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Which Cell Phone Carrier Has The Best Coverage

Which Cell Phone Carrier Has The Best Coverage - Hiboost

Which cell phone carrier has the best coverage?  Verizon covers the largest number of Americans with 70% nationwide coverage, followed closely by AT&T at 68%, and if we take these coverage charts at face value, T-Mobile is a few steps behind AT&T at 62%, and Sprint is well behind the bottom of the pack at 30%.

With so many cell phone carriers to choose from, wouldn’t we want to pick the one with the best service in our area? Choosing the best carrier for you isn’t about getting the best overall coverage. It’s about which carrier will keep you connected where you spend most of your time.

You’re thinking about switching your cell phone package, but aren’t sure where to start. Before switching plans, it’s a good idea to compare wireless carrier coverage to see which carriers offer the best service where you live. In this article, I will compare coverage maps to explain which cell phone carriers have the best coverage!


Let’s Compare The Coverage of The Top Four Major Cell Phone Carriers


1. Verizon Coverage Map


Verizon’s coverage map shows more reliable 4G and 5G coverage on the Eastern side of the country. This makes sense, as the Eastern United States is more densely populated, and the Rocky Mountains are far taller and more infrastructure-intense than the East’s Appalachians.



Coverage is slightly lacking in some Western states, predominately rural areas. 5G is currently only available in select urban and suburban areas.


Where does Verizon have the best coverage?


It’s no secret that Verizon thrives when it comes to coverage.

Coverage maps are helpful but might not tell the whole story. Here are the states where Verizon has the best 4G LTE service:

Best Verizon 4G LTE coverage by state

State Percentage covered
Kansas 99.69%
Arkansas 99.53%
Georgia 99.07%
Indiana 98.86%
South Carolina  98.73%

 

While Verizon is playing catch up on the 5G front, here are the best states for Verizon 5G:

Best Verizon 5G coverage by state

State Percentage covered
Delaware 73%
New Jersey 65%
Maryland 53%
Connecticut 46%
Ohio  43%

 

Verizon coverage by state
Want to see if Verizon has solid coverage in your area? We break down how much of each state is covered by Verizon’s network in square mileage.

Verizon Coverage by State

State Percentage Covered Mile Covered (mi²)
Alabama 96.46% 49,926 mi²
Alaska 1.92% 11,428 mi²
Arizona 82.01% 93,810 mi²
Arkansas 99.53% 52,990 mi²
California 74.18% 122,015 mi²
Colorado 81.67% 85,156 mi²
Connecticut 98.31% 4,947 mi²
Delaware 96.82% 2,009 mi²
Florida 94.17% 55,258 mi²
Georgia 99.07% 58,409 mi²
Hawaii 86.21% 5,894 mi²
Idaho 65.71% 54,527 mi²
Illinois 94.43% 53,206 mi²
Indiana 98.86% 35,806 mi²
Iowa 95.27% 53,754 mi²
Kansas 99.69% 82,028 mi²
Kentucky 66.00% 26,662 mi²
Louisiana 96.29% 45,002 mi²
Maine 59.32% 19,818 mi²
Maryland 92.36% 10,079 mi²
Massachusetts 96.01% 8,016 mi²
Michigan 90.18% 53,778 mi²
Minnesota 88.30% 74,615 mi²
Mississippi 97.96% 46,719 mi²
Missouri 88.19% 61,412 mi²
Montana 58.93% 86,843 mi²
Nebraska 97.48% 75,936 mi²
Nevada 59.43% 61,795 mi²
New Hampshire 84.38% 8,147 mi²
New Jersey 97.52% 7,542 mi²
New Mexico 84.53% 101,463 mi²
New York 87.21% 42,705 mi²
North Carolina 92.67% 46,892 mi²
North Dakota 97.81% 68,393 mi²
Ohio 96.18% 39,764 mi²
Oklahoma 81.96% 57,286 mi²
Oregon 74.39% 72,327 mi²
Pennsylvania 93.08% 42,178 mi²
Rhode Island 92.21% 1,087 mi²
South Carolina 98.73% 30,821 mi²
South Dakota 96.65% 74,320 mi²
Tennessee 96.59% 40,673 mi²
Texas 91.10% 243,085 mi²
Utah 78.25% 65,286 mi²
Vermont 89.91% 8,646 mi²
Virginia 93.24% 38,050 mi²
Washington 69.16% 47,326 mi²
West Virginia 52.24% 12,650 mi²
Wisconsin 87.52% 49,834 mi²
Wyoming 80.56% 79,864 mi²

 

Where does Verizon have the worst coverage?


