Southeast Phoenix Valley Coverage Report

[Mobile Mike]

Well I'm back home is Southern California. Had a great time in Arizona, especially meeting Wiggy!

Now for the coverage report. As I alluded to in a different thread, there were some big surprises in the coverage levels of the different carriers in the Phoenix area. I was specifically in the Gilbert/Higley, Queen Creek, and Chandler areas. This area can be a black hole for some carriers. Here is what I discovered:

Verizon Wireless - Coverage was good to great depending on where I was. While staying at relative's houses in Higley/Queen Creek I had about 1 to 2 bars. Good enough to make calls, but there was a dropped call. It happened to be when I was talking to Wiggy. In other areas, the signal was full bars. This was seen in Ahwatukee/South Mountain, Downtown Phoenix, Glendale/Peoria, and Tempe. Most of Gilbert and Chandler were very strong as well. Overall a 4 out of 5.

T-Mobile - This was the biggest surprise. T-Mobile was the ONLY carrier with FULL SERVICE everywhere I travelled. Yes, there were signal fluctuations, but is was always very strong. Apparently the T-Mobile network is excellent in the Southeast Phoenix area. Inside my realtive's home, service was always full bars. When Wiggy and I drove through the different communities (those I mentioned in the VZW review), the signal was always full. I was stunned!! . Overall a 5 out of 5. Wow! I didn't expect this. EDGE service was up in SE Phoenix, but not at the airport.

Cingular - I don't have Cingular service, but my relatives did. Signal was weak. Mostly 1 to 2 bars at their house. Only when we forced their phones to the T-Mobile network did we see full service. Cingular is particularly weak in Higley/Queen Creek. Overall 2 out of 5 (this was how my relatives with Cingular felt, not me).

Sprint - One cousin of mine has Sprint, and it suffered the same as Verizon. One to two bars. I don't have Sprint, so I cannot give a more detailed review.

Alltel is an incumbant carrier in the Phoenix area, but no one I know has their service. I was able to purchase a V710 case at an Alltel store, so that worked out well.

No one I know has Nextel either, so I cannot give a coverage report for them either.

So there you go. This is what I experienced while in Phoenix. T-Mobile was the biggest, and most pleasant, surprise. WiggyFife can concur with a majority of my experiences considering he was a witness to the phone's readings. I had a great time even though it was over 100 degrees every day I was there. I plan on going back soon, maybe permanently...

[WiggyFife]

Awesome write-up, lbMike!!! I concur w/ all you said, & I did see it for myself.

That call that dropped that lb was referring to was sincerely a fluke though!!! For those who care, it was at the intersection of Alma School & Queen Creek, outside the Target Store. It really never happened before. It just figures it would hapeen whilst 1 cell phone aficianado talks to another cell phone aficianado from a Wireless forum!!!

It musta been rigged, I tell you!!!

[larry]

Remember that you can't go by just how many signal bars were showing. Each phone and manufacturer calibrates differently. One phone might continue to show full bars until -90 dbs while another might only show full bars until -75 dbs. Other factors such as EC/IO can be more important.

[Mobile Mike]

Originally Posted by larry

Remember that you can't go by just how many signal bars were showing. Each phone and manufacturer calibrates differently. One phone might continue to show full bars until -90 dbs while another might only show full bars until -75 dbs. Other factors such as EC/IO can be more important.

Larry, I can't disagree with you. I've never gone into the actual signal parameter mode on any of my phones. Also, I've never gotten into the super techical aspect of signal flux and dbs levels.

What I can say is that for the average "joe" who bases coverage on how many bars he sees on his phone, it was evident who was the strongest. My report, though, is not meant to be the authority on who is the best in the Phoenix area, just what I experienced when I was out there.

[azcellphonejunkie]

Originally Posted by lbmike212

Well I'm back home is Southern California. Had a great time in Arizona, especially meeting Wiggy!

Now for the coverage report. As I alluded to in a different thread, there were some big surprises in the coverage levels of the different carriers in the Phoenix area. I was specifically in the Gilbert/Higley, Queen Creek, and Chandler areas. This area can be a black hole for some carriers. Here is what I discovered:

Verizon Wireless - Coverage was good to great depending on where I was. While staying at relative's houses in Higley/Queen Creek I had about 1 to 2 bars. Good enough to make calls, but there was a dropped call. It happened to be when I was talking to Wiggy. In other areas, the signal was full bars. This was seen in Ahwatukee/South Mountain, Downtown Phoenix, Glendale/Peoria, and Tempe. Most of Gilbert and Chandler were very strong as well. Overall a 4 out of 5.

