Which Cellular Carrier is Best for RVers, Cruisers, and Frequent Travelers?
Answer: The one that works best at your current location...
Cellular data is probably the easiest and most accessible option for getting online in most places across the USA.
But as simple as it can seem on paper, cellular is also sometimes a confusing subject – primarily because there are just so many options!
You have to choose which carrier(s) you want, which plans make sense, what equipment to purchase, and how much speed and data you actually need.
If you live in one location and only travel occasionally, it’s relatively easy to pick the best cellular carrier.
You can ask your friends and neighbors for experience, check the carrier's coverage maps, and you can check crowdsourced coverage maps like Root Metrics or Open Signal.
While there might be an obvious “best” network for a specific location, frequent travelers have a harder choice to make since... our location changes, often!
There simply is no single network that works best everywhere.
All of the big four (or perhaps three come sometime in 2020 if the T-Mobile/Sprint merger is approved) nationwide carriers have their strengths and weaknesses in various locations across the country. And each offers different plans & policies that make them more or less suitable as a mobile internet solution depending on your needs.
As a frequent traveler, you need to consider what carrier - or, more than likely, what combination of carriers - will give you coverage and data in the places you want to visit.
This article is an overview of the strengths and weaknesses of the current four major carriers (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Sprint) in the US as they relate to mobile internet for RVers, cruisers and frequent travelers seeking an on-the-go home internet replacement.
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Video Overview
We created a 17 minute video that overviews the four carriers (updated Sept 2019):
Coverage & Compatibility
All four carriers have embraced the same underlying fourth-generation (4G) cellular network technology, known as LTE - though they use different towers and transmit on different frequency bands resulting in vastly different coverage maps and performance, despite the technological similarities.
The carriers have very different legacy 2G and 3G networks too, which will be phased-out over time.
When comparing carriers - you need to keep coverage maps, compatible devices, supported frequency bands, and expansion plans going forward towards 5G all in mind.
The major difference for each of the carriers is how widespread their coverage is nationwide. And for those relying on mobile internet, 4G & LTE coverage are the most important for the fastest speeds.
In the US, the current four major nationwide carriers are:
- Verizon - Has the most nationwide 4G coverage, and is usually a top pick for travelers.
- AT&T - Close second to Verizon. They are gaining more coverage as they implement their FirstNet Band 14 network.
- T-Mobile - The carrier to watch with a rapidly expanding network as they roll out their 600 Mhz network.
- Sprint - Traditionally only useful when close to bigger cities, however roaming agreements with T-Mobile are rapidly improving things.
- In May 2018, T-Mobile & Sprint announced their intentions to merge. The approval process likely won't be decided until early 2020- and then it's a couple years of implementation if approved. However, roaming agreements are already coming online, that are independent of the merger approval.
Coverage Map Comparison
Below is a quick comparison of the four carrier's native 4G/LTE coverage maps, taken from the August 2019 HD Map update from our app, Coverage?:
For more on the Four Carriers for RVers & Cruisers:
MobileInternetInfo.com/four-carriers
Got Coverage?
Although you can go to each carrier’s maps online to scout out ahead, we decided to make it even easier.
We wrote an app for that!
Coverage? overlays the carrier's coverage maps so you can create a personalized map to better plan your travels around connectivity!
While the carrier's maps may be 'optimistic' at times, using the carrier's maps is a great complement to also checking site-specific crowdsourced resources.
For more:
Tips for Travel Planning Around
Connectivity for RVers and CruisersThe maps are stored on device, so you don’t need to have coverage to find out which direction to head. Get the app now for Android or iOS:
Cellular Carrier Profiles
A general profile of each of the four major carriers is below.
Verizon
Verizon is the largest cellular carrier in the USA.
It has the widest overall coverage area, the most deployed LTE, and typically good overall performance. If you ask in any RVing or boating group about what is the best carrier, Verizon is the most common answer.
For these reasons, if you’re only going to choose one network – Verizon is the natural top choice.
However, plan options for usable amounts of data as a home internet replacement on Verizon's network are generally lacking. For many people, this often makes it a challenge to find a suitable and adequate Verizon data plan.
It's also important to note that because Verizon’s network is known to have the widest coverage and is the most popular network amongst nomads, it’s not uncommon to find that the local Verizon tower is overloaded and sluggish during peak times, especially in locations that are popular for travelers.
When congested, Verizon can be quite aggressive in its network management slowdowns - and. in practice, Verizon often isn't the best pick in many locations.
Verizon Device Compatibility Tips:
If you want broad compatibility with Verizon's network, seek out devices that support these core LTE bands:
2, 4, 5, 13
And for maximum compatibility and future-proofing, look for support for as many of these additional bands as possible (in rough order of importance):
66, 12, 14, 30, 29, 46
For a deeper understanding of these LTE bands, see our guide to Understanding LTE Modem Specifications.
