I have a friend who's getting a new phone and moving to the Valley. Does anyone have any thoughts on who's good at cell coverage there? Last time I lived there, we were locked into some unholy alliance with Cellular One/Shentel. But that was the 90s.

Always thought this had something to do with the ****** cell reception in the valley:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Sta...Quiet_Zone

I have been using Sprint in the Shen Valley, no complaints. $150 a month for 3 phones, unlimited data (anybody know of a better deal?)

T Mobile bought Sprint, have not noticed a difference yet

(02-09-2022 05:56 PM)BDKJMU Wrote:  Always thought this had something to do with the ****** cell reception in the valley:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Sta...Quiet_Zone

Maybe, but I kinda doubt it. Given the low elevation of the towers and the mountains between here and there, I think it's not likely. I know it's part of why WMRA and WXJM's advertised power is so low. They have to have directional transmitters as well so that they don't go far to the west.

(I've heard, however, that the WXJM transmitter is on a variable-power switch, and they turn it down to 100 watts when the FCC inspector is in town, then turn it back up when they're gone.)

I know there is a cell tower right outside of Monterey, VA, which is a good 40 miles closer to Green Bank.

(02-09-2022 06:09 PM)Purplehazed Wrote:  I have been using Sprint in the Shen Valley, no complaints. $150 a month for 3 phones, unlimited data (anybody know of a better deal?)

T Mobile bought Sprint, have not noticed a difference yet

I don't, especially for a family plan. Mint is the same as T-Mobile/Sprint now, just cheaper. I've been using their 5g in Denver for a couple years and it's great. (it's not the fastest 5g but it's at a frequency that works indoors, which the super-fast 5g doesn't)

Valley resident here. I would argue it depends where they are going to live/be most of the time. I have experience with Sprint and Verizon. They have different footprints. Currently Verizon. Both are fine in Harrisonburg (City). If you venture out into the county, depending on where you're going you may have a favorite. If you know specifics, feel free to PM me. You may have my email, I'm not sure. Reach out if you want to chat more.

And here I thought this was about how you get coverage on game day, I have AT&T and little luck at basketball or football games.

Xfinity/Verizon. We had Sprint, it was awful. Finally got rid of it. Sprint has lousy coverage in a lot of places over the whole state (ask me, I used to volunteer with RAM). We live in the northern part of the county near Broadway.

My sprint experience was also uninspiring. In the City and along the 81 corridor it was fine, but in rural areas it was poor coverage.