Verizon or AT&T in the Triangle? (Chapel Hill: chapel, home)

[hackwriter]

I am in the market for a new smartphone. I am here in NJ currently on Verizon, planning to move to NC next spring. My sister, who is in Chapel Hill, uses AT&T.

I don't want to spend $700 on a new phone (I want to keep my unlimited data plan) with Verizon and then find that Verizon doesn't have good coverage in the Triangle and have to switch to AT&T when I move. From what I've read, unlocked phones can't switch between AT&T and Verizon.

Which has better coverage in the Triangle?

[MikeJaquish]

Verizon is generally recognized as having better coverage.
But the difference between the two is not huge.
I have been on ATT for a couple of years, and don't have issues.

Moving from Sprint, ATT was more agreeable to me, and less expensive than Verizon.
In your situation, though, I would probably stay with Verizon. You won't find better coverage.

[carolinadawg2]

Coverage Locator

[MikeJaquish]

AT&T Maps - Wireless Coverage Map for Voice and Data Coverage from AT&T

So the difference is not huge. No hassle of changing carriers probably means sticking with Verizon.

[PDF]

Originally Posted by MikeJaquish

AT&T Maps - Wireless Coverage Map for Voice and Data Coverage from AT&T

So the difference is not huge. No hassle of changing carriers probably means sticking with Verizon.

Agreed. Stick with Verizon.

[ReachTheBeach]

IME around town coverage is about equal (both fine pretty much everywhere). If you spend any time in the less populated areas down east, Verizon crushes AT&T though. The downside is they are pretty proud of their coverage. Every time I run a comparison I could save a few dollars with other carriers. But only a few dollars and I do spend some time in areas where I get coverage and others don't.

[carolinadawg2]

I recently signed up for Total Wireless. It uses Verizon's network and I get unlimited talk and text, and 2.5 gigs of data for $35 a month.

[apexgds]

Both providers have sufficient coverage around the Triangle. What it will come down to though is the coverage in your own home, wherever you finally settle (especially if you use your mobile as your primary phone). I had AT&T and was pretty happy with the coverage. I had an opportunity to switch to Verizon to be on a friends and family account (at a significant savings), and everyone told me how great the coverage is. And yeah, it seems to be great coverage ... except for in my house. I was constantly dropping calls. I had to spend $200+ on a range extender.

So basically, either provider is fine in the Triangle, but you may move here and find that you need to switch anyway because of your specific location. There isn't really any way to plan for that, so I would suggest sticking with Verizon for now, and crossing that particular bridge once you get here.

[Ed_RDNC]

Originally Posted by apexgds

Both providers have sufficient coverage around the Triangle. What it will come down to though is the coverage in your own home, wherever you finally settle (especially if you use your mobile as your primary phone). I had AT&T and was pretty happy with the coverage. I had an opportunity to switch to Verizon to be on a friends and family account (at a significant savings), and everyone told me how great the coverage is. And yeah, it seems to be great coverage ... except for in my house. I was constantly dropping calls. I had to spend $200+ on a range extender.

So basically, either provider is fine in the Triangle, but you may move here and find that you need to switch anyway because of your specific location. There isn't really any way to plan for that, so I would suggest sticking with Verizon for now, and crossing that particular bridge once you get here.

+1 on the MUST need to verify the LOCAL coverage where you will need it the most.
Beg, borrow, load a phone from the service you are considering and check the signal and make a few calls from your Home, and from your Work locations.

The coverage maps are NOT based on block-by-block measurements by calibrated and independent FCC trucks. They are generalized shapes based on simple math and simpler guesses. (Being sarcastic here, but I've been surprised by some who think the maps are precise).

I know two different people who had AT&T and ended up having to change providers as they lived in local 'shadows' where their home signal wasn't strong enough for calls, and they didn't want to spend the extra $$$ (several hundred dollars), for a signal booster.

[Vatnos]

T-Mobile. Granted my concern was purely data and not coverage.