If you have older Verizon devices without broad support for Verizon's bands, then consider an upgrade, particularly if you notice friends and neighbors are getting better Verizon performance where you are at. New devices with more advanced modems and support for more bands can often run circles around older Verizon devices.
NOTE: Many new Verizon devices are dropping support for Verizon’s legacy 3G network, which should be fully shut down by end of 2020. There are only a few areas left where you will find Verizon 3G and no LTE, so it is no longer worth stressing over remaining backward compatible with 3G.
Recent Verizon News Stories:
AT&T
AT&T is the second-largest carrier and is both a formidable rival and a great complement to Verizon for nomads.
Some even find an AT&T-only solution is feasible now.
AT&T’s LTE network sometimes lags Verizon in coverage and speed, but there are also many parts of the country where AT&T excels - and it is sometimes the only option.
In 2018 AT&T began "climbing every tower" in their network to implement the FirstNet (LTE Band 14) network for first responders.
As this upgrade has spread across the nation, AT&T customers have reported noticeable speed improvements.
We rarely get reports of problems with network management issues on AT&T, despite there being multiple ways to get affordable unlimited data plans on the network.
A combination of Verizon and AT&T on board gives the widest possible coverage across the country.
AT&T Device Compatibility Tips:
If you want broad compatibility with AT&T's network, seek out devices that support these core LTE bands:
2, 4, 5, 12/17
And for maximum compatibility and future proofing, look for support for as many of these additional bands as possible (in rough order of importance):
14, 30, 29, 13, 66, 46
Band 14 (aka FirstNet) support is still rare but is rolling out on newer devices - and though FirstNet is designed to prioritize public safety communications, AT&T automatically allows regular consumers to utilize this long range band at a lower priority for enhanced coverage and speed.
For a deeper understanding of these LTE bands, see our guide to Understanding LTE Modem Specifications.
NOTE: Some older devices may show compatibility for LTE Band 17 instead of 12. Band 17 is an obsolete subset of Band 12, and if a device has Band 12 support explicit Band 17 is not needed.
Recent AT&T News Stories:
T-Mobile
T-Mobile has been the carrier to watch – blowing past Sprint to take a solid third place in the overall cellular market.
T-Mobile is gunning for Verizon and AT&T next - and it will be well placed to be a major competitor if T-Mobile's intended merger with Sprint (announced in May 2018) finally goes through in late 2019 or early 2020.
For a long time, T-Mobile’s biggest Achilles heel was its lack of raw coverage, particularly in rural areas and indoors - and T-Mobile still falls short of AT&T and Verizon when it comes to coverage. When T-Mobile does have coverage, however, its network speeds are consistently some of the fastest.
T-Mobile is moving, however, to expand coverage and fill in gaps. In 2017 T-Mobile acquired a huge chunk of 600MHz cellular spectrum (LTE Band 71) and is aggressively deploying this new band around the country. It will continue this nationwide expansion in the years ahead.
But to benefit, you will need a compatible device capable of taking advantage of Band 71.
T-Mobile Device Compatibility Tips:
If you want broad compatibility with T-Mobile's network, seek out devices that support these core LTE bands:
2, 4, 5, 12, 71
As of the mid-2019, LTE Band 71 support is still relatively rare - but it is essential for tapping into T-Mobile's longest-range rural coverage, and it will greatly help with reception deep inside buildings as well.
And for maximum compatibility and future-proofing, look for support for as many of these additional bands as possible (in rough order of importance):
41, 25, 66, 26, 46
For a deeper understanding of these LTE bands, see our guide to Understanding LTE Modem Specifications.
NOTE: Assuming the Sprint merger goes through, T-Mobile customers will want to be able to benefit from Sprint's LTE Bands 25, 26, and 41 in the future. Band 41 will be particularly important - since it compliments T-Mobile's existing spectrum holdings nicely.
Sprint Merger Notes: If the merger with Sprint goes through then the new combined carrier will be one to watch for sure! However, the final decision on the merger won't come until late-2019 or even early 2020 - and it is still far from a sure thing.
Even before the merger goes through Sprint customers are benefitting from roaming onto T-Mobile, but the reverse is not the case. T-Mobile customers will only begin to gain access to Sprint's network once the deal is final.
Recent T-Mobile News Stories:
Sprint
The fourth-largest national cellular carrier has always been a technological oddball - and Sprint’s LTE network uses bands that none of the other carriers have embraced.
Sprint’s biggest advantage is that it tends to have affordable plan options.
But the biggest downside of Sprint for nomads is its limited nationwide coverage map.
