Wireless for The Four Corners
Four Corners Wireless NEWS & NOTES

Reports on cellular services in the Four Corners states of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah. Generally Verizon Wireless dominates the area with the exception of Mohave County, AZ where Sprint and Mohave Wireless are tops. Otherwise, Sprint gets second place statewide with good urban coverage and good rural roaming possibilities. AT&T has improved greatly with the acquisition of the former Alltel areas and the ability to roam on the Native American properties, but suffers from GSM limitations in other rural areas. TracFone is available in virtually all areas. T-Mobile has very good urban coverage but has somewhat of a roaming disadvantage in rural areas. The Native American reservations are a big challenge and Cellular One may be your best choice there.

ALL WEST WIRELESS
All West is a small local wireline co-op east of Salt Lake City that also offers wireless service in northeast Utah and southwest Wyoming. They offer unlimited calling within their Local coverage area which includes the service areas of several other nearby wireless co-ops, but not in Salt Lake City itself. Statewide and nationwide roaming is available, but it's not Unlimited. Mobile to Mobile and Night & Weekend minutes apply in your Local area only. They have a good selection of phones including a few Smart phones. They offer Bundle discounts with their Internet, video and wireline services. They support Lifeline services.

AT&T
AT&T has a large GSM network, but in the west, have a lot less developed spectrum than in the rest of the country. That has improved with AT&T's acquisition of Alltel Wireless in 76 markets in the western US. They converted most former Alltel sites to 3G GSM. Some ex-Alltel customers noticed significant changes in coverage with the loss of CDMA roaming partners. With GSM technology, AT&T roams more readily internationally, but there are areas in the US with no GSM coverage. AT&T's takeover of other cellular networks has improved their service in some areas already, including Alaska. AT&T offers a large selection of GSM phones including the Apple iPhone. Parts of what was the old AT&T Wireless network in the interior west is still not among the best. They still suffer from some coverage 'holes', but they are updating some of these areas. Most improvements will be made in the new markets and are increasing data capacity instead of adding cell sites in older areas. They have added "4G" coverage in a handful of markets and will upgrade most of the network in the near future. In several markets where AT&T operates at 1900 MHz only, we have been disappointed, but not all AT&T 1900 MHz-only markets are equal. AT&T offers a variety of plans including Unlimited minutes and services, and 'calling circle' plans. They have extensive data coverage. One of their greatest assets is also their worst problem: the overwhelming success of the Apple iPhone that mostly uses the AT&T network. It has overloaded their system resulting in dropped calls, interrupted data and slower service. This situation is improving with the defection of some iPhone users.

Pros: AT&T has a large network and covers much of the nation, usage is transparent whether on- or off-network, good digital and data services, good national plans, "Rollover" for those who can use it, "Unlimited" calling plans available, a very good selection of phones. Improvements in coverage have been substantial in some areas, lacking in others. Excellent international roaming capabilities, and AT&T will now supply the unlock code for all phones, except the iPhone, after 3 to 10 months. Additions of Alltel, Unicel and Centennial network purchases give AT&T substantial rural coverage improvements.

Cons: AT&T plans aren't as generous as some, customers can only access GSM networks which are not as universally available in the US as CDMA, customer service varies from above to below average, some markets have a large number of dropped calls caused by large data users. Some customers who have been transferred from other networks have noticed substantial changes in coverage, mostly while roaming.
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BREAKAWAY WIRELESS
Serving the center of Utah, Breakaway is part of the local telephone cooperative, so we expect Customer Service to be a notch above average. They offer a large number of generous plans that offer Unlimited voice service on their own network in Sanpete County coupled with different levels of Roaming and Long Distance minutes. They have a good number of CDMA phones including data phones. They offer both contract and non-contract terms but do not allow outgoing international calls.

BLANCA TELEPHONE WIRELESS
Based in Alamosa, Colorado, Blanca is part of the local telephone carrier, Blanca Telephone Company. They have good CDMA coverage in Costilla and Conejos Counties, however, they only offer Voice service, no Text or Data. Blanca Wireless is mostly used where there is no wireline service available, at the same price. They only offer one basic phone and it will work outside of the home area, mostly roaming on Verizon Wireless. Alternatively, you could roam on the Blanca network for free if you have a Verizon Wireless plan from any other city in the area, like Alamosa or Pueblo. While their network is all digital, they still support analog and "bag" phones from other sources, but Text and Data are not available. A better alternative is to program your existing phone's 2nd "NAM" to Blanca's network. They offer some "bundles" packaged with other communications services through Jade Communications.
Pros: Small means good, personal service, the only plan they offer is for unlimited local service for about $20 per month. The phone will work nationally.
Cons: They don't offer many digital features, just the basics, including voice mail. They only offer one basic phone, no Smart phones and no Data or Text support. Roaming fees, while reasonable, are not predictable, they are extra, charged by the minute, and the rate varies.
Blanca Wireless Coverage map

