Cell Signal between Davenport and Fontana?

[Point Man Chef]

Does it exist? I disappear on the trail for a reason and shun technology during my hikes primarily because I work in it daily but...I have a beautiful 5 year old girl. This hike seems to be different for her knowing daddy is going to be gone so I am trying to stay connected to her with some daily pics and maybe a skype a night or two. Anyone have a cell signal report? Given what I have seen so far here on WB, my weather sites and the GSMNP website I should be GOOD on water and look for trail issues south of Mollies Ridge (going SOBO.) So... before I make promise I can't keep to my little girl... got signal? Thanks for the help.

[Pro Se]

I suspect many folks are going to reply that it depends on who your carrier is. I had Verizon by the time I did "the smokies" (dumped At&T because I spent the first few AT hikes with NO signal...but noticed all the local shuttle drivers yacking away on their verizon phones. I got decent signal between Newfound and Fontana but was hit or miss from Newfound to Davenport (until I got really close to I-40). Most days, I had enough signal to at least text and occasionally my emails would drop to my phone when I turned it on. I even had enough bars to use the internet and make a call from the base of the firetower at shuckstack. I never ran into anyone trying to hold an actual call or skype anywhere else, and I didn't try it myself b/c I usually only had one or two bars. Have fun.

[Point Man Chef]

I suspect many folks are going to reply that it depends on who your carrier is. I had Verizon by the time I did "the smokies" (dumped At&T because I spent the first few AT hikes with NO signal...but noticed all the local shuttle drivers yacking away on their verizon phones. I got decent signal between Newfound and Fontana but was hit or miss from Newfound to Davenport (until I got really close to I-40). Most days, I had enough signal to at least text and occasionally my emails would drop to my phone when I turned it on. I even had enough bars to use the internet and make a call from the base of the firetower at shuckstack. I never ran into anyone trying to hold an actual call or skype anywhere else, and I didn't try it myself b/c I usually only had one or two bars. Have fun.

Sorry. Should have mentioned the carrier and it is Verizon. Thanks for the reply.

[kayak karl]

in '09 i had no signal with verizon thru the smokies, but i don't have a fancy phone.

[MuddyWaters]

When we hiked north of the smokies, ATT was nil except on larger peaks, and then it was fleeting . Others hikers would have 3 or 4 bars with Verizon, no problem. Everyone told me Verizon was best up there. Everyone says same thing about Smokies. When we hike the smokies next, I will pick up a prepaid verizon pone, $15 from walmart.

[HooKooDooKu]

I don't know about while in the park, but this past weekend, I was able to send text messages around the Fontana dam area (but calls were dropping). Bet signal seemed to be around the Fontana dam picnic area (I have Verizion).

[Kerosene]

I sectioned the Smokies in October 2011 with a Verizon iPhone.

• There was little-to-no signal at Fontana Dam itself.
• I recall having a weak signal at Silers Bald Shelter that was good enough for text messaging and e-mail.
• I didn't try my phone atop Clingman's Dome, but that would have probably worked.
• I had a strong signal in Newfound Gap.
• I had a strong signal just north of Cosby Knob Shelter.
• I was able to get a fairly good signal on the ridge above Standing Bear Hostel.

[10-K]

I had service almost the entire length of the Lakeshore Trail segment of the BMT.

[Astro]

Also have Verizion which due to Altell acquasition is great for first 150 miiles of AT. Did Fontana to Newfound Gap in March and the only place I had reception was on Rocky Top. Based upon my experience I would not make any promises.

[renais]

I went from Fontana to Davenport gap this April, and had cell service good enough to make a voice call every day with Verizon and a basic (not smart) phone. Most of the shelters had service, and if they did not, it was usually not far to a high point that did have service. Text messages went through fine as well.

[MuddyWaters]

may be phone dependent. Might depend on the type service the phone is set too. "auto" will frequently NOT see older towers that you can by setting a phone manually. Seems stupid, but thats my experience.

Once after a hurricane when towers were jammed and you couldnt make any callsl, I reset my phone to an older network type, and made calls EVERY time without issue while everyone else complained about their inability to get a call out. AUTO may not necessarilly talk to all towers, it selects the most new style preferentially.

[Whack-a-mole]

This is good info to know. We will be doing this section in Oct. My wife is great about me hiking for days at a time, but it makes her feel better to get a text at night to let her know I'm ok. I also leave her a list of shelters and mtn tops, so when I shoot her a text I let her know where I am, and she marks the time and day on the list, so that if anything does happen to me they will at least have a sort of timeline to track me by.

[chelko]

I also have Verizon and had no signal last Thursday at the Double Springs gap Shelter. Could be because of the storm though.

[Veetack]

ATT is non existent trail north of Newfound Gap. From Fontana to NFG, I noticed some service at Russel and Spence Fields, Rocky Top, Thunderhead, Derrick Knob, and Double Spring Gap.

[SGT Rock]

AT&T coverage generally sucks in the Park. Verizon and US Cellular do better.

[Astro]

Better learn about those special settings. Completed the other half and only had sercie at Davenport Gap Shelter. So for me using Verizon just there and Rocky Top.