[TonyC]

Since the last post in this thread almost a year ago, I understand that AT&T were putting in a tower about now, and two more planned in the next six months.

I have just purchased an iPhone 4S with Verizon and getting about 0.5 MBs average download speed (faster at night and slower than this during the day), which is about half of what I was expecting to get.

I know that many posts have said that Verizon is the best below LSL, but I was wondering if there has been any improvement with AT&T with the new tower. Also, the new iPhone is supposed to take advantage of AT&Ts HSPA+ network, which should also give it a faster speed.

I would be interested in talking with any iPhone 4 or 4S owners with AT&T coverage below LSL to see what kind of speed you get before I commit to the Verizon iPhone and buy another as well.

[BobandMarilyn]

I am an AT&T retiree and have had AT&T cellular service forever. When we moved to TV (Pennecamp), service was very unsatisfactory, and we changed to Verizon. Their service has been great, even though I lost ny discount as an AT&T retiree.

[rubicon]

I had AT&T but had to change to Verizon because when with AT&T lost some communication due to the winds. Apparently when it got too windy every time I lifted my blanket the smoke disperse too quickly and couldn't get high enough to be seen

[TommyT]

Originally Posted by BobandMarilyn

When we moved to TV (Pennecamp), service was very unsatisfactory, and we changed to Verizon. Their service has been great.

I agree...

[playgolf06]

I live in Largo and use AT&T and the service is lousy. I have complained many times and I do not believe a new tower will be operational before next March. I got this date after going up their management chain several times and getting a consistent response.

[sailor47]

I don't understand what happened. Last year we had good service with AT&T. This year we can't get incoming or make outgoing calls. Wonder what is going on.

[srjax]

Anyone have Sprint? How are they. We are moving down in Jan.

[PennBF]

AT&T has real problems in The Villages and they know it but are doing little to correct it. They are going to install a tower on Cherry Lake which should help but that will not be a cure all for their problems. Even that tower will not go on line much before the 2nd or 3rd Qtr of 2012? I am surprised no one from Winifred did not respond as I understand in some ares in that Village they have very poor service from AT&T. Of course the general attitude of a large Co. like this is "they [customer] should do what they want, (e.g go to another carrier if they so wish). They will say they need someone to offer property to install a tower and they will pay rental, etc. This would lead to a conclusion that The Villages should contact them, offer a space for the tower, (the Villages will be paid rental, etc) and help the residents solve this problem. These problems are not hidden from AT&T as they can look at a map and say exactly where there is poor or no cell reception.

[Snowbirdtobe]

We moved from iPhone AT&T to iPhone Sprint and have better coverage in SS.
We will not be going back. Better coverage in Boston area too.

[Challenger]

Originally Posted by srjax

Anyone have Sprint? How are they. We are moving down in Jan.

Live in Tamarind Grove and previously Pennecamp. Had Sprint in both and service was equally bad- totally unacceptable. Many lost calls. Also looking for advice on better coverage in those areas

[philmonaco]

AT&T sucks. I dropped them a few months ago. When I called them to tell them I wanted to terminated my contract early (incurring an extra and unfair charge), my call to them was dropped three times.
Verizon is much much better.

[Bill-n-Brillo]

"Location, location, location". We have AT&T service......and it sucks wind big-time in Duval (just north of Odell off Buena Vista). I've got to stand out in the driveway on one foot holding up a roll of aluminum foil on a perfectly clear day to get reception (slightly exaggerated, of course...but you get the picture! ). When we're at other locales in TV, the service ranges from non-existent to 4 bars - it's all over the map.

Not a huge deal to us right now given that we're snowflakes. But when we get to the point of spending more time down there, we're hoping more towers will have been installed.

Here's an article that touts a seemingly viable alternative to traditional cell towers. Sounds like it would be perfect for an environment like TV:

http://news.cnet.com/8301-30686_3-20031105-266.html

Bill

[Oren L Miller]

Angie called AT&T and we got a free MicroCell from AT&T. We get 5 bars all the time now at home - even in the basement. Before the MicroCell we used our phones at home as paper weights.

[skip0358]

Had ATT when we first got down here. Service was horrible. Switched to VZ no problems. My neighbor has ATT has to stand in driveway or go out in her backyard by the pond to talk.

[bobthegolfer]

We had ATT when we moved to the Village of Springdale. No service inside the house at all. Some service outside. We had several months left on our contract and ATT had no desire to work with us when we complained that we were paying for a service we couldn't get. Went to Verizon 9 years ago and have had wonderful service since, traveling up North or in The Villages, never had a call dropped or no service. We would never go back to ATT!