T-Mobile - This was the biggest surprise. T-Mobile was the ONLY carrier with FULL SERVICE everywhere I travelled. Yes, there were signal fluctuations, but is was always very strong. Apparently the T-Mobile network is excellent in the Southeast Phoenix area. Inside my realtive's home, service was always full bars. When Wiggy and I drove through the different communities (those I mentioned in the VZW review), the signal was always full. I was stunned!! . Overall a 5 out of 5. Wow! I didn't expect this. EDGE service was up in SE Phoenix, but not at the airport.

Cingular - I don't have Cingular service, but my relatives did. Signal was weak. Mostly 1 to 2 bars at their house. Only when we forced their phones to the T-Mobile network did we see full service. Cingular is particularly weak in Higley/Queen Creek. Overall 2 out of 5 (this was how my relatives with Cingular felt, not me).

Sprint - One cousin of mine has Sprint, and it suffered the same as Verizon. One to two bars. I don't have Sprint, so I cannot give a more detailed review.

Alltel is an incumbant carrier in the Phoenix area, but no one I know has their service. I was able to purchase a V710 case at an Alltel store, so that worked out well.

No one I know has Nextel either, so I cannot give a coverage report for them either.

So there you go. This is what I experienced while in Phoenix. T-Mobile was the biggest, and most pleasant, surprise. WiggyFife can concur with a majority of my experiences considering he was a witness to the phone's readings. I had a great time even though it was over 100 degrees every day I was there. I plan on going back soon, maybe permanently...

Great report, very infromative. Thanks!

On cingular's behalf, I can tell you that I don't have any issues with them here in Phoenix. I love the service, one of the best, most reliable ones I have used to date...

[Andy]

Originally Posted by lbmike212

Larry, I can't disagree with you. I've never gone into the actual signal parameter mode on any of my phones. Also, I've never gotten into the super techical aspect of signal flux and dbs levels.

What I can say is that for the average "joe" who bases coverage on how many bars he sees on his phone, it was evident who was the strongest. My report, though, is not meant to be the authority on who is the best in the Phoenix area, just what I experienced when I was out there.

So say the average Joe has a Sprint LG and Samsung phone. The Samsung will show full service when the LG has no bars. Which one is more accurate? The LG, but the average Joe will think the Samsung phone either works much better, or if they are comparing a Samsung Sprint against, say a Verizon, that Sprint is much better. I have personal experiences with Samsung vs. LG on Sprint.

[jimwayda]

One or two Sprint bars on one of the newer Sprint phones is as good as four to five over-inflated Verizon bars. Verizon is very liberal with the bar displays on the phones that they sell. You really cannot go by the bars and need to put the phone into test mode and read the DB level. I have done this test with a Sanyo 7400 on Sprint and a LG 6100 on Verizon and came to the aforementioned conclusion. YMMV may vary with different phones, but typically Verizon LG and Motorola phones have inflated signal meters. Notice all of the Verizon bars on the title of my message.

-jim

Originally Posted by Andy84094

So say the average Joe has a Sprint LG and Samsung phone. The Samsung will show full service when the LG has no bars. Which one is more accurate? The LG, but the average Joe will think the Samsung phone either works much better, or if they are comparing a Samsung Sprint against, say a Verizon, that Sprint is much better. I have personal experiences with Samsung vs. LG on Sprint.

[Andy]

Originally Posted by jimwayda

One or two Sprint bars on one of the newer Sprint phones is as good as four to five over-inflated Verizon bars. Verizon is very liberal with the bar displays on the phones that they sell. You really cannot go by the bars and need to put the phone into test mode and read the DB level. I have done this test with a Sanyo 7400 on Sprint and a LG 6100 on Verizon and came to the aforementioned conclusion. YMMV may vary with different phones, but typically Verizon LG and Motorola phones have inflated signal meters. Notice all of the Verizon bars on the title of my message.

-jim

Jim,
If it's your opinion that Verizon oferinflates their phones to overstate signals, then that's your opinion and it's fine. I have not experienced that, especially with Motorolas on Verizon, which I think are rather conservative, and Nokias are especially conservative, but if that's your opinion I'm not going to argue against that.

[Mobile Mike]

Originally Posted by azcellphonejunkie

Great report, very infromative. Thanks!

On cingular's behalf, I can tell you that I don't have any issues with them here in Phoenix. I love the service, one of the best, most reliable ones I have used to date...

I think it is just in the area my relatives live since neither Wiggy nor I had a Cingular phone to check signal as we drove around.