While Verizon is the coverage king, it still has some areas where service is spotty. Verizon has the worst 4G LTE coverage in Alaska, covering just 2% of the state. Other states with potentially spotty coverage include:

• Alaska 1.92%
• West Virginia: 52.24%
• Montana: 58.93%
• Nevada: 59.43%
• Maine 59.32%

Pros and Cons of Verizon Coverage


There are many pros and cons to using a Verizon cell phone package, some of which are the incredible 4G LTE coverage, travel benefits, and great entertainment features. One notable downside is that Verizon’s cell phone packages tend to be more expensive than the competition. It’s important to weigh the pros and cons of Verizon carefully before making a decision.

Pros:
• Verizon has some of the best coverage in the country, making it a good choice for those who travel a lot or live in areas with poor cell service.
• Verizon offers good international features and high-speed hotspot data, making it • a great choice for those who travel a lot or need to work on the go.
• Verizon offers a variety of packages to choose from, including unlimited data packages, shared data packages, and prepaid packages.
• Verizon has one of the best “video experience” ratings, which means customers experience shorter load times and less lag.
• Verizon also offers great features like 5G network access in select areas, mobile hotspots, and unlimited talk and text.
• There are very few dead spots that can’t be covered.
• You can mix and match family plan options, including kids’ plans.
• Offers a wide selection of the latest smartphones, including Apple, Samsung, and Google.

Drawbacks:
• Verizon’s 5G network covers less than 11% of the US.
• Expensive Plans: Verizon’s cell phone packages tend to be expensive, more so than other carriers’ packages. If you’re on a tight budget, Verizon may not be the best choice for you.
• Limited Discounts: Verizon doesn’t offer as many discounts as other carriers. While they do offer some discounts for military, first responders, and students, they do not offer discounts for seniors or AAA members.
• Limited Data Options: Verizon offers a variety of packages, but their data options may not meet everyone’s needs. If you are a small data user, the cheapest package may be too expensive for you. If you’re a heavy user, the unlimited plan may be too expensive. Middle tier plans may not offer enough data to meet your needs.

2. AT&T Coverage Map

AT&T ranks second in 4G and 5G coverage. Its 4G network covers 68 percent of the U.S. AT&T 5G coverage is just 29 percent, reaching more than 290 million people in more than 24,000 cities and towns.

Where is the best AT&T coverage?


Typical of each big network, AT&T’s best coverage is in large metropolitan areas. Here’s a closer look at the states and cities where AT&T has the strongest coverage.

Best AT&T 4G LTE coverage by state

 

State Percentage covered
Delaware 99.99%
Indiana 99.99%
Connecticut 99.98%
South Carolina 98.98%
Rhode Island 98.95%

 

Best AT&T 5G coverage by state

 

State Percentage covered
Delaware 99.99%
Indiana 99.99%
Connecticut 99.98%
South Carolina 98.98%
Rhode Island 98.95%

 

How good is AT&T’s coverage in my area?


With few exceptions, AT&T’s coverage is highly likely to be very good in your area. Given that it covers 68% of the U.S. with its 4G LTE network—and with better rural coverage than Verizon’s network—most of the populated areas of the country have strong AT&T coverage.

AT&T coverage by state
Check out this chart to see how AT&T has each state covered:
AT&T Coverage by State

 

State Percentage Covered Mile Covered (mi²)
Alaska 11.3% 66,986 mi²
Alabama 98.73% 51,101 mi²
Arkansas 99.15% 52,790 mi²
Arizona 59.41% 67,962 mi²
California 76.08% 120,516 mi²
Colorado 79.31% 82,700 mi²
Connecticut 99.98% 5,031 mi²
Delaware 99.99% 2,075 mi²
Florida 99.04% 58,118 mi²
Georgia 99.75% 58,118 mi²
Hawaii 93.48% 6,390 mi²
Iowa 90.86% 51,262 mi²
Idaho 65.72% 54,535 mi²
Illinois 99.74% 56,198 mi²
Indiana 99.99% 36,218 mi²
Kansas 99.84% 82,156 mi²
Kentucky 99.46% 40,177 mi²
Louisiana 98.91% 46,227 mi²
Massachusetts 99.86% 8,337 mi²
Maryland 98.41% 10,739 mi²
Maine 46.58% 15,563 mi²
Michigan 97.57% 58,180 mi²
Minnesota 97.36% 82,276 mi²
Missouri 98.02% 68,257 mi²
Mississippi 98.01% 46,743 mi²
Montana 68.40% 100,808 mi²
North Carolina 93.48% 47,301 mi²
North Dakota 97.42% 68,102 mi²
Nebraska 72.59% 56,546 mi²
New Hampshire 97.96% 9,457 mi²
New Jersey 99.99% 7,731 mi²
New Mexico 80.61% 96,757 mi²
Nevada 51.42% 57,263 mi²
New York 95.33% 46,680 mi²
Ohio 99.89% 41,297 mi²
Oklahoma 96.66% 67,556 mi²
Oregon 69.54% 67,605 mi²
Pennsylvania 95.39% 43,222 mi²
Rhode Island 99.95% 1,178 mi²
South Carolina 98.98% 30,900 mi²
South Dakota 99.09% 76,202 mi²
Tennessee 94% 39,583 mi²
Texas 96.61% 257,778 mi²
Utah 83.35% 69,010 mi²
Virginia 90.20% 36,811 mi²
Vermont 99.14% 9,534 mi²
Washington 79.33% 54,290 mi²
Wisconsin 91.45% 50,743 mi²
West Virginia 92.61% 22,426 mi²
Wyoming 54.63% 53,169 mi²

