very competitive pricing and compelling promotions. BRAVADO WIRELESS Bravado Wireless, formerly Sprocket Wireless and Cross Wireless, is a small CDMA carrier serving the east central part of Oklahoma. They have narrowed down the number of plans they offer including Unlimited for $40 per month. Bravado's Unlimited coverage has some limits for use off their own network. They have a moderate selection of phones including most of the iPhone line. Coverage is adequate. They have added some 4G Data and they offer "Lifeline" plans. They also offer wireless home Internet access. Bravado is operated by the Cross Telephone Company. BRISTOL BAY CELLULAR Bristol Bay covers the upper Aleutian Islands of Alaska. Plans offer Unlimited minutes but are pricey for just local coverage. They have a small selection of CDMA phones which are unlocked. While Bristol Bay sells some smartphones we do not know what broadband capabilities are available, if any. Bristol Bay customers are able to roam in Anchorage and the mainland US. You need to submit an application for service and a contract is required. We don't know if they allow roaming by other wireless customers. Lifeline plans are available. In some areas they provide the only telephone service. Bristol Bay is operated by the local telephone cooperative so they should be a bit easier to deal with, but they have shared few details with us outsiders. CAROLINA WEST WIRELESS Carolina West has good Local coverage in their service area of western North Carolina. They offer a variety of plans that are priced about average. Data plans are reasonably priced. They have a good selection of CDMA phones including smartphones, the iPhone, wireless home phones and air cards. Carolina West is co-owned by several local telephone cooperatives and has better than average customer service. They are also involved in their local communities. They have added 4G-LTE service to most of their coverage area and now also offer nationwide 4G-LTE roaming. CELLULAR ONE (MTPCS) This Cellular One has been sold to AT&T. CELLULAR ONE OF NORTHEAST ARIZONA Cellular One has very good coverage in and around the Native American lands along the northeast Arizona and northwest New Mexico border with additional coverage in the extreme southeastern corner of Utah. Parts of their network have been upgraded to 4G - LTE and the rest operates at 3G. They have a number of special, low-cost wireless programs. They also support fixed wireless service for homes away from wirelines. They offer a number of reasonable plans with various levels of Data add-ons. They have a good selection of phone models including Smart phones and older iPhones. Their prepaid plans are only available with a few phone models but there are multiple Data and Messaging add-ons. They have a few creative programs including "Free Phone for Life" and they support Lifeline plans. Cellcom provides excellent coverage in Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Their plans are complicated and overpriced. They offer a long list of sophisticated CDMA phones including smartphones, the iPhone and home phone devices. They have upgraded most, if not all, of their network to 4G - LTE. They also offer a good selection of their phones for Prepaid accounts. Their prepaid charges are fairly high but include Nationwide Unlimited calls and reasonable Data add-ons. Their Lifeline Plans are priced way above average, but they can include Data, and their Tribal Lifeline Plan includes many more minutes and features at a slightly lower price. Cellcom has local stores and has a reputation for slightly higher customer service. CHOICE WIRELESS Choice serves rural and small-town customers in 9 western US states. They offer mostly National "Unlimited" plans at a fixed price, starting at $20 a month, $30 with some data included. They use CDMA phones, they have excellent coverage, and their plans have a simplified structure that includes a certain amount of US roaming minutes. They have a moderate number of phone models including smartphones and they allow you to bring your own phone from another CDMA carrier. All plans are prepaid so there are no contracts, and they offer monthly, pay-as-you-go and pay-per-day plans, and an Unlimited Data plan. Most areas support 3G broadband and 4G-LTE in the Navajo Nation. They offer wireless Internet devices which could give you the fastest broadband service available in a rural area. Choice supports Free or low-cost LifeLine service. Choice Wireless operates their own network so when you are in your "home" area, you are not using another company's network. There is no relationship between this Choice Wireless and the Choice Wireless in northern Texas. CLARO PUERTO RICO Claro has very good coverage across most of the island. The network is owned by America Movil and is operated like other America Movil networks in Latin America. Their network in Puerto Rico operates with 4G LTE coverage and is expanding into 5G. They have a large selection of phones and also offer several other communications services. We have no reports about customer service, but the owner is a large Latin America-based wireless company so they have a number of advantages over the others. Claro does not offer an English language web site. Consumer Cellular is reviewed on our Prepaid Reviews Page COX MOBILE Cox Mobile from Cox cable operates as a "Wi-Fi first" wireless service, although most voice calls will be completed on their partner network, Verizon Wireless. You must be a Cox Internet service customer to subscribe to Cox Mobile service, but you get the advantage of dealing with Cox stores should you have a wireless problem. Your data service will be provided by one of many of Cox Wi-Fi hotspots and in absence of a Wi-Fi signal, your phone will access the Verizon Wireless network, with no roaming on other cellular networks (not that you'll need it). Cox Mobile sits on the line between a "Virtual" carrier and one that maintains their own network, albeit Wi-Fi. COPPER VALLEY WIRELESS Copper Valley Wireless is part of the Copper Valley Telecom based in Valdez. They provide good local coverage in most of the larger inhabited areas of the state. They have reasonable price plans with statewide and mainland US roaming included but they get very expensive when Data is added. They have a good selection of CDMA phones and they offer fixed wireless service and broadband coverage. As part of the local telecommunications co-op, service is above average and bundle discounts are available. Copper Valley has upgraded most of its network to 4G - LTE. CORDOVA WIRELESS Cordova is part of the Cordova Telephone Cooperative along the coast of Alaska, south of Valdez. They have a good selection of GSM phones including smartphones, feature phones and iPhones. They have a large number of plans, some reasonably-priced until you choose Unlimited or add any Data, then they're overpriced. They serve some areas where there isn't any other telephone service available. They offer discount bundles with their other communications services including free cell phone service when tied to your home land line. They are upgrading their network to 4G LTE coverage which will be available for both mobile and fixed wireless services. LifeLine accounts are available for $1 per month with an activation fee of $35. CRICKET WIRELESS Cricket is now reviewed at Prepaid Wireless Reviews. C SPIRE WIRELESS C Spire has very good coverage on their own network in Mississippi, greater Memphis, parts of Alabama and the Florida panhandle. They have several plans, all of which include Unlimited Talk & Text and nationwide roaming. Some plans are very reasonable for the amount of data they include and some of their features are very creative. Users report very good coverage and like the choice of plans. They offer a good selection of phones including the iPhone, and have good customer service. C Spire claims their 4G - LTE network is the fastest available, even faster than home Internet services, and their 5G coverage is slowly expanding across their service area. They also offer a unique batch of consumer-oriented benefits that help integrate wireless devices, plans and features for both customers and non-customers. They offer LifeLine plans. C Spire is the 5th largest wireless company in the US which gives them the ability to offer a large number of services and devices. CUSTER TELEPHONE WIRELESS Custer Wireless is the wireless network of the Custer Telephone Cooperative in central Idaho. Their CDMA network provides good coverage in and around their wireline service area, mostly in the Salmon River valley. Most of this area is not covered by other carriers. Most of their network has been upgraded to 4G. Plans are reasonably priced. Roaming is available on nearby local wireless networks and Verizon Wireless. They have a small selection of phones including smartphones. Customer service is very good. They offer other communications products but do not offer any bundle discounts with wireless. |
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