I normally get between 2 and 4 bars at my house in Altona. In Plattsburgh service is usually at 4 or 5 bars with Verizon. People are right, there is really only two carriers that work constistantly around here and they are Tracfone and Verizon Wireless. I recommend the Pay As You Go plan with Verizon Wireless because it is like having a Tracfone with better reception. We really do need more options this far north though. My phone also works in many of the other neighboring towns in this area rather well, and when I attended college in Potsdam, I could call home with very few problems. So definitely go with Verizon Wireless in upstate New York.

Extremely disappointing... . The only phones I have seen in the very Up state corner of NY is Verizon or Tracfone. Wish I had purchased a Tracfone instead. Those that have the Tracfone have great service as well as Verizon users. Virgin Mobile operates of Sprint Towers and they suck in this area. For those looking for a phone and not a monthly bill to go with it, Tracfone is the way to go..if you are this far North.