I have had AT&T since 2007, Verizon before that. I find that reception changes over time, so most of the ratings / comments are out of date. In 2007, Reception = 5 (perfect), now in 2011 it is mearly a 3 (average), and this is across three cell phones. Why? I found out from an AT&T rep that they removed 3G and 2G service towers in favor of their new 4G network so they degraded their own service. If if you do not buy or have a 4G phone, do not bother with AT&T (I assume this is a nationwide policy). As is, I have access to 2G and 3G phones and all have experienced high drop rates, the inability to call someone standing next to you, delayed phone messages (again from someone standing next to me), and the list goes on. People tell me they hate calling me due to the difficulty. Bottomline, I am forced to spend hundreds of dollars to test a 4G network that may or may not provide the service I used to have (who knows if the iPhone has eaten away at the 4G network as well). Anyone with 4G experience in 2011? I am looking at T-Mobile as the only other GSM carrier out there (a service I need). Pray they are not swallowed by AT&T.

I lose reception in calls and texts will always say that they can't be sent.

Verzion's cell reception in this area is abysmal. I can't get any reception at all on Lexington St.between Trapelo Rd.and Route 2. I can barely get any reception in my apartment on Stearns Hill Road. The reception along Route 2 between Lexington St. and Alewife Station in Cambridge is very spotty, and my calls get dropped at least 3 times on the ride. I am very disappointed with Verizon's coverage - and to think this is Boston, one of their most important markets!

I live in a garden level unit on top of a hill surrounded by trees, so reception is tricky. Parts of my house get 4-5 bars (3G) where other parts surrounded by concrete get 0-1 bar. Overall, I'm satisfied with my coverage with AT&T as I have had 3 different Blackberries and have been able to make calls in my house fine, with the occasional dropped call. I tried Verizon because I wanted the HTC Incredible, but I could barely get a reception anywhere in my house. I was really disappointed with how bad Verizon reception is here in Waltham. My friends with T-Mobile who visit get like 2 bars in my house and can make calls with more frequent drops. I'd like to know how Sprint works around Waltham.

horrible. can't get phone calls and can't use any data services.

bought t-mobile, because spint does not offer as many good options with international roaming as t mobile, and t mobile is cheaper than att, but arouind the weston, waltham area, there is no comparation, Sprint is much better, having the two phones next two each other, in several places in newton, weston, waltham, Sprint service is much better than tmobile. the blackberry 8900 is a great phone, much better than the Sprint treo 755. With the so so reception of t mobile, I will be trying AT&T next. If you don't have to travel international, Sprint is a much better value.

Switched to AT&T from Verizon in October for the iPhone 3g. So far, so good. I live in Waltham and work in Boston, and the coverage has been roughly comparable so far. Here are my impressions: * Coverage in the southern part of Waltham seems equally good with Verizon and AT&T. Around the house, I used to have 5 bars with Verizon, and I usually have 4 with AT&T (EDGE and 3G are about the same). * AT&T seems to be bettter in North Waltham than Verizon- I had no service in a lot of places around Trapelo Rd and Lexington St. on VZW, but usually have 2-3 bars with AT&T. * AT&T has random dead spots around the Waverly Sq. commuter rail station that Verizon did not have. * AT&T 3G coverage has been great all around Waltham and downtown Boston, but there seems to be no 3G in / around the Belmont area.

no reception - talked to Verizon, we live in an "area with limited service due to the geography" and "have no plans to fix the problem in the foreseeable future". awesome.

I get decent reception throughout most of the city and Waltham. I can't believe that people get reception in some T stations... I wish I could. I get a lot of dropped calls and cell phone "anomalies" like I can hear people but they can't hear me. My fave is when I get a call and I can hear people, but when I talk all I hear is static... awesome. I had Verizon for years and had better reliability, but Cingular is a client now so I get a discount... not worth it. I may try T-Mobile next.

I used to have great reception with Cingular then a few months ago it just went all downhill. Now I get static too, all the time. I bought a new phone but it didn't solve the problem. Will definitely switch away from this service. It's almost unuseable.

good reception in boston, cambridge, waltham, worcester.