Cellphone Carrier for USNA?

J

JW2431

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Joined
Jan 11, 2019
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24
Hi Everyone.

I know that The Yard (especially Bancroft) is notorious for having poor reception and I have experienced this during my few stays at USNA. I have used T-Mobile for awhile and heard from other midshipmen that it was the worst. This was 2 years ago and things certainly might've changed.

For any parent/midshipmen who have experienced this, what carrier will be the best for my next 4 years at USNA? Any input is appreciated! Thank you in advance!
 
Everyone will probably say something different, here. As far as The Yard (as in outside) AT&T and Verizon work great. As for inside Bancroft Hall in particular (and depending on where exactly you are in Mother B), I have been told that Verizon is the best. Be advised that there are several companies who also use the same towers as AT&T and Verizon, so they should work just as well.

Our DS has AT&T and has no problem with SMS messages anywhere. As far as voice calls, there are certain areas of Bancroft in which his reception is less than stellar. Wherever his room is now, has no issues. He may have told me where that was, but I have long since forgotten.
 
My DS had Sprint and it was terrible. Had to switch to Verizon which works the best. Remember Plebes do not rate WiFi.
 
Plebes don't typically rate media, (music, videos, movies, TV shows, games, etc.) if that's what you mean by WiFi. They can still look stuff up on the Internet.
During Plebe Summer, they of course can't have a phone or a watch. That stuff stays in storage, except for the scheduled phone calls home (in which they get their phones returned to them, for a short time).
 
THParent said:
Be advised that there are several companies who also use the same towers as AT&T...
Click to expand...
We use Cricket, which uses AT&T's towers. Paying $125/month for 5 people, unlimited data, and that's including taxes. You do have to own your phone. My son had zero problems with service during CVW.
 
brewmeist said:
We use Cricket, which uses AT&T's towers. Paying $125/month for 5 people, unlimited data, and that's including taxes. You do have to own your phone. My son had zero problems with service during CVW.
Click to expand...

Another Cricket family here! We are also $125 for 5/unlimited fast data...and I occasionally add on a mobile hot spot for $10. Which is awesome. Have have had no yard/Bancroft issues with calls or FaceTiming with our current Mid.

People may advise that they had poor reception years ago, but keep in mind that all the techy stuff is updated pretty often (ie: cell towers).

Another thing to keep in mind, is that issues can actually be with the phone. Ie: battery strength, older models. And some of the buildings at USNA are solid, lots of cement. Which means poor reception. But Mids figure that out pretty quick!

A nugget: check if the carrier offers military discounts if they are getting their own plan, and you go contract. None of that was a better deal than Cricket for us, which we have had for 6 years now.
 
Current Mid

I had US Cellular it was hit or miss in the hall.
I now have Verizon it is better but still hit or miss.

In some of the engineering spaces of academic buildings, you get no reception regardless of providers so I will go a few hours not getting any messages. It is honestly kinda nice.

They are installing repeaters for cell signal in Bancroft to make it better. Not sure what the current status of these is but they are installed as well as a new network that is putting Wifi in the hall for everyone so it's easier to work on group projects without having to plug into the limited ethernet ports in a room. ( 1 per desk). That network will come online in the next year or so as well. I wouldn't worry about it too much.
 
THParent said:
Plebes don't typically rate media, (music, videos, movies, TV shows, games, etc.) if that's what you mean by WiFi. They can still look stuff up on the Internet.
During Plebe Summer, they of course can't have a phone or a watch. That stuff stays in storage, except for the scheduled phone calls home (in which they get their phones returned to them, for a short time).
Click to expand...

To clarify, my understanding is that they cannot access the WiFi in Bancroft during Plebe AC Year. So if folks are banking on piggybacking off the WiFi to improve bad cell service for texting, etc. while in Bancroft, think again.
 
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