WirelessAdvisor.com

AnthroMatt · 04-10-2008, 7:36 PM

I have a GoPhone and I brought it to work with me for the first time yesterday. Reception in my office (ground floor, near a window) fluctuates between 0-1 bars to no service.

Sprint is perfect in my office (second image).

Now compare their coverage maps:

My office is blanketed in the "best coverage" AT&T has to offer (first image). Yet my phone (thankfully prepaid) is practically unusable.

At least at home (the second green image), where Sprint is bad and AT&T is good, Sprint's coverage map has me indicated as being in a marginal coverage area.

And no, that pushpin isn't exactly my home...I am semi-concealing the location. But it is in the light green area.

larry · 04-10-2008, 7:42 PM

I think Sprint and T-Mobile provide the most accurate maps.

Mobile Mike · 04-10-2008, 7:59 PM

Hasn't AT&T/Cingular's network in the Phoenix area always been a little spotty? Also, aren't they PCS (1900mhz) only in the PHX area?

If they are only PCS, then that might explain the poor coverage you get at work. Just a guess, though.

AnthroMatt · 04-10-2008, 8:51 PM

You are correct that they are1900MHz only here. I have no real problem with the coverage, but rather the depiction of it. In an area labeled as "best" I think you should get usable indoor coverage.

Sprint is 1900 only (of course) and their maps just seem much more truthful. My house is in a Sprint area that says outdoor coverage is "good" (not best) and I have spotty indoor coverage. This seems like a fair and reasonable depiction.

IMO the ATT map should depict an area with unusable (2 for 2 in calls attempted and calls dropped) indoor coverage as "good" not "best" I don't work in conrete bunker or anything.

dmapr · 04-10-2008, 10:11 PM

AT&T coverage maps have always been horrible. My previous job has been at the location that is in the "good" area right at the border with "best" area, and we do have 850MHz signal. The moment T-Mobile roaming became history, so did the ability of AT&T subscribers to use their phones.

It's almost anecdotal — AT&T has a billboard nearby (had for a number of years) with their ad. My success rate at driving past the billboard without dropping a conversation has been around 50%. It was especially funny while billboard was saying "the least dropped calls", but even now it's not much better — do I really care that AT&T has service in "CHILONDOSCOW" if I can't get a signal right here in Milpitas?

Mobile Mike · 04-10-2008, 10:39 PM

Fortunately, in the L.A. area, they're pretty strong. When I've checked the coverage maps for my area, they've been pretty accurate. I have to admit, their coverage map does leave something to be desired.

WiggyFife · 04-10-2008, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mobile Mike

Hasn't AT&T/Cingular's network in the Phoenix area always been a little spotty? Also, aren't they PCS (1900mhz) only in the PHX area?

If they are only PCS, then that might explain the poor coverage you get at work. Just a guess, though.

yeppers... sounds like nothings changed w/ CingulATT since we did our own quasi-scientific Field testing!!!

Mobile Mike · 04-10-2008, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WiggyFife

yeppers... sounds like nothings changed w/ CingulATT since we did our own quasi-scientific Field testing!!!

Apparently so, though I haven't really visited PHX since 2005, so maybe there's been some improvement?

Been through Sky Harbor several times, but that's not enough for me to give an accurate detail of my experience with AT&T's coverage in the PHX area.

Eric47 · 04-10-2008, 11:09 PM

i havent had problems with it. but its likely all coverage viewers are junk. Alltels you cant select locations and verizons just shows if theres coverage or not. so they all suck LoL

Yankees368 · 04-11-2008, 1:10 AM

Yeah, the ATT was is really giving towards ATT service. It was a lot worse a couple of months ago, but they made it a bit more accurate. It is still way off though.

jmac32here · 04-11-2008, 4:14 PM

Another thing is its prepaid. Sadly, at&t and Verizon do not give their full network coverage to their prepaid customers, same applies to MVNO's (take a peek and Sprints MVNO Virgin Mobile)

AnthroMatt · 04-11-2008, 4:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmac32here

Another thing is its prepaid. Sadly, at&t and Verizon do not give their full network coverage to their prepaid customers, same applies to MVNO's (take a peek and Sprints MVNO Virgin Mobile)

The image I posted is the coverage map for postpaid accounts.

And prepaid ATT phones can use all of ATT's network, but just none of their roaming partners.

My phone won't work when I am up in Page, AZ for work next week, but a regular postpaid ATT user would get service from their roaming partner there.

Charlyee · 04-11-2008, 5:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnthroMatt

The image I posted is the coverage map for postpaid accounts.

