Free State Wyoming Forum
Wyoming Research and Information => General Wyoming Living Information => Topic started by: DontFenceMeIn on April 30, 2012, 06:53:24 PM
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Which cell phones carriers are most reliable for NE Wyoming?
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AT&T seems to do okay. Depends on where you are.
Cell boosters are recommended if you're in the boonies.
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I had a Sprint phone on my trip to Newcastle & it worked but was always roamming. Not a problem for my "plan" but still annoying.
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In general, I've found Verizon to have the best average/aggregate coverage.
However, I have Union Wireless (GSM (AT&T) system) because I live in a Verizon Hole and don't have a wireline.
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Both Net10 and Tracphone pre-paid have worked well for me all over the north and south east portions of Wyoming and NW South Dakota, as well as in S. California.
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Both Net10 and Tracphone pre-paid have worked well for me all over the north and south east portions of Wyoming and NW South Dakota, as well as in S. California.
Net10 & Trackfone use Verizon cell towers in WY.
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I use AT&T and the Verizon tower in Upton is 1 mile from my house. Due to the thick trees, however, I only get half strength service. There are also dead zones between towers - like anywhere else.
Over all, AT&T is pretty good but as mjolnir mentioned, get a signal booster if you are very rural (and shop around; they are pricey).
Kelly
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It depends where you're at. At my house I don't get AT&T and I do get one or two bars on Verizon.
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Net10 & Trackfone use Verizon cell towers in WY.
I understand that they use whatever towers are available, not just those of one company. In any case, I've had no trouble with them.
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It all depends on the local contracts.
In the Chicago area, they use(d?) the AT&T towers and provided SIM/GSM phones. My wife still uses a GSM Tracfone here (with a 219 area code)
If you want to purchase a tracfone locally however, it's CDMA/Verizon (no SIM chip).
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thanks for the input, it is much appreciated
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I only have a simple Virgin Mobile cell phone and am not sure of its coverage, so I may want to buy a prepaid one for the Jam trip in case I want to call the chicken sitter. Where does one buy prepaid cell phones anyway?
KK
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Stop n’ Go.
Use FRN’s to buy it if you have the option. Anonymity is one of the benefits of pre-paids, grasp the concept. While you’re in WY scouting around, pull the battery on your cell, better yet, leave it on and at home, your trip will only be tracked in your memory and notes then.
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Where does one buy prepaid cell phones anyway?
Spouse and I junked our AT&T cell service a year ago, we went to a Radio Shack store and bought two Tracfones. We've found the service coverage to be possibly a bit better than the AT&T service. No, we do not text very often and we seldom use the things for anything besides making telephone calls !
Yes, these phones work just fine in Crook and Weston counties.
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Thanks, guys, for the advice!
KK
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Look at Net10 too. Per call rate is less than Tracphone. I've had both.
And why would anyone want to leave it at home when they travel, KTKEWW? The whole point of having it, for me, is the ability to call for help if necessary, or to let people know I'll be late or whatever.
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ML, I meant to leave your daily carry phone that has a contract and built in tracking device in it. Only carry the PP phone during your trip. Have you ever seen the type of map that can be developed from the data collected on todays smart, and dumb, phones?
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ML, I meant to leave your daily carry phone that has a contract and built in tracking device in it. Only carry the PP phone during your trip. Have you ever seen the type of map that can be developed from the data collected on todays smart, and dumb, phones?
Oh, OK. :) Don't have any cell phone except the trackphone, and I only activate that when I'm going to travel. I can't understand much of what anyone is saying over one of those cell things anyway, so it's only good for emergencies.
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Thats why you buy a track phone, Use it for a few months then throw it in the back of a pickup with out of state plates.
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Where does one buy prepaid cell phones anyway?
King Soopers, Safeway, Walgreens and most 7/11's have them. The phones are maybe $15, then you buy a card with whatever amount of minutes you want/need for your trip (a $20 card will do you fine for a weekend). Pay cash for both items in a single purchase (if you buy other stuff, have them ring it up on a separate receipt).
Don't activate the phone/minutes card from your personal daily cell or landline, if you have one. Instead, plug in the phone and let it charge up, then use the instructions in the booklet to add minutes (it's easy, you press * something, depending on the brand you buy). If an operator comes on the line and asks your zip and name or any other personal info, just make it up- they don't care and they have no way to verify anyway. "My name is Marilyn Monroe, zip: 90210".
As for taking pictures on the trip, two suggestions:
1. Disposable cameras are inexpensive and have no digital tracking/record as to where you took the pictures. (This is very important because if you scan any into your computer later, for whatever reason, the longitude/latitude won't show up in the picture's permanant record.) Obviously, picture quality will be a little lower, but not "bad' by any means. Plus- they're fun!
2. Be consious of taking landscape pictures that include people who aren't close, personal friends. If you decide to show/share pictures when you get home (Facebook, whatever), you might find some people unhappy with their picture on your social networking site *especially* if they have kids or their kids wind up in your pictures. Just a head up, as many people- not just in Wyoming- are concerned with their internet safety.
It never hurts to ask someone before you take a snapshot, "do you mind if you're included in this picture?". In fact, they'll probably appreciate it.
Fifty bucks cash will get you a phone, minutes, and one or two disposable cameras. WELL worth the investment.
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Great info, all. Special thanks to AIM for the Colorado stores.
KK
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You can buy at wall mart too.
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Thanks CrappieWY. I think I figured out why you use that moniker...so others won't go to Wyoming? :o
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Crappie is a fish.
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CWY: Crappie is a fish.
Ohhhhhh! ;D ;D ;D
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We have Straight Talk phones that work well up here. Picked them up at WalMart in CO before we moved up. You can buy the phones and cards with cash, and use the automated system to start it up/add minutes without giving out your info.
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Stop n’ Go.
While you’re in WY scouting around, pull the battery on your cell, better yet, leave it on and at home, your trip will only be tracked in your memory and notes then.
Mine lives in a .30 caliber steel ammo can. It serves nicely as a Faraday cage, and blocks signals to and from towers nicely.