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

[Robert Heller]

I expect that High Band is not really viable in a rural, forested and hilly 
area.  High Band probably only really viable in urban areas, where many 
antennas are cost effective given a *dense* population.

I expect that the coverage that 5G AT&T and T-Mobile mostly includes the 
larger urban areas, and probably the fairly densely populated Pioneer Valley 
and the main highway corridors (I90/Mass Pike and Rt2).

At Wed, 19 Oct 2022 14:57:35 -0400 Michael Muller <tech at montaguewebworks.com> wrote:

> 
> 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
> Powered by ROCKETFUSION
> 
> 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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