How do MVNOs view the Sprint/T-Mobile Merger? by Sam

We were proud to have Conor Winters from The Capitol Forum recently interview M. Curtis McCoy, the CEO of Best Cellular. These are the questions and Mr. McCoy’s responses from the interview. Many MVNOs are curious about what the Sprint/T-Mobile Merger will entail and how it will affect the prepaid wireless industry. Mr. McCoy draws from his experience and technical knowledge of the industry to weigh in on these topics.

How do MVNOs view the merger?

As CEO of BestCellular.com I am deeply involved in, and keep a close watch on advancements in the wireless industry. We attend events all over the United States such as The Prepaid Wireless Expo, CTIA Super Mobility, and others.

Over the years, our team has met with T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon and many developers and executives from the major US telecom carriers. Best Cellular is also in contact with cell site and tower leasing programs in many states.

As an MVNO, Sprint has been very easy to work with, and support is readily available. We have also had many discussions with the IoT staff at T-Mobile and we are impressed by the developments they’re making in next-gen communications technology.

Hopefully, the Sprint/T-Mobile Merger would result in fewer SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) Cards for the customer and retail store owners to deal with. Currently, there are (40) different Sprint SIM Card SKUs for customers to choose from when activating a phone. Finding the correct SIM Card for a specific Sprint device was so difficult that we hired a team of research analysts to research and create a Sprint UICC Database that allows users to enter their phone model and be matched with the compatible SIM Card(s) for their device. Although this is a great source of revenue for Best Cellular as we sell Sprint SIM Cards to customers (and even wholesale to other Sprint MVNOs), it would be nice to have a single SIM Card that fits all Sprint & T-Mobile phones.

How will it affect the wireless industry?

On the tech side, this situation will likely accelerate 5G implementation. That seems to be the focus of John Legere’s vision, based on the PR he’s been doing about the Sprint/T-Mobile Merger.

Sprint has always been future-driven with their technology. They were one of the first carriers to test offering wireless coverage via a cellular radio on a drone. However, when Sprint and Nextel merged in 2005, the quality of the network degraded and they lost a lot of customers. Sprint phased out the iDEN PTT (Push-to-Talk) system within a few years as they shifted their focus. Recently, they have been developing and implementing Massive MIMO technology. That uses arrays of antennae to make the best of a limited spectrum broadcast. It will probably be a big part of the switch to 5G.

T-Mobile, of course, has been driven by innovation for several years now. They quickly established a presence in metropolitan areas. Now they compete with the established carriers in those sectors and have enough clout and experience to take on Verizon. Aided by their financial parents in Europe, their commitment to developing technologies should make this merger a net positive.

If this move goes as well as intended, Qualcomm stock would probably be a good buy at this point, since they supply handset-side cellular modules. In February of this year, Qualcomm announced partnerships with 18 different handset manufacturers to produce 5G devices. This was before the official Sprint/T-Mobile merger was announced, which means they either had a good idea of the pulse of this deal or they’re simply gambling on 5G overall. Since any official statements about the merger push 5G as the biggest benefit, companies like Qualcomm are poised to take advantage of this deal. Qualcomm will likely be the largest supplier of antenna modules for the resulting company’s handsets, due to their history with both companies in the past and their push to compete with Broadcom.

As far as the retail end of this equation, that will depend greatly on how “The New T-Mobile” decides to implement and advertise the resulting company.

How would T-Mobile’s acquisition of Sprint affect the MVNO & wholesale market?

Multi-carrier MVNOs are currently able to negotiate wholesale rates between carriers so they can focus their sales on the carriers that offer the best coverage at the lowest cost. Combining any two carriers will result in higher wholesale costs, with less competition. This is likely not a good thing for either the MVNOs or the consumers.

Are you, from your position at Best Cellular, concerned about this deal? If so, what concerns do you have?

This is just speculation since the companies have not released any details about how MVNOs will be managed, but I think it could become a major problem for the United States telecom industry. As the competition decreases, the free market will have less influence on this sector. This will likely result in poor pricing for consumers, as previously stated.

Are AT&T and Verizon considered to be less active, or somehow less viable, carriers in the wholesale market?

Like Sprint, Verizon is very easy to work with as an MVNO. AT&T does not have the greatest track record, but Verizon is one of the top MVNO suppliers in the US. One thing to keep an eye on after this all shakes out is the reaction from Verizon and AT&T. They have already begun sharing tower technology, which might indicate intentions towards a future merger as well. That’s just more speculation at this point, (but so was the topic at hand just a few years ago). We’ll have to wait and see whether they create specific strategies to compete or decide to continue on their current development timelines.

Will this deal increase or decrease competition in the wholesale market?

