Cell service in TV

[Justputt]

We purchased in Dabney and Verizon cell gives 1-2 bars. Thinking of switching cell providers. We don't have a contract requirement, but we're not sure if there is generally a better provider in TV or we just live in an area that needs a tower. Are providers even putting up more towers as TV grows? Is there a provider that generally has better coverage in TV, central FL in general, etc.?

[Bill14564]

We purchased in Dabney and Verizon cell gives 1-2 bars. Thinking of switching cell providers. We don't have a contract requirement, but we're not sure if there is generally a better provider in TV or we just live in an area that needs a tower. Are providers even putting up more towers as TV grows? Is there a provider that generally has better coverage in TV, central FL in general, etc.?

My experience with AT&T is one or two bars any time I have thought to look.

[retiredguy123]

If you have Xfinity internet service, then the Xfinity Mobile cell service is the best deal in The Villages. It uses the Verizon network, which I think is the best network anywhere. For one line, my monthly bill is only $13.60 as long as I Iimit my mobile data to less than 1GB. This is easy because free wifi is available at most public locations and it usually reconnects automatically. I think they offer an unlimited data service for about $30 per month.

[snbrafford]

I use Consumer Cellular and get great service at a great price. No contract. Can change data amount up and down as required (example - we use more data on vacation than we do at home). And they have a local office and the customer service there and via phone has been great!!!!! AARP discount.

[LuvtheVillages]

Dabney is one of the newest villages, in an area that used to be wilderness.

Verizon has a history of building new towers as The Villages expands. Perhaps if you call them and register a complaint, it will help them decide on the next tower's location.

[Keefelane66]

We have AT&T Penntcamp area one or two bars. Streaming music from Amazon or Apple is no problem. No issues with buffering YouTube or Amazon Video on phone. Internet is Quantum, phone switches to Wi-Fi calling and data in the home.
200mbs service $30 monthly.

[charlieo1126@gmail.com]

[QUOTE=Bill14564;2280731]My experience with AT&T is one or two bars any time I have thought to look.[/QUOTE like you when I’ve happened to look it’s usually 1 or 2 bars , but I’ve never had a dropped call here in villages and can’t think I’ve had many anywhere else . I have the IPhone 14 on the Verizon network but all my other I phones were the same way , I did have some problems when I was out in Fenney in the early days before they put up more towers , but if your having trouble finding a tower you can always go to call Wi-Fi and you’ll be fine

[retiredguy123]

[QUOTE=Bill14564;2280731]My experience with AT&T is one or two bars any time I have thought to look.[/QUOTE like you when I’ve happened to look it’s usually 1 or 2 bars , but I’ve never had a dropped call here in villages and can’t think I’ve had many anywhere else . I have the IPhone 14 on the Verizon network but all my other I phones were the same way , I did have some problems when I was out in Fenney in the early days before they put up more towers , but if your having trouble finding a tower you can always go to call Wi-Fi and you’ll be fine
Good point. Also, I have found that, if you have trouble sending a photo attachment with a text message, it is helpful to switch your phone to the "wifi calling" setting.

[dhdallas]

We purchased in Dabney and Verizon cell gives 1-2 bars. Thinking of switching cell providers. We don't have a contract requirement, but we're not sure if there is generally a better provider in TV or we just live in an area that needs a tower. Are providers even putting up more towers as TV grows? Is there a provider that generally has better coverage in TV, central FL in general, etc.?

I just switched to Mint Mobile. $15/mo and that price continues if you pay by the year. I get 4-5 bars on my phone where I used to only get 1-2 bars with Straight Talk who uses Verizon towers. You can bring your own phone (if compatible & unlocked) and keep your old phone number. I was able to do all of that; keep the same phone & the same phone number. They have really great customer service that help with the changeover.

[mtdjed]

We purchased in Dabney and Verizon cell gives 1-2 bars. Thinking of switching cell providers. We don't have a contract requirement, but we're not sure if there is generally a better provider in TV or we just live in an area that needs a tower. Are providers even putting up more towers as TV grows? Is there a provider that generally has better coverage in TV, central FL in general, etc.?

Wisdom is knowing what is the right path to take. You are in Dabney and wisdom might be to ask your neighbors. Only you know what your expectations are. Limited data might work for some and not for you. If you have a landline, home reception may not be as important as overall coverage.

[MrChip72]

We bought into a village that was new in early 2022. Our cell reception was crap for the first while since the cell towers were overloaded due to all the new people. We tried with multiple companies and it didn't matter.

After 6 months or so we eventually got perfect cell reception after they upgraded the tower.

