Showing posts with label Reviews. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Reviews. Show all posts

iPhone 15 Review: The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly!

The iPhone 15 Pro has generated significant buzz since its release, and for good reason. Apple has a track record of producing high-quality smartphones, and the iPhone 15 Pro is no exception. In this review, we'll dive into the device's strengths and weaknesses, uncovering what makes it stand out in the ever-competitive world of smartphones.

What State Has the Worst Cell Phone Coverage? A Comprehensive Analysis

In today's digital age, staying connected through our cell phones has become a necessity. Whether for work, social interactions, or emergencies, reliable cell phone coverage is crucial. However, not all states in the United States offer the same level of service. In this article and video, we will conduct a comprehensive analysis to identify the state with the worst cell phone coverage, exploring the factors contributing to its challenges and offering insights for users in that region.

How Recreation.gov Seeks Cell Phone Service Reviews at Campgrounds

Recreation.gov Seeks Cell Phone Service Reviews

Embarking on a camping adventure is a delightful way to reconnect with nature and escape the hustle and bustle of modern life. However, as technology continues to be an integral part of our lives, staying connected during camping trips has become essential for many outdoor enthusiasts. Recognizing this need, Recreation.gov, the go-to platform for discovering and reserving federal recreation areas, has taken a step towards ensuring campers can access cell phone service when needed. In this article, we'll explore how Recreation.gov solicits cell phone service reviews at campgrounds, promoting a more informed and connected camping experience.

Sprint Service Plans and Coverage Review

Sprint Dead Zones USA MapCoverage: Sprint, which is now part of T-Mobile, was a major wireless service provider in the United States. While the Sprint brand has been phased out, customers are now under the T-Mobile network and plans. Here is a review of T-Mobile's service plans and coverage, which now encompass former Sprint customers:

Plans: T-Mobile offers a range of postpaid and prepaid plans to suit different needs. These plans typically include unlimited talk, text, and data, with varying data speeds and data allowances. Customers can choose from different plan options based on their usage requirements and budget.

Coverage: T-Mobile's network coverage has expanded significantly after the merger with Sprint. They provide nationwide coverage across the United States, with improved coverage in rural areas and expanded 5G coverage in select cities. T-Mobile utilizes a combination of low-band, mid-band, and high-band spectrum to offer wide coverage and fast data speeds.

Unlimited Plans: T-Mobile offers several unlimited plans that provide unlimited talk, text, and data usage. These plans may have different data deprioritization thresholds, meaning that after a certain threshold of data usage, speeds may be temporarily reduced during times of network congestion.

Family Plans: T-Mobile provides family plans that allow multiple lines to share a data pool. This can be a cost-effective option for families or groups with multiple lines.

5G Network: T-Mobile has invested in the deployment of 5G technology and offers 5G coverage in various areas. Their 5G network encompasses both sub-6 GHz and mmWave frequencies, providing improved speed and capacity in supported locations.

Device Selection: T-Mobile offers a wide selection of smartphones and other devices for purchase. Customers can choose from flagship devices, mid-range options, and budget-friendly devices. They also support Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) programs, allowing customers to use their own compatible devices on the network.

Customer Service: T-Mobile has customer service channels available, including phone support, online chat, and in-store assistance at T-Mobile retail locations.

It's important to note that the information provided reflects the combined offerings of T-Mobile and Sprint following their merger. It's recommended to visit T-Mobile's official website or contact their customer service for the most up-to-date information on their current plans, pricing, and coverage in your specific area.

Finding the best cell phone coverage just got easier by comparing cell phone coverage reports from other customers. Which wireless carrier has the worst cell phone coverage?
Other Reviews: 
Feedback is always welcome. Please submit your comments below.

@SprintCare Twitter Chatter

AT&T Service Plans and Coverage Review

AT&T is one of the largest wireless service providers in the United States, offering a variety of service plans and extensive coverage across the country. Here is a review of AT&T's service plans and coverage:

Plans: AT&T offers a range of postpaid (contract) and prepaid plans to suit different needs. These plans typically include unlimited talk and text, with varying data allowances and speeds. Customers can choose from different plan options based on their usage requirements and budget.

