I get no reception at all in any number of locations. The folks at AT&T hav been attentive, but nothing ever gets resolved. They look at their maps and assure me I should be getting the calls I never get. They say things will improve sometime in 2009, but in the meantime I'm virtually without a cell phone.

Even if I get 2 to 3 bars, I usually don't get dropped calls and get all of my calls, etc. The only times I don't is when I'm in a big auditorium or basements (aka during class so I don't need to use it anyways). Sure when I was in new dorms, my service was craptacular at best, but now that I'm out in Dillard (and when I'm in Bice as well), I have great service! (minus elevators)

AT&T sucks! they are terrible and they will rip you off! They have the highest charges of all the carriers and their customer service is never available. Do not use AT&T

We have a lot of trouble with Verizon, undelivered voice messages, not being able to place a call! they suck!

I have drop calls almost every day and calls that do not ring in but the voice message does. I went to the Sprint store today and told the clerk about my drop calls she said it was the first time anyone every told her about drop calls! I realized after I had left the store I didn't ask her how long she had worked at the store and yes maybe today was her first day. I'm just not happy with Sprint service and if by chance this was not the clerks first day at work I'm not happy with the honesty of the employee of Sprint.

I do not get Verizon service features such as "Get it Now," "Mobile Web," phone software updates, and sometimes voicemail. The reason I cannot get Verizon features is because they go through AllTel and other carriers for reception. I cannot order a new Verizon phone online because when I enter my zip code it says they do not provide service.

In my apartment I have between 0-2 bars of reception, with many dropped calls and very spotty voice quality. Outside my phone seems to perform slightly better, but service highly vulnerable to peak-usage-related service disruptions, with game-day or weekend nights often resulting in almost total inability to place or receive a phone call.

Coverage has always been very good around Charlottesville. Remember, though, call quality is a combination of the phone and the carrier. Read some reviews before you choose a phone. What I really need to mention, though, is that Sprint customer service is TERRIBLE! Long waits, and the odds are about 50% that you'll get someone totally unhelpful. They socked me with international roaming charges 3 months after the fact and they won't even contact me regarding a resolution despite promising to do so twice. If customer service is important to you, stay away from Sprint.

We have nationwide coverage which does the trick for us. Usually not really ever had a problem with dropped calls and the like. U.S. Cellular has worked for us so far, especially since they upped their coverage area to include Charlottesville, VA.

Alltel has the best coverage around Grounds in UVA, hands down. Verizon has no native coverage in Charlottesville and rides on Alltel's network, so one could check out their reviews too. Living in Bice, Alltel is about the only company that allows you to make and receive calls anywhere in the building. Most of my friends who are on Cingular / AT&T or T-Mobile have to stand right next to a window or go outside the building.