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Which cell phones work in Big Sky (if any)?

post #1 of 16
5/22/10 at 2:23am
Thread Starter 

Hey, I'm going to be in Big Sky, MT for January 2011 and I want to get a new cell phone before I go, preferably Android-based with a decent camera. Does anyone know if any cell phone carriers cover Big Sky? Thanx.

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post #2 of 16
5/22/10 at 5:30am

Yes. There's cell service at Big Sky. Also, ATT is buying Alltel and that should be a done deal by your visit. CDMA and GSM both will have service. 

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post #3 of 16
5/22/10 at 5:46am

I had very little issue with my Iphone working at BigSky, in fact, there were many times I wish it hadn't worked so well. 

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post #4 of 16
5/22/10 at 12:55pm

Having been to Big Sky numerous times for races, I've found Verizon to have issues at various places on the mountain.  There wasn't coverage everywhere and certainly no coverage on the road from Bozeman to Big Sky.  The coverage was fine down in the main resort area. 

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post #5 of 16
5/22/10 at 3:27pm

All phones work in Big Sky. Service can be a little iffie on the Moonlight side.

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post #6 of 16
5/23/10 at 6:16am

By far Verizon has the best coverage in the Big Sky area and through out Montana.  Alltel is spotty and ATT is pathetic.

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post #7 of 16
5/23/10 at 6:29am

I hear that ATT is pathetic from a lot of people, but I really didn't have any more issue with using my iPhone at BigSky or Bridger last spring.

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post #8 of 16
5/23/10 at 7:06am

if your phone worked at bridger Im impressed,  Bigsky everything is good, moonlight spotty at best!

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post #9 of 16
5/23/10 at 7:27am

I'll admit that I didn't use my phone to call much, but I know that MrTC was able to call me, sometimes a bit too much 

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post #10 of 16
5/23/10 at 8:18pm

I am an instructor at Big Sky and the service of choice is Verizon. It works well in the Big Sky community but once you head down 191 to Bozeman or up to West Yellowstone there is no service that works from any company. I hope this helps.

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post #11 of 16
5/27/10 at 5:14pm
Thread Starter 

Thanks everyone, that helps alot. Basically, both my camera and my cell phone are dying, and since I'm no longer under contract I can switch to whomever I want. I figured since I'll be in Big Sky for a month I should pick something that will work there.

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post #12 of 16
5/29/10 at 3:10pm

I could write a book on this topic...  everyone's summary is right - Verizon has decent coverage, Alltel is about the best.  

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post #13 of 16
5/29/10 at 4:21pm

My problem with Alltel comes down to one thing -- the Alltel ads.  I HATE their ads.  In fact, I hate their ads so much I wouldn't even consider getting their service.  I am hopeless when it comes to ads mostly.  I don't pay them any attention.  I can see an ad 100 times and not know what it's about or even remember it.  But the Alltel ads are so annoying the whole family races for the mute button when they come on.  It's a successful campaign from one standpoint, I know what the product is for a change.  And I refuse to buy it.
 

Quote:
Originally Posted by vinn View Post

I could write a book on this topic...  everyone's summary is right - Verizon has decent coverage, Alltel is about the best.  

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post #14 of 16
5/30/10 at 8:04am

I've always had good results with Verizon at the mountain village and in the car to and from Bozeman.

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post #15 of 16
5/31/10 at 12:55pm
Thread Starter 

I'm excited that Verizon seems to be coming out the winner 'cause I really want a Droid. I've never been a fan of Apple, do not own any of their products, and really don't want to start now, but had been envious of all my friends with iPhones. Will likely wait a couple of months to see if they come out with anything newer/better/cooler/faster before Christmas. I don't plan on talking on the phone on the slopes, just want to be able to call home in the evenings. Do plan to take pictures to post on Facebook. Thanks again for all the feedback, I'll keep checking for further posts and I'll post what phone I finally decide on and how it works when I get there.

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post #16 of 16
1/26/11 at 6:25pm
Thread Starter 

So, I ended up keeping my old Sprint Palm Centro (had some unexpected expenses and decided not to get a new phone). It worked everywhere on the mountain, in Town Center and Meadow Village. Friends with other carriers all had the same success.

 

Oh, and I should mention that Big Sky rocks! Snow was great (several powder days), and working in the slope-side medical clinic with Dr. Daniels was awesome (I saw more orthopedic injuries in one month than in a whole year in a DC emergency room. The one-month elective is available to 4th year medical students and 3rd or 4th year Emergency Medicine/Family Med residents or Sports Medicine Fellows. However, med students need to apply nearly two years in advance, and residents/fellows a year in advance, check out http://www.docsky.us/. Oh, and there is also a job opening as of January 2011 for any family med docs out there.

 

Thanks for all the input on phones/carriers.

 

--Leila

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