And prepaid ATT phones can use all of ATT's network, but just none of their roaming partners.

My phone won't work when I am up in Page, AZ for work next week, but a regular postpaid ATT user would get service from their roaming partner there.

When I was in Page last year, my phone showed 310-410, so your prepaid should work. I think Page, Moab & Kayenata (maybe) were the only 3 places where I had 410 west of Lincoln, NE.

PS: Yes, at&'s online coverage map is trerrible.

AnthroMatt · 04-11-2008, 5:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charlyee

When I was in Page last year, my phone showed 310-410, so your prepaid should work. I think Page, Moab & Kayenata (maybe) were the only 3 places where I had 410 west of Lincoln, NE.

PS: Yes, at&'s online coverage map is trerrible.

Interesting. I was going to leave it at home, because the map showed it as partner coverage, but maybe I will take it along just in case. It will be an experiment!

Mobile Mike · 04-11-2008, 6:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnthroMatt

The image I posted is the coverage map for postpaid accounts.

And prepaid ATT phones can use all of ATT's network, but just none of their roaming partners.

My phone won't work when I am up in Page, AZ for work next week, but a regular postpaid ATT user would get service from their roaming partner there.

Just out of curiosity, will your Sprint and Alltel phones work up there?

AnthroMatt · 04-11-2008, 8:01 PM

Yeah. Sprint will roam on Alltel, so obviously Alltel will work. Alas, my Alltel phone is still being shipped to me, so I won't get it until I come back though.

Eric47 · 04-12-2008, 12:07 PM

to the OP, what kind of phone do you have? it may be your device

dmapr · 04-12-2008, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric47

to the OP, what kind of phone do you have? it may be your device

You think AT&T is selling duds as GoPhones?

AnthroMatt · 04-12-2008, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric47

to the OP, what kind of phone do you have? it may be your device

Nokia 6085. Never had a problem with any Nokia in my life when it comes to reception.

Eric47 · 04-12-2008, 1:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnthroMatt

Nokia 6085. Never had a problem with any Nokia in my life when it comes to reception.

yea that should be fine, the only problem i could see is if its suppose to be a 3G area also and maybe they are having an EDGE problem on that tower. If the coverage map says its suppose to be full signal and you cant call that is a clear "somethings wrong here". if i was you i would call customer service and let them know, it may be that they need to file a trouble ticket to go check the near by tower.

RadioFoneGuy · 04-12-2008, 1:37 PM

Could of been a tower outage as well when you were at work. Should try it again just for grins.

Nokia 6085 is a good phone.

04-10-2008, 7:42 PM	#2 (permalink)
larry Go Angels! Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 12,950 Phone(s): LG Rumor Provider(s): Sprint Thanks: 17 Thanked 16 Times in 15 Posts Images: 146 My Auctions	Re: AT&T's online coverage map is terrible! I think Sprint and T-Mobile provide the most accurate maps.

04-10-2008, 7:59 PM	#3 (permalink)
Mobile Mike Long Term Evolution 4G Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 4,743 Phone(s): LG Voyager, Nokia 6555 Provider(s): Verizon Wireless, AT&T Thanks: 46 Thanked 19 Times in 19 Posts	Re: AT&T's online coverage map is terrible! Hasn't AT&T/Cingular's network in the Phoenix area always been a little spotty? Also, aren't they PCS (1900mhz) only in the PHX area? If they are only PCS, then that might explain the poor coverage you get at work. Just a guess, though. __________________ (1994-Present) LG Voyager at&t (2004-2005, 2006-Present) Nokia 6555 3G

04-10-2008, 8:51 PM	#4 (permalink)
AnthroMatt Big Meanie Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 8,346 Phone(s): Motorola V950 Provider(s): Sprint + Airave Thanks: 3 Thanked 11 Times in 8 Posts Images: 1	Re: AT&T's online coverage map is terrible! You are correct that they are1900MHz only here. I have no real problem with the coverage, but rather the depiction of it. In an area labeled as "best" I think you should get usable indoor coverage. Sprint is 1900 only (of course) and their maps just seem much more truthful. My house is in a Sprint area that says outdoor coverage is "good" (not best) and I have spotty indoor coverage. This seems like a fair and reasonable depiction. IMO the ATT map should depict an area with unusable (2 for 2 in calls attempted and calls dropped) indoor coverage as "good" not "best" I don't work in conrete bunker or anything. __________________ Motorola V950

