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iPhone Text Effects: Tips and Tricks
March 18, 2025
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As a small, flat state located in the heart of the Mid Atlantic region, Delaware would seem to be fertile ground for good cell phone coverage.
And generally speaking, it is. Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile pretty well blanket the state with their 4G and 5G networks, from Wilmington to Selbyville, and Middletown to Lewes.
However, Delaware is not completely without its dead zones, particularly along its 380 miles of coastline, and in some of the more rural areas of the state.
In this article, we’ll delve into the cell phone coverage nuances in Delaware, and explain how to use our interactive coverage maps to identify the best cell service in your area.
Table of contents
What We Like
- Verizon offers the most 4G coverage in Delaware (74%), closely followed by AT&T (72%)
- T-Mobile wields the most wide-reaching 5G network in Delaware, covering 61% of the state; AT&T is a close second, covering 57%
What We Don't Like
- Signal availability can be spotty along Delaware’s many waterways, and in some of its rural areas
- Verizon’s 5G coverage, while respectable, nonetheless trails its competitors in Delaware
Verizon offers the most 4G LTE coverage, and the third-most 5G coverage, in Delaware.
Verizon 4G Coverage in Delaware
Verizon is the 4G coverage leader in Delaware, covering an amazing 74% of the state with its network. That makes Verizon a safe choice if you’re looking for a carrier that offers wide-reaching and reliable coverage in the state.
Verizon 5G Coverage in Delaware
Verizon’s 5G network is a bit more limited in its reach in Delaware, covering a little over half (30%) of the state.
That said, the carrier is actively expanding its network reach in the state, so you can expect this percentage—and the availability of the carrier’s fastest network speeds—to increase in the coming weeks and months.
AT&T offers excellent 4G and 4G coverage throughout Delaware, ranking second for both.
AT&T 4G Coverage in Delaware
AT&T’s 4G network covers 72% of Delaware’s 1,948 square miles. That’s a full 7% more coverage than third-place T-Mobile. If you’re looking for a carrier that delivers a reliable signal almost everywhere in Delaware, going with AT&T is a smart move.
AT&T 5G Coverage in Delaware
AT&T wields the most second-most wide-reaching 5G network in Delaware, covering an impressive 57% of the state. The carrier’s network is present in all of the state’s towns and cities, and many of its less populated areas as well. Better yet, much of this coverage is made up of the carrier’s so-called 5G+ spectrum, which delivers super-fast speeds, low latency times, and enhanced reliability.
T-Mobile serves up the most 5G coverage, and the third-most 4G coverage, in Delaware.
T-Mobile 4G Coverage in Delaware
T-Mobile’s 4G network spans 65% of Delaware, which is a bit less than both Verizon and AT&T (covering 74% and 72% of the state respectively). That said, your town may very well be covered by T-Mobile’s 4G—use the map above to find out.
T-Mobile 5G Coverage in Delaware
T-Mobile wields the best 5G network in Delaware, covering 61% of the state. What’s more, a good portion of this 5G coverage is made up of the carrier’s 5G Ultra Capacity network, which delivers incredibly fast speeds for latency-free browsing, streaming, and gaming.
While we’ve outlined cell phone coverage from the three major U.S. cell phone carriers, it’s important to know that you aren’t limited to these companies if you need cell phone service in Delaware. A variety of smaller carriers, or MVNOs, also operate in the state, allowing you to sign up for equivalent plans, with similar coverage, for less than you’d otherwise pay.
All of these carriers lease from the aforementioned major carrier networks to provide coverage to their customers. If you’re signed up with Spectrum Mobile, for example, you’ll have access to Verizon coverage, since the carrier runs on that network. Here are some popular MVNOs, and the networks they operate on:
Boost Mobile
Metro by T-Mobile
Networks they use
Metro by T-Mobile
Networks they use
Optimum Mobile
Spectrum Mobile
Cox Mobile
Straight Talk
Networks they use
Cricket
Networks they use
Visible
Networks they use
Google Fi
Networks they use
Xfinity Mobile
Mint Mobile
Things to Know about Cell Phone Coverage
Cell Phone Coverage Speeds
When it comes to cell phone coverage, you don’t just need a cellular signal—you need that signal to provide adequate speed. That’s why it’s important to distinguish between 4G and 5G coverage in your area. In general, 5G provides faster speeds and greater reliability than 4G. However, that’s not always the case, as there may be instances when the speeds of these respective coverage types are actually quite similar.
How to Get the Best Cell Phone Coverage
There’s more to getting the best coverage than just signing up with the carrier that offers reliable service in the places you spend time. These include:
- Your phone: The newer and more cutting edge your device, the more likely you’ll be able to tap into the fastest speeds. Some older phones don’t have the built-in technology to connect to the fastest 5G bands, resulting in slower service. The newest 5G devices, like the Apple iPhone 16 or Samsung Galaxy S24 series don’t have this problem.
- Your software: It’s important to make sure your software is up to date, as an out-of-date operating system can translate to an inability to connect to the fastest network speeds.
- Your cell phone plan: Depending on the mobile plan you have, your data may experience deprioritization during times of network congestion. If this is consistently happening to you, it may be worth investigating whether you can sign up for a plan that includes more premium (i.e. un-deprioritized) data.
- Your location: Certain types of coverage, like high-band 5G, has difficulty penetrating solid materials, like concrete walls. As simple as it may sound, moving to an unobstructed location may help you connect to these fast networks more reliably.
Our methodology
We sourced our cell phone coverage metrics from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which collects data voluntarily submitted by the four major national carriers (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, UScellular). Read More
The FCC incorporates standardized propagation model assumptions into its data, and notes that a user’s actual experience may vary based on end-use factors like network congestion and terrain. Read Less
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best network in Delaware?
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Verizon wields the best 4G network in Delaware, while AT&T offers the most 5G coverage in the state.
How do I find the best cell coverage in my area of Delaware?
To determine the best cell phone service in your area of Delaware, we recommend taking a look at our 4G and 5G coverage maps and zooming in to inspect your local area.
Is T-Mobile good in Delaware?
Yes, T-Mobile is good in Delaware, offering the second-most 5G coverage, and the third-most 4G coverage, in the state.
Learn More Network Coverage Maps
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