Coverage: AT&T provides nationwide coverage across the United States, including both urban and rural areas. Their network covers a significant portion of the country, offering reliable connectivity in many locations.  AT&T operates on a combination of 3G, 4G LTE, and 5G networks, with 5G being the latest generation of wireless technology. The coverage and speeds offered by AT&T's networks have improved over the years, but they can still vary depending on factors such as signal strength, network congestion, and the type of device you're using.  

5G Network: AT&T has been investing in the deployment of 5G technology. They offer 5G coverage in select cities and continue to expand their network. It's important to note that 5G coverage may vary depending on your location and device compatibility.  AT&T's 5G network utilizes both low-band and high-band frequencies to provide broad coverage and faster speeds. AT&T's low-band 5G, also known as 5G Evolution, operates on sub-6 GHz frequencies, offering enhanced coverage compared to higher-frequency bands. This enables better penetration through buildings and obstacles. However, the speeds of low-band 5G may not be significantly faster than 4G LTE in some cases.

AT&T's network covers about 68% of the United States. This is 2% less than Verizon and 6% more than T-Mobile. AT&T has solid coverage in major cities, but not in rural areas. AT&T has the second-most 4G LTE coverage and the second-most 5G coverage of the major carriers. AT&T has the best latency. 

AT&T also deploys high-band 5G, commonly referred to as mmWave, in select areas. mmWave technology delivers extremely high speeds and low latency but has a shorter range and is more susceptible to obstructions like buildings and trees. Consequently, its coverage is typically limited to densely populated urban areas. In urban and suburban areas, AT&T generally offers good coverage and fast data speeds. 

The 5G network rollout is an ongoing process, and coverage availability and speeds may vary depending on your location. For the most up-to-date information on AT&T's 5G network and its coverage in your area, it is recommended to visit AT&T's official website or contact their customer support.

Unlimited Plans: AT&T offers unlimited data plans that provide unlimited talk, text, and data usage. These plans may have different data deprioritization thresholds, meaning that after a certain threshold of data usage, speeds may be temporarily reduced during times of network congestion.

Shared Data Plans: AT&T provides shared data plans, where multiple lines can share a pool of data. This can be a cost-effective option for families or groups with multiple lines.

Device Selection: AT&T offers a wide selection of smartphones and other devices for purchase. Customers can choose from flagship devices, mid-range options, and budget-friendly devices. They also support Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) programs, allowing customers to use their own compatible devices on the network.

Customer Service: AT&T has customer service channels available, including phone support, online chat, and in-store assistance at AT&T retail locations.

How to check your signal strength: You can check your AT&T signal strength by navigating to http://att.manager or http://192.168.1.1 from a connected device. The LTE icon will be displayed in the top right corner of the AT&T manager site when connected to 4G LTE. The Signal Bars display the connection strength. 

AT&T Coverage map
Other Reviews:
Feedback is always welcome. Please submit your comments below.

@ATTCares Twitter Chatter

Verizon Wireless Plans and Coverage Review

Verizon Wireless is one of the largest wireless service providers in the United States, offering a wide range of mobile plans and extensive coverage across the country. Here is a review of Verizon Wireless plans and coverage:

Coverage: Verizon Wireless has a reputation for providing excellent coverage nationwide. Their network coverage extends to both urban areas and rural regions, making it a popular choice for customers who value reliable connectivity in various locations. Verizon operates on a combination of 3G, 4G LTE, and 5G networks, with 5G being the latest generation of wireless technology. The coverage and speeds offered by Verizon's networks have generally been highly regarded and widely available.

5G Network: Verizon Wireless has been at the forefront of 5G network deployment. They offer 5G coverage in select cities and continue to expand their 5G network across the country. It's important to note that 5G coverage may vary depending on your location and device compatibility.

