When choosing a cell phone carrier, coverage is one of the most important factors to consider. After all, what good is paying for cell service if you frequently find yourself with a weak signal or no service at all? Two popular carriers, Verizon and US Cellular, are often compared when it comes to the coverage and service they provide. In this in-depth comparison, we‘ll take a detailed look at Verizon vs. US Cellular coverage, including 4G, 5G, rural reach and more, to help you determine which carrier offers the best coverage for your needs.
Tale of the Tape: Verizon Blankets the Nation
First, let‘s look at the big picture. Verizon is the largest wireless carrier in the United States with over 120 million subscribers. The company has invested heavily in its network infrastructure over the years to provide extensive nationwide coverage. Currently, Verizon covers over 70% of the country‘s land area with 4G LTE service. In comparison, US Cellular is a regional carrier with about 5 million customers. Its network covers just 10% of the US geographically with 4G LTE.
So right off the bat, Verizon has a significant edge in overall coverage reach. Verizon‘s 4G network blankets most of the populated areas of the country, allowing the vast majority of Americans access to high-speed Verizon data service. US Cellular simply can‘t match that in most of the US.
5G: Verizon Takes the Lead, But Still Early
What about 5G coverage? The next generation of cellular technology promises ultra-fast data speeds, but carriers are still in the relatively early stages of rolling out 5G networks. Once again, Verizon has the advantage here. Big Red has launched 5G service in parts of dozens of major cities from coast to coast. You can find Verizon 5G in places like Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, Atlanta and New York City.
US Cellular started deploying 5G in 2020 but on a much smaller scale so far. The carrier offers 5G service in parts of Iowa and Wisconsin currently. It plans to continue expanding 5G to additional cities in its coverage area.
While Verizon is ahead in the 5G race, neither carrier has what could be considered widespread or comprehensive 5G coverage yet. 5G access is still limited to select areas for both companies, mostly concentrated in larger cities so far. It will likely take a few more years of network build-out before 5G becomes ubiquitous nationwide. Still, Verizon‘s 5G is available in far more places than US Cellular‘s at this point.
Covering the Countryside
A common concern for many cellular customers is coverage in rural and remote areas. If you live in or travel through the countryside frequently, you need a network that provides reliable service far from the big city lights. So how do Verizon and US Cellular compare?
The good news is that both carriers have made rural coverage a priority and deliver service to many less populated parts of the country. Verizon has expanded its network into more rural regions in recent years, including fringe and remote areas that previously had little to no cellular service from any carrier. With its 4G network now covering over 70% of the US geographically, Verizon offers service in a large portion of rural America.
However, US Cellular punches above its weight when it comes to rural coverage. The company has focused its efforts on serving less populated areas, especially in states like Iowa, Wisconsin, West Virginia and some parts of the Northwest and New England. In certain rural pockets of the country, US Cellular may actually provide better coverage than Verizon. The company has built cell towers in remote places that see less traffic in order to serve the people living there.
Ultimately, rural coverage is neck-and-neck between Verizon and US Cellular. Verizon provides service to a larger rural footprint overall, but US Cellular delivers reliable coverage to the remote areas it targets. Check coverage maps for each carrier in your specific location to see how they compare.
Regional and State-by-State Breakdown
Since US Cellular is a regional carrier, it‘s important to look at coverage on a state and local level. Rather than competing with Verizon everywhere, US Cellular focuses on providing great coverage to the parts of the country it has prioritized. Here are the states where you‘ll find the best US Cellular service:
- Wisconsin
- Iowa
- Illinois
- Maine
- North Carolina
- New Hampshire
- West Virginia
- Oregon
- Northern California
- Washington
- Nebraska
- Kansas
- Oklahoma
If you live in one of these states, especially in a rural area, US Cellular is worth considering and may provide coverage that‘s as good or better than Verizon. The company has invested significantly in network infrastructure across the regions it targets.
However, in terms of sheer volume of cell towers and coverage density, Verizon beats US Cellular across these states too. You‘ll find solid Verizon service in far more places from coast to coast. For example, US Cellular offers great coverage throughout Iowa and Wisconsin, but venture into neighboring Minnesota and Verizon has the clear edge. In the Northeast, US Cellular provides service primarily in Maine and New Hampshire, while Verizon covers all of New England extensively.
Cities and Suburbs
When it comes to metropolitan coverage, Verizon is the obvious leader. With its network blanketing over 70% of the US population, Verizon offers coverage in far more urban and suburban areas compared to US Cellular. You‘ll find solid Verizon service across all the major cities, from New York to Chicago to Los Angeles and everywhere in between. Verizon‘s network density is very high in populated areas, meaning you‘re likely to have a strong, fast signal.
US Cellular can‘t come close to matching Verizon‘s sheer coverage volume across metropolitan America. However, the company still provides service to some decent-sized cities in its footprint, like Milwaukee and Raleigh. If you live in a city or suburb in one of US Cellular‘s core states, you may find coverage comparable to Verizon‘s. But where US Cellular shines is in less populated parts of those states Verizon is the easy call for urbanites.
Roaming Far and Wide
While US Cellular‘s native network only covers about 10% of the country, the company has roaming agreements in place with Verizon and other carriers to provide service to customers when they travel outside US Cellular‘s home network area. Thanks to these partnerships, US Cellular customers can get voice and data coverage almost anywhere as part of their regular plan. It may not be high-speed data, but you have access to talk, text and basic data functions.
However, relying on roaming all the time isn‘t ideal. Data speeds are usually slower, and the roaming experience may not be as seamless. With Verizon, you can be on the company‘s native network almost anywhere you go in the US. That means faster, more reliable service without the potential hassles of roaming.
Consistency is Key
All the coverage in the world doesn‘t mean much if the network is unreliable. Consumers want a network that delivers consistent speed and signal strength to minimize dropped calls and interrupted data sessions. While both Verizon and US Cellular provide reliable service overall, Verizon is known for being rock-solid from coast to coast. The carrier has invested untold amounts of money to make its network stable, fast and consistent everywhere it offers service.
US Cellular is no slouch in the reliability department, providing a quality connection to customers across its coverage area. However, some of that involves roaming on partner networks, which may not be as reliable. Verizon customers can count on top-tier reliability whether in a major city, a far-flung small town or a rural highway in between.
Beyond Coverage
Of course, there‘s a lot more to consider besides coverage when choosing between Verizon and US Cellular. Price is a big factor – Verizon plans tend to be more expensive than US Cellular‘s. However, Verizon offers more features and perks, like its generous mobile hotspot allowances and bundling discounts with Fios home internet.
Phone selection, customer service, and company values are other aspects to look at. Verizon offers a wider variety of the latest smartphones, while US Cellular tends to be more price-conscious in its device lineup. Both carriers generally rate well for customer care and satisfaction in industry studies.
The Bottom Line
For most consumers, Verizon offers better overall coverage and network reliability compared to US Cellular. Verizon‘s 4G LTE network is much larger, spanning over 70% of the country geographically. The company is also ahead in the early phases of the 5G rollout. You can find strong, consistent Verizon service almost anywhere, from the biggest cities to many rural and remote regions.
However, US Cellular excels in providing great coverage to parts of the United States often underserved by other carriers, particularly rural areas of states like Iowa, Wisconsin and West Virginia. If you live in one of US Cellular‘s target markets, you may be surprised at how well the company‘s network performs.
Ultimately, the Verizon vs. US Cellular coverage comparison comes down to your individual needs. Consider where you live and work, where you travel most often, and whether you‘re willing to pay a bit more for Verizon‘s extra coverage. Both companies have solid networks and happy customers, proving there‘s more than one way to stay connected.
