Best cell phone in Puna?

[fishenjim]

Trying to get a new phone and plan before leaving for Puna,in 2 weeks. I found out my U.S cellular will be useless there. I know verizon works there, is there a better or equal service for puna. I had a BAD time with verizon in the past. Thanks in advance for any input.

[deserteagle50ae]

I Have sprint in Hawaiian Beaches, works fine for me.

[bluesboy]

I think AT&T and Verizon are the two biggest in Puna, with AT&T possibly being the biggest.

[Susan]

My Verizon cell worked well most places on the island with the exception of Kapoho. A friend with AT&T cell was the only one who had good reception there.

[terracore]

It depends on what you are doing with it. Verizon has better and faster data coverage than AT&T. There are many areas in Puna where your only internet options are cellular or satellite, and Verizon is the only cellular player with a home internet service. (Home Fusion)

But if I were to make a recommendation in your specific situation, grab a $15 Tracfone to get you by until you know where you are going to live and what the signal strengths of the various players are. Don't invest any money until you get here.

[coastal]

I'm with terracore - wait until you get here. I live in Hawaiian Beaches, and have AT&T. There is NO coverage down by the shore - i had to buy a micro-cell from AT&T and it runs off my wifi in home. It works great. But, the AT&T cell tower in Hawaiian Shores is up, and is supposed to be activated within a month or so - they promise a minimum of four bars in a large swath of coverage area. You can go to the Hawaiian Shores Rec Estates HOA site on line and see before/after coverage maps from AT&T. Can't wait for the coverage to be turned on. But don't buy now, wait until you get here, and where you live, ask your neighbors what works for them. We had several neighbors with Verizon who could get cell coverage in the middle of the street - you'd always see them out in the street chatting on their phone. And Susan is right as well - I've been to Kapoho, and I get great service there with AT&T - go figure...in the middle of the lava field - great cell service.

[ericlp]

I would echo Verizon. At least that is what Straight Talk uses. I think the network is fast and get a pretty good signal in most places of the island. Including beaches subdivision. But I'm also waiting for the tower to come on line to see if my service will improve. Might have to switch to ATT. I think Straight Talk also sells ATT service phones.

[fishenjim]

Thanks all. Just wait seems maybe the best choice.

[eigoya]

Had AT&T in Upper HPP worked well for almost a year and then little to no reception. Moved to lower HPP. Nothing. Switched to Tmobile (who said it was good), hit and miss. Now tracphone which also claimed coverage. Spotty., but cheaper.

[punaticbychoice]

Try Consumer Cellular.
No contract, but limited selection of phones
good voice and data services, good prices.
Uses ATT system but seems to perform better than ATT.