Reliable mobile phone service?

[Xa'at]

I got kicked out of the new AT&T store for setting off the alarms. I had noticed that the example iPhone was plugged into the wall with a cord that look like a normal telephone cable. I was like, "WTF?" so I unplugged it. The store was packed and suddenly, when the alarms start going off, everyone was looking at me. I think they were also mad because I was making calls on their example phones.
True story.

It's interesting to see, in the paper, the advertisement battle that ACS and AT&T Alaskcom have gotten into. I have AT&T and the people have been a little difficult to deal with, just some customer service stuff.

[DreamWeavin]

OMG!!! LMAO..........you are a hoot girl!

Originally Posted by Xa'at

I got kicked out of the new AT&T store for setting off the alarms. I had noticed that the example iPhone was plugged into the wall with a cord that look like a normal telephone cable. I was like, "WTF?" so I unplugged it. The store was packed and suddenly, when the alarms start going off, everyone was looking at me. I think they were also mad because I was making calls on their example phones.
True story.

It's interesting to see, in the paper, the advertisement battle that ACS and AT&T Alaskcom have gotten into. I have AT&T and the people have been a little difficult to deal with, just some customer service stuff.

[DreamWeavin]

you guys always(normally,usually) make me laugh so much

Originally Posted by akck

At least you have a phone. I had one for about 3 months, then a son came home from college and got it because it was the number his friends knew (we were able to get an old number back).

[Barkingowl]

I dislike AT&T.

[Xa'at]

Originally Posted by Barkingowl

I dislike AT&T.

That is HILARIOUS!!
Unfortunately, no one phone company is better or worse about that. I don't blame the government spying on us on any of the phone companies, I blame it on the government.

AT&T Alascom does have better reception in some places, by the way.

[rotorhead]

Has anybody had much experience trying to use a cell phone traveling through Canada? We drove the AlCan up from the Sweetgrass MT crossing last fall, and just recently through the Yukon from Haines to Anchorage and our coverage with Verizon phones was really spotty. They worked fine up till maybe somewhere in BC, and not at all in the Yukon, even where we could see cell towers. Didn't start working until we got literally right in town in Haines. On the way to ANC same thing in reverse, started working again around Glenallen, no luck at all in Tok.

I have no idea which system Verizon uses, we stick with them mostly from habit since we had them when we move up here this time round. They show "extended service area" or "roaming" in Haines, but our bills never show any roaming time (though they did through southern Canada).

[DreamWeavin]

we just crossed through from Montana and had NO cell coverage. I have never spoken with anyone who has had cell coverage in those areas.

Originally Posted by rotorhead

Has anybody had much experience trying to use a cell phone traveling through Canada? We drove the AlCan up from the Sweetgrass MT crossing last fall, and just recently through the Yukon from Haines to Anchorage and our coverage with Verizon phones was really spotty. They worked fine up till maybe somewhere in BC, and not at all in the Yukon, even where we could see cell towers. Didn't start working until we got literally right in town in Haines. On the way to ANC same thing in reverse, started working again around Glenallen, no luck at all in Tok.

I have no idea which system Verizon uses, we stick with them mostly from habit since we had them when we move up here this time round. They show "extended service area" or "roaming" in Haines, but our bills never show any roaming time (though they did through southern Canada).

[Barkingowl]

Strangely the one place my phone refuses to find a signal is in Bowling Green, KY.

[Xa'at]

Originally Posted by Barkingowl

Strangely the one place my phone refuses to find a signal is in Bowling Green, KY.

I've never had a cellular problem in BG.
In Juneau there's generally fairly good reception. Past Auke Rec out the road it goes away, and there are some areas that are kind of spotty, but other than that it's not a big deal.

[ASpilot2be]

Originally Posted by Xa'at

I've never had a cellular problem in BG.
In Juneau there's generally fairly good reception. Past Auke Rec out the road it goes away, and there are some areas that are kind of spotty, but other than that it's not a big deal.

Yeah, I have noticed it is hard to make a phone call on the ferry sometime.

Originally Posted by rotorhead

Has anybody had much experience trying to use a cell phone traveling through Canada? We drove the AlCan up from the Sweetgrass MT crossing last fall, and just recently through the Yukon from Haines to Anchorage and our coverage with Verizon phones was really spotty. They worked fine up till maybe somewhere in BC, and not at all in the Yukon, even where we could see cell towers. Didn't start working until we got literally right in town in Haines. On the way to ANC same thing in reverse, started working again around Glenallen, no luck at all in Tok.

I have no idea which system Verizon uses, we stick with them mostly from habit since we had them when we move up here this time round. They show "extended service area" or "roaming" in Haines, but our bills never show any roaming time (though they did through southern Canada).

When I drove North and South, I had service in Tok. Our phones will have some coverage at 10 mile. When we go moose hunting, my dad can climb a tree and make phone calls.