Verizon is a solid option for cell phone coverage in New Jersey, with the largest 4G LTE network in the state and a 5G network that covers over half the state. Like AT&T and T-Mobile, Verizon’s coverage is strongest in New Jersey’s urban areas and is weaker in the state’s rural areas.
Verizon 4G Coverage in New Jersey
Verizon offers the largest 4G network in New Jersey, edging out AT&T’s by about 1%. Like AT&T, Verizon’s strongest 4G service is concentrated in the state’s metropolitan areas outside New York City and Philadelphia, though there’s also strong coverage down the shore, running Long Branch all the way to Cape May.
Verizon 5G Coverage in New Jersey
Verizon’s 5G network is significantly smaller than both AT&T’s and T-Mobile’s 5G networks, though it still covers over half of New Jersey, with a total network footprint of about 56.3%. Nearly 45% of that 5G coverage includes Verizon’s 5G Ultra-Wideband, which offers extra fast service and minimal lag.
Unlike AT&T and Verizon, T-Mobile doesn’t operate the largest 4G LTE or 5G network in New Jersey, though that doesn’t mean their coverage is poor. In fact, T-Mobile offers strong 4G and 5G throughout much of the state.
T-Mobile 4G Coverage in New Jersey
The T-Mobile 4G network covers about 74.3% of the state, with the strongest coverage in the metropolitan hubs outside New York City, Trenton, Philadelphia, and Atlantic City. The carrier’s weakest 4G coverage is in the center of the state, including the Pine Barrens and the rural areas between Bordentown and Lakewood.
T-Mobile 5G Coverage in New Jersey
T-Mobile’s 5G network is the second-largest in New Jersey, with a total coverage area that’s just 2% smaller than AT&T’s. While that 5G service might be spotty in the more rural parts of the state, nearly half of T-Mobile’s 5G network includes T-Mobile’s 5G Ultra Capacity spectrum, which offers lightning-fast speeds.
AT&T offers the best coverage in New Jersey. AT&T’s 4G and 5G networks cover most of the state, with especially strong service in the metropolitan areas near New York City and Philadelphia.
AT&T 4G Coverage in New Jersey
As we mentioned, AT&T’s 4G service is available through most of the state, though there are some areas, in the rural areas east of Camden and south of Trenton (also known as the Pine Barrens), where coverage will be spotty at best. If you want to see the strength of AT&T 4G in your neighborhood, you can enter your address into the map below.
AT&T 5G Coverage in New Jersey
AT&T operates the second-largest 5G network in New Jersey, with coverage that reaches over 69% of the state map and includes Newark, Jersey City, Elizabeth, Paterson, and New Brunswick.
About 45% of that network includes 5G+, which provides high-speed service and low latency, though that service is mostly limited to the state’s densely populated metropolitan areas. You can expect those numbers to grow, too, because the major wireless networks continue to expand their 5G networks every year.
AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile may be the largest cell phone carriers in the country, but they’re not the only ones. There are plenty of smaller carriers, called MVNOs, that operate on the Big Three networks and provide discounted coverage to their customers.
If you don’t need all the luxuries of an unlimited data plan, then an MVNO (like Mint Mobile or Straight Talk) might be the best way for you to score access to the AT&T, Verizon, or T-Mobile network for cheap. You can check out some of the most popular MVNOs below:
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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Overall, AT&T is the best carrier in New Jersey, with a 4G LTE network that covers almost 85% of the state and a 5G network that covers over 69%.
You can determine the best cell service in your area by entering your address in our 4G and 5G coverage maps, which will show you the carriers offering service in your neighborhood, along with the strength of those carriers’ signals.
Yes, 5G is available throughout most of NJ, though the total amount of 5G coverage and its signal’s strength will depend on the carrier. AT&T operates the largest 5G network in New Jersey, with a total network area of 69%.
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