How to Find Out What Phones Have the Best Range

Although cell phones come with listings of their specifications and ratings, there is no reliable method to judge the range of a cell phone based solely on hardware. The two largest factors that determine the range of your cell phone are your location and the coverage of your cell phone plan provider. Because of this, it is far more important to choose the correct cell phone plan than it is to select the best handset.

Instructions

1. Determine which carrier offers the phone you are interested in. Some phones, such as the Motorola Droid from Verizon, are exclusive to the cell phone plan provider. Other phones, such as the BlackBerry, are offered by several different providers. You can find out if a certain carrier has the phone you are researching by viewing its inventory online.

2. Check the coverage map. All the major cellular service providers (including Verizon Wireless, T-Mobile, AT&T, Sprint and Nextel) have coverage maps available online. These are updated regularly. Visit the coverage map on the respective cell phone plan provider's website and enter your location. Make sure to check the coverage for data, voice and 3G (third-generation mobile phone standards).

3. Read user reviews. Coverage maps are often accompanied by disclaimers which state that the maps may not be accurate or up-to-date. Because of this, you should consult testimonials from actual users. Visit forums and blogs and ask about the experiences of those who live in your area and have the same cellular service provider.

4. Buy a GSM phone or quad-band phone if you plan on traveling outside of the U.S. There are four main frequencies used throughout the world. Some phones operate only on one or two of them, while quad-band phones will operate on all four. There are also two types of networks in the United States (CDMA and GSM). In Europe, the standard is GSM, meaning CDMA phones will not function.

Tips & Warnings

• Consult Consumer Reports or another consumer review magazine for recent ratings of cellular service providers (see Resources). Networks continually update their coverage and build new towers, so ratings from several years ago may not be accurate today.

• Homes near power lines, underground rooms or buildings with steel walls or foundation may hinder your cell phone range.

References

• Cell Phone Reception Guide
• AT&T Coverage Map
• Verizon Coverage Locator

Resources

• Consumer Reports: Ratings on Cell Phone Plans Providers
• Cell Phone Plans: Comparing the Best Data Plans for Smartphones
• T-Mobile Coverage