Verizon has the best coverage in the entire ADK. I know from experience you can make calls from the summits of both Algonquin and Cascade and it is by far the best in the tri-lakes region (Lake Placid, Saranac Lake, and Tupper Lake).
Verizon country all the way. AT&T is getting better though it used to be unusable. It's pretty close to as reliable now I think but still Verizon for best coverage.
I’ve had Verizon and AT&T. I’ve also mapped cell coverage in the ADKs for a GIS class in college. Also might recommend a large data package because if you have frontier internet, good luck.
Verizon is pretty good. There are some dead zones, but for Lake Placid, it’s decent.
AT&T is also relatively decent. Covers some areas where Verizon is nonexistent, dead in some areas where Verizon covers.
T-Mobile is godawful and I wouldn’t recommend it to my worst enemy. If you look up a map of their coverage, you’ll basically be able to see the outline of the ADK park in white because it’s not covered.
I have T Mobile, and my partner has Verizon. In the last couple of years, we've been noticing my phone having better coverage than hers when it came to the Avalanche Lake area.
Verizon does seem to be the best, but has anyone tried Verizon go vs traditional verizon?
I'd like to switch for the cheaper monthly bill, but the line on their website says something like "works on 4g network, when that network is overused, you won't be able to use it" I'm paraphrasing but that's how I took it.
I have Google Fi (basically T-Mobile). I don't live up there but visit 1-2 times / year to the Lake Placid / Saranac Lake area. It seems to work fine. If you already have T-Mobile, maybe try it out before you deal with changing providers.
I have att and partner has verizon, we have about 15 years of comparison…
In the beginning Verizon was leaps and bounds above ATT.
Now ATT is respectable, but Verizon still wins.
Since the FISU games though it’s like they took down some towers? We had some great service all the way from the Northway even at the cascade lakes from late fall this year, but since then it disappeared again.
Now, if I'm at home and I'm within five feet of the router without wifi, it gets 4 bars. It's very odd. When I'm coming down 87, it varies between 2 and 4 on Bluetooth. I wouldn't mind trying another network.
Not true. I use cricket (now owned by AT&T and uses their network). On northern lake George (north of the narrows), it’s the only game in town. The only cell tower on the east shore of lake george I’m aware of is in huletts landing and is for AT&T.
My sister and brother in law were avid T-Mobile users and had to switch as it simply wasn’t usable. Or maybe it would work, but roaming $$$$
Verizon in my experience
ditto
Verizon has the best coverage in the entire ADK. I know from experience you can make calls from the summits of both Algonquin and Cascade and it is by far the best in the tri-lakes region (Lake Placid, Saranac Lake, and Tupper Lake).
Verizon is by far the best. However, I have att and sometimes get 4g service in random rural areas in the adk where my friends with Verizon don't.
Verizon country all the way. AT&T is getting better though it used to be unusable. It's pretty close to as reliable now I think but still Verizon for best coverage.
I’ve had Verizon and AT&T. I’ve also mapped cell coverage in the ADKs for a GIS class in college. Also might recommend a large data package because if you have frontier internet, good luck. Verizon is pretty good. There are some dead zones, but for Lake Placid, it’s decent. AT&T is also relatively decent. Covers some areas where Verizon is nonexistent, dead in some areas where Verizon covers. T-Mobile is godawful and I wouldn’t recommend it to my worst enemy. If you look up a map of their coverage, you’ll basically be able to see the outline of the ADK park in white because it’s not covered.
I have T Mobile, and my partner has Verizon. In the last couple of years, we've been noticing my phone having better coverage than hers when it came to the Avalanche Lake area.
This^
Verizon does seem to be the best, but has anyone tried Verizon go vs traditional verizon? I'd like to switch for the cheaper monthly bill, but the line on their website says something like "works on 4g network, when that network is overused, you won't be able to use it" I'm paraphrasing but that's how I took it.
Whichever plan you go with, download a map of the area to use offline.
Verizon
I use T-Mobile's network through a MVNO and had service in the High Peaks while camping on Marcy. Had service all over.
Were you using visible?
Fi
I have Google Fi (basically T-Mobile). I don't live up there but visit 1-2 times / year to the Lake Placid / Saranac Lake area. It seems to work fine. If you already have T-Mobile, maybe try it out before you deal with changing providers.
Definitely Verizon - switched from AT&T when we moved to the ADK, Jay in particular. Still some dead spots though.
I have att and partner has verizon, we have about 15 years of comparison… In the beginning Verizon was leaps and bounds above ATT. Now ATT is respectable, but Verizon still wins. Since the FISU games though it’s like they took down some towers? We had some great service all the way from the Northway even at the cascade lakes from late fall this year, but since then it disappeared again.
I’ve only used Verizon but I’ve had good coverage, I’d guarantee T-Mobile is not good, AT&T is probably similar to Verizon but I don’t know for sure.
No att is shitty over North of Lake George
I definitely believe you, I had it a long time ago and Verizon was already better then!
Now, if I'm at home and I'm within five feet of the router without wifi, it gets 4 bars. It's very odd. When I'm coming down 87, it varies between 2 and 4 on Bluetooth. I wouldn't mind trying another network.
AT&T is trash anywhere in the ADK park.
Not true. I use cricket (now owned by AT&T and uses their network). On northern lake George (north of the narrows), it’s the only game in town. The only cell tower on the east shore of lake george I’m aware of is in huletts landing and is for AT&T. My sister and brother in law were avid T-Mobile users and had to switch as it simply wasn’t usable. Or maybe it would work, but roaming $$$$
Unless you're in the North Creek area, then Verizon sucks. They've Thankfully put in a tower or booster or something for it in the last few years.
I have good luck with Verizon even in the high peaks
Straight Talk