Unfortunately, “two heads are better than one” doesn’t always seem to apply when major corporations join to create an even larger brand. For instance, look at the Canadian merger which left their country with only three major telecom companies (Bell, Telus & Rogers). This created a much worse pricing structure. In business, more competition is good for the customer. But, it does keep margins thinner for corporations, as they compete to offer the best service for the lowest cost. I’m all for making as much profit as possible, but not if it means worse service at a higher price.

Will this deal benefit or harm MVNOs?

Since we don’t have any specific directive on how “The New T-Mobile” will handle MVNOs, we can’t really answer this question as of yet.

Will this deal benefit or harm consumers?

History has shown that this may not be a good thing for the end-user. However, the MVNO market has a healthy level of competition. As long as the resulting “Big Three” continue to support the MVNO market structure, consumers will have lots of options.

How will the consolidation of T-Mobile and Verizon affect the prepaid wireless market?

Both Sprint and T-Mobile have had a good history with MVNOs. We are hopeful that this will be a net positive. One of the main difficulties will be the migration to new handsets for consumers. More than likely, the millions of active devices on both Sprint and T-Mobile will not be compatible with the new network requirements. This means a lot of customers forced to “upgrade” will not be happy with their out-of-pocket costs.

Are there any conditions you’d like to see imposed upon the deal to address any concerns you may have?

I would love to see requirements that force the carriers to maintain a reasonable wholesale pricing structure for MVNOs, and a commitment to maintain existing agreements. Although a buyout of MVNOs would be a nice payday for CEOs like myself, it would result in even further degradation of available options for consumers. Currently, there are more than (240) United States MVNOs and Wireless Carriers for people comparing cellular phone plans. If the resulting “Big Three” decided to cut MVNOs out of the picture, those alternatives would disappear.

How do MVNOs view the Sprint/T-Mobile Merger? by Sam

We were proud to have Conor Winters from The Capitol Forum recently interview M. Curtis McCoy, the CEO of Best Cellular. These are the questions and Mr. McCoy’s responses from the interview. Many MVNOs are curious about what the Sprint/T-Mobile Merger will entail and how it will affect the prepaid wireless industry. Mr. McCoy draws from his experience and technical knowledge of the industry to weigh in on these topics.

How do MVNOs view the merger?

As CEO of BestCellular.com I am deeply involved in, and keep a close watch on advancements in the wireless industry. We attend events all over the United States such as The Prepaid Wireless Expo, CTIA Super Mobility, and others.

Over the years, our team has met with T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon and many developers and executives from the major US telecom carriers. Best Cellular is also in contact with cell site and tower leasing programs in many states.

As an MVNO, Sprint has been very easy to work with, and support is readily available. We have also had many discussions with the IoT staff at T-Mobile and we are impressed by the developments they’re making in next-gen communications technology.

Hopefully, the Sprint/T-Mobile Merger would result in fewer SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) Cards for the customer and retail store owners to deal with. Currently, there are (40) different Sprint SIM Card SKUs for customers to choose from when activating a phone. Finding the correct SIM Card for a specific Sprint device was so difficult that we hired a team of research analysts to research and create a Sprint UICC Database that allows users to enter their phone model and be matched with the compatible SIM Card(s) for their device. Although this is a great source of revenue for Best Cellular as we sell Sprint SIM Cards to customers (and even wholesale to other Sprint MVNOs), it would be nice to have a single SIM Card that fits all Sprint & T-Mobile phones.

How will it affect the wireless industry?

On the tech side, this situation will likely accelerate 5G implementation. That seems to be the focus of John Legere’s vision, based on the PR he’s been doing about the Sprint/T-Mobile Merger.

Sprint has always been future-driven with their technology. They were one of the first carriers to test offering wireless coverage via a cellular radio on a drone. However, when Sprint and Nextel merged in 2005, the quality of the network degraded and they lost a lot of customers. Sprint phased out the iDEN PTT (Push-to-Talk) system within a few years as they shifted their focus. Recently, they have been developing and implementing Massive MIMO technology. That uses arrays of antennae to make the best of a limited spectrum broadcast. It will probably be a big part of the switch to 5G.

T-Mobile, of course, has been driven by innovation for several years now. They quickly established a presence in metropolitan areas. Now they compete with the established carriers in those sectors and have enough clout and experience to take on Verizon. Aided by their financial parents in Europe, their commitment to developing technologies should make this merger a net positive.