Verizon 5G Nationwide utilizes low-band frequencies (sub-6 GHz) to provide broader coverage across the country. This type of 5G offers improved speeds and capacity compared to 4G LTE but may not deliver the ultra-fast speeds associated with higher-frequency bands. Verizon's 5G Nationwide network aims to provide a foundation of coverage, particularly in suburban and rural areas.

Verizon's LTE network covers over 99% of the US population. Verizon's 4G LTE network covers 71% of the US, making it the number one carrier in the nation. Verizon offers 5G access in 12.77% of the country. You can find Verizon's 5G Ultra Wideband network in parts of many major cities, including Los Angeles, Denver, Phoenix, Dallas, Houston, Chicago, Boston, New York, Atlanta, Miami, and Philadelphia.

Verizon 5G Ultra Wideband, on the other hand, operates on high-frequency mmWave bands. This technology provides extremely high speeds and low latency, making it ideal for densely populated urban areas. However, the mmWave signals have a limited range and can be easily blocked by obstacles like buildings or even foliage.

Verizon has been actively expanding its 5G Ultra Wideband coverage in select cities, focusing on high-traffic areas such as stadiums, airports, and downtown areas. This allows users in these locations to experience the full potential of ultra-fast 5G speeds.

Plan Options: Verizon Wireless offers a diverse selection of plans to suit different needs. They provide both postpaid (contract) and prepaid options. Their plans typically include unlimited talk and text, and data allowances vary depending on the plan. Customers can choose from plans with different data caps or go for unlimited data options.  In rural or remote areas, Verizon's coverage is generally more extensive compared to other carriers. 

Unlimited Plans: Verizon Wireless offers several unlimited plans that provide unlimited data usage. These plans may have different speed tiers, with the highest speeds available on the premium unlimited plan. It's worth noting that after a certain threshold of data usage (usually around 22GB per month), speeds may be temporarily reduced during times of network congestion.

Shared Data Plans: Verizon Wireless also offers shared data plans, where multiple lines share a pool of data. This can be a cost-effective option for families or individuals with multiple devices.

Device Selection: Verizon Wireless provides a wide range of smartphones and other devices for purchase, including popular flagship devices and budget-friendly options. They also support Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) programs, allowing customers to use their own compatible devices on the network.

Customer Service: Verizon Wireless has a reputation for good customer service and offers multiple channels for support, including online chat, phone support, and in-store assistance.

The cost of Verizon Wireless plans tends to be relatively higher compared to some other wireless service providers. However, the extensive coverage, reliable network, and available plan features make it an attractive option for customers who prioritize connectivity and need reliable service in various locations.

Plans:   Compare Verizon shared data plans

Finding the best cell phone coverage just got easier by comparing cell phone coverage reports from other customers. Which wireless carrier has the worst cell phone coverage?

Other Reviews:
Feedback is always welcome. Please submit your comments below.

@VZWSupport Twitter Chatter

How To Check For Cell Phone Coverage By Address

When it comes to choosing the best mobile operator, most people think of the Big Three. The Big Four are known as AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile / Sprint.  However, but they should also include a number of other smaller MVNO carriers that use these major networks.    

All four networks are available in the US, with AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, Sprint each having their own LTE networks. According to paid studies most carriers will claim they have coverage everywhere but we know this is not true.  Coverage only matters at your home address and the only way to check this is by asking someone else in your area, trying it out, or by looking at coverage complaints submitted by customers on the cell phone coverage reviews map above or on the check cell coverage by address mobile map.     

check for cell phone coverage by address

You can search this map to see which areas have the worst overage on each of the four major networks in the United States. Use the small search circle in the lower left-hand corner of the map. This map allows you to filter coverage reviews of all major mobile networks by simply clicking on the carrier on the right-hand side of the map.     

Enter your country, city, postal code, home or office address select your current location, filter by carrier type and region, and select the best and worst coverage in your area for each of the four major networks in the United States. In this example, you choose one of four different types of mobile towers for the USA and specify a country.     