CELLULAR ONE OF NORTHEAST ARIZONA
Cellular One has the best, or only coverage among the Native American lands along the northeast Arizona and northwest New Mexico border. They are upgrading as well as adding new GSM sites. They have special low-cost wireless programs. They also support fixed wireless service for homes away from wirelines. They offer Regional and National plans, and, while their plans are not expensive, they start at a relatively high price, especially their National plans. They offer an Unlimited National plan. They have several levels of Calling Circle-type features. They have a good selection of phone models including Smart phones. Their prepaid plans are either too expensive or too complicated.
Pros: Excellent coverage, big selection of plans including Regional and National plans, locally-owned, good customer service, Life-Line plans, a large number of phones available.
Cons: Some areas are still analog which means users with digital phones can only access parts of the network, but this may be dated info, their National plans start at high price levels, their prepaid plans are expensive.

CHOICE WIRELESS
Choice serves rural customers in Colorado, Nevada and New Mexico, and the US Virgin Islands, with Local and National "Unlimited" plans at a fixed price, starting at $30 a month. They use CDMA phones, they have excellent coverage, and their Local plans have a simplified structure that can include a certain amount of US roaming minutes. They have a small number of phone models, but invite you to bring your old phone from another CDMA carrier like Alltel or Verizon and use it on the Choice network. Since you pay in advance there are no credit checks or contracts, and they offer a pay-per-day plan. Some areas support 3G broadband. Choice is expanding across the US and welcomes customers who qualify for Free LifeLine service.

CLEAR WIRELESS
Clear, also known as ClearWire, is primarily a Wireless Internet Service Provider using "WiMAX" technology in the 2.5 GHz band. Clear provides a fast broadband service, Clear calls its service "4G", but their actual speeds vary considerably based on the newness of their network and the development of the technology. Clear is available in limited areas and you can use it for your mobile or home data needs as long as you are within their coverage. Currently their coverage is limited to populated areas and often does not work in a moving, mobile environment. Clear's service is also being offered by other communications companies like Sprint, Comcast, Time-Warner, Google and others, usually under their own brand name. There is no 4G off-network roaming service available, however, some equipment offers 3G roaming on the existing Sprint 3G network. Clear provides service with home modems, Voice over IP, USB modems for mobile devices, or a WiMAX-ready laptop. Clear has reported financial challenges which have halted their expansion plans.

CLEARTALK
Cleartalk serves small communities in the state. If you live within their coverage, you'll be doing business with locals. They offer most of the features of an all-digital system, but no data. They have a large variety of Unlimited plans starting at $25 with add-ons for Calling features, Long Distance and Nationwide coverage available. Most roaming is provided by Sprint.. Their phone selection is fairly small.

CRICKET
Cricket offers Unlimited wireless usage for one price, but coverage may be a little spotty. For the price, it may work well for you or your family. They have a variety of plans. With Unlimited usage, the circuits sometimes become overloaded. All plans now feature "Nationwide" service through roaming partners, which includes Unlimited Talk & Text but not for wireless modems. Roaming partners include the Sprint CDMA network and the Mexico CDMA network. Cricket is still adding coverage in their own markets. You can use Cricket to replace a home wireline. Plans start in the $30's. Cricket also offers reasonable Unlimited Broadband access which is limited to their own network, and supplies a USB modem that plugs in to your laptop. Cricket has several additional features including Unlimited calls to Mexico. Cricket now offers their wireless service "nationwide" with an agreement to use the Sprint 3G network in non-Cricket markets.
Pros: Talk as much as you want, no contract, most data & digital services are included, good 3G Broadband service, Unlimited Talk and Text coverage that includes all US metro markets and several rural areas, voice roaming in Mexico is available as low as .25/minute.
Cons: You must pre-pay, broadband access is limited to the Cricket network, expect some dropped calls when circuits are busy. Their pay-as-you-go plans are only available up to one month at a time. Off-network usage is limited and excessive roaming may cause account termination. Accessing Cricket's customer service takes longer than average.
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LEACO WIRELESS
This carrier covers southeast New Mexico. They offer Local and Regional plans including Unlimited Local plans. National plans are a little expensive. They have plans as low as $16 and "Lifeline" service starting at $5 per month. Our information is a bit dated and their web site does not provide many details beyond price plans. Leaco is a local phone cooperative so we expect customer service to be above average. They offer a large number of phones including smart phones. They also conduct business as NMobile. PROS: Good coverage outside of town, several phones from which to choose. CONS: Some over-capacity problems in town, voice mail is extra.

