Verizon offers the best 4G coverage, and the third-best 5G coverage, in the island of Hawaii.
Verizon 4G Coverage in Hawaii
Verizon’s 4G network is dominant in Hawaii, spreading across 42% of the state. Going with Verizon if you live in Hawaii is a wise move indeed. That said, we recommend using our map above to verify coverage in your specific area of the state.
Verizon 5G Coverage in Hawaii
Verizon’s statewide 5G network reach is more limited in Hawaii, covering 9% of the state. However, as the map above will show you, the carrier’s basic 5G network covers Oahu quite well. What’s more, Verizon is actively expanding its network reach in Hawaii as we speak, so you can expect this percentage—and the availability of the carrier’s fastest network speeds—to increase in the coming weeks and months.
While Verizon’s 4G network reigns supreme in Hawaii, AT&T’s is no slouch. The carrier’s 4G network covers 36% of the state, a few percentage points shy of Verizon. AT&T’s 5G network, meanwhile, is the best in the state.
AT&T 4G Coverage in Hawaii
AT&T’s 4G network covers 36% of Hawaii’s 6,422 square miles, which is more than respectable when you consider how much of the state is rural and hard to get to. Use the map above to verify coverage in your specific area.
AT&T 5G Coverage in Hawaii
AT&T wields the most powerful 5G network in Hawaii, covering 27% of the state. This includes near total coverage of Hawaii’s busiest island, Oahu. Better still, much of this 5G coverage is made up of the carrier’s so-called5G+ spectrum, which delivers super-fast speeds, low latency times, and enhanced reliability.
T-Mobile delivers the second-most 5G coverage, and third-most 4G coverage, in Hawaii.
T-Mobile 4G Coverage in Hawaii
T-Mobile’s 4G network spans 28% of Hawaii, which is less than both Verizon and AT&T. That said, your town or region may very well be covered by T-Mobile—use the map above to find out.
T-Mobile 5G Coverage in Hawaii
T-Mobile wields the second-best 5G network in Hawaii, covering 9% of the state. A 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 Hawaii. 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:
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Verizon wields the best 4G LTE service in Hawaii, while AT&T delivers the best 5G coverage in the state.
To determine the best cell phone service in your area of Hawaii, we recommend taking a look at our 4G and 5G coverage maps and zooming in to inspect your local area.
AT&T offers the best 5G coverage across the Hawaiian Islands, while Verizon delivers the best 4G coverage.
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