T-Mobile Personal Coverage Check

[Matt]

It's now available for everyone here:

http://www.t-mobile.com/coverage/

That's the regular TM coverage page so you might have to refresh your browser.

[Shizam76]

Very cool! Now I wish the other carriers will follow and allow us access through their websites too.....

[AnthroMatt]

Hooray to T-Mobile for making this public.

I agree, I'd like to see other carriers follow suit.

[Matt]

It's still in test mode so you might not see it.

Or, just click here

http://compass.t-mobile.com/Compass2/mappage.asp

[azcellphonejunkie]

Originally Posted by Matt

It's still in test mode so you might not see it.

Or, just click here

http://compass.t-mobile.com/Compass2/mappage.asp

That one worked for me, the other site still has the old not detailed maps. May be my browser though...

[Matt]

You're not seeing it on the regular coverage site since it is still in test mode. Whether or not you see it then is random, for now.

[Andy]

Looks like the only thing this compass map doesn't have compared to the one for employees is the 'T' that stands for new sites added.

[azcellphonejunkie]

Originally Posted by Andy84094

Looks like the only thing this compass map doesn't have compared to the one for employees is the 'T' that stands for new sites added.

I noticed that too, but on the employee map site, I never saw one T on the map in the Phoenix area!

[Andy]

I have yet to see a 'T' anywhere I've looked at coverage yet on the employees site.

[azcellphonejunkie]

Originally Posted by Andy84094

I have yet to see a 'T' anywhere I've looked at coverage yet on the employees site.

I think it's a conspiracy to make employees think they are installing towers around the country when they really aren't!

[Matt]

There are a bunch near me

[EdwardP]

I have no idea where the towers are located near me, but since I've had the T-Mobile To Go phone (July 2004), in 99% of the areas I've traveled, the Nokia has displayed full signal strength. There was that one dead spot along Route 128 (Lynnfield/Wakefield, MA) which has improved.

And...there is that other intersection I go through... The T-Mobile phone displays either 6 or 7 bars. In comparison, the Verizon phone displays between 4 and 6 bars.

I won't bore anyone on what the Cingular phone did at the same intersection...

[MOTOhooligan]

These maps are great! Finally, a carrier giving customers projected maps of actual coverage as opposed to where the carrier could have service. Outstanding, T-Mobile!

[azcellphonejunkie]

Originally Posted by rancidhooligan

These maps are great! Finally, a carrier giving customers projected maps of actual coverage as opposed to where the carrier could have service. Outstanding, T-Mobile!

From my experience with them too, I can vouch that they are pretty acurate. I also looked at some of the areas that I know have BDA's and they even have that coverage listed as well. For example, if you look at a mall that has good coverage inside, then look at the coverage map, you can sometimes see a bright yellow area where that BDA is located on the property! Pretty neat stuff!

[Matt]

I like the maps. I thought about it for a while - why would T-Mobile, the company without the greatest coverage (compared to other companies, but for many people like me it is excellent) put their maps out for all to see? Wouldn't that cut down on new subscribers? It might, but from a financial point of view that could be a good thing. T-Mobile won't be spending a lot of money on a customer who will only churn after one year, but potentially sign up a customer if they see that TM does in fact meet their needs.

[azcellphonejunkie]

Originally Posted by Matt

I like the maps. I thought about it for a while - why would T-Mobile, the company without the greatest coverage (compared to other companies, but for many people like me it is excellent) put their maps out for all to see? Wouldn't that cut down on new subscribers? It might, but from a financial point of view that could be a good thing. T-Mobile won't be spending a lot of money on a customer who will only churn after one year, but potentially sign up a customer if they see that TM does in fact meet their needs.

I see it as kindof a reverse psychology tool. A potential customer sees the maps and thinks, "well at least they are being very honest about coverage" and maybe gives them a shot because they have coverage in his or her area. This person may have areas that are problems, but then looks it up on the coverage locator and realizes that they show it as a problem area. This differs from the others who have the huge maps that show coverage in his or her area, but aren't as detailed and get frustrated because it feels like a crap shoot if they will have coverage or not...

[EdwardP]

Originally Posted by Matt

There are a bunch near me

There are two towers on the hill behind the Wal Mart across the road from me, I am within line-of-sight of them. T-Mobile obviously has equipment on one of them. This explains the full signal strength I receive when the phone is in the basement.

The map on the Personal Coverage Check site is very accurate. It's a very useful tool and I'm pleased that they've made it available

[Andy]

Originally Posted by azcellphonejunkie

For example, if you look at a mall that has good coverage inside, then look at the coverage map, you can sometimes see a bright yellow area where that BDA is located on the property! Pretty neat stuff!

Sorry, AZ, I don't seem to be following what you mean by this...could you please further elaborate?
Thanks,
Andy

[EdwardP]

Originally Posted by Andy84094

Sorry, AZ, I don't seem to be following what you mean by this...could you please further elaborate?
Thanks,
Andy

I think AZ is referring to instances where the mobile carrier has equipment right on the mall property (or perhaps inside the mall), resulting in a strong signal..

I just pulled up a coverage map which included both of the local malls on the same map. Coverage listed as Great.

[azcellphonejunkie]

Originally Posted by Andy84094

Sorry, AZ, I don't seem to be following what you mean by this...could you please further elaborate?
Thanks,
Andy

OK check out the attachment. The Bright yellow gold square in the middle is the mall. See how the Bi-directional Amplifier gives the mall good signal but the area around is only fair. That is what I am talking about. The maps are very accurate.