[Hidden-tech] AT&T vs Verizon vs T-Mobile

[Michael Muller]

Yes, of course, but the nooks and crannies will affect all carriers.

Also, apparently none of them are broadcasting high-band out here. From 
the article:

"In the Bay State, AT&T still reigns supreme with its 5G network, 
offering 28.1% coverage, followed very closely by T-Mobile, though, 
who—as the nationwide 5G leader—still puts up a respectable 24% coverage 
in Massachusetts. Both carriers employ low-band 5G technology, which 
allows them to reach a wider area with their networks—but at the 
detriment of their speeds. Low-band 5G is just slightly faster than 4G LTE.

Verizon is the only carrier currently using exclusively high-band 5G, 
which reflects what many consider to be "true" 5G speeds and 
connectivity. But while high-band may be fastest, its frequencies are 
also the shortest and can't penetrate through walls, leading to severe 
coverage limitations. The nation's 4G LTE leader puts up the worst 
showing with its 5G network, offering just 0.01% coverage in 
Massachusetts with a single outdoor hotspot located in Boston."

Thanks,

Mik

Mik Muller, president
Montague WebWorks
20 River Street, Greenfield, MA
413-320-5336
http://MontagueWebWorks.com
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On 10/19/2022 2:22 PM, Robert Heller wrote:
> Some things to consider (and that the cell companies are not going to talk
> much about):
>
> In sparsely populated rural areas, the cell towers are also sparse.  This
> means lots of random "dead" spots.  None of the carriers are going to put up
> "lots" of cell towers in sparsely populated rural areas -- there are not
> enough subscribers to get the revenue from to pay either the capitial cost or
> the maintaince costs. Business finance 101.
>
> Tree foliage atenuates cell signals (block, scatter, etc.).
>
> 5Ghz (5G "ultawideband") has 1/2 the range of 4G and is more atenuated by tree
> foliage.  This means you can basically forget about 5G ultawideband in
> sparsely towered places.
>
> Oh, and cell signals don't go through granite (eg mountains).  You can expect
> poor cell service in "deep" valleys or the "wrong" side of hills and ridges.
>
> Hills + forests are *bad* for cell coverage and 5G is worse than 4G. EM wave
> physics 101.
>
> The coverage maps are probably not going to be very detailed (not high res)
> and probably don't show all of the nooks and crannies where coverage is
> lacking or poor.
>
> At Wed, 19 Oct 2022 11:11:46 -0400 Michael Muller<tech at montaguewebworks.com>  wrote:
>
>> Hey hidden folks,
>>
>> I are considering moving my cell service off Verizon to AT&T, partly
>> because we now go to Warwick a lot and have zero Verizon service out
>> there. We've seen people getting texts and calls out near Moore's Pond,
>> while we can't.
>>
>> Anyone currently have AT&T or Sprint/T-Mobile and have comparative
>> stories to tell about coverage in the "fringe" towns of Western Mass?
>>
>> I don't want to say price is not important, but I'm nervous about using
>> a sub-carrier/MVNO that rides on someone else's network. Especially
>> because those services sometimes have less data available, and we use a
>> lot of data.
>>
>> This website, below, seems to show coverage maps, and declares: "AT&T
>> has the widest network reach in Massachusetts for both 4G LTE and 5G
>> coverage, and takes the title for the best network in the state. Verizon
>> comes in second for 4G LTE coverage, with T-Mobile following very
>> closely behind in third place—though the Un-carrier's 5G coverage is
>> almost neck and neck with AT&T's state-best network."
>>
>>    *https://www.whistleout.com/CellPhones/Guides/Best-Coverage-in-Massachusetts-USA
>>      <https://www.whistleout.com/CellPhones/Guides/Best-Coverage-in-Massachusetts-USA>
>>
>> Is that everyone's experience?
>>
>> Does anyone use Boost Mobile, Metro or Cricket Wireless, and what's your
>> experience?
>>
>> Thanks,
>>
>> Mik
>>
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