Which cell phone carrier should you choose?

Depending on where you live and work in the area, it can be hard to choose a cell-phone service provider that has service where you are. Who better to ask about where they have coverage than local citizens?

Responding to an August 9 post on the Star’s Facebook page, people weighed in on three big cell-phone companies: AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile.

People appear happiest with T-Mobile and Verizon, with AT&T being very spotty in Coulee Dam despite working above the dam and in Nespelem.

“T-Mobile [is] the only way to go,” Gary Haag commented. “Years with AT&T and bad service and bad reception.”

None of the providers are perfect, though, as despite responders being generally positive about T-Mobile and Verizon, there are places they don’t get signals.

People said that Verizon’s service is bad or spotty between Elmer City and Nespelem, or south of Electric City, but works in the other locales.

Verizon’s online interactive service map shows good service between Elmer City and Nespelem, but does show blank spots along the shores of Banks Lake.

T-Mobile, also said to work most places, is said to not work by Sunbanks Lake Resort. One person said it doesn’t work on the dam hill, past North Shores, or Nespelem, while another person said it “usually” works in Nespelem.

T-Mobile’s online coverage map does show spottiness in Nespelem, but shows coverage on the dam hill and past North Shores.

AT&T’s service map seems to be the least consistent with the accounts of those who talked to The Star, showing service in Coulee Dam, where many people say service is spotty at best.

Some people will use one service provider for home, and another for work.

“I have AT&T,” said Lars G. Larson. “Had Verizon for work. AT&T works at our house one mile up lake from Spring Canyon. Verizon is very weak there. Most guests at our house don’t have adequate service except with AT&T.”

One person who has tried all three providers likes Verizon the best, while another who has also tried all three prefers T-Mobile.

Unfortunately, there is no perfect provider, so depending on an individual’s unique circumstances, they may want to consider changing providers, unless a new tower gives everyone a signal that works from here to Timbuktu.

“A tower in this area would make a huge difference,” said Kathy Proctor, who lives in rural Douglas County near Grand Coulee.

On a related note, the Colville Tribes left official comments with the Federal Communications Commission expressing their desire for the licenses for unused “2.5Ghz spectrum” frequencies.

“There is a critical need for improved telecommunications on the Colville Reservation for public safety, public education, and basic cell-phone services,” Colville Business Council Chairman Rodney Cawston stated in an Aug. 7 press release. “The Colville Tribes needs more than one license to address a wide range of our communications needs.”

In addition to the need for better cell-phone reception, Cawston said the need for better communication in regards to fighting fires is critical.

“Cell towers burned and our firefighters were using temporary, portable equipment which limited their ability to communicate critical information to each other,” he stated. “We would use our new spectrum licenses for the protection of the public and our natural resources in the case [of] future wildfires, which we know will happen sooner or later.”