Verizon is tied for the lead with AT&T when it comes to 4G coverage in North Dakota. Its 5G network, however, is far more limited in its statewide reach.
Verizon 4G Coverage in North Dakota
Verizon’s 4G LTE network covers a 92% of North Dakota, meaning it’s present just about everywhere you go in the state. If reliable coverage is important to you, going with Verizon for your service in North Dakota is a wise move indeed.
Verizon 5G Coverage in North Dakota
Verizon’s 5G network is decidedly less far-reaching in North Dakota than its 4G network, spreading to just 22% of the state.
That said, the carrier is actively expanding its network, 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 blankets nearly the entirety of North Dakota with its 4G network, and offers the best 5G coverage to boot.
AT&T 4G Coverage in North Dakota
AT&T’s 4G network covers 92% of North Dakota’s 70,704 square miles, a truly impressive stat when you consider how much of the state is rural. If you’re looking for a carrier that delivers a reliable signal almost everywhere in North Dakota, going with AT&T is a smart move.
AT&T 5G Coverage in North Dakota
AT&T wields the most wide-reaching 5G network in North Dakota, covering exactly half (50%) of the state. AT&T’s 5G network is present in all of North Dakota’s major and minor towns and cities, and many of its less populated areas as well.
A portion of this 5G 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 second-most 5G coverage, and the third-most 4G coverage, in North Dakota.
T-Mobile 4G Coverage in North Dakota
T-Mobile’s 4G network spans 32% of North Dakota, which is decidedly less than both Verizon and AT&T (both of which cover 92% of the state). 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 North Dakota
T-Mobile offers the second-most 5G coverage in North Dakota, covering 18% of the state. Fortunately, 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.
hile 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 North Dakota. 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 and AT&T deliver the most 4G coverage in North Dakota, covering 92% of the state. In terms of 5G coverage, AT&T outdoes Verizon, covering 50% of the state with its network.
To determine the best cell phone service in your area of North Dakota, we recommend taking a look at our 4G and 5G coverage maps and zooming in to inspect your local area.
Yes, AT&T offers excellent coverage in North Dakota, covering 92% of the state with its 4G network, and 50% of the state with its 5G network.
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