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Hard to tell whether it's my phone (iPhones have notorious reception issues) but I fluctuate between 1 and 2 bars on calls and some days reception is unusable. Data works acceptably well in 3G mode and webpages, text etc run fairly fast. Prior to AT&T, over the years, I had Sprint and then Verizon services and both were about the same for calls (no data plans).

Last year when I was in the Grass Valley / Nevada City / Colfax area I had Verizon and it was great phone and text. This year have this new Droid with new service T-Mobile and the 4G went to 2G and my niece who's phone service for her Droid is with Verizon had 3G service. I also had quite a few dial phone and text failures with T-Mobile in the Grass Valley / Nevada City / Colfax area. Not impressed with T-Mobile.

90% dropped calls at this location; even though no one else in my family has dropped calls. Verizon's answer is that we live in a hilly area - even though the rest of my family has 0 dropped calls from their cell phone. Verizon says I can buy a recption extender on top of the already high fees for the Blackberry service, not to mention the other phone lines I pay each month. I'm switching to another carrier when this contract is up!

Around town reception is OK but not inside big bldgs. like K-Mart, Raley's etc. Reception is fine on Alta Hill but there is a dead zone on Spring Hill at Briar Patch Coop, inside and outside. I see lots of people with reception while sitting on the patio at the Coop but I can't even call home (Alta Hill). I have become frustrated with T-Mobile. I used to have Verizon and I think I had better reception then.

Phone doesn't work at home, but works intermittently as I leave the house and approach Lower Colfax (Chicago Park area). Then it works along Brunswick Road, except one stretch which is always dead (west of Cedar Ridge). I'm hoping that a new phone will be more sensitive to signals. We thought about switching provider, but haven't decided.

I have great reception 80% of the time with this network in just about anywhere in the area with the exception of Penn Valley and Lake Wildwood,it drops down to 2 bars in that area.We've had a few other cell providers but it seems that Cingular(AT&T) and Verizion are the best for this area coverage wise.Part of it has to do with the choice of particular cell phone.

Switched from Verizon (no signal at home) to Cingular two years ago. Best cell phone move I have made. I can actually make calls from home!

I am very happy with Cingular. After the merger with AT&T I have noticed a difference. In town its nearly flawless and I can make calls in buildings most of the time. Even when I only have 1 bar (of 6) I can still receive voicemail, texts, and make calls. I'd say that Cingular has better service than Verizon in places that are more important. On most lakes, and even surprisingly in some valleys or gullys. I would recommend a Nokia because I know they work (I've had 2).

Have had Verizon for years with no problems except the usual which is perodic drops and dead zones. Yes you can get Sprint coverage where we live but it is in roaming. There are a lot of companies that offer coverage in an area but be careful you may be roaming.