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Verizon's network quality in the Shreveport area depends on the network technology your phone is set to pick up. I've had several Verizon phones over the last two years, and their 3G network is exellent--I get good coverage all over the entire area, whether outdoors or in buildings. Verizon's 4G LTE coverage in this area is a big disappointment to me. In heavily trafficked areas (Youree Drive, Airline Drive, etc.) I get adequate 4G service. Once I step into a building or enter a residential area, my phone drops to 3G. I currently own an LG Revolution and also had a Samsung Droid Charge, two 4G phones. Both have the same issues with 4G. I can't give Verizon's service any higher than a 4 / 5 in this area due to the spotty 4G coverage. Thankfully, Verizon gives you the option to switch 4G on or off, so I typically rely on their stellar 3G service. Verizon is by far the best carrier in the area, just don't expect much from their 4G network.

At&t's network in Shreveport / Bossier is bipolar. Their 3G service is inconsistent at best, and is not as well deployed as their 2G EDGE network. I have no trouble with dropped calls or data connections using a 2G Blackberry 8520, but i've tried several 3G phones in this area, and none of them exhibit optimal 3G performance. It seems that for every 3-4 EDGE towers in the area there are only 1-2 3G towers available; as their 3G network seems quite underdeveloped here. If your not using a 2G phone or don't have a phone that allows you to manually select 2-3G, i'd stay away from AT&T in this area.

Service Throughout Shreveport is very iffy. Many times I will have 2-3 bars in an empty lot, and move over and have no service.

I have been using Nextel (Boost iDEN) for several months now and the service is pretty good. Reception is generally strong all over the metro area, though as with any carrier, there's a soft spot here and there. Additionally, I have not experienced any messaging delays that plague Nextel in several other areas. *If you are within Nextel's coverage area* in the region, it is a good (albeit lesser known) option for cellular service.

If you are looking for a cell phone company... It's my suggestion that you avoid Cingular like the plague. I'm not up on what's going on with the whole AT&T / Cingular purchase or if that has anything to do with my problems. It's bad enough that I drop... Well, Cingular drops my calls from one room of my house to another. Dare I say, I wouldn't piss on Cingular if they were on fire. Oh, and to the person that posted "you get what you pay for" when talking about the "free phones". First off, what phone store do you work at? I have a Treo 650 on Cingular and my wife has the "freebie" phone from Alltel... The difference is like night and day! Mine sucks, hers does not. So, as you can see... Cingular sucks and Alltel does not. Perhaps you should forward your "you get what you pay for" speech to the higher-ups and tell them to apply that to how they purchase towers and employee selection. Here's a list of my woes with Cingular... Dropped calls galore! VERY poor audio quality and volume when you are lucky enough to be able to make a call. CSR that make the DMV look good. Missed calls and messages due to Cingular "raising the bar" again. Eh... I'll leave it at that. If not, I'll be here all day. Just know, if you like torture and the feeling that you are throwing money down the toilet... Then Cingular is for you!

Even with full bars, 2 / 3rd's of calls are dropped, called failed, or have jitter / stutter. This is pretty much all over Shreveport

The number of bars has no effect on Cingular's lack of service here. They can drop a call and still have bars showing. I am losing business because of dropped or missed calls and I am on the 8th floor of the Chase Bank. Many of the calls that are actually completed deteriorate into a conversation with Darth Vader, then garble and finally dropped. Contract is up next month with Cingular and we are interviewing the competition right now. Too much money spent on TV ads and sponsoring local sporting events leaves nothing to maintain a cell system. Too bad!

I had AT&T for years with wonderful service everywhere. Since the Cingular buyout, what has happened? I was told that it was my phone (being an AT&T coded phone) was the issue and that when I migrated, everythign would be better. Hah, so they say. I have had more dropped calls since I have switched than ever. There are times that I am suprised that I see 2 bars on my phone. From my experience, Cingular is pathetic in Shreveport. And their customer service is second to crap. CSR told me when I asked him what I had to do to make this $70 a month service usable, he basically told me to deal with it. Sad.

need to find stronger reception phone or stronger signal

Within 100 yards of a major hospital and close to geographic center of Shreveport. Had calls dropped and then no service "SOS only". Has happened for about 2 months now. Makes their "Raising the bar" campaign pretty much all spin and no substance.