Use can other tools like RootMetrics, OpenSignal, CellReception.com, or SignalMap to see what others are reporting about the range of the operator in your area based on positive signal strength.  However, these providers do not allow you to provide reviews on carriers in specific locations.  There is also a map to look at cellular towers and antenna locations nearby.      

RootMetrics does not have a map of the mobile towers in the viewfinder, but in some areas, it shows the cell signal quality. Although Root Metrics does not have a map of mobile towers, it is a strong indicator of signal quality in your area.     

Note that all carrier coverage maps show the general area of coverage, but not specific cellular towers or antenna locations near you. All carrier coverage maps somewhat inform users about the type of coverage and signal quality you can expect based on the address you enter in the search bar, as well as the display of cellphones and transmission towers.     

T-Mobile Tower Map lets you enter your zip code, locate a location on the map, and see if 4G LTE coverage is available. Search for T-Mobile 5G coverage from your current location, and it's available in all 50 states and Puerto Rico.     

Sprint gives you the ability to look up any address you want and allows you to see the coverage that's in your location. To access the website you are using, such as T-Mobile Tower Map, first, enter your address in the search engine of our website. Go to our mobile phone comparison engine and check the coverage at your exact location, and you will begin to gain a better understanding of coverage at the sites you are using.

T-Mobile Service Plans and Coverage Review

Coverage:  T-Mobile's coverage can be spotty in a few areas around the United States and Mexico, but not as bad as most people proclaim it to be.  Their features and flexibility far outweigh the lack of connectivity in most areas and provide the most valuable data plans.  If you don't have coverage in many areas simply make calls through T-Mobile's WiFi android app on some smartphones.  This is huge so you don't if you make a lot of calls indoors in remote places.  If you live in a major metropolitan area it is likely you will have comparable coverage to AT&T and Verizon 3G in most areas.  One benefit of being a smaller carrier means you are likely competing against fewer customers for network capacity. T-Mobile now has the best 4G (HSPA+) coverage and its great to be a customer with fewer people competing for coverage on the HSPA+ network.  The difference between 3G and 4G LTE is not that significant in my opinion if you are not downloading the video.  Nevada and some of the mountain states are some notable dead zones in their coverage network and even Northern California and Oregon have quite a few miles where service is not available. T-Mobile has network coverage in every state except Alaska, reception in rural areas can be spotty. Also, as with all carriers, the reception will vary due to location. International coverage is available in more than 187 countries. Their website does have a nice feature that allows you to check coverage areas by inputting your zip code and overlaps nicely with dead zones reported on our map on the right. If you travel a lot, they do have international service options, but it will cost you as roaming charges do apply.

Plans:  T-Mobile leads these carriers in free minutes and value now offering unlimited plans without long term contracts. Prepaid cards are affordable if you only want a short term plan.  For the money, they offer the freest minutes of any plan and likely the most value depending on where you live. T-Mobile offers more plans that are typically less expensive, particularly for Internet access, text, and multimedia messaging services. They offer several plans including business plans, pre-paid, family, and individual plans. They do offer free phones subsidized phones, including camera phones, but if you want to choose a different phone than the one they offer you will have to pay for it.

Other features
  • Unlimited data plans still exist for some customers grandfathered. 
  • Offers unlimited calling plans without long term contracts is a great selling point
  • As a GSM carrier and a subsidiary of Germany's Deutsche Telekom, T-Mobile has extensive international roaming and thousands of Wi-Fi hotspots in the United States and Europe.
  • Of the major carriers, T-Mobile received the highest customer service rating by J.D. Power and Associates for several consecutive years.
  • T-Mobile is the only major carrier not to offer push-to-talk services.
  • We recommended you monitor your text messaging usage closely and get on an unlimited plan so you don't get charged the outrageous .25 cents per message if you go over.
  • Has 4G Coverage now in most cities. 
  • 5G LTE plans will come soon but 4G HSPA+ is plenty fast.  
  • T-Mobile has an Android phone with unlimited data plans.  We highly recommend it!
  • T-Mobile & Sprint merged but they are keeping separate business brand units similar to when they purchased MetroPCS. 