 

Pros and Cons of AT&T Coverage

As with any carrier, there are pros and cons to choosing an AT&T cell phone package, but the pros (such as great coverage, great features and international deals) often outweigh the cons, not the least of which is the higher price of AT&T packages.

Pros:
• AT&T’s 4G LTE network covers 68% of the U.S. and 5G coverage covers 29% of the country, with extremely fast 5G speeds, primarily in urban and suburban areas, and a robust 4G LTE network to fall back on.
• AT&T’s 5G network is available nationwide to customers with 5G phones and packages.
• AT&T’s latency is the lowest of the major carriers, meaning it has the shortest latency at less than 50 milliseconds.
• AT&T has partnered with T-Mobile to deliver the highest quality voice calls through apps like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger and Skype.
• AT&T has the fastest download speeds at 32.6Mbps (July 2020)
• With a large selection of postpaid and prepaid packages for a huge selection of wireless services, AT&T offers everything from comprehensive unlimited packages to prepaid limited data packages to fit your needs and budget.
• Like many major carriers, AT&T entices customers with its generous mobile data and hotspot tethering allowances. At the top end with AT&T’s Unlimited Premium plan, you’ll enjoy truly unrestricted premium data that doesn’t slow regardless of how much you use, along with a whopping 50GB mobile hotspot allocation.
Cons:

• AT&T has the lowest video experience ratings (lag, resolution, video load time, etc.) of the major carriers.
• AT&T phone packages can be expensive.
• AT&T’s 5G+ network is only available as a public hotspot in some areas.
• AT&T’s network is objectively strong, but it’s also right in the middle of its competitors—it falls behind Verizon’s in 4G coverage and behind T-Mobile’s in 5G coverage. Its plan prices are slightly lower than T-Mobile’s, but also slightly higher than Verizon’s—and you don’t get any included perks like you do from T-Mobile, or the option for add-ons like Verizon provides.

3. T-Mobile Coverage Map

T-Mobile’s 4G LTE coverage is currently the third-best in the country, behind Verizon and AT&T. Their 4G LTE network covers 62% of the United States, while its 5G network covers over 40% of the country.



Where is the best T-Mobile coverage?

You’ll find the best T-Mobile coverage in major cities and highly populated suburban areas, especially if you’re in the Eastern half of the U.S.
Here are the cities and states with the best 4G LTE T-Mobile coverage.

T-Mobile 4G coverage: Best states & cities

States Cities
Connecticut—98% Washington, D.C.—100%
New Jersey—98% Atlanta, GA—99.9%
Delaware—97% Fort Worth, TX—99.9%
South Carolina—80% New York, NY—99.9%
Indiana—95% Nashville, TN—99.8%

 

If you’re looking for 5G service from T-Mobile, here are the best places to find it.

T-Mobile 5G coverage: Best states & cities

 

States Cities
South Carolina—98% Washington, D.C.—100%
New Jersey—79% Indianapolis, IN—99.4%
Minnesota—77% Cincinnati, OH—99.7%
Indiana—74% Charlotte, NC—99.3%
North Carolina—72% Houston, TX—98.8%

 

Where does T-Mobile have the worst coverage?

the following states all have less than half their area covered by T-Mobile’s network:

Alaska: 0% coverage
Nebraska: 20% coverage
Oregon: 43% coverage
Maine: 43% coverage
West Virginia: 43% coverage

T-Mobile coverage by state
Curious how T-Mobile’s coverage compares state by state? Use this handy chart to get the quick rundown, and click on an individual state to check out our full coverage guide on it.