MOHAVE WIRELESS
Covering northwest Arizona, Mohave (also known as Citizen's Mohave) is small but real people answer the phone on the first or second ring. They have good coverage on their 850 MHz CDMA network with all the digital features available. They offer several plans including Unlimited, Local and National plans. Mobile to Mobile and Night and Weekend minutes are limited to their own network, most plans are little overpriced. Mohave does not offer normal Prepaid plans but do offer a no-contract rate at $5 more per month over their regular plans.
Pros: Very personal service, good coverage within their service area, a good number of plans, and digital features.
Cons: They have a limited selection of phone models, given the large area of unoccupied territory there are some coverage holes, but they have added some new urban sites, their Mobile-to-Mobile and Night & Weekend Minutes are limited to Mohave County.
Mohave Wireless Coverage Map

NEXTEL
Nextel is a of part Sprint and in some offers, Sprint hides Nextel's features. The combo has allowed the two networks to start sharing cell sites to improve coverage. Nextel's spectrum is made up from a bunch of 2-way radio channels, and they suffer from marginal audio in some markets. Their coverage and quality varies by market. They cover urban areas and some interstates, but there is little roaming elsewhere in the state. They have an efficient 'walkie-talkie' feature which is handy for businesses and families who want to contact each other as quickly as possible. Some of their plans aren't very competitive, but they do offer free incoming calls. They use 850 MHz so they have a strong signal in most areas. Sprint has announced they are not improving or expanding the Nextel network. and will turn off the current iDEN service in 2013 and use the 800 MHz channels for Sprint CDMA service. Some Boost Mobile handsets use the Nextel network and is a good option for Unlimited Voice and Text. For as long as it lasts, Nextel offers international roaming in a handful of other countries in North and South America, including Mexico, some with Free Internet access.
Pros: The Direct Connect is a handy 'walkie-talkie' service, they have robust coverage within their service area.
Cons: Some markets have poor audio, they also have coverage limits and very limited roaming, most of their phones are big and lack variety. Nextel does not have fast broadband features, neither the network nor the coverage are being upgraded. Sprint has not treated Nextel customers as well as those using the Sprint network. Many new Nextel customers are being giving Sprint-branded phones, so you may not be using the network you think you are. The Nextel network will be converted to CDMA by 2013.
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NMOBILE
NMobile is another name for Leaco Wireless of New Mexico (hence the "NM"). There is no difference among plans, phones or the network. Some Leaco stores have the NMobile name outside, instead.

NNTC WIRELESS
NNTC is part of the Nucla-Naturita Telephone Company in western Colorado. "Home" coverage is available on a few other rural systems in CO, UT, OR, ID and WY. Nationwide coverage is available and their primary roaming partner is Sprint. They have Local, Unlimited, National and Business plans. Most features like Voice Mail, Long Distance and Caller ID, are extra. Their plans are overpriced. Their web site comes and goes. They have a small but useful selection of phones.
Click Here for NNTC's Extended Local Coverage Map.

NTUA WIRELESS
The Navajo Tribal Utility Authority is building a broadband network along the Arizona-New Mexico border to serve the Navajo Nation and surrounding areas. This project is expected to be operation in early 2012, but no set date has been announced.
NTUA Coverage Map

PLATEAU WIRELESS
Plateau covers much of eastern New Mexico and west central Texas. They offer both analog and digital service, and a wide range of plans. They still support TDMA, analog and GSM, but their current rate plans all require a GSM phone. Their coverage is good with some isolated dead spots near populated areas. There are a few towns where Plateau is the only cellular service available. They offer Local, 5-state Regional, and National plans. We find their plans are a bit overpriced but with a roaming rate of only .10 per minute you can subscribe to a lower-priced Local plan and roam outside the area at a reasonable price. Plans start as low as $20/month although not all features are included with the cheaper plans. They have a reasonably large selection of phones including Smart phones. Plateau is operated with several local telephone cooperatives which normally yields better than average customer service.

