cell phone service in Iowa (Des Moines, Cedar Rapids: relocating, work, company)

[mrkade]

My wife and I are planning on relocating to Des Moines, Iowa. We currently have a verizon phone that is out of contract and we are leaning toward a T-mobile phone. How is the service in Iowa? Which would you recommend?
We are also thinking of opening a T-Mobile store. Any advice, and experience would be appreciated. Thanks

[Luke9686]

Des Moines has all the major service providers. I would go with Verizon or Sprint, as it seems the majority of people have either one.

[ic-epi]

Most of the big companies would be fine in Des Moines; the problem comes when you go outside of the area. In my experience US Cellular is the only company that gets decent service most of the time in the rural areas. Others do well in some parts and less well in others. We live about 20 minutes from Iowa City in a rural community and got no reception with Verizon. We have no problems with US Cellular.

I've actually never heard of T-mobile, so I don't know how much coverage would be in Iowa. I would guess not much.

[Tek_Freek]

I've had Verizon forever (at least it feels like it) and I've had no problems yet. I do computer consulting and end up out in the boonies a lot. I think I had one area where reception was weak, but I walked 15 feet and it came back.

Don't know a thing about T-Mobile.

[Luke9686]

I had T-Mobile for a year awhile back. The service at that time was not impressive. I would be in the middle of the city and there were spots where there was no service at all. I didn't like T-Mobile when I had it, it may have changed though.

[Yorkie_Mom]

Originally Posted by ic-epi

Most of the big companies would be fine in Des Moines; the problem comes when you go outside of the area. In my experience US Cellular is the only company that gets decent service most of the time in the rural areas. Others do well in some parts and less well in others. We live about 20 minutes from Iowa City in a rural community and got no reception with Verizon. We have no problems with US Cellular.

I've actually never heard of T-mobile, so I don't know how much coverage would be in Iowa. I would guess not much.

I agree with this person, my sister lives in the sticks in Iowa, her phone service works the best with US Cellular, she said all the other ones wouldn't work in her area, but now she can go anywhere and have good contact. I hope this helps. Yorkie

[mrkade]

Thank you all for the info. As I have researched this I have come to the some conclusions. Thanks for your help.
Mrkade

[GeoMapster]

Yes, US Cellular works great in Eastern Iowa as well as statewide. I heard about T-Mobile that don't serve in Eastern Iowa except big cities such as Cedar Rapids. I wish I could have T-Mobile for Sidekick since I am deaf. Right now, I am using US Cellular since 2003.