AT&T Or Verizon

[no-engine]

I hesitated so much, but having had VZW for dozen or so years, 3-4 years ago, I wanted iPhone for many reasons. AT&T was exclusive. I gambled that signals for telephone would improve, and they have. I am still with AT&T but now have iPhone 4S.
I have watched signal bars as I drive around Lake. Alton to Gilford is not good, but elsewhere, signals are decent. Meredith - Laconia is fine. Center Harbor areas are spotty. Wolfeboro is good. Towers are top of Belknap Mountain and inside the lighthouse up on Meredith Bay Community, making for better service at northern areas.

As another post said the phones are different based on carrier. The adds are correct: AT&T iPhone allows talk and internet at same time; not true with a Verizon iPhone. Different technology.

I discovered that AT&T offers 10% discount off the data plan for any current or former military; must fax off your DD form. Helps me!

Some carrier stores offer money back in a certain time limit for you to try. Take advantage. Either carrier will have different dead spots....

[Kamper]

My employer gets most of their cell phones through AT&T but we still get a discount from Verizon for personal phones. Check your company's employee web page or ask Verizon.

Good luck!

[This'nThat]

Where will you be using your AT&T phone the most? Have you heard of the AT&T Microcell device (http://www.att.com/standalone/3gmicr...id=cqGOqkFV1Fz)? Just plug it into your cable modem or router, and it will provide a great cell phone signal across an area ~5000sf. This allows you to use your cell phone at home, at your office, or whereever you place the device.

Like others around the lake, I have no cell phone service at my house. The Microcell has been great. I set it up in a corner, and it covers the whole house, upstairs - downstairs - every room - and the porch. I recommend you look into it.

[TheProfessor]

Just a note for any US veterans out there.

Both Verizon and AT&T provide a 15% discount on phones and monthly bill.

One has to go to a company store - not a franchise or satellite store - with DD214 or military ID card. The veteran has to have account - not the spouse.

Even if in middle of 2 year contract - you can have bill lowered 15% by visiting any company store if active military or US veteran.

[upthesaukee]

Originally Posted by This'nThat

Where will you be using your AT&T phone the most? Have you heard of the AT&T Microcell device (http://www.att.com/standalone/3gmicr...id=cqGOqkFV1Fz)? Just plug it into your cable modem or router, and it will provide a great cell phone signal across an area ~5000sf. This allows you to use your cell phone at home, at your office, or whereever you place the device.

Like others around the lake, I have no cell phone service at my house. The Microcell has been great. I set it up in a corner, and it covers the whole house, upstairs - downstairs - every room - and the porch. I recommend you look into it.

Verizon has one as well, I believe they call theirs a range extender. It sounds wonderful and sounds like a lot of range, but 5000 sq ft is only a 40 ft radius. I borrowed one before I spent the roughly $250 get one myself. I have a porch on the side of my detached garage, and it is about 50-55 ft from where I had the unit...no increase in coverage.

My house started off as a 40x8 trailer with a 22x8 porch, and now is a 10 room house with the trailer in the middle. All that metal also knocks down the signal toward the back of the house.

Bottom line, it worked well within 40 ft of the unit, and with no massive walls or metallic shield in the way. For us, not worth the money. I am hoping they get the new tower in Alton Bay up this spring...it should boom right down to my house across the bay from the site.

[NH_boater]

I have great coverage all over with Verizon, except my lakehouse on 28. I have a Verizon microcell ($99) that covers data and voice beautifully.