Cell phones and GSM coverage
 

My cellphone carrier, Cingular, is trying to get us to switch to a GSM phone from the regular digital/analog phone we have now. Do any of you have GSM phones, and if so, how is GSM signal coverage at the lake? I don't want to switch phones if I won't be able to get a signal for most of the summer....

One Word...
 

...Dont.

the GSM coverage in the Lakes Region is esentially non-existent. Unless they've built out the network since last fall, here's a thumbnail summary of GSM coverage in the area:

Approaching from the south: You get decent GSM signals up through Concord, but service peters out as you approach and pass Epsom circle area. By the time you reach Alton circle, it's gone. Zilch. The entire eastern side of the Lake has zero GSM service.

North: You can pick up a little bit of the western side's signal around Center Harbor and Meredith.

West: The "tongue" of GSM service in New Hampshire extends up to the Laconia/Gilford area, where reception can be good, but is certainly not widespread. (On a nice clear day last spring, just north of Wolfeboro, standing on the shore of the Lake, I picked up a very weak signal, but it was not sufficient to allow me to make a call...must've been from the western side of the Lake.)

Bottom line -- Until they expand GSM coverage east of Gilford/Laconia, it is not a useful alternative in the region. I had good old CDMA/TDMA service for years and it worked well throughout the region. Switched to GSM as they built out the network, and was pleased -- until I got to the Lake. The merger with AT&T did not help the situation, either. GSM coverage is great elsewhere -- and I've used it from Virginia to Concord with no issues -- the network is large and robust. But the coverage in NH, quite frankly, rots. It's a disgrace if Cingular is even selling GSM in New Hampshire.

Cingular...ugh
 

If you're just going to use it on Rattlesnake Island, it might work. Might. And it might depend on which side of the island you live on. But leave it at home if you head anywhere on the eastern side of the lake or into the mountains. Nada. Zilch.

And, while you've got my Cingular heckles up, watch out for the deadly overage charges -- my little $39.99/mo plan (plus 2 x 9.99 for two additional lines) ALWAYS runs more than $200 a month these days -- and I believe they are charging me twice for cell-to-cell calls, which are supposed to be "unlimited."

Okay, sorry -- that's it for the Cingular rant. But notice how I did include some Lake content... ;)

GSM vs CDMA/TDMA
 

CDMA coverage (Verizon Wireless) is just about everywhere along the Interstates. The Lakes Region is covered as well. The only time I would lose coverage is along the Kangamangus Highway or Crawford Notch. I think that is pretty good. I have a tri mide phone and rarely does it switch to analog. Only time that happened is pass Newfound lake heading toward Lebanon. Unless they expand GSM coverage, go for CDMA/TDMA.

I have GSM (AT&T) and would echo most of Grant's comments. Last summer I could not get a usable signal anywhere around the lake, not even in downtown Laconia.

It may be improving a bit. I was able to get a very weak, sometimes usable signal in New Durham this past weekend, but only on a high spot on the road from the lake into Alton. Nothing usable in Wolfeboro.

Wolfeboro Coverage
 

I have Verizon and am "over the ridge" in Wolfeboro from any good coverage. I understand that the town selectmen have been talking about a new tower. Does anyone know which carriers will be involved in using this and when it may be ready? I am about to change my phone and would like to use is in Wolfeboro.

Got dem GSM Blues...
 

If the proposed tower in Wolfeboro is Verizon, then it will not improve GSM service -- Verizon doesn't "do" GSM. It would really help if some carrier in the region would expand the GSM network eastward...but this is probably wishful thinking. :(

The proposed tower in Wolfeboro was voted down yesterday.

http://www.fosters.com/apps/pbcs.dll...73201461875412

More information on Cell Service around the Lake
 

A recent issue of Consumer Reports addresses that question. In your situation, don't switch to GSM. If I find the magazine I'll quote it unless somebody else does it first. I was surprised that my subscription copy of the magazine came 3 or 4 weeks after I read the thread here. The information Consumer Reports had was almost exactly what was expressed in that thread. Almost as if the magazine took the ideas off the forum and made a Reader's Digest version.


Check out this thread from last November December for more discussion and information. I learned quite a bit from the thread:
Cellular Question/Answer Thread and click around to display all the messages.

Sandy

Don't is RIGHT
 

I agree with Grant 100%. AT&T convinced me to change to GSM, but only one of my cell phones, only to find out that one is useless at the lake. Epsom on up, no service. Don't change if you want coverage at the lake!

Verizon...Cingular
 

If I was near the end of my contract with Cingular, I would go back to Verizon for their incredible CDMA coverage. It worked really well at the Lake, too.

It's funny how dependent we become on these devices! Not having my cell phone at the Lake is now a true inconvenience. Oh well.

Apparently the GSM coverage is good north west of the lake.

We went skiing at Jay Peak this past weekend. I had continuous coverage almost the whole length of 93. For reasons I'll spare you, also had a need to traverse 91 several times between Jay and Hanover. Very good coverage there too.

Most surprising was good signal while at Jay (10 miles from Canadian border)

Thanks for the detailed responses
 

Thanks everyone for the very thorough responses. I am convinced to stay with my CDMA coverage. I stopped in the Cingular store at our local CT mall this week, and the sales guy said they hope to have 600 GSM towers up in the New England area by the end of 2006. I will wait and see.... I thought it was very funny that the mall didn't have good GSM coverage, so you couldn't test out the GSM display phones. Sounds like there is still considerable build-out ahead of them.