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iPhone Text Effects: Tips and Tricks
March 18, 2025
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Welcome to the Hawkeye State, where the cornfields stretch as far as the eye can see, and the quest for the best cell phone coverage is as thrilling as an Iowa State football game! Whether you're navigating the streets of Cedar Rapids or exploring out in the backcountry of Loess Hills, staying connected is a top priority. But with so many carriers vying for your attention, how do you choose the one that will keep you connected without a hitch?
We've done the legwork to bring you the ultimate guide to the best cell phone coverage in Iowa. So, grab your smartphone, and let's dive into the nitty-gritty of network supremacy in the land of rolling plains.
Table of contents
What We Like
- All three major carriers (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile), plus dark horse carrier UScellular, offer generally excellent coverage throughout Iowa
- Verizon offers the most 4G coverage in Iowa
- T-Mobile delivers the most 5G coverage in the state
What We Don't Like
- 5G coverage can be spotty in some of the more rural parts of Iowa, like the Northwestern corner of the state in between Fort Dodge and Sioux City
Verizon wields the top 4G network, and the third-best 5G network, in Iowa. Use the map below to verify Verizon’s coverage in your area.
Verizon 4G Coverage in Iowa
Verizon is the 4G coverage king in Iowa, beating out competitors AT&T, T-Mobile, and UScellular with 91% coverage statewide. That means you can connect to Verizon just about everywhere you go in Iowa.
Verizon 5G Coverage in Iowa
Verizon’s statewide 5G network is more limited in scope than its 4G network, spreading to 11% of the state. That’s less than T-Mobile and UScellular, but more than AT&T. Keep in mind, however, that Verizon is working to actively expand its 5G footprint in Iowa, so this percentage is sure to increase in the coming weeks and months.
It should also be noted that in some cases, the 5G signal you get from Verizon may be superior to that of its competitors, since it’s partly made up of super-fast 5G Ultra-Wideband.
AT&T offers excellent 4G coverage, and middling 5G coverage, in the Hawkeye State.
AT&T 4G Coverage in Iowa
AT&T’s 4G coverage network covers an impressive 91% of Iowa’s 56,273 square miles. Use the map above to verify coverage in your specific area of the state.
AT&T 5G Coverage in Iowa
AT&T’s 5G coverage is somewhat lacking in Iowa, spreading to just 7% of the state, far less than any of its major carrier rivals. However, AT&T knows that the future is 5G, and is probably building out their 5G infrastructure in Iowa as we speak. Also, a good percentage of the 5G coverage that AT&T does offer at the moment is made up of so-called 5G+ spectrum, which delivers super-fast speeds, low latency times, and enhanced reliability.
T-Mobile makes a strong showing in Iowa, offering the fourth-most 4G coverage, and the second-most 5G coverage.
T-Mobile 4G Coverage in Iowa
T-Mobile’s 4G network spans across a respectable 73% of Iowa. That’s short of what’s offered from both AT&T and Verizon, though it’s important to keep in mind that most of that 73% covers Iowa’s many cities and towns. Translation? If you live in one of these places, you should have no problem connecting to T-Mobile.
T-Mobile 5G Coverage in Iowa
T-Mobile wields the most powerful 5G network in Iowa, covering 73% 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.
The Chicago-based UScellular maintains an impressively big presence in Iowa with its 4G and 5G networks. In fact, UScellular’s 5G network is one of the widest-reaching in Iowa, covering an incredible 66% of the state. That’s a full 16% more than runner-up T-Mobile. If you’re looking to tap into the fastest network speeds in Iowa, going with UScellular for your next cell phone plan is a wise move indeed.
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 Iowa. 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
Which cell phone carrier has the best coverage in Iowa?
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Verizon offers the best 4G coverage (91% statewide) in Iowa, while T-Mobile delivers the best 5G coverage (73%).
How do I find out the best cell coverage in my area of Iowa?
To determine the best cell phone service in your area of Iowa, we recommend taking a look at our 4G and 5G coverage maps and zooming in to inspect your local area.
Does Verizon work in Iowa?
Yes, Verizon offers excellent 4G and 5G coverage throughout the state of Iowa.
Learn More Network Coverage Maps
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