[jimwayda]

Andy,

Please understand that I am not trying to dis Verizon. The conclusion that I came to was a result of an experiment with two phones. I have much respect for Verizon as I was with them for over 10 years. (initially Pac Bell, Airtouch, and then Verizon). I was extremely satisfied with their service and would have stayed with them except that I purchased a new home in Laguna Niguel and they could not provide service there. Much to their credit, they sent a technician to check the signal level at my home and determined that it is unusable because they do not have a cell site in the area. As a result, they terminated my contract and I did not have to pay ETF. I was blown-away by the level of service!! Verizon cared enough about one customer to send a technician to check out the problem. No wonder they are rated #1 for customer service/tech support! They are a very professional organization with excellent coverage and service. I highly recommend them reglardless of the bar callibration of the signal meters.

Best Regards,

-jim

Originally Posted by Andy84094

Jim,
If it's your opinion that Verizon oferinflates their phones to overstate signals, then that's your opinion and it's fine. I have not experienced that, especially with Motorolas on Verizon, which I think are rather conservative, and Nokias are especially conservative, but if that's your opinion I'm not going to argue against that.

[Andy]

Originally Posted by jimwayda

Andy,

Please understand that I am not trying to dis Verizon. The conclusion that I came to was a result of an experiment with two phones. I have much respect for Verizon as I was with them for over 10 years. (initially Pac Bell, Airtouch, and then Verizon). I was extremely satisfied with their service and would have stayed with them except that I purchased a new home in Laguna Niguel and they could not provide service there. Much to their credit, they sent a technician to check the signal level at my home and determined that it is unusable because they do not have a cell site in the area. As a result, they terminated my contract and I did not have to pay ETF. I was blown-away by the level of service!! Verizon cared enough about one customer to send a technician to check out the problem. No wonder they are rated #1 for customer service/tech support! They are a very professional organization with excellent coverage and service. I highly recommend them reglardless of the bar callibration of the signal meters.

Best Regards,

-jim

Oh I totally understand and I'm glad that Verizon did at least provide you with great customer service and let you out of your contract for free. I was just a little amazed at your comment about Verizon overstating the signal. You can argue that for some phones for every carrier; I gave a Samsung example for Sprint that would show full bars with -100dBm signal strength...
Bars don't mean a thing Cingular phones here have bars but don't work or are garbled all the time.

[Mobile Mike]

Originally Posted by Andy84094

Oh I totally understand and I'm glad that Verizon did at least provide you with great customer service and let you out of your contract for free. I was just a little amazed at your comment about Verizon overstating the signal. You can argue that for some phones for every carrier; I gave a Samsung example for Sprint that would show full bars with -100dBm signal strength...
Bars don't mean a thing Cingular phones here have bars but don't work or are garbled all the time.

True, but the illusion of a strong signal is oh-so appealing( ). Gotta love those signal bars.

[WiggyFife]

Originally Posted by lbmike212

True, but the illusion of a strong signal is oh-so appealing( ). Gotta love those signal bars.

all this bars-speak!!! I'm feeling _______ic right about now!!! Lead me to your Bars!!!

[Mobile Mike]

Originally Posted by WiggyFife

all this bars-speak!!! I'm feeling _______ic right about now!!! Lead me to your Bars!!!

Now, now, Wiggy, don't forget about those "12 steps"...

[WiggyFife]

Originally Posted by lbmike212

Now, now, Wiggy, don't forget about those "12 steps"...

"Hi!!! I'm the Wiggy... & I'm heavily addicted to Bars!!! I have a serious affliction!!!"

[jones]

Originally Posted by WiggyFife

all this bars-speak!!! I'm feeling _______ic right about now!!! Lead me to your Bars!!!

Singles Bar, Double Bars,
Three way or anything Goes Bar?

[WiggyFife]

Originally Posted by jones

Singles Bar, Double Bars,
Three way or anything Goes Bar?

yayeah!!! Those all sound good about now!!! So does a Candy Bar too!!!

[azcellphonejunkie]

Originally Posted by WiggyFife

yayeah!!! Those all sound good about now!!! So does a Candy Bar too!!!

I think we need to get you out more wiggy!

[josephd]

Originally Posted by azcellphonejunkie

Great report, very infromative. Thanks!

On cingular's behalf, I can tell you that I don't have any issues with them here in Phoenix. I love the service, one of the best, most reliable ones I have used to date...

That's also due to the fact you have the infamous 6230 Too bad Cingular discontinued it I tried to get one but it had issues with firmware and the phone freezing up, but it was rated tops in RF, I am still trying to purchase one but do not like the cost.