Cell coverage in central Maine?

Question

Does any carrier other than US Cellular have decent coverage in central Maine?

US Cellular has no pay-as-you-go plans and doesn't share their towers with any other phone companies.

I currently use Consumer Cellular (AT&T towers), and it's terrible.  I get two bars in a few areas around Bangor, but usually I'm lucky to get one.  Forget dropping calls, the calls never ring in the first place.  It doesn't work AT ALL in my office, so I have to go out to the parking lot to use it.

Any Northern Mainers or regular visitors happy with your phones?  I'd appreciate suggestions.

(Please don't refer me to coverage maps, they don't have much in common with reality around here.)

Thanks.

? · Accepted Answer

On sites like CCrane, I see small antennas that can be attached to a window with a big suction cup, either indoors, or on a window of a truck. They market these for people out in the middle of nowhere.  They are also sites that will tell all of us crafty Yankees how to build a rig that will pull in whatever signal there is.  Of course, I left my religion and married a New Yorker so do not need that stuff, but I still see it advertised.  They have to be communication places near you that can advise about these devices.  They exist.  Start with CCrane.  You are welcome - and you can ship me one of those 5 pound blue hardshell LOBSTAHS!

Added - Have you thought about running a MESH in the office? Operates thru the electrical wiring, grabs whatever signal there is in the optimum spot, and then directs it ALL OVER. If id does NOT work, you just unplug it, and send it back.  I have a repeater/range extender in my large and spread-out house, which I then cabled to a flat-screen (before there was Roku, etc.)  Nothing is perfect- but some things are *better*.

Cell coverage in central Maine?

1 Answer