04-10-2008, 10:11 PM	#5 (permalink)
dmapr Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 1,738 Phone(s): Sony Ericsson K850i, Nokia 6131 v5.50, Nokia 6820 v5.30 Provider(s): AT&T Blue; T-Mobile To Go Devices: Palm TX Thanks: 7 Thanked 16 Times in 15 Posts	Re: AT&T's online coverage map is terrible! AT&T coverage maps have always been horrible. My previous job has been at the location that is in the "good" area right at the border with "best" area, and we do have 850MHz signal. The moment T-Mobile roaming became history, so did the ability of AT&T subscribers to use their phones. It's almost anecdotal — AT&T has a billboard nearby (had for a number of years) with their ad. My success rate at driving past the billboard without dropping a conversation has been around 50%. It was especially funny while billboard was saying "the least dropped calls", but even now it's not much better — do I really care that AT&T has service in "CHILONDOSCOW" if I can't get a signal right here in Milpitas?

04-10-2008, 10:39 PM	#6 (permalink)
Mobile Mike Long Term Evolution 4G Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 4,743 Phone(s): LG Voyager, Nokia 6555 Provider(s): Verizon Wireless, AT&T Thanks: 46 Thanked 19 Times in 19 Posts	Re: AT&T's online coverage map is terrible! Fortunately, in the L.A. area, they're pretty strong. When I've checked the coverage maps for my area, they've been pretty accurate. I have to admit, their coverage map does leave something to be desired. __________________ (1994-Present) LG Voyager at&t (2004-2005, 2006-Present) Nokia 6555 3G

04-10-2008, 11:09 PM	#9 (permalink)
Eric47 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: in my own house Posts: 1,404 Phone(s): crackberry's Devices: my home wi-fi router and laptop Thanks: 5 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Images: 49	Re: AT&T's online coverage map is terrible! i havent had problems with it. but its likely all coverage viewers are junk. Alltels you cant select locations and verizons just shows if theres coverage or not. so they all suck LoL

04-11-2008, 1:10 AM	#10 (permalink)
Yankees368 Compulsive Signal Checker Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Lansing, MI & Long Island Posts: 3,227 Phone(s): TouchPRO, Mogul, Sanyo M1, Motorola K1m,Samsung a900, Sanyo 7400 8200 8100 6200, Samsung a460, Nokia 5190 Provider(s): Sprint PCS (since 2002), Voicestream (2001-2002) Devices: S9 HD, 30GB iPod 5g, 2GB nano, Dell XPS M1530 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 4 Posts Images: 528	Re: AT&T's online coverage map is terrible! Yeah, the ATT was is really giving towards ATT service. It was a lot worse a couple of months ago, but they made it a bit more accurate. It is still way off though. __________________ "'Current Sprint Service Can Not Be Used' What the hell does that mean?!?"

04-11-2008, 4:14 PM	#11 (permalink)
jmac32here Fresh Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Bellevue, WA Posts: 11 Phone(s): Motorola E815 Provider(s): Verizon Wireless Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts My Auctions	Re: AT&T's online coverage map is terrible! Another thing is its prepaid. Sadly, at&t and Verizon do not give their full network coverage to their prepaid customers, same applies to MVNO's (take a peek and Sprints MVNO Virgin Mobile)

04-11-2008, 8:01 PM	#16 (permalink)
AnthroMatt Big Meanie Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 8,346 Phone(s): Motorola V950 Provider(s): Sprint + Airave Thanks: 3 Thanked 11 Times in 8 Posts Images: 1	Re: AT&T's online coverage map is terrible! Yeah. Sprint will roam on Alltel, so obviously Alltel will work. Alas, my Alltel phone is still being shipped to me, so I won't get it until I come back though. __________________ Motorola V950

04-12-2008, 12:07 PM	#17 (permalink)
Eric47 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: in my own house Posts: 1,404 Phone(s): crackberry's Devices: my home wi-fi router and laptop Thanks: 5 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Images: 49	Re: AT&T's online coverage map is terrible! to the OP, what kind of phone do you have? it may be your device

04-12-2008, 1:37 PM	#21 (permalink)
RadioFoneGuy Pimpin the Tilt! Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Everywhere. Posts: 1,194 Phone(s): Nokia 6103, 6010, 2260, HTC TILT, moto V400, 55, Nokia 6682, 6085, to many phones Provider(s): The death star formally known as Cell One. Thanks: 3 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts Images: 6	Re: AT&T's online coverage map is terrible! Could of been a tower outage as well when you were at work. Should try it again just for grins. Nokia 6085 is a good phone. __________________ Cellular One of Georgia 1994-96 ATTWS 1999-2003 and VoiceStream 2001-2003 Cellular One from Dobson Cellular 2003-2007 AT&T JR 2008 to Present.

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