Verizon definately has the best network around the Sweetwater area. All phones work well near I-75, but once you get off the interstate, the others fade out much more quickly (especially Cingular. You couldn't give me a Cingular phone). They may have better sound quality, but their signal and antennas in East TN are few and far between. Verizon has the best network of towers, period. Verizon will work out Oakland Rd. into Loudon county (the Erie area), where no other companies towers reach. Also, If you are going towards Watts Bar Dam and Ten Mile, Verizon is the only company with a tower serving the Ten Mile (Meigs County) area. The coverage is also strong all the way to Madisonville. If you are using the phone along the interstate only (I-75), pretty much any company will do, but if you plan on venturing off the interstate several miles in any direction, then Verizon is by far the best and only choice, hands down. I would recommend Verizon to anyone. (Great customer service and stores too. The people at the Athens store are very nice). Anyway, in this area, Verizon is by far the leader. (I haven't ever tried U.S. Cellular, so I can't comment on their coverage, but I can tell you for a fact that Cingular's coverage in this area is VERY poor and nowhere near that of Verizons).