Finding the best best cell phone coverage just got easier by comparing cell phone coverage reports from other customers. Which wireless carrier has the worst cell phone coverage?

Other Reviews:
Feedback is always welcome.  Please submit your comments below.

@TMobileHelp Twitter Chatter

Marin County Cell Phone Reception Review

Marin County Cell Phone Reception Dead Zones
Marin County Cell Phone Reception Dead Zones
(Click on the Map to Submit a New Location)

I was shocked recently on our family vacation how poor the cell phone reception was in Marin County.  I would be surprised if cell phone companies Verizon, Sprint & T-Mobile had any satisfied customers in the area.  The terrain is quite hilly and the trees are enormous.  It is one of the most beautiful areas in the County but probably has the worst cell phone reception of anywhere I have ever visited or vacationed with a reasonable population density.  This area is also the home to thousands of commuting technology professionals who work in San Francisco and rely on coverage during their daily commutes.

West Marin County especially almost had no reception at all.  This was surprising to me because of the population density and the amount of tourism and residents.  I would guess it is also a safety nightmare for emergency services in the area.  There are long stretches of road that have no signal and the roads are dangerous.  There are bicyclist all over the narrow roads that don't have any shoulder to ride on.  The roads are steep, have lots of blind curves and make for hazardous driving conditions if you are not alert behind the wheel.  I would imagine there are lot of car accidents.

Here is a list of cities, highways and locations in the area that had NO RECEPTION for T-Mobile and Verizon.  AT&T had a weak signal in many of these locations.

Bolinas - No signal
San Anselmo - No signal
Muir Woods National Monument - No Signal
Highway 1 in West Marin - No Signal most of the way
Panoramoic Highway - No Signal
Ridgecrest Blvd. - No Signal
Sleepy Hollow - No Signal
Butterfield Rd. - No Signal
Stinson Beach - 2 bars of 2G Edge on T-Mobile

AT&T probably had the best reception in the area and this seemed to be the carrier of choice for most residents in the area.  If any reception was available it was likely 2G and downloading data or email was virtually impossible.  I would imagine that there are lots of AT&T Microcells used by residents in the area.

I was not able to review Sprint's coverage in the area but it is likely not much better.  Thankfully I am a  T-Mobile customer and was able to make and receive phone calls through WiFi at our friends house.  T-Mobile WiFi phone calls save the day once again.

I would imagine there is lot of resistance from the residents for installing cell phone towers in the area.  I would characterize the population of residents to be quite "earthy".  I have found these communities and the City Council's o be quite resistant to the installation of cell phone towers or new antennas.  

What is Wrong With Amazon.com Wireless?

Amazon.com does not have a compelling consumer-friendly mobile phone strategy.  Does this site about get you excited about buying a phone from them versus going to an AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, or Sprint retail store?  Are they missing out on mobile, smartphones, and tablets which are in boom times?   Amazon is one of the largest eCommerce communities in the world and could be a powerhouse in mobile phones if it had any balls to get aggressive about providing real consumer value.

Amazon Wireless is a half baked site that has very few good offers for customers switching carriers but none for existing customers.  The site also doesn't tell me squat about the coverage I might receive if I switch carriers or reviews about problems with phones or data speeds.  It also could be a tremendous marketplace for mobile and tablet app reviews for Android and iPhone but I find nothing.  However, they seem to be afraid of taking an aggressive stance against Verizon and AT&T who continually market 4G bullshit.  Amazon or Best Buy could be one of the few retailers that could clean up the wireless carrier fraudulent marketing.  Consumer Reports sure sucks at it and we are making an effort with our DeadCellZones.com coverage map. 

