I think it is a shame that a company can have 5 bars of signal in Mexico and 0 in SW Virgina. I have great signal in KY, TN, WV,FL,AL, but O in SW virgina. The best thing about it all is that I work in VA.

I also carry a Verizon line (see my post on Verizon below this) and Alltel is just a better choice for this area. The coverage is better, the only problem areas I know with Alltel is for a little strip about a mile past Mullican going to Appalachia and over near St. Paul. Overall, the network is much stronger than Verizon here that spends much time with 0-1 bars and much more time roaming on Alltel. I go up to Roanoke sometimes, down to Gatlinburg several times a year, and over to the Tri-Cities frequently and Alltel has never given me any problems anywhere I've ever been. There's a corporate retail store in Wise if you ever have any problems but you can get service at Wal-Mart for cheaper and have less of a wait. My Circle is also good for unlimited minutes basically because you get 10 numbers but you can change those numbers anytime online. All the factors just point to Alltel being the best choice here in my experience.

I decided to try Verizon when I saw them now selling service out of the new Wal-Mart. I've got some family in Roanoke that's always bragging about them. Even though I had an Alltel line I decided it would give me free mobile-to-mobile minutes to my family on Verizon. But it was the worst mistake I'd ever made. Verizon may be good for bigger cities but it's horrible here. Verizon says they'll improve in the future but co-workers at Crutchfield say they've been saying that for years. It's not bad in downtown Norton, but through Wise County, I spend so much time in 'Extended Network' roaming on Alltel. Coeburn, Wise, Big Stone, many places in Norton including Guest River, Ramsey, and past the Dollar General going toward Appalachia it's the same story. Texts don't get delivered sometimes because I'm roaming. I've called Verizon numerous times to complain but they keep telling me to bring the phone to the nearest Verizon store to get it checked out, THAT'S IN KINGSPORT. Wal-Mart only sells service they are not a full service retail location. Check all the small print and be sure Verizon works at your house before you buy because in a lot of places in Wise County and Norton it's just paying more for worse service than Alltel will give you. I guess including roaming on Alltel it's not totally bad, but it will hold onto a bad Verizon signal until it completely fades out before switching over. Just looking back on my decision, it seems I made a bad move paying Verizon's prices, getting fewer minutes, fewer texts for the price, and having worse coverage.

Serrvice is terrible in spite of the new towers. The digital service is no where near as wide range as the Analog Service area was. I can not even get reception sitting in my driveway in norton.

about 15 or 20 miles off of interstate 81 west bound my phone goes to no service