(TGA) - Travel - looking for a new cell that has the best reception in Alaska, B.C.,Yukon, Alberta. We realized a lot of these areas are remote and we wont be able to use but if anyone has any suggestions??
We had Verizon for a while in Michigan but could NOT get a signal at our home in Pinckney, MI.
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I've had ATT for years and they basically suck for coverage in AK. They have promised us another tower for years. ACS and GCI are the 2 others I'm familiar with and have friends with both. I am seriously thinking of switching to GCI real soon (maybe tomorrow lol) now that the prices are the same with no comparision in coverage.
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I have AT&T, I have good coverage throughout Alaska. When I say throughout Alaska I mean all the major populated areas. Anchorage, most of the Kenai Peninsula, MatSu Valley, Fairbanks, Denali, Glennallen, and Valdez. I drove out of Alaska last fall and had no coverage from outside Tok until Fort St John.
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""most of the Kenai Peninsula""
Ya gotta be kidding! 2 miles out of Seward is nadda for 2 miles, then coverage for 3 miles then pretty much zero till the bottom of Turnagain Pass, and I have a new 3G phone too!. I got friends with GCI and they could text the whole way if they wanted.
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Kind of funny two replies same carrier. I travel for work and have had coverage in all the major areas. I have had no problems in Soldotna, and Seward. Haven't been to Homer in a while so I am not sure there. Coverage is fine in Fairbanks and Denali and when I work in Copper Center I also have good service. I am also only traveling in those areas and not relying on it all the time so I don't know about drop out areas etc. I live outside of Eagle River and have fine coverage most of the time.
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Sorry Glacierlady I mean the towns. I usually don't even look at my phone when in the car or traveling so I guess I didn't realize the drops. I usually just have it on me and use it for work when I stop to work so I am unaware of which ones work all the time. i guess I don't expect it to work. I live up Eagle River Valley and nothing works most of the valley so that seems normal for me. I just move a bit and usually get a signal. Just to add my 2 cents I hate GCI customer service awful, awful customer service. Switched to AT&T and it has worked for my needs.
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hello, do you also have AT &T???
we are also doing a lot of driving in Yukon, NWT,Alberta & B.C.
hate to think of no way to contact anyone in emergency. do truckers wtill use CB's??? or ? any suggestions anyone out there??
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I drove through Canada 2 years ago, solo female. I never had to turn on the phone and was scared to anyways due to extra charges. I had no problems at all and if there was someone would come along to assist. I'm not sure about Canada but it's a law to assist in Ak. And most are well traveled road these days.
Get a copy of the Milepost Book!! Mapquest.com was also very useful in planning.
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Yes I have AT&T, I had no coverage along the Alcan from Fort St John until Tok. I have coverage in most urban areas in Alaska. People will stop and help if you have trouble. Glacierlady gave you great advice when she said to get the Milepost. I would guess the truckers have radios. You should have no problems. If you are spending a lot of time in southern British Columbia/Alberta it may be worth adding Canada to your calling plan. With AT&T you can add Canada for $4.95 and get a reduced roaming charge, you have to do the math and see if it works for you
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Another option is to stop at 7-11 Canada to pick up their SpeakOut pre-paid cell phone, although you need a land line or internet to active it.
http://speakout7eleven.ca/
AT&T claims coverage for at least some of Canada.
Truckers have CBs & folks will stop in emergencies, especially seeing US plates, knowing we are stranded without cell coverage.
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Be careful with calling in Canada without a Canadian plan of some sorts. My son racked up a $300.00 phone bill real fast while we were there last summer.
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