What is a good cell service in Anchorage?

[Catshrink]

My Dad has us all on a Verizon plan that he started when he lived here in Arizona. Since he moved to Anchorage, his service sucks. We get cut off, have garbled reception, or just plain can't get through. I rarely have trouble calling my sisters (I'm in Phoenix, they're in Vegas, rural Wisconsin, and Anchorage) but Dad's another issue. He lives on a hillside so my guess is that's the problem. Any suggestions?

[northofdenali]

1. Cell service can be pretty iffy here.

I've had the best luck with Cellular One, though some swear by ACS (Alaska Communications). Once you get into the mountains or way out of town, though (I'm in Fairbanks) - all bets are off. I did once manage to get a call through from Deadhorse (near Prudhoe Bay) to Fairbanks - but only once!

Aside from that, CellOne has been great, and they've got more towers going up instate this spring. My plan includes a nights-and-weekends package so I can call the Lower 48 free.

[Catshrink]

2. Thanks for the suggestion.

I'll have my sister look into CellOne -- at least she knows to ask Verizon about their plans to increase the number of towers. Poor Dad. He is so frustrated. When we first got his phone, it set him free. He didn't need to rely on someone else to dial for him -- he used the voice activation like a pro. I don't think I mentioned that he's blind.

Let's hope we can find a solution for him! Thanks again.

[northofdenali]

3. CellOne's website is pretty informative -

http://www.letstalk.com/product/product.htm?prId=30698

My husband and I use our cells almost exclusively, unless we're in the "back of beyond" (then, nothing works, half the time - not even satellite phones!)

Good luck!

[snowbear]

4. Personally.. I like GCI..

Then again, I use them for everything it seems.. (cable tv, cell phone, internet, e-mail, local phone service.. you name it)

I live on the upper hillside and my service is great on the cell phone! There's one section driving down the hill (in front of Service High School) when it fades out for a split second, but that probably happens in that one area with any provider.

I can drive out to Wasilla, Girdwood.. all over.. and the calls to Anchorage are clear as a bell. I also like consolodating all the different services they provide onto one bill and I like their auto-pay service.

Even though I use them for just about everything, I'm sure using them for celluar service alone is great.

Anyway, check me off on your list as a very satisfied GCI customer!! http://portal.gci.net/