[arbajeda]

Call Verizon. They gave us a free lease of something called a network extender. It plugs into our Internet router and essentially is a cellular tower in the home. Set your phone to wifi calling and get great service.

[bowlingal]

Consumer cellular!! store n Brownwood and Lake Sumter

[Papa_lecki]

Call Verizon. They gave us a free lease of something called a network extender. It plugs into our Internet router and essentially is a cellular tower in the home. Set your phone to wifi calling and get great service.

We have a network extender. They might try to charge you for it, but don’t pay for it.
It basically extends the cellular networks or Verizon, using your wifi.

Most cellular companies share a network, and TV is so large, the coverage isn’t 100% consistent.

[retiredguy123]

It is a good idea to occasionally check your mobile data usage. I only pay $13.60 per month with Xfinity Mobile for unlimited calls and texts, but with a data limit of 1gb, and it uses the Verizon network. I have never exceeded the data limit because most of the places I go in The Villages have free wifi that automatically connects to my phone. I think that a lot of people are paying for unlimited data that they probably don't need.

[Bay Kid]

I have my phone set to wifi at my home. Great reception at no cost.

[airstreamingypsy]

Put your phone on Wifi calling....... you will always have a good signal.

[sallyg]

We lived in the historic district - terrible reception with Verizon. Maximum, 2 bars, calls cutting out. Moved south of 44, same problem.

[LianneMigiano]

We've been with Consumer Cellular for more than 12 years and their rates and service are excellent.

[LaLaLuna]

We purchased in Dabney and Verizon cell gives 1-2 bars. Thinking of switching cell providers. We don't have a contract requirement, but we're not sure if there is generally a better provider in TV or we just live in an area that needs a tower. Are providers even putting up more towers as TV grows? Is there a provider that generally has better coverage in TV, central FL in general, etc.?

We found that when we moved into DeLuna, the area was still lacking. Cell phone towers due to it being such a new area. Once we got our internet provider for our home, we immediately added the Wi-Fi calling feature that's provided on your cell phone in your network settings. This allowed us to make phone calls from home and receive our text messages until the infrastructure of the neighborhood caught up. I don't think it has anything to do with your cell phone provider. It's more about the towers.

[mdmurrell]

We just got a deal from Spectrum. We get two cell phones for $29.95 a month, plus their internet cost is only $45 for 1 Gig. They seem to have good tech support and very courteous installers. Can anyone recommend a good online service that allows access to local Fox TV? I tried PHILO, but they don't have local TV. They do offer Discovery, History and Nat Geo for $25 a month!

[Altavia]

We bought into a village that was new in early 2022. Our cell reception was crap for the first while since the cell towers were overloaded due to all the new people. We tried with multiple companies and it didn't matter.

After 6 months or so we eventually got perfect cell reception after they upgraded the tower.

In some new areas (Monarch Grove, Richmond) they installed temporary cell stations until the towers were upgraded.

So if in a new area with poor reception, it wouldn't hurt to call and complain.


Another factor for those close to the Turnpike, heavy traffic tends to overload nearby towers so you might see some degradation of service during those periods.

[LoisR]

We have same issue but resolved it by connecting to wifi when home. No problems. Ps: also from S.S., NY

[ChrisTinaBruce]

I’ve had Xfinity mobile (which uses Verizon) for about 5 years now and travel between The Villages, Atlanta, & Dallas regularly. I rarely have issues although there are a few data dead spots where cell service works but not text or internet. Worst spots near Fenney main entrance and Home Depot (441) area.

Here’s a great unbiased free cell coverage map Cell Coverage Comparison (https://coveragemap.com/cell-phone-coverage)

Cell Coverage 32162/ (https://coveragemap.com/cell-phone-coverage/florida/sumter/the-villages/32162/)

[Duppman]

We purchased in Dabney and Verizon cell gives 1-2 bars. Thinking of switching cell providers. We don't have a contract requirement, but we're not sure if there is generally a better provider in TV or we just live in an area that needs a tower. Are providers even putting up more towers as TV grows? Is there a provider that generally has better coverage in TV, central FL in general, etc.?

We have Consumer Cellular. While we get 1-2 bars in our home (Pennecamp) we're on wi-fi calling so it isn't an issue. No problems anywhere else.

[mazbarth]

I live in Fenney & have had Verizon almost 3 yrs. I'm lucky to get 2 bars & most of the time it's 1. They replaced cell towers about 1.5 yrs ago. Still made little difference.
You may have to try other phone companies.

