View Full Version : Cell service in the Smokies
wright975
08-20-2009, 10:09
Does anyone know if there is anyplace between Davenport Gap and Fontana Dam where cell service could be found?
I have Verizon and have always had decent service all along the AT particularly on the ridges and trail itself. Not so much at the shelters as they are kinda off the ridge. I think we had it at Icewater Springs though, Forget it at Pecks Corner.
Tennessee Viking
08-20-2009, 10:29
Does anyone know if there is anyplace between Davenport Gap and Fontana Dam where cell service could be found?Its pretty much Verizon towers around the park area. My family could barely get Sprint and some areas they were roaming. And Alltel was roaming everywhere.
Cell service along the AT in the northern half of Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, and the southern half of Pennsylvania seems to favor Verizon. That's the result of informally polling folks we shuttle (www.MVshuttle.com (http://www.MVshuttle.com)) how well their cell phones worked on the trail. Sprint, AT&T, and the others did not seem to fare as well.
Of course there are lots of places where even Verizon doesn't work. But when you can get to a minimally obstructed ridge viewpoint, Verizon seems to beat its competitors.
Having said that, Rodney has a Sprint phone and is locked into a contract so switching to Verizon isn't in the cards right now. Sprint was able to show him some way to make a switch on his phone to be able to use other carriers' towers in addition to the Sprint towers. Coverage improved somewhat. He's on an unlimited minutes plan and they haven't been charging him roaming fees or anything extra for this.
SmokyMtn Hiker
08-20-2009, 11:11
I have Verizon and got a signal everytime I turned on my phone along that section. I even made a call from Pecks Corner but you have to walk up the hill to where the privy is, I was just there again 2 weeks ago and made a call there. Icewater had a great reception, made several calls from there. If you travel south of Newfound Gap it gets iffy even on the tall peaks such as Thunderhead.
Hikes in Rain
08-20-2009, 13:24
I"m on Alltel, and on my hike through the Smokies I always got a call out. Had to be persistent, and try different areas, as mentioned above. It was November, and at Derrick Knob the only place I could get a call out to my wife was right up on the exposed ridge, with a strong wind whipping over it. It was ten degrees and falling. She could hear my teeth chattering and the wind howling. Somehow, she wasn't comforted by my call, I'm not sure why.
Usually, if you can't get a voice call out, you can text.
I have ATT and didn't have alot of luck.
I think I got a call out at Icewater but that was it.
A few times I was able to send a text message.
Pacific Tortuga
08-20-2009, 15:01
Unfortunatly there is.
One phone call by a young lady got a ear full from me, made her cry, felt like crap.
I was told by most there at camp that was the right thing to do, boundaries are needed, I was told.
I have ATT and didn't have alot of luck.I don't think it's called "luck." It's called cell towers! :eek: :p :D The lack of them has a direct effect on your phoning experience. "More bars in more places" is the AT&T TV punch line that Verizon Wireless truly owns! ;)
ChinMusic
08-20-2009, 21:38
I had next to nothing in the Smokies with ATT. One thru with Verizon had no trouble, even from Pecks.
If the current domination of Verizon is still in place in a few years, for my thru I will be switching to V.