<p>I'm an incoming freshman for the class of 2013. As far as cell phones are concerned, out here in Wisconsin, only US Cellular has good coverage--conveniently the only carrier which does not have coverage at all in NYC. So, I'll of course be getting a new plan. For current students or NYC natives, which carrier seems to get the best coverage both in and around campus (esp. JJ) and within the city at large?</p>
<p>VZW is the best signal strength and footprint in NYC.</p>
<p>But re USC:</p>
<p>[USA’s</a> MetroPCS Looks Set to Overtake US Cellular](<a href=“Cellular Insider | Your Top Choice For Insider's Mobile News, Reviews & Guides”>Cellular Insider | Your Top Choice For Insider's Mobile News, Reviews & Guides)</p>
<p>How is the MetroPCS coverage in NYC in general and Morningside in particular? It certainly seems the most economical option if coverage is decent.</p>
<p>I don’t know anyone with MetroPCS.</p>
<p>Verizon is generally regarded to have the best signal strength. I’ve had phone conversations literally while on the subway train, in some stations. AT&T does OK (and is popular for the iphone), while t-mobile is generally regarded as not very good.</p>
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<p>Where can you actually have a phone conv w/ VZ on a nyc subway (underground)? Emails trickle into my bberry sometimes, but I’ve tried to check VM and can’t really do it.</p>
<p>All I know is T-Mobile sucks big time when it comes to signal strength. Stay clear of this carrier. It may have the best plans but signal strength is extremely poor.</p>
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On the 1 line: Rector st, Franklin St, 14th St, parts of 42nd st [this one always made no sense to me], 59th st, the southern end of 96th st, 116th st, and both 79th and 110th if you’re near the staircases. Oh, and obviously 125th, and 191st and north of there, as they’re above ground.</p>
<p>On the 2/3, i’ve actually maintained a conversation while riding the train along 135th, 125th, 116th, and 110th/CPN.</p>
<p>Other lines, not too sure.</p>
<p>We have Sprint and have never had a problem with coverage while on our many visits to NY and the surrounding area.</p>
<p>AT&T are, to be put nicely, butt violators. One more year and I’m free of this tyranny. I would go for T-mobile if I had to do it again.</p>
<p>y? i was thinking abt getting atnt</p>
<p>I’ve recently began using metropcs, and ive been amazed. I’ve gotten the best reception everywhere (except the subways of course). You won’t be able to get an iphone, but I’ve been more than happy with its service. Perfect reception all around morningside and NYC.</p>
<p>AT&T is pure evil. I can’t get a fricking signal in the middle of the city half the time. Stick with Verizon. They’re definitely better. I used to have them too…why oh why did I switch? :(</p>
<p>AT and T reception is good at Columbia
T-mobile not much signal around ,sometimes phone dead.
Net10 uses the At and T signals,therefore good at Columbia,also no addl charge to AT and T phone(i use Gophone $1 per day plan if used plus 10cents per non-At and t calls per minute)
not going to pay the $500 deposit required of international students for their monthly plan .Verizon charges $400 deposit for their monthly plan for intl students</p>
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<p>keep in mind that your phone actually plays a pretty big role in the strength of your signal. for instance if you have an iphone (especially a first generation) it’s probably your phone not AT&T that’s the problem. for instance i used to have the first generation iphone and constantly lost signal in my room…now i have a samsung impression (still with AT&T) and i have full bars in the same exact place the iphone used to perform poorly</p>
<p>Yeah, I have the iPhone, the first one. I hate my phone. No service, and it freezes all the time, and I can’t return it because I’m past warranty date.
I just assumed it was AT&T though. </p>
<p>At my old apartment, I had to stick my head out the window to get service.</p>
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<p>called it with stunning accuracy! </p>
<p>yea that thing is a piece of crap…they got too caught up in doing all the other things that they forgot that it was supposed to be a phone. basically your whole problem is your phone not AT&T</p>
<p>I got Verizon summer before freshman year and it’s worked fine.</p>
<p>The front of Butler used to have shoddy reception but that’s been fixed now.</p>
<p>If you get Verizon, you can also get something like 10-15% off of your monthly bill if you use your Columbia email address to trick Verizon into thinking you’re an employee.</p>
<p>I’m getting At&t and i’ve got a 10% discount from premier if you sign up using your columbia email…</p>