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Ask Slashdot: Who Has the Best 3G Coverage In California and Nevada?

Posted by timothy on from the good-luck-with-finding-rental dept.

New submitter derchris writes "We will be on vacation in the U.S. next month for about 3 weeks. We are going to do a road trip between San Francisco, Las Vegas and Los Angeles. To not use roaming for data, and get a heart attack once back home looking at the mobile bill, I was looking at so called 'MiFi' devices, portable 3G Wi-Fi hotspots. As far as I know, more or less all of the U.S. carriers have such devices available. But as I'm not from the U.S., I have no idea what would give me the best 3G coverage in the areas we are travelling. Another question would be whether I can buy one of these devices off eBay, and use it with any SIM card. Let's hope there are users available who could give some advice on this topic."

18 of 134 comments (clear)

  1. Very Specific Question by Missing.Matter · · Score: 5, Insightful

    For a question posted on a worldwide forum this is a very geographically specific question. Shall I also ask Slashdot which carrier has the best coverage outside my front door? This isn't even a question that requires the unique expertise of the /. crowd; just go on the 3, maybe 4 carrier websites and check the relevant maps.

    1. Re:Very Specific Question by pushing-robot · · Score: 5, Informative

      And if you're not aware what the major US carriers are, they're Verizon and AT&T, followed by T-Mobile and Sprint.

      Verizon has better coverage in most of the country, but as you'll be sticking to big cities and major highways the others should have good coverage as well.

      Also, Verizon and Sprint don't use SIM cards, while AT&T and T-Mobile use different frequency bands for 3G. Make sure you know the device you buy will work with your choice of carrier.

      --
      How can I believe you when you tell me what I don't want to hear?
    2. Re:Very Specific Question by Sarten-X · · Score: 4, Informative

      According to those maps (at least the ones from AT&T), there's great coverage inside a particular canyon in Arizona, a particular valley in West Virginia, and a particular marsh in northern Michigan, all of which I've visited and can personally verify there is no usable service. Those maps don't come from the providers' engineers. They come from the marketing department, and should be trusted as much as any other advertisement.

      --
      You do not have a moral or legal right to do absolutely anything you want.
    3. Re:Very Specific Question by way2trivial · · Score: 2

      http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurants-g36538-Peoria_Illinois.html

        y'll have to click pizza yourself-- but there are 9 listed, with chuck e cheese showing as dead last (restaurant #88 of 88 in Peoria in fact)

      --
      every day http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Random
  2. Verizon by commodore73 · · Score: 5, Informative

    I had AT&T in California and Verizon in both CA and NV, and Verizon was definitely better - almost no issues, where AT&T was terrible. I didn't travel extensively (mainly the bay area and Incline Village), but I would certainly avoid AT&T, and I would actually recommend Verizon,

    1. Re:Verizon by crazycheetah · · Score: 3, Informative

      This. The 3 main areas mentioned have Verizon's 4G coverage as well (and I am sure that AT&T and T-Mobile also have 4G to some degree in these areas, though, as they're pretty significant areas to get covered). Traveling from Los Angeles to San Francisco and back with Verizon, I had pretty decent coverage the whole way (with a few holes). Same for Los Angeles to Las Vegas and back (a few more holes in the desert than the other, but I doubt you're going to avoid that with any carrier).

      Although, specific areas (less than a square mile and less some times, even--this is especially true when you're in the more hilly/mountainous areas in the region) of those can still be different. I've found T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon to be pretty consistent throughout, but there are definite areas where one beats the others and areas where that same one loses to the others, along with some pockets that they all suck. Generally, though, if you're just traveling through and not getting stuck in a specific area for extended amounts of time, they are all pretty decent. I don't mention Sprint, because I have the least experience with them, so I can't be sure how they are in the areas, but I would be surprised to see that they suck too bad throughout, considering how important most carriers would probably consider those cities...

  3. Coverage Maps by SJHillman · · Score: 3

    All of the major carriers have coverage maps that are more or less accurate.

    Verizon: www.verizonwireless.com/wireless-coverage-area-map.shtml

    AT&T: http://www.wireless.att.com/coverageviewer/#?type=data

    Sprint: http://coverage.sprint.com/IMPACT.jsp?

    T-Mobile: http://www.t-mobile.com/coverage/pcc.aspx

    Other Sites that may be useful:
    http://www.cellreception.com/coverage/
    http://reviews.cnet.com/cell-phone-coverage-map/

    Behold, the power of Google.

    1. Re:Coverage Maps by Quantus347 · · Score: 4, Informative

      http://www.cellularmaps.com/3g_compare.shtml

      This is a useful map, it compares: AT&T, Cricket, Metro PCS, Sprint, T-Mobile, US Cellular, and Verizon.

      One thing you should know however is that most of the companies actually share their networks to one degree or another, and there are options lesser known options that offer the same actual coverage. Check out: http://www.cellularbackdoor.com/alternative_networks.shtml

      From the site: Same Network, Different Carrier - These are separate, "alternative" companies that use the same wireless network, also known as Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNO), wholesale networks, or cellular "re-sellers", of the major carriers. You get your phone and customer service from these companies instead of the underlying carrier. Some companies use more than one network and the type of wireless device determines whether a CDMA, GSM or WIMAX carrier is used. All features may not be available. This is where to look if you hate your carrier but love their network.

