Verizon offers the second-most 4G LTE coverage in Minnesota, covering an impressive 81% of the state. The carrier's 5G coverage, however, trails the likes of T-Mobile and AT&T.
Verizon 4G Coverage in Minnesota
Verizon delivers the second-most 4G coverage in Minnesota, just behind competitor AT&T. While you might experience a patchy signal in the northeasternmost parts of Minnesota, most of the rest of the state enjoys a strong 4G LTE signal from Verizon.
Verizon 5G Coverage in Minnesota
Verizon offers a limited amount of 5G coverage compared to its competitors T-Mobile and AT&T, spreading to just 14% coverage of the state. Compared to T-Mobile, which provides 5G signal to almost half the state, Verizon’s 5G network falls behind.
The good news is that Verizon is working hard to build out its 5G network, so don’t be surprised if you find your area covered in the coming months and years. Plus, once you can access Verizon’s 5G, you may find it’s even faster than its competitors thanks to the super-fast 5G Ultra-Wideband Verizon offers.
In Minnesota, both AT&T’s 4G LTE and 5G networks are the best options available, with wide-ranging coverage and great speeds throughout the state. AT&T’s 4G network covers 86% of the state, while its 5G network is available in almost 50% of the state, geographically speaking.
AT&T 4G Coverage in Minnesota
AT&T wields the most wide-reaching 4G LTE network in Minnesota, covering an impressive 86% of the state. Especially in the southwestern half of the state, which is where most of Minnesota’s population lives, AT&T’s 4G network has you covered.
AT&T 5G Coverage in Minnesota
With close to 50% of the state covered, AT&T’s 5G coverage beats out competitors T-Mobile and Verizon. It’s worth noting that in certain areas, AT&T customers will even enjoy 5G+, AT&T’s super-fast, low latency, and extra-reliable 5G signal.
T-Mobile offers the second-most 5G coverage, and the third-most 4G coverage in Minnesota. While the carrier covers 36% of the state with its 5G network, its 4G network only spans across 51% of the state, which is less coverage than AT&T and Verizon’s 4G networks.
T-Mobile 4G Coverage in Minnesota
T-Mobile’s 4G network covers over half (51%) of Minnesota. This ranks it below Verizon and AT&T’s 4G networks, which cover 81% and 86% of the state, respectively. However, you can see in the map below that most of the population hubs are covered, so there’s a good chance that unless you’re in the most remote areas of the state, you’ll still enjoy decent coverage.
T-Mobile 5G Coverage in Minnesota
T-Mobile’s 5G network spans over a third of Minnesota, reaching 36% of the state. Its 5G network coverage is second only to AT&T’s 5G network (49%), and far beyond Verizon’s 5G coverage (14%). Plus, T-Mobile’s ultrafast 5G Ultra Capacity, comparable to Verizon’s 5G Ultra Wideband and AT&T’s 5G+ networks, is available in half of its overall 5G network.
While the Big Three are the most well-known carrier options, it’s worth knowing you have more options beyond AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile. Minnesota is covered by a range of smaller cell phone networks too. Before making any decisions, definitely check out the carriers we mention below, many of which will let you sign up for similar plans, with the same 4G and 5G coverage, for a better price.
These smaller carriers are known as MVNOs, or mobile virtual network operators. That means the carriers lease from one of AT&T, Verizon, or T-Mobile to let you access that coverage. For example, Mint Mobile leases from T-Mobile, which means that if you’re a Mint Mobile customer, you get to take advantage of T-Mobile’s great coverage. Here are some of the most popular MVNOs, as well as which 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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Yes, Verizon is good in Minnesota. but its 4G LTE coverage doesn’t extend quite as far as AT&T’s, and its 5G network is not as broad as AT&T's or T-Mobile’s.
While all three carriers offer strong signals in Minnesota, AT&T has the broadest network, covering 86% of the state with its 4G LTE network, and almost 50% with its 5G network.
To find the best cell service in your area, check out our 4G and 5G coverage maps for T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T. Be sure to zoom in so you can see exactly how well-covered your area is by each carrier.
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