Community Forums

Adoyle52 · 12-18-2017, 05:45 PM

Would like to ask what the members preferred cell service provider is for the full time rving .

BigHomey · 12-18-2017, 08:58 PM

If you are going to be full timing in one place, I would call the campground and ask their recommendation. If you are going to be moving frequently, I would recommend Verizon. We went on a 5K mile trip through the west (Dakotas, Montana, Yellowstone, Colorado, NM, OK, TX) last year and my daughter had a work phone with AT&T. She cursed the lack of signal most of the time. Everyone else had Verizon and never had a problem. I even set up my phone as a wifi hotspot so she could connect to it to check her work emails.

AL

**TonyDi** · 12-18-2017, 09:23 PM

Verizon's coverage in the west is better than AT&T. In the east there is no difference. They both seem about the same.
I have AT&T and it does the job. I've never been to a CG where there is no cell service.

dons2346 · 12-18-2017, 09:54 PM

Go to the respective providers on line web site and look at their coverage maps. Thse are updated on a regular basis and will give you an idea of the coverage where you plan to travel.

For me, Big Red is the best. Not the cheapest, but the best coverage for me

Sue46 · 12-19-2017, 06:07 AM

W have one phone of a Verizon MVNO and another on an ATT MVNO. Pretty much always have coverage(sometimes neither).

ThomB · 12-19-2017, 06:37 AM

In 10K miles traveling 25 states our AT&T phones have worked everywhere we have been EXCEPT for a camp outside the entrance to Yosemite *where even Verizon didn't work*. We have an AT&T Mobley for our internet as well and with a booster we have gotten enough signal for me to work throughout the trip.

I know at some point we will get to a place where I will likely need to switch to a Verizon phone/internet adapter but so far we've not gotten there (looking at that as a bonus to not have to spend an extra $100ish a month for another cell service)

MSHappyCampers · 12-19-2017, 06:38 AM

Hi !

Welcome to IRV2! We're sure glad you joined the gang!

I think it's generally accepted that Verizon has the best nationwide coverage! Keep her between the ditches!

Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!

Merry Christmas!

Adoyle52 · 12-19-2017, 08:23 AM

Thanks everyone we will be moving a lot we have Sprint right know but May have to change

Dutch Star Don · 12-19-2017, 11:39 AM

If I were moving around the country, the only tow services I would choose from, would be Verizon or ATT.

Old-Biscuit · 12-19-2017, 11:59 AM

We Ftd for 7 yrs..........Traveling weekly----using secondary/back roads.....small town USA

Verizon for us. Most of the time/places we had coverage.
And if we could get a 'tower' symbol on phone we could get 2 bars or better with a simple truckers antenna and cell phone adapter

BillJinOR · 12-19-2017, 12:00 PM

If your traveling Sprint will be a problem. Verizon or ATT are the accepted best choice. Of course you can always find "that" spot the wont work. I think Most tend to choose Verizon.
We however have had ATT forever, and travel with Two ATT Grandfathered unlimited i phones " Tethering not permitted". and lately a Mobley connected car "unlimited" 22g poss throttle hotspot (plan no longer offered) on ATT for 20 bucks. We use 50 - 60 g a month on the Mobley with no throttling encountered. We also have a older 3rd gen Verizon locked pay as you go ipad that we can tether to if ATT doesnt work. We haven't used it yet in two years of 8000 mile annual loops of the US.
Having both a Verizon and ATT source if you really need service is the way to go in my opinion.

Gary RVRoamer · 12-19-2017, 04:05 PM

I think that Verizon has better geographical coverage, i.e. more rural areas, but both Verizon and AT&T serve about the same number of customers. AT&T seems to be more focused on the cities, though.

The difficult question is where do you intend to travel? In any given area, one provider is usually better, and in some places neither Verizon or AT&T have good coverage. Heck, in some places nobody has good coverage!