| So you're checking out mobile broadband and | | | | where I live you say? Great question. I'd love to |
| you're wondering who's got some good coverage. | | | | jump up in excitement about the innovative, |
| You might have been burned by one of the big 3 | | | | cutting edge, GPS locating, interactive map |
| (Sprint, Verizon or AT&T) and you're | | | | technology Alltel has available for you to use...but |
| determined not to let it happen again. You might | | | | I'd probably go to jail for false advertising. |
| live in a rural area somewhere that's known for | | | | Alltel's map is that bad. |
| poor reception. You might even be in a city that's | | | | You can't zoom in like other maps. You can't |
| supposedly 'covered' everywhere but your house. | | | | enter your street address. All you can do is stare |
| One thing's for certain though. | | | | at the big map of the United States, click on a |
| You do not want to get stuck in a 2 year | | | | state and hope your street address is covered...or |
| contract with bad service. | | | | so they'd have you think. |
| Fear not. It's obvious you're one of the proactive | | | | Time to get all Sherlock Holmes (thankfully this is |
| types that take control of the situation and seek | | | | text so you can't hear my horrible English accent |
| solutions to their problems. I'm here to provide | | | | impression): |
| you with answers. Now that we've gotten to | | | | "Dear Watson, if Alltel is partnered up with Sprint |
| know each other, let's get this started. Here's | | | | or Verizon, or perhaps even both, what do can |
| what the major providers have to offer. | | | | you deduce about their coverage?" |
| N.B. Since this is an article, they won't let me | | | | "Well Sherlock, wouldn't that mean Alltel's got |
| provide maps that you can use. I'll provide a link | | | | expanded coverage through one or both of their |
| at the end that'll take you to a one stop shop to | | | | networks?" |
| check everyone's mobile broadband coverage. | | | | "Good Show Watson! Precisely! We can figure out |
| Alltel | | | | Alltel's 'reach' by checking out maps provided by |
| Alltel is like that friend you knew from a small | | | | Sprint or Verizon! That'll show us where Alltel's got |
| town that moved to a big city and married a big | | | | coverage too!" |
| shot lawyer. Who's the lawyer you ask? I'm sure | | | | The map they provide is good for figuring out |
| you've heard of him. He goes by the name | | | | coverage while you travel (you can see an |
| Verizon. | | | | overview of major areas), it's not great for |
| Before Verizon acquired Alltel last year, their | | | | figuring out mobile broadband coverage in your |
| coverage was so so. However, they made a | | | | home town. |
| delightfully smart move. They partnered with | | | | The Verdict: |
| Sprint for a nationwide roaming agreement that | | | | Alltel's EVDO Revision A (read: highest speed) is |
| would last 10 years. Thanks to that they could | | | | available in major cities. A few up and coming |
| boast having the largest mobile broadband | | | | places get EVDO Revision 0 (fast but not fastest) |
| network (curiously enough, Sprint did the same). | | | | and everywhere else gets dialup speed. They're |
| Since Alltel got married to Verizon, it's remains to | | | | not the kings of coverage. They're average. |
| be seen if she's gonna keep seeing Sprint on the | | | | Two Steps To Take Next: |
| side and for how long. Considering Verizon has | | | | 1. Sign up for the Free E-Course "Wireless |
| never been with Sprint in the past, there's this | | | | Broadband Exposed." It's like your pre-marital |
| inkling feeling that Verizon might cut ties. | | | | counselor and prenuptial agreement all in one. It'll |
| Nevertheless, Alltel is having her cake and eating it | | | | save you from any future heartache and |
| too. Right now she's got a 10 year roaming | | | | checkbook punches that might come your way. |
| agreement with Sprint and a merger with Verizon | | | | 2. Click on "Reviews" in the top navigation bar to |
| who's known for their reliability. | | | | check out the interactive coverage map. |
| But what about wireless broadband coverage | | | | |