Verizon service at the Grand Canyon

[azcellphonejunkie]

Over the last weekend, I took a trip to the Kaibab and the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. What I found was that the map Verizon has depicting thier coverage is a little off. It showed that I should have had digital service in almost all of the areas where I travelled. On the Kaibab plateau, I rarely had any signal, and the places I did such as the Jacob Lake Inn where I stayed, was not usable. It showed analog service, but with 0 bars, and was not able to place a call. On the contrary, when I forced my sprint phone into analog, I was able to get good anaog service and was able to place a call.

Down at the Grand Canyon, te only way to get a usable signal on the North Rim was to actually be standing on the edge of the Rim looking over to the South Rim. What this meant to me was that I was getting the usable signal from the opposite side of the Canyon! When I did this, I was able to get calls placed no problem.

I would like to hear if anyone else has had similar usage in Northern Arizona.

[BillRadio]

Junkie,
Yes, I'm not sure why Verizon claims so much coverage on their AC map in N AZ, there is almost nothing north of Flag or I-40. Once in sight of their Page or Utah sites, then coverage is good...some of them are on mountaintops or tall towers. And unlike the holes along I-70 in UT, or I-40 in Mohave County, Verizon actually has the cellular licenses for N AZ, west of the reservations.

The Express Network map is much more accurate. I happen to keep my phone on "Auto A", and it settles on Alltel or Cellular One of NE AZ in that area after losing Verizon. Neither is included in AC, but both are on Regional or Local plans.

I have heard nothing about Verizon building any new sites in the area, but I feel fortunate that what coverage there is, is now digital.

-Bill

[larry]

Hey azcellphonejunkie,

Were you able to get any Sprint coverage at the Grand Canyon. I heard they have one site in operation near the main village.

[jayc]

Keep in mind the AC map is only where the digital rate area is not actual coverage. Check out the map with the Samsung A530 for accurate digital coverage. (I tried to find a link but no luck)

[BillRadio]

In trying to share only accurate information, I found I was looking at what appears to be an older AC map. So I will give Verizon credit for offering a more accurate view of what is covered in AZ with AC.

Now the question is, will coverage ever get better there? Somewhere there is a priority list. Who knows? According to Verizon news releases, they spent $140 Million in upgrades in AZ in 2002, exactly double what they spent in CO! So, even though there is little coverage between Flag and Page, Arizona is getting big upgrades!

-Bill

[azcellphonejunkie]

Larry,
Unfortunately, I didn't bring my Sprint phone to the Canyon because I didn't think they had anything up there so can't tell you if they have anything along either rim.

[larry]

Sprint does actually have coverage along I-40 and part of the road north to the Grand Canyon. I've heard from another poster that they have better coverage (digital) than Verizon does along that route.

[green2day]

I live in flagstaff az. I have to say the version service I have is very good. I drive about once a month to LA on I 40. Most of the Arizona drive is analog service. When you hit Kingman it is also analog. I did her verizon will add digital service to Kingman. As for the Grand canyon. I have had digital service on the north rim, but with 1 bar. It was hard to make a call, but went through. My friends ATT phone worked perfect there.