Microsoft Windows 7 Phone User Interface Review


Microsoft might finally have a phone that will appeal to consumers as well as enterprise IT departments.  The phone actually feels less "geeky" than previous Windows Mobile operating system versions. Windows 7 is using a new user interface that uses a "glance and goes" technique for navigating on the phone.  The home screen uses a system called "live tiles" which essentially are mini windows within the same home screen.  So without having to navigate into individual apps it shows the data or the action within one screen to save steps.  This could be useful if you are using lots of apps like email, phone, IM, Facebook & Twitter.  Apparently, the smooth scrolling and navigation are the best features of the new phone.

I think conceptually it makes a lot of sense.  However, I am not thrilled with the text formats and the edges of the apps.  I personally prefer rounded edges and think the devil is in the details with this issue.  I suppose if you are still a heavy Microsoft Windows user within an enterprise you will not likely notice the difference.  One thing that confuses me is who is their target market?  Blackberry users I presume who is tied to the enterprise.  I really don't see any Android or iPhone users converting to the new Microsoft Windows 7 platform.  Android phone notifications are still by far the best and feel better.

Below is a lengthy 20-minute review provide by Slashgear for your viewing pleasure.


As always please submit your comments and reviews on the product below. We are particularly interested in the cell phone reception and the network quality switching between

Verizon Femtocell Sells For $249


After all of the "Can You Hear Me Now Commercials" and "AT&T Coverage Map Bashing"  Verizon Wireless still has incredible amounts of Dead Zones to fill in. You would never know from their misleading commercials but less than 50% of US homes have seamless wireless coverage and could use a femtocell to improve home coverage.  However, in order to improve Verizon's coverage in your home you the customer must pay for your own personal mini cell phone tower at a cost of $249.  Keep in mind Verizon's femtocell is only 2G as well and not 3G currently.   

Sprint was one of the first carriers to launch femtocells with Sprint Airave (awful close to the trademark name Airwave) in 2008, but Verizon was not far behind in bringing femtocells to the masses with a Verzion Wireless Network Extender in January of 2009.  AT&T 3G Microcell is also in trials in North Carolina, Georgia and San Diego and is expected to launch nationwide sometime in the Spring of 2010.  T-Mobile is also in trials with Ubiquisys and Huawei and is expected to launch something this year as well.  The black box will send out a CDMA signal covering up to 5,000 square feet of the home or office with support for up to three simultaneous calls. Like Sprint's solution, the Wireless Network Extender uses GPS to verify that you're not creating little tiny Verizon networks outside the U.S. and plugs into the internet source of your choice via Ethernet. It'll be available in Verizon stores and online for $249.99. Pretty expensive if you ask me and not clear if an additional monthly subscription or long term contract goes with it.  We have only read reviews online that are quite negative about the price but would like to hear from consumers who actually use the product in our comments section below. 





Be aware of the pros and cons with cell reviews allowing you to compare before deciding on a mobile phone purchase.

Cell Phone Coverage in Nevada

We recently launched National reviews on the top four cell phone carriers and we are starting to get a lot of feedback.  However, we are starting to focus more granularly on states as well and one state that we lack a lot of data on is Nevada and the Las Vegas and Reno surrounding areas.  We would like to ask for your help and contribute areas to our map where you experience dead zones around the state.  We would especially like to know about dead zones on I-80 out of Reno in the Northern part of the state as well as I-95, I-93, I-15, 1-60 around the Las Vegas area.
Nevada Deadcellzones.com Map
Nevada Deadcellzones.com Map
Click on the map image below for and type in your zip code, state, city or address.  Then double click on the map in the problem location and add your comments such as indoor, or outdoors and other details of problem. We have a searchable database of over 100,000+ cell phone carrier comments in major metropolitan areas around the U.S. and we are looking of your contributors in rural areas like Nevada where we have limited data. Wireless coverage is a personal issue and users want relevant feedback of places where their phone most likely will get little or no reception.  Can you hear us now Verizon, AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile?

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