How to check 3G and 4G coverage for North American Wireless Carriers
New models of mobile phones and wireless broadband, including mobile hotspots are capable of 3G and 4G coverage depending on the carrier. If you are looking to upgrade your service, a comparison of service capability is needed. To do this, you can easily view the coverage availability for each carrier. The difference between 3G and 4G coverage is the speed that your phone can receive data.
AT&T
Go to the AT&T Coverage Viewer home page to determine the coverage availability for your area. You need to enter your street address, current city, the state and the Zip Code. When all of your information has been entered, select the option for Data on the right. Click the View Map button to see all coverage options that you have available. Refer to the Data Coverage Legend under the map for specific options for your area. Scroll the map to view your coverage ability in surrounding areas. You are able to see if you have 3G or 4G service available.
http://www.wireless.att.com/coverageviewer
Clear Wireless
Go to the Check Coverage web page to view the coverage options for data plans. Type in your address, city, state and Zip Code into the text boxes. Click the Submit button to see the coverage that offered for your area. However, Clear Wireless is not available in all areas of the United States. Scroll down to the bottom of the page to see cities where coverage is available.
Sprint
Go to the Sprint Coverage Check web page to see your 3G and 4G coverage availability. You will need to type in your complete address, city, state or Zip Code in the text box. Click the Map it button to view your coverage options. To view your 3G coverage options, click the 3G and more tab. Click on the 4G tab to see 4G coverage availability for your area.
T-Mobile
Go to the Personal Coverage Check web page to view your coverage options. Select the Data Coverage Map option to see coverage for data plans. Type in your address, city, state and Zip Code. Click on the Search button to see the coverage available in your area. Compare the color on the map for all coverage options for 3G and 4G data plans.
http://www.t-mobile.com/coverage/pcc.aspx
Verizon
Go to the Verizon Coverage Locator home page to determine your coverage availability. You will need to enter your current address, city and state and your Zip Code. To check for 3G coverage, click on the radio button for Data Coverage. Click the Search button to see your coverage results. To see all of your 4G coverage option, put a check in 4G Data Coverage radio button and click the Search button again.
http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/CoverageLocatorController
Virgin Mobile
Go to the Check Coverage web page to view the coverage option you have available. Put a check in the box for Data Coverage. You then need to enter your address, city, state and Zip Code into the text boxes under Map a location. Click the Map It button to see coverage availability. Currently, Virgin Mobile has only 3G data coverage available.
http://www.virginmobileusa.com/check-cell-phone-coverage
Additional Information
Your 4G coverage options will depend if you have a 4G capable mobile phone. Most new smartphones that are available from each carrier are capable of 3G speed. Newer phones are now being offered with 4G capability for the top major wireless carriers.
Category: How-To Guides
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