Alaska Cellular Reviews
General Alaska Observations: What limited information we have is based more from visitors than locals. Alaska Communication Systems (ACS) has the coverage advantage and provides a good value. Also, their relationship with Verizon Wireless gives them a leg up on mainland roaming. Alaska Digitel ranks next, especially with their newly-acquired spectrum that enables them to offer more broadband features. Equally effective in second place is AT&T, especially if you're considering an iPhone, but Alaskans often frown on doing business with "outsiders", which is probably undeserved. MTA Wireless deserves consideration, but we have received little information about them. In some towns, wireless carriers like GCI have constructed a cell site with federal money to provide service where landlines have not been installed.

AT&T
AT&T is what was once Cingular, which was part of SBC, which took over AT&T Wireless and took AT&T's name. They have a large GSM network, but in the west, have a lot less developed spectrum than in the rest of the country. That is about to change with AT&T's acquisition of Alltel Wireless in 74 markets being divested by Verizon Wireless. Currently in the west, they have weak coverage away from urban areas and interstate highways. They claim that their Alltel purchases will all be converted to 3G GSM within a year of closing. Parts of the Alltel network already provide GSM coverage. However, improvements realized from the Alltel acquisition may not show in better coverage until 2011. Currently with GSM, AT&T will roam more readily internationally, but there are areas in the US with no GSM coverage. AT&T's takeover of several cellular networks has improved their service in some areas already, including Alaska. AT&T offers a good 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. In several markets where AT&T operates at 1900 MHz only, we have been disappointed. However, 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 uses the AT&T network exclusively. It has overloaded their system resulting in dropped calls, interrupted data and slower service.

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 good selection of phones. Improvements in coverage have been substantial in some areas, lacking in others. Excellent international roaming capabilities. Additions of Alltel, Unicel and Centennial network purchases will 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 as CDMA, customer service varies from above to below average, some markets have a large number of dropped calls caused by large data users.
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BRISTOL BAY CELLULAR
Coverage available across the Aleutian Islands where service is available. Plans are limited and are pricey for local coverage. We believe their system is still analog-only and you must apply to be able to roam on their system, and only if you have an analog-capable phone. Lifeline plans are available.

COPPER VALLEY WIRELESS
Good local coverage serving Valdez, AK and northward. Reasonable price plans with statewide and mainland US roaming included. They have a relatively good selection of CDMA phones. As part of the local telecommunications co-op, service is a little above average and bundle discounts are available.

CORDOVA WIRELESS
Cordova is part of the Cordova Telephone Cooperative along the south coast of Alaska, south of Valdez. They have a small selection of GSM phones but it includes smart phones. They have a number of rate plans including Local, Statewide and National plans, but no Unlimited plan. They have reasonable prices for Local and Statewide service, but rates for National plans start at a high rate. There may not be any other service in the area.

GCI CELLULAR
Good coverage and they offer both statewide and mainland US Unlimited minute plans. They also have capped statewide and National plans which are reasonable. They have a reasonable selection of GSM phones. They have government-supported Lifeline wireless service, especially where there are no landlines.

MTA WIRELESS
They have good statewide coverage and offer Unlimited statewide voice minutes. They have a number of other Local and National plans starting as low as $10 per month. Their National Unlimited calling plans are slightly higher than average. They have a reasonable selection of CDMA phones.

OTZ CELLULAR
This is the cellular division of the OTZ Telephone Cooperative in Kotzebue, AK in the northwest part of the state. Plans include Unlimited minutes, however Roaming and Long Distance are extra on all plans. Rates are reasonable but do not include statewide roaming. Some plans require having OTZ landline service, but customers can get a "bundle" discount on cellular service.

TRACFONE
Tracfone isn't an actual cellular carrier but is a major supplier of cellular phones and service. They are the largest prepaid wireless 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. They offer price points that start as low as $8.33 a month and offer all the advantages of prepaid services. They offer several promotions with bonus minutes, and offer plans with 365-day expiration. Their service is mostly limited to Voice and Text but does support data use of their web-capable phones. While their plans are Prepaid, they offer the option of having the fees deducted from your account automatically, eliminating the need to renew on an exact expiration date. TracFone offers Free international calls to 60 countries by calling a special number, and with their International Neighbors features, can 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 through NET10, and Unlimited plans with STRAIGHT TALK. Pros: Coverage and Local service, available virtually everywhere in the US, good price plans, no roaming or long distance charges, Local numbers in all markets, included Long Distance calling to 60 countries. Cons: You must use their own branded phones, no smart phones, coverage is determined by the phone model (CDMA or GSM) which may limit your roaming coverage.
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