Without boring you all with the details of why I'm asking this, what's the word on AT&T cell service in Boone (on campus)? I know in my area AT&T sux like an Electrolux, but in some rare places, people I talk to have no problems with it. I just want to know if it's reasonable reliable in Boone.

AppinATL wrote:Without boring you all with the details of why I'm asking this, what's the word on AT&T cell service in Boone (on campus)? I know in my area AT&T sux like an Electrolux, but in some rare places, people I talk to have no problems with it. I just want to know if it's reasonable reliable in Boone.

Both my boys 5+ years of being in Boone have gotten great service from AT&T. Except in the Athletic Offices at KBS....

I have Verizon (Business) and have been hAPPy with my service when visiting.

AppinATL wrote:Without boring you all with the details of why I'm asking this, what's the word on AT&T cell service in Boone (on campus)? I know in my area AT&T sux like an Electrolux, but in some rare places, people I talk to have no problems with it. I just want to know if it's reasonable reliable in Boone.

If you are on campus, any of the major three providers are fine. Once you get out of the town of Boone AT&T and Sprint are more spotty. Verizon has an agreement with Carolina West (local provider) and has good coverage in most all areas, AT&T has the 2nd largest coverage, but has more holes in its coverage, Sprint is more limited to the town area. 4G is just Verizon at this point, I think.

I'm a geek, it ain't going to bore me.

I spend a fair amount of time on the New River around Todd and Jefferson when not in Boone...I have Verizon and it works great. The guys with me that have AT&T have very spotty service.

appgrouch wrote:

AppinATL wrote:Without boring you all with the details of why I'm asking this, what's the word on AT&T cell service in Boone (on campus)? I know in my area AT&T sux like an Electrolux, but in some rare places, people I talk to have no problems with it. I just want to know if it's reasonable reliable in Boone.

If you are on campus, any of the major three providers are fine. Once you get out of the town of Boone AT&T and Sprint are more spotty. Verizon has an agreement with Carolina West (local provider) and has good coverage in most all areas, AT&T has the 2nd largest coverage, but has more holes in its coverage, Sprint is more limited to the town area. 4G is just Verizon at this point, I think.

I'm a geek, it ain't going to bore me.

Not to hijack the thread, but ...

Sprint didn't have their own towers in Boone. You had to drive to lenior or hickory to activate certain functions (ie. 4G), but it would run fine after that point, because they would roam on someone else.

AT&T use to work about everywhere because they had so much old technology they supported. They've cut a lot out now, but I had a friend in Boone that said his AT&T worked well in town, but as soon as you got on the back side of a mountain you may have service or not. Verizon is as solid as anything in the mountains.

This may be off topic, but what I look at is ...

Verizon and Sprint share CDMA technology and AT&T and T-mobile use GSM so CDMA. Since T-mobile doesn't have much presents here there seems to be more CDMA coverage is usually best.

Maddog1956 wrote:

appgrouch wrote:

AppinATL wrote:Without boring you all with the details of why I'm asking this, what's the word on AT&T cell service in Boone (on campus)? I know in my area AT&T sux like an Electrolux, but in some rare places, people I talk to have no problems with it. I just want to know if it's reasonable reliable in Boone.

If you are on campus, any of the major three providers are fine. Once you get out of the town of Boone AT&T and Sprint are more spotty. Verizon has an agreement with Carolina West (local provider) and has good coverage in most all areas, AT&T has the 2nd largest coverage, but has more holes in its coverage, Sprint is more limited to the town area. 4G is just Verizon at this point, I think.

I'm a geek, it ain't going to bore me.

Not to hijack the thread, but ...

Sprint didn't have their own towers in Boone. You had to drive to lenior or hickory to activate certain functions (ie. 4G), but it would run fine after that point, because they would roam on someone else.

AT&T use to work about everywhere because they had so much old technology they supported. They've cut a lot out now, but I had a friend in Boone that said his AT&T worked well in town, but as soon as you got on the back side of a mountain you may have service or not. Verizon is as solid as anything in the mountains.

This may be off topic, but what I look at is ...

Verizon and Sprint share CDMA technology and AT&T and T-mobile use GSM so CDMA. Since T-mobile doesn't have much presents here there seems to be more CDMA coverage is usually best.

Sprint has added a tower, I think on top of one of the dorms, in Boone. I have used Virgin Moble (a Sprint MVNO) in town and they have decent town coverage.

appgrouch wrote:
Sprint has added a tower, I think on top of one of the dorms, in Boone. I have used Virgin Moble (a Sprint MVNO) in town and they have decent town coverage.

Glad to hear that, competition is good.

Carolina West is the best but is horrible outside of the high country. Voicemail texting all have issues if you do any sort of travel. Of the big boys Verizon in generally the best, with only a couple dead spots. ATT/Sprint are very spotty when outside of Boone/Banner Elk/Blowing Rock town limits.