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Oregon Cellular Reviews
General Oregon Observations: With Verizon's purchase of Unicel and Ramcel, they now dominate coverage in the state. AT&T works adequately along the coast and the Interstates but depends on that ex-Unicel network for roaming in rural eastern Oregon. That roaming should remain available for some time. Sprint offers good coverage in the populated parts of the state and has good roaming capabilities. T-Mobile is slightly behind and also depends on that ex-Unicel network for rural coverage. US Cellular does a great job in rural Oregon and has benefitted from the availability of CDMA roaming in the southeast part of the state.

AT&T Review 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. Get Web-Only Discounts on Wireless from AT&T.

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 faster broadband service than those provided by cellular carriers. 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's service is also being offered by other communications companies like Comcast, Time-Warner, Google, Sprint and others, often under their own brand name. Clear is available in limited areas and you can use it for your mobile data needs as long as you are within their coverage, and that may also include your home data usage. There is no service available away from your home area, unlike broadband provided by cellular carriers who can offer service over much of the country. They don't currently support typical cellular data devices, instead, they provide home modems, Voice over IP, USB modems for mobile devices, or a WiMAX-ready laptop. Clear can offer a competitive price to most cellular services, including a "$50 For Life" promotion, which can mean long-term savings if you can accept their limitations. For now, Clear has aggressive expansion plans.

Cricket Wireless Pros & Cons

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 may become overloaded. Plans with nationwide roaming are available but those minutes may not be unlimited. Cricket is the largest "Unlimited' carrier and is adding many new markets, and your minutes can be Unlimited in each of those markets. You can use Cricket to replace a home wireline. In some markets, coverage is being expanded. Plans start as low as $30 ($25 in some markets) with Family plans starting at $95 for 3 lines. They have reciprocal roaming agreements with other small carriers which provide free Unlimited roaming in those "extended" markets. Cricket also offers reasonable Unlimited Broadband access and supplies a simple USB modem that plugs in to your laptop.
Pros: Talk as much as you want, no contract, most data & digital serves are included, good Broadband service. Cons: You must pre-pay, "unlimited" coverage is limited to just within your home areas although some plans include other "extended" markets, off-network roaming is available at an extra charge, some dropped calls when circuits are busy.
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FARMERS MUTUAL TELEPHONE COMPANY
Wireless from FMTC serves small towns on the Idaho/Oregon border including Fruitland, ID. Their Local plans include a few rural areas in WY, CO and UT, including a Local Unlimited plan. They only offer a few plans, but they are reasonable and include most features and start as low as $20/month. They have a good selection of phones including smart phones.
FMTC "Extended" Local 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 is more robust in certain areas than others. They cover urban areas and some interstates, but there is little roaming elsewhere in the state. They have an efficient '2-way' radio 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. Boost Mobile uses the Nextel network and it a good option for Unlimited Voice and Text. Rumors come up from time to time that Sprint wants to sell off the Nextel network, which may or may not include Nextel customers.
Pros: The Direct Connect is a handy 'walkie-talkie' service, 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.
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SNAKE RIVER PCS
Snake River PCS is composed of 2 completely different networks. In Oregon, the network is supported by the Eagle Telephone Company of Richland, OR. In Idaho, the network is part of the Cambridge Telephone Company (CTC). Eagle Telephone customers get access to Eagle's Snake River Oregon network, but will be roaming anywhere else, even on the Snake River/CTC network of Idaho. Fortunately, some roaming minutes are included in most of Eagle's plans. In Idaho, you will be using the Idaho Snake River sites of CTC, which includes a completely different set of "Snake River" sites in Oregon than those that belong to Eagle. And as if that wasn't confusing enough, CTC offers wireless service in areas around Boise where they have land lines, but only as a re-seller of Verizon Wireless. Plans are very different between Eagle and CTC, with CTC's being quite expensive. Both offer several types of cellular phones. Both companies' agents are friendly and answer the phone in person right away, but the confusion makes this a difficult choice. We are told they may rename the CTC network to "CTC Wireless", which will hopefully end the confusion.

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 in many systems when away from their own coverage, as well as any National plan. 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. 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. 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.
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More Sprint Pros & Cons

T-MOBILE
T-Mobile works very well within their 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 interstates. They offer roaming in rural areas, and the network is still growing, although often they're just 'filling in'. They offer some handy features like "My-Favs" which includes Unlimited calling to your choice of five numbers, regardless of network, "Kid Connect" which helps you limit the amount of charges your kids can rack up, and an Unlimited "Hot Spot" plan using your home wi-fi connection. They have plans that include unlimited voice and messaging.
Pros: Generous included-minute plans, National and Regional plans, "Unlimited" calling plan available, good urban coverage, good choice of phones, good pre-paid plans, good roaming capabilities, including internationally. Good customer service. Cons: Some weak spots, limited data bandwidth, high international roaming charges.
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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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US CELLULAR
US Cellular is a good company that offers good coverage, good plans and lots of features, and a good selection of CDMA phones. Unlimited incoming calls are available on most plans. In some plans, Nights & Weekends begin at 7pm, others start at 9pm. They offer a large selection of phones including Smart phones. They have fairly good roaming capabilities. They have a $20/100 minute "Piece of Mind Plan." In Chicago they use 1900 MHz frequencies which has more dead spots. They have a number of customer-friendly features like usage notifications and free battery swaps.
Pros: Their price plans are competitive, and they offer National and Regional plans, "Unlimited" calling plan available, good customer service, National plans appear to be all-inclusive and roaming has good coverage, mostly with Verizon Wireless. Cons: Mobile to Mobile minutes are extra on lower-tier plans, Unlimited Nights & Weekends have confusing start times.
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VERIZON WIRELESS
Verizon is the largest cellular carrier in the US. They have taken over a large portion of the Alltel network and are now dominant in rural America. Cellular service in a few of Alltel's local markets are being sold to other companies, but no Verizon coverage will be lost. Their claim to fame is superior coverage, especially in the west. They use PCS frequencies only 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.

Pros: Verizon has reasonably-priced plans, "Unlimited" calling plans available, extensive coverage, wide-ranging National plans, excellent customer service and 'customer-friendly' policies. With such a large coverage area of their own little roaming is necessary, but their roaming partners normally have superior coverage. Cons: Some Verizon plans are a little more expensive, Customer Service closes at 11pm, but technical assistance is available 24/7, there are some billing transition concerns as they take over other carriers, they don't offer as many "cute" phones, they 'cripple' some User Interface functions like larger fonts: make sure you can read their submenus before buying. Some of their data services are not available while roaming.
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