      --
      Common Sense isn't as Common as people think...
    2. Re:Coverage Maps by SJHillman · · Score: 2

      Fun Fact #1: Verizon and Sprint have a reciprocity agreement where customers can roam on the other carrier's network for free (agreement expires in 2016)

      Fun Fact #2: Even though Virgin Mobile is owned by Sprint, this agreement apparently doesn't extend to it.

      At least Virgin is cheap. $35 for unlimited everything.

  4. I'll probably be in the minority here... by erotic_pie · · Score: 2, Interesting

    I'll probably be in the minority here, but I would say go with Sprint. Sure their data speeds aren't the fastest, but they are a good bit cheaper than Verizon, and their speeds are still plenty useable for web browsing, Pandora, and Netflix. Plus you get the added bonus of free roaming on Verizon's network if you're outside of Sprint's coverage areas. Pretty much anything is better than AT&T.

    1. Re:I'll probably be in the minority here... by hawguy · · Score: 2

      I'll probably be in the minority here, but I would say go with Sprint. Sure their data speeds aren't the fastest, but they are a good bit cheaper than Verizon, and their speeds are still plenty useable for web browsing, Pandora, and Netflix. Plus you get the added bonus of free roaming on Verizon's network if you're outside of Sprint's coverage areas. Pretty much anything is better than AT&T.

      If you want good coverage while you're in between cities, stick with AT&T or Verizon.

      On a recent road trip between SF and LA, there were many places where my Sprint phone (work phone) lost coverage but my Verizon phone maintained coverage (I know this because we had some issues going on at work and I was getting a lot of emails - in many instances, I could hear some emails come in to my Verizon phone, and it wasn't until 10 - 15 minutes later that I'd hear a group of queued up emails hit my Sprint phone).

      My gf has an AT&T phone and there were a few places where she had cell phone coverage and I didn't, and vice versa. But she had more problems with maintaining a data connection (we took turns streaming Pandora, her AT&T phone dropped out more often than my Verizon phone).

  5. virginmobileusa.com by cpu6502 · · Score: 3, Informative

    They use the Sprint network..... no idea if it's the "best" but it's affordable. $50 for unlimited internet, and it works anywhere that a cellphone works. Plus no contract so you can use it 1 month and then done.

    I have tried Wifi in my hotel, and it barely works at all (slow and drops connection frequently). I don't recommend that route.

    --
    My AC stalker: " I personally agree with your posts most of the time, but that won't keep me from modding you troll"
  6. SF, LV & LA? by PeanutButterBreath · · Score: 2

    I hope you realize just how far apart these cities are and how little there is to be seen in between. I suppose 3G till take the edge off the many hours of drudgery.

    At least consider taking 395 for the North-South portion.

  7. Free wifi by bastian74 · · Score: 2

    Remember, we have free wifi at almost every coffee shop and McDonalds. Here's a pre-paid 4g hotspot: http://www.amazon.com/T-Mobile-1661-4G-Hotspot/dp/B005MKERVQ/ref=dp_return_1?ie=UTF8&n=2335752011&s=wireless http://www.t-mobile.com/coverage/pcc.aspx

  8. Well... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Informative

    I have lived in Vegas and San Francisco. I'm assuming you're going through central CA for your trip. As far as I'm concerned, Verizon (for me) had the best coverage in Vegas and SF. I've had clear reception all the way to Salinas- your mileage may vary beyond that. Those I knew that had AT&T hated it (poor reception).

    T-Mobile isn't good in Vegas - I had it for a few years there and the coverage was bad.

    Now, if you're driving through the middle of NV, then forget it. Your reception will drop off around Yerington and not return until you hit Indian Springs. You'll have to wait to upload the UFO pics you snap on the way.

  9. Reality check by jtownatpunk.net · · Score: 3, Insightful

    For 3 weeks, just learn to look for free WiFi hotspots.

    Seriously.

    It's 3 weeks. You'll survive if you can't tweet every 5 minutes. If you were talking about 3 months, I could see why it would be worth the trouble and expense to set this up but 3 weeks? No.

    If you're set on it, go for pre-paid. You'll have to spend $50-100 on the device, possibly a setup fee of $35-50, and a month's service at $35-80 depending on the carrier. Last time I checked, Millenicom was offering 50 gig plans on Verizon's network (the best, most consistent data network IMHO) for $70 or so. It's far more data than you'll be able to push over Verizon's network for that price on any of Verizon's plans.

    Seriously, tho, it's 3 weeks. Every hotel you stay in will have WiFi available for $0-10/night. Many businesses (especially restaurants) offer free WiFi.

  10. Virgin Mobile (virginmobileusa.com) by nil0lab · · Score: 2

    Virgin Mobile ZTE Peel is a Mifi-like device with a value proposition that's hard to beat for lower-end users (500 MB for $20 for one month) and the device is like $30 IIRC. Perfect for Waze or Google Maps or e-mail checking or light web. Not good if you watch videos or skype or download podcasts. Sold with iPod touch original gen in mind but actually works as a universal wifi gateway. Plus it's non-contract. Coverage map is Sprint's- they don't do their own.

    These devices are sold at Radio Shack and Best Buy in the SF Bay Area- I don't know about other states.

  11. Re:Why use a phone. by Zapotek · · Score: 2

    Oh for f's sake someone asks a question regarding cell coverage and you reply with "Why bring a cell phone? I wouldn't!". Have you, by any chance, got any more personal, unsolicited and irrelevant life lessons for the rest of us simpletons? How will we ever survive without your offtopic input...