T-Mobile Coverage by State

State Percentage Covered Mile Covered (mi²)
Alabama 81.84% 42,362 mi²
Alaska 0% 0 mi²
Arizona 58.80% 67,267 mi²
Arkansas 89% 47,384 mi²
California 72.69% 112,804 mi²
Colorado 60.38% 62,951 mi²
Connecticut 98.44% 4,957 mi²
Delaware 96.83% 2,009 mi²
Florida 88.14% 51,178 mi²
Georgia 90.65% 53,450 mi²
Hawaii 63.06% 4,311 mi²
Idaho 50.36% 41,792 mi²
Illinois 86.11% 48,518 mi²
Indiana 95.87% 34,724 mi²
Iowa 65.35% 36,871 mi²
Kansas 86.07% 70,823 mi²
Kentucky 86.43% 34,901 mi²
Louisiana 92.31% 43,142 mi²
Maine 25.49% 8,516 mi²
Maryland 93.34% 10,187 mi²
Massachusetts 94.26% 7,870 mi²
Michigan 84.64% 50,470 mi²
Minnesota 87.60% 78,171 mi²
Mississippi 68.5% 32,667 mi²
Missouri 81.04% 56,434 mi²
Montana 57.56% 84,830 mi²
Nebraska 14.38% 11,200 mi²
Nevada 58.95% 65,646 mi²
New Hampshire 76.75% 7,405 mi²
New Jersey 97.85% 7,565 mi²
New Mexico 88.59% 106,322 mi²
New York 84.29% 41,270 mi²
North Carolina 83.20% 42,103 mi²
North Dakota 83.59% 47,103 mi²
Ohio 95.13% 39,189 mi²
Oklahoma 94.45% 66,012 mi²
Oregon 47.27% 45,949 mi²
Pennsylvania 92.94% 42,110 mi²
Rhode Island 91.44% 1,078 mi²
South Carolina 96.29% 30,060 mi²
South Dakota 76.21% 58,602 mi²
Tennessee 75.29% 31,704 mi²
Texas 85.92% 229,252 mi²
Utah 66.12% 55,161 mi²
Vermont 60.92% 5,858 mi²
Virginia 81.55% 33,277 mi²
Washington 62.86% 43,012 mi²
West Virginia 42.17% 10,214 mi²
Wisconsin 72.61% 40,672 mi²
Wyoming 52.28% 51,832 mi²

 

Pros and Cons of T-Mobile Coverage

There are many pros and cons to using a T-Mobile cell phone package, but the pros (such as great coverage, travel features, entertainment benefits, and total price) often outweigh the cons.

Pros:

• T-Mobile’s 4G LTE network covers 63% of the country.
• T-Mobile’s 5G network has the widest coverage, covering 37% of the U.S.
T-Mobile offers the best quality calls through voice calling apps like Skype, Facebook Messenger, and WhatsApp.
• T-Mobile has the fastest upload speeds, averaging 10.5Mbps.
• T-Mobile has the highest ranked gaming experience, which means less latency and better control.
• The phone has the best network performance with a fast 4G network. It also offers a variety of unlimited plans.
• T-Mobile packages are priced with taxes and fees included and tend to be a bit more affordable than Verizon and AT&T packages.
• Unlimited packages are more affordable than AT&T and Verizon, and come with a lot of perks!

Drawbacks:
• T-Mobile’s 3G network only covers 21% of the U.S.
• T-Mobile’s 4G coverage is uneven in parts of the West and Midwest. Coverage in rural areas is minimal, with a large gap from the Midwest to the West Coast.
• T-Mobile’s 5G speeds are fairly slow compared to other 5G networks.
• T-Mobile 4G LTE network coverage isn’t as good as the competition, though it depends on your area.

4. US Cellular Cell Phone Coverage Map

Sprint’s network coverage ranks fourth among all major cellular networks in the United States. With Sprint out of the picture, US Cellular is the fourth-largest mobile network with the least coverage footprint. Respectively, US Cellular’s 4G network covers about 10% of the country, with 5G covering even less.

Which Cell Phone Carrier Has the Most Cell Phone Coverage?

Just because one carrier has the most coverage, doesn’t mean they offer the best. To crown the carrier with the best coverage, we looked at Open Signal’s coverage availability analysis. It measures what proportion of time people have a network connection in the places they most commonly frequent.

Which Cell Phone Carrier Has the Best Nationwide Cell Phone Coverage?

For strictly 5G availability, T-Mobile is the champion, which is not surprising since they have the largest 5G coverage.

Overall, the choice of carrier will depend on factors such as the coverage in your area, the types of plans and features that are important to you, and your budget. It is important to compare the plans and coverage of each carrier before making a decision.

Now I’d like to hear from you. Which carrier do you use currently? Are you happy with your provider or are you considering one of the other Big Four? Do you have any advice for others who might be shopping for a wireless service? Sound off in the comments below.

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