SPRINT
Sprint has a national, feature-rich digital network. Their coverage is a little "fragile", but where it's good, it's very good. Sprint has a good selection of phones. Their plans include the ability to roam on other systems. They offer an inexpensive "basic" plan for only $30 per month. They also offer a few Unlimited plans with lots of features included. Sprint has added service by taking over parts of some carriers' networks, and "sharing" spectrum with others. Sprint merged with Nextel which has created some beneficial network configurations, including sharing of cell sites. Sprint phones normally prefer the network which, where available, gives Sprint customers the best data throughput. Some Sprint phones have the ability to force the phone to "Roam Only", helping you use the strongest network, however there is a limit to how much roaming you can do, generally 50%. Also, newer phones lack that feature. Sprint does not offer their own branded prepaid service but owns Boost Mobile and Virgin Mobile prepaid and others. If you are considering Sprint 4G service, keep in mind they use a completely separate network for 4G coverage supplied in partnership with Clear Wireless. Therefore, having good local Sprint Voice/Text or 3G data coverage is no guarantee of adequate 4G coverage.
Pros: Sprint gives you good value for your money, but is not necessarily the cheapest. Sprint covers every urban area in the US, maintains local stores, good roaming capabilities, their digital and data features work very well, they have a good selection of phones. Sprint has good roaming agreements in most areas of the country.
Cons: You might find a weak area right where you want coverage, some of their plans are not very competitive, customer service is a notch below average, 4G coverage uses a different frequency band and network than other Sprint coverage, Unlimited plans do not include unlimited usage while roaming, except for "Simply Everything" plans.
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STRATA NETWORKS
The wireless division of the Uintah Basin Telephone Association, now known as Strata Networks, covers northeastern Utah around Vernal and surrounding areas of Wyoming and Colorado. They offer additional Local coverage in an "Extended" area. Their own cellular system has good coverage and offers free Long Distance. They have many plans including a $20 "Security" plan, National plans with no roaming charges, a "Calling Circle" to any US number and Local and National "Unlimited" plans. Some plans are very generous with some helpful add-ons. They offer a good selection of phones including smart phones and air cards. They have a promotion to pay your Early Termination Fee if you leave your current wireless provider while still under contract.
Strata Network's Wireless Coverage Map
Strata Network's Extended Local Wireless Coverage Map.

T-MOBILE
T-Mobile works very well within their own GSM service area. While they have a slight disadvantage with their higher PCS frequency, they make up for it with strategically-located sites. T-Mobile doesn't serve many rural areas, but provides coverage along most major rural highways. They offer roaming in rural areas, and the network is still growing, although often they're just 'filling in' already-served areas. They offer some handy features including several family-friendly services with a number of ways to control device usage. They offer a number of plans that allow you to choose between subsidized handsets and non-contract pricing. Many of their phones allow "Hot Spot" access which keeps usage costs down. They have plans that include unlimited voice and messaging, they offer nearly nationwide service with both their own network and extensive roaming agreements. AT&T has applied to acquire the entire US T-Mobile network. This deal will take many months to gain approval and should not affect T-Mobile customers for some time. If the acquisition is approved, most likely you will be able to keep your existing T-Mobile plan. This may be a good 'back door' way to join AT&T with a cheaper plan. In the past, if you choose to upgrade to a better phone after an AT&T acquisition you will also need to upgrade to an AT&T plan, so get the phone you want from T-Mobile.

Pros: Generous included-minute plans, National and Unlimited plans, good urban coverage, good roaming capabilities including internationally. They offer both 3G and 4G coverage, competitive data pricing and 'hot spot' access. They have very good customer service and a very good selection of phone models. They have an excellent Prepaid plan that includes a good amount of North American roaming.

Cons: Some weak spots, limited data bandwidth in some areas, high international roaming charges. Higher speed services require the use of higher frequency cellular bands which may restrict coverage and data roaming capabilities. There has been some reduction of voice and text roaming capabilities as some old roaming agreements expire.
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TRACFONE
Tracfone isn't an actual cellular carrier but is a major supplier of wireless phones and offers service in most areas of the state. They are the largest prepaid cellular company and arrange for their phones to use whichever wireless carrier is available in a given geographic area. As a result, Tracfone actually has more included roaming coverage available than perhaps any other single company. Their price points start below $9 a month and offer all the advantages of prepaid services. They also feature monthly plans and offer promotions with bonus minutes, and plans with 365-day expiration. Their service is mostly limited to Voice and Text but does support data use of their web-capable phones. They offer the option of having the charges deducted from your credit card or checking account automatically, eliminating the need to renew on an exact expiration date. TracFone offers Free international calls to about 60 countries by calling a special access number, and with their International Neighbors features, they provide a local number in Mexico or Canada for incoming calls from those countries at local rates for both callers. Tracfone offers additional plan options, including Unlimited plans, through NET10.
Pros: Coverage and Local service is available virtually everywhere in the US, good price plans with no roaming or long distance charges, Local numbers in all markets, included Long Distance calling to 60 countries.
Cons: They have a small selection of phones, no smart phones, coverage is determined by the phone model (CDMA or GSM) which may limit your roaming coverage or phone selection, no roaming outside the US.
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UNION WIRELESS
Serving Wyoming and adjacent areas of Northwest Colorado and northeast Utah, Union has very good coverage in most areas. In some they are the only game in town. They use GSM technology and also offer 'fixed' wireless service than can connected to home phone wiring. They offer reasonable Voice plans starting at $30, however, adding Text or Internet to those plans makes them more expensive than average. Unlimited plans are available as well as a Calling Circle plan allowing free calls to up to 10 numbers on any network, Their Prepaid plans are paid by the month, not by the minute, making them an expensive option for non-contract plans. Bundles are available. They have more roaming agreements covering a bigger footprint than larger wireless carriers, with international roaming agreements with providers in many foreign countries. They offer a large selection of phone models including Smart phones.
Pros: It is a small company with generally good coverage and better than average customer service, they are the only carrier available in some areas of Wyoming, they offer most digital features.
Cons: While their western Wyoming and northwestern Colorado coverage is very good, coverage in the eastern half of Wyoming is limited to in-town and along interstate highways, although they are added new sites in these areas, some plans are overpriced.

