AT&T’s 4G LTE is the most wide-reaching in the country, outdoing the likes of Verizon and T-Mobile. The company’s 5G network, meanwhile, covers just a tiny bit less of the country than T-Mobile’s (the industry leader).
AT&T has worked to aggressively expand its 5G footprint via three different types of 5G, including its super-fast 5G+ (a.k.a. 5G Plus). This enhanced coverage is available throughout many parts of the eastern and western seaboards.
AT&T 5G Coverage Map
AT&T’s 5G network covers 28% of the country, which is just one percentage point less than industry leader T-Mobile.
As the map below shows, AT&T’s 5G network covers quite a bit of the country already. The only dead zones are found in parts of Iowa, Nebraska, Wyoming, Arizona, and Oregon. Fast 5G+ speeds are available along the east and west coasts, particularly in the Northeastern states and California.
Check out AT&T's 5G coverage map below:
What is 5G Plus?
AT&T's 5G+ is the branding used for its mmWave (millimeter-wave) 5G network, which offers ultra-fast speeds and low latency compared to its standard 5G network. AT&T uses "5G+" to differentiate this high-performance service from its regular 5G network, which is more widespread but offers lower speeds and greater coverage.
AT&T 4G Coverage Map
AT&T’s 4G network is more robust than its 5G network, spreading to 58% of the country. This makes AT&T’s 4G network the best in the country.
One look at the map below shows just how widespread AT&T’s 4G coverage network is throughout the United States:
AT&T Coverage vs. Verizon vs. T-Mobile
When it comes to nationwide coverage superiority, it's really a three horse race between T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T. UScellular trails far behind these market leaders in terms of the overall reach of its 4G and 5G networks.
Here’s how the three carriers—along with UScellular—stack up:
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If you consider coverage an important factor in which carrier you go with for your next cell phone plan, AT&T is a safe bet indeed. The provider’s combined 4G and 5G coverage translates to great service in most areas of the United States.
AT&T International Coverage
Did you know that AT&T coverage actually extends past the borders into Canada and Mexico?
All of AT&T’s unlimited plans include unlimited talk, text, and data in both of these countries (side note: I’ve tested AT&T in Mexico and it works swimmingly). In fact, AT&T is a great choice overall for international coverage, particularly its Unlimited Premium PL plan, which also includes unlimited talk, text, and data in 19 Latin American countries.
Prepaid Carriers on the AT&T Network
AT&T hosts a handful of smaller prepaid cell phone carriers on its network. That includes the company’s own Cricket Wireless, as well as other popular prepaid brands like Boost Mobile, US Mobile, and Consumer Cellular. Here’s a more extensive list:
- Boost Mobile
- Cricket Wireless
- US Mobile
- Consumer Cellular
- TracFone
It's important to note that these carriers’ reliance on subleased network space from AT&T can in some instances result in slightly inferior service. Major carriers tend to prioritize their customers ahead of those who use their networks via smaller carriers like US Mobile, at least in times of network congestion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has more coverage, AT&T or Verizon?
By our numbers, AT&T boasts more 4G and 5G coverage than Verizon. AT&T covers 58% of the country with its 4G network to Verizon’s 56%; and AT&T’s 5G network extends to 28% of the country, far more than Verizon’s 12%.
Is AT&T coverage better than T-Mobile coverage?
AT&T’s 4G coverage is superior to T-Mobile’s, with 58% of the country covered to T-Mobile’s 37%. T-Mobile’s 5G coverage is slightly better than AT&T’s with 29% of the country covered to AT&T’s 28%.
Does AT&T have coverage in Alaska?
Yes, AT&T’s 4G and 5G networks extend to parts of Alaska, particularly in and around Anchorage. Valdez and Fairbanks also have ample AT&T coverage.
