If you lived in Asheville, what cell phone provider would you use? (Charlotte: leases, live in)

[BloodOxide]

I will be moving to Asheville in in a couple months and i am currently up for a new phone. I live in Michigan now and by far Verizon owns market share, is it like that in NC?

[mm34b]

No problem with Verizon Wireless for me. Alltel seems to be decent too. Alltel and Verizon are merging in a few months, subject to obtaining regulatory approvals. Both companies use 850 MHz - Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) technology, which seems to work well in a mountainous environment with it's longer range.

[Asheville Native]

EVERY cell phone provider had dead spots here. There is no one service that is best. People with emergency services carry two phones from different carriers in an attempt to have coverage in most places. Cellular is basically 'line of sight' coverage, and signals do not penetrate mountains.

[Kootr]

Originally Posted by Asheville Native

EVERY cell phone provider had dead spots here. There is no one service that is best. People with emergency services carry two phones from different carriers in an attempt to have coverage in most places. Cellular is basically 'line of sight' coverage, and signals do not penetrate mountains.

Very true, which can be very frustrating and also potentially harmful if you need emergency help. I've noticed coverage can be very sparse even in heavily traveled areas where many businesses are located.

[Halo_in_reverse]

I use Sprint but, there is this annoying dead spot on I-26 at the Rest Areas where my phone always drops calls. I do have a tendency to occasionally drop calls just out and about but, for the most part it's pretty good in that department. Oh, and If I'm coming back from Charlotte via 74 through Rutherford County almost the whole way between Forest City and the 74/26 interchange I can't get service (not even roaming). I've heard Verizon does a good job on coverage.

[histo320]

I use Verizon, there are a few dead spots here and there but hasn't caused me much trouble. I do have problems on the parkway keeping my signal.

[VBmom]

I use Verizon as well. The only problem I have had was around Linville.

[slaz]

If i remember right US Cellular has more towers and leases to Verizon and others. Because each carrier has the phones set to use the primary carrier first you can have a very weak signal and be very close to another providers tower. Switching to roam only in an emergency if you have no signal can sometimes get you a full signal. I know this works in many locations but you need to make sure you have a roaming plan or you'll pay for roaming. If I had a choice of providers I'd go with US Cellular for coverage but for sake of getting mobile to mobile free i'd go with Verizon as it seems more people use them.

[mtnhops]

Verizon is definitely the best.

[etta]

I had US Cellular & Verizon & never had any trouble with either of them. I had a friend who used T mobile & could barely receive a signal.