VERIZON WIRELESS
Verizon has the largest network, geographically, in the US. They have taken over a large portion of the old Alltel network and are now dominant in rural America. Their claim to fame is superior coverage on their CDMA network, especially in the west. They use PCS frequencies in a few areas, but they have constructed those networks well. In the few places where they don't have their own coverage, they have roaming agreements with other carriers, normally ones with superior coverage. Therefore, their "National" plans, which include almost all of the country, are about as close to "wall-to-wall" as you can get. Their reasonably-priced plans have no roaming or long distance charges, and they also throw in Unlimited Night and Weekend minutes as well as Unlimited calls among Verizon Wireless users both on and off their own network (there are a few exceptions). They offer fairly competitive prices, and often have promotions. They also offer plans that include Unlimited Voice and other features at various fixed price levels. Data service is excellent with various price plans. Verizon forces their phone manufacturers to offer a "standardized" user interface, limiting menu and font variations. This could mean the screen appearance may not be to your liking or the fonts may be too small. Smart and data-type phones require a per-Mb plan. They have the largest area of 3G coverage in the US and now offer faster 4G service in many major cities and major airports in additional markets.

Pros: Verizon has reasonably-priced plans, "Unlimited" calling plans available, extensive coverage, wide-ranging National plans, excellent customer service and some 'customer-friendly' policies. With such a large coverage area of their own, little roaming is necessary, and their roaming partners normally have superior coverage. They offer a large variety of phones including the Apple iPhone

Cons: Some Verizon plans are a little more expensive, Customer Service closes at 11pm, but technical assistance is available 24/7. They 'cripple' some User Interface functions like larger fonts: make sure you can read their submenus before buying. They require more expensive Data plans for any data-capable phone. Some of their data services are not available while roaming. CDMA phones roam in a limited number of foreign countries but Verizon can provide a hybrid loaner phone that will work both in the US and most foreign countries.
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VIAERO WIRELESS
Viaero is a GSM carrier that uses a mix of 800 and 1900 MHz channels in rural Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas and border areas of eastern Wyoming. Coverage in most areas is excellent with some holes in some remote areas. Since Viaero specializes in rural areas, they are usually the top carrier in those areas, where other carriers serve only minimally. This company is run by tekkies so coverage and operations are top-notch, often better than the local land lines. They are rapidly widening their coverage footprint, sometimes into surprising locations like the San Luis Valley and eastern Wyoming. You can even request to have them build a tower near you if you can come up with enough neighbors' signatures. They offer very reasonable on-network "Unlimited" plans, including several for fixed location (home) use for both voice and Internet access. They're a good substitute for a wireline in most areas. They have a large number of reasonable plans with National coverage including 'calling-circle' plans. They offer to pay the Early Termination Fee if you leave another carrier before your contract with them is completed. Their phones will roam in Mexico and Canada and they offer discount International Long Distance add-ons. Viaero does not lock their GSM phones, making it possible to use your Viaero phone with a local SIM in foreign countries. They have discounts for people on various support programs.
Pros: They offer reasonably-priced plans with convenient price points, including Local, National and Unlimited plans. Very good to excellent coverage, good customer service, local stores, good nationwide roaming, good data service.
Cons: The network can be weak in extreme rural areas, but still beats the competition in most places, and you can ask them to add a tower! Most Unlimited and some promotional features are limited to their own network.