Verizon in Madison,WI

[sillybilly]

Does anybody know how Verizon coverage in the Madison,Wi area is? Is it any good? Thinking of switching or picking up a Verizon plan as a second phone. I'm happy with USCC but I'm upcessed with cell phones and can't wait for US Cellular to catch up with Sprint and Verizon!! Any input would help!

[BigDude]

I live about 30 miles from Madison in rural WI. VZW coverage is excellent all over the so 2/3 of the state. My son has ATT and has many more dead zones. In WI VZW is the best followed by cingular.

[Hckymeyer]

I live in Sun Prairie, Wi. About 5 minutes from Madison and Verizon is wonderful there. I don't think there are any dead zones in the entire lower half of the state. I would highly recommend using Verizon in Madison

[sillybilly]

I also live in Sun Prairie,WI and I'm wondering if I should give Verizon a try. It is great to hear that VZW works good there. I wish the wireless companys would quit draging their feet and get that system going where you can take your cell number when you switch wireless companys!! I've had the same number for over 4 years and I would hate to lose it.

[sillybilly]

Also, anybody know if the "Free-up" coverage area is less in Madison,WI compared to one of their local plans? Can't really afford another monthly bill. Should I give Free-up a try?

[sillybilly]

[cryogenic]

If the local coverage area includes any roaming on partner systems (Sprint or US Cellular), you won't get coverage in those areas on FreeUP... FreeUP only includes coverage on VZW's systems... well, that's only half true.. Roaming on other systems is allowed, but costs $0.99 a minute. Anyway, FreeUP standard rates only apply while on the VZW network.

[Cubs619]

As a follow up to this question, does anybody know what the digital-only coverage is like in and around Madison? Does anybody with Verizon in this area have the phone switch into analog mode? I keep going back and forth between the a530 and vx4400 - I really want the a530 (digital-only) but the vx4400 is tri-mode.

[Codepyro]

i thought this little newbit might interesting to all you WI cell users

-- Additional cities in Verizon Wireless' footprint now enjoying
digital service include Basin, Buffalo, Burlington, Cody,
Garland, Gillette, Greybull, Laramie, Lovell, Lyman,
Manderson, Meeteetse, Newcastle, Powell, Rawlings, Riverton,
Rock Springs, Sheridan, Sundance, Thermopolis, Worland and
Wright.

In a continuing effort to provide the best wireless service for local residents, Verizon Wireless, the nation's largest wireless provider, has expanded its digital network in Wyoming to include cities from Cody to Gillette. Customers using analog phones in the communities can continue to enjoy their existing coverage, but they now have the option to upgrade to a digital phone. Digital service offers customers a long list of benefits, including superior voice quality, longer battery life, Caller ID and enhanced privacy.
"We are excited to be able to offer more Wyoming customers the freedom and flexibility digital service brings," said Kelley Kurtzman, regional president for Verizon Wireless, Northwest Region. "And we are committed to future service enhancements in Wyoming that will provide wireless data capabilities."
This Wyoming digital conversion is linked to the company's $7 million plus investment in the state so far this year and the company's national $4 billion investment to improve and extend the reach of its nationwide network.

[Jimi77]

Thanks for the update Codepyro, but I've got bad news....

"-- Additional cities in Verizon Wireless' footprint now enjoying
digital service include Basin, Buffalo, Burlington, Cody,
Garland, Gillette, Greybull, Laramie, Lovell, Lyman,
Manderson, Meeteetse, Newcastle, Powell, Rawlings, Riverton,
Rock Springs, Sheridan, Sundance, Thermopolis, Worland and
Wright. "


Those are all cities in Wyoming, WY. Not Wisconsin, WI.

[Schlanger]

I live in Janesville, about 30 minutes south of Madison. I have Cingular right now and I get very bad service, so I'm thinking of dumping them and going with Verizon or AT&T. Any suggestions? Are either of those good in this town?

[Codepyro]

ohh man wrong state =]

[Hillbillyme1]

I'm not sure of VeriZon's coverage in Wisconsin...I have heard (like most companies here) that when you get over twards Dodgeville, Mineral Point area the coverage can be spotty..unless your on US Cell, but around the Metro areas I have heard VZ is a good service, in all honesty ,,,for the price and coverage question stick with US Cell even if you decide to go with another company keep a US Cell pre pay with you...I have heard of poor coverage for Cingular, Sprint, VeriZon, ATT & T-Mobile (Personaly I know of it ...I get out north of Leeds following 51 north and I loose T-Mobile signal and don't get it back till I reach Plover, same thing around Mt. Horeb goin to Dodgeville)

[Cody]

This is a touch unrelated, but I recently took a trip to Dodgeville/Mount Horeb area and the Cave of the Mounds... I took my AT&T 3360 cell phone with (obviously) and the only time I didn't have service was in the cave. The rest was Extended Area/AT&T (I.E. covered under my plan).

Just a tidbit

Cody