[dsphil1338]

I will be relocating to McAlester in September and was wondering what everyone recommends for the best cellular service. I am looking at AT&T as well as US Cellular. AT&T's plans fit me better, but it looks like US Cellular has them beat with coverage in that part of the state.

If anyone can share experiences with the service it would be great. I know the coverage maps are best case, so I want to hear real world experience. Thanks.

[Talisman09]

dsphil1338 -

I have AT&T and have used that service provider for some time now. My experience has been the further south and east you travel from McAlester the spottier the cell coverage. You will be pretty much on the edge of coverage with AT&T particularly in the mountainous areas of the state. As an example, when traveling from Big Mac to Talihina, you loose cell coverage just east of Hartshorne, pick it up reasonably well about two miles out of Talihina, that is a huge gap in service if you need it. Sometimes you will connect to another service provider in the southeast area known as "Pine Cellular".

Traveling from Talihina toward the east is fair since the local area cell tower's antennas are directed toward the east. Dropping to the south along hwy 259 traveling toward Broken Bow is spotty again and you usually cannot pick up a signal until entering the Smithville area.

Other people may have better results than I if they are using another service provider. Traveling along the main transportation corridors like the turnpikes you should expect uninterrupted service.

[debbie at bouontiful]

Very spottie west of McAlester. My cell phone only works upstairs of my two story house. I am about 16 miles west of McAlester off of 270. It is better since I switch to Trackphone but only a little better.

[curtis mclain]

I worked satellite instillations for a good while in that area i have AT&T and in rural areas it gets really spotty i noticed that techs with Alltel had much better luck with signal than I did .
Also from both companies you can buy a base for $300 that improves signal strength within a 10 foot radius of that base. if u get a converter for your car u can plug it into that.
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[Talisman09]

Actually, smoke signals work better than cell phones over here in Leflore County.

[debbie at bouontiful]

Originally Posted by Talisman09

Actually, smoke signals work better than cell phones over here in Leflore County.