The vast bulk of Sprint’s usable fast data coverage is pretty much only found in core urban areas and along major interstates. Outside of that, you’re often roaming with very slow speeds – if you can get online at all.
If you’re planning to stick to urban areas, Sprint might be worthwhile. But for most nomads, Sprint is at best a backup option.
But...
With the T-Mobile merger in the works, the prospects for Sprint are changing substantially - and even if the merger does not go through Sprint's coverage map will be expanding significantly.
Sprint Device Compatibility Tips:
If you want broad compatibility with Sprint's network, seek out devices that support these three core LTE bands:
25, 26, 41
Some Sprint devices support a technology called “HPUE” which allows for extended range cellular connections on Sprint’s fastest band, LTE Band 41. HPUE support is still rare but is worth seeking out to get the most out of Sprint’s network.
In the past, only these three bands mattered on Sprint, and many Sprint-branded devices ONLY supported these three. But now that T-Mobile roaming is available (see below), compatibility with T-Mobile bands matters now too.
So for maximum compatibility and future-proofing, look for support for as many of these additional bands as possible (in rough order of importance):
12, 4, 2, 5, 71, 66
For a deeper understanding of these LTE bands, see our guide to Understanding LTE Modem Specifications.
NOTE: Even if the T-Mobile merger fails to go through, Sprint customers will still have free roaming access to T-Mobile's network for several years, so be sure that you are compatible and will be able to take advantage of it!
T-Mobile Merger Notes: If the merger with T-Mobile goes through then the new combined carrier will be one to watch for sure! However, the decision on the merger won't come until late-2019 or even early 2020 - and it is far from a sure thing.
In the meantime, starting in mid-2018 the terms of the proposed merger allow Sprint to have several years of roaming access onto T-Mobile, and this roaming agreement will remain even if the merger collapses. Sprint customers with compatible phones are already seeing the benefits of T-Mobile's coverage map!
Recent Sprint News Stories:
What about 5G?
The 5G world is coming fast - full of both promise, confusion and a lot of boastful claims that will have to be proven out over time in actual practical usage.
The goal of 5G networks will be to enable ridiculously fast peak theoretical cellular data rates of over 10 Gbps, with network latency as low as 1ms.
This represents a 50x increase in network throughput and capacity compared to typical 4G/LTE networks – and will truly represent a major generational shift when these technologies are at last deployed.
Most initial 5G deployments in 2018 and 2019 have been focused on extremely high-frequency millimeter wave (mmWave) signals - which will only work for a block or two from each transmitter.
This short-range high-speed technology will be great for delivering service in places where a lot of people congregate - like stadiums, city centers, and shopping malls.
But 5G technology is not just about short-range mmWave - it will also be deployed on mid-band and low-band spectrum too, delivering lower peak speeds but at a much greater range that will eventually equal what LTE is capable of.
It will, however, take time for the carriers to transition from LTE to 5G nationwide.
For nomads who travel outside of urban areas, LTE will remain the core of our cellular connectivity for MANY years to come.
We recommend not focusing on futureproofing for 5G quite yet. The initial products that come out 2019 and even 2020 will be first generation - they'll be expensive, clunky and quickly obsolete.
For more on tracking the Race to 5G:
Cellular Evolution: 2G Thru 5G, and Beyond!
Recent News:
Regional Carriers
In addition to the big four national carriers, there are a number of smaller regional and even local carriers that own and operate their own cellular networks.
Some of the larger examples include U.S. Cellular, C-Spire Wireless, nTelos, Cellcom, and Cellular One.
These smaller regional carriers are usually poor choices for travelers, unless you know that you are primarily going to be spending time in areas where they have a strong native presence.
Even if the regional carrier has nationwide coverage through roaming agreements, if you’re utilizing the service primarily outside its home region, you can find yourself running into all sorts of restrictions and limitations.
And if you are out of your home territory for too long - you will very likely end up getting your account canceled.
Getting Service
You can purchase service directly from each of the carriers as postpaid or prepaid service. Or, there are many resellers & MVNOs (Mobile Virtual Network Operators) who offer plans on the major carrier networks with different features, pricing or restrictions.
Learn more About Data Plans:
Considerations for Selecting Cellular Data Plans
Browse Our Current Top Pick Data Plans:
Conclusion: "Best" Depends on Your Situation
All of the major carriers have their strengths and weaknesses. The best one for you may just be the one that works best in your current location. If you change locations frequently, you'll want to determine which carrier, or possibly which combination of carriers, will give you the best coverage in the locations you'll be visiting.
Selecting the right cellular data plan for your mobile internet needs is only one part of the equation. Here's some further guides on understanding the selection process as well as the additional gear you might need.
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