[Nevinator]

I just switched to Mint Mobile. $15/mo and that price continues if you pay by the year. I get 4-5 bars on my phone where I used to only get 1-2 bars with Straight Talk who uses Verizon towers. You can bring your own phone (if compatible & unlocked) and keep your old phone number. I was able to do all of that; keep the same phone & the same phone number. They have really great customer service that help with the changeover.

I also use Mint. I just renewed their $15 per month subscription (pre-paid 1 years’ service). I get 5GB of data per month and outstanding service. Just this past week I was in Orlando for the day and tested the data speed using Speedtest and got a 490 MB per second download speed. If you opt to go with their $20 per month plan you get 15 GB of data per month.

I’ve traveled all around the country in the past year and have had great service practically everywhere I’ve been. Mint uses T Mobile towers.

[mdmurrell]

I’ve had Xfinity mobile (which uses Verizon) for about 5 years now and travel between The Villages, Atlanta, & Dallas regularly. I rarely have issues although there are a few data dead spots where cell service works but not text or internet. Worst spots near Fenney main entrance and Home Depot (441) area.

Here’s a great unbiased free cell coverage map Cell Coverage Comparison (https://coveragemap.com/cell-phone-coverage)

Cell Coverage 32162/ (https://coveragemap.com/cell-phone-coverage/florida/sumter/the-villages/32162/)


Just wanted to say thank you. I checked up on the Cell Coverage Comparison and it sounds like Verizon or Mint are the top choices. Again, thanks very much.

[nn0wheremann]

We purchased in Dabney and Verizon cell gives 1-2 bars. Thinking of switching cell providers. We don't have a contract requirement, but we're not sure if there is generally a better provider in TV or we just live in an area that needs a tower. Are providers even putting up more towers as TV grows? Is there a provider that generally has better coverage in TV, central FL in general, etc.?
Stay away from AT&T. They refuse to adjust their capacity for high (winter) season when more users are here

[mdmurrell]

We have Consumer Cellular. While we get 1-2 bars in our home (Pennecamp) we're on wi-fi calling so it isn't an issue. No problems anywhere else.

Thank you for responding to my inquiry yesterday about finding a reliable cell phone service. You mentioned that you use "Wi-Fi Calling"....How does that work? I am not familiar with that term. Please advise.
Michael

[biker1]

With Mint, you actually get unlimited data each month. The caveat is that they may reduce your bandwidth once you exceed 5 GBytes for the month. I have their 5 GByte plan also and never come anywhere near that limit. You would probably need to be streaming a fair amount of video to get to that number.

I also use Mint. I just renewed their $15 per month subscription (pre-paid 1 years’ service). I get 5GB of data per month and outstanding service. Just this past week I was in Orlando for the day and tested the data speed using Speedtest and got a 490 MB per second download speed. If you opt to go with their $20 per month plan you get 15 GB of data per month.

I’ve traveled all around the country in the past year and have had great service practically everywhere I’ve been. Mint uses T Mobile towers.

[cjrjck]

Cell service throughout TV is spotty. I don't think it matters which carrier you use. Some places it is great, others it is not. All three of the homes I have lived in have had less than stellar signals. I use wifi calling at the house to make and receive calls. The problem is the towers can be either too far apart or the terrain is hampering the signal. This part of Florida is not as flat as most coastal areas and the line of sight signals can suffer as a result.

[retiredguy123]

Thank you for responding to my inquiry yesterday about finding a reliable cell phone service. You mentioned that you use "Wi-Fi Calling"....How does that work? I am not familiar with that term. Please advise.
Michael
Wifi calling is a setting on your smart phone under "connections". It allows you to bypass the cellular towers and make and receive phone calls using the internet. It is useful when you have a weak cellular signal. I have also found it useful when trying to attach a large data photo to a text message.

[vinnytalk]

Check with you neighbors see who gets the best signal and switch to theirs. Or it could just ve at your home the signal is weak? Buy a signal Booster actually Cerizon has them for there customers

[Bill14564]

Check with you neighbors see who gets the best signal and switch to theirs. Or it could just ve at your home the signal is weak? Buy a signal Booster actually Cerizon has them for there customers

The carrier *might* provide the microcell (I assume that's what you mean by booster) at no cost. That's what my provider did in Md.

However, the microcell connects to your internet and provides a cell signal. It would be easier these days to just configure the phone to use wifi calling: fewer devices to fail, less configuration, and loss of internet will affect both.

[Altavia]

We drove through the yesterday. T-Mobile had 2-5 bars every place we went.

Also looked like someone was adding height to a tower south of 470 and Chandler.

[RPDaly]

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