If this move goes as well as intended, Qualcomm stock would probably be a good buy at this point, since they supply handset-side cellular modules. In February of this year, Qualcomm announced partnerships with 18 different handset manufacturers to produce 5G devices. This was before the official Sprint/T-Mobile merger was announced, which means they either had a good idea of the pulse of this deal or they’re simply gambling on 5G overall. Since any official statements about the merger push 5G as the biggest benefit, companies like Qualcomm are poised to take advantage of this deal. Qualcomm will likely be the largest supplier of antenna modules for the resulting company’s handsets, due to their history with both companies in the past and their push to compete with Broadcom.

As far as the retail end of this equation, that will depend greatly on how “The New T-Mobile” decides to implement and advertise the resulting company.

How would T-Mobile’s acquisition of Sprint affect the MVNO & wholesale market?

Multi-carrier MVNOs are currently able to negotiate wholesale rates between carriers so they can focus their sales on the carriers that offer the best coverage at the lowest cost. Combining any two carriers will result in higher wholesale costs, with less competition. This is likely not a good thing for either the MVNOs or the consumers.

Are you, from your position at Best Cellular, concerned about this deal? If so, what concerns do you have?

This is just speculation since the companies have not released any details about how MVNOs will be managed, but I think it could become a major problem for the United States telecom industry. As the competition decreases, the free market will have less influence on this sector. This will likely result in poor pricing for consumers, as previously stated.

Are AT&T and Verizon considered to be less active, or somehow less viable, carriers in the wholesale market?

Like Sprint, Verizon is very easy to work with as an MVNO. AT&T does not have the greatest track record, but Verizon is one of the top MVNO suppliers in the US. One thing to keep an eye on after this all shakes out is the reaction from Verizon and AT&T. They have already begun sharing tower technology, which might indicate intentions towards a future merger as well. That’s just more speculation at this point, (but so was the topic at hand just a few years ago). We’ll have to wait and see whether they create specific strategies to compete or decide to continue on their current development timelines.

Will this deal increase or decrease competition in the wholesale market?

Unfortunately, “two heads are better than one” doesn’t always seem to apply when major corporations join to create an even larger brand. For instance, look at the Canadian merger which left their country with only three major telecom companies (Bell, Telus & Rogers). This created a much worse pricing structure. In business, more competition is good for the customer. But, it does keep margins thinner for corporations, as they compete to offer the best service for the lowest cost. I’m all for making as much profit as possible, but not if it means worse service at a higher price.

Will this deal benefit or harm MVNOs?

Since we don’t have any specific directive on how “The New T-Mobile” will handle MVNOs, we can’t really answer this question as of yet.

Will this deal benefit or harm consumers?

History has shown that this may not be a good thing for the end-user. However, the MVNO market has a healthy level of competition. As long as the resulting “Big Three” continue to support the MVNO market structure, consumers will have lots of options.

How will the consolidation of T-Mobile and Verizon affect the prepaid wireless market?

Both Sprint and T-Mobile have had a good history with MVNOs. We are hopeful that this will be a net positive. One of the main difficulties will be the migration to new handsets for consumers. More than likely, the millions of active devices on both Sprint and T-Mobile will not be compatible with the new network requirements. This means a lot of customers forced to “upgrade” will not be happy with their out-of-pocket costs.

Are there any conditions you’d like to see imposed upon the deal to address any concerns you may have?

I would love to see requirements that force the carriers to maintain a reasonable wholesale pricing structure for MVNOs, and a commitment to maintain existing agreements. Although a buyout of MVNOs would be a nice payday for CEOs like myself, it would result in even further degradation of available options for consumers. Currently, there are more than (240) United States MVNOs and Wireless Carriers for people comparing cellular phone plans. If the resulting “Big Three” decided to cut MVNOs out of the picture, those alternatives would disappear.

Conor Winters, Sprint Merger, Sprint/T-Mobile Merger, T-Mobile Merger, The Capitol Forum

Best Cellular Coverage in Santa Ana, CA 92705

Recent inquiries about coverage in Santa Ana led us to research and post this article about the Best Cellular coverage in the area. Read on to find out a little bit of context for Santa Ana, CA. Also, see which carrier has the best coverage!

About Santa Ana, CA

Santa Ana, the second-most populated city in Orange County, houses the county seat. Positioned in beautiful Southern California alongside the Santa Ana River, the city combines with others nearby to form the greater Los Angeles metropolitan area. Residents of the city enjoy mild winters. However, they do have to contend with hot and dry conditions during the summer months. The demographics consist of a Hispanic or Latino population as a large majority.

Many companies run their operations through headquarters in Santa Ana. These include Ingram Micro, First American Corporation, Behr Paint, and the Rickenbacker International Corporation. Local attractions include Disneyland, Knott"s Berry Farm, and coastal beachfront activities.

Best Cellular Coverage in Santa Ana, CA 92705

After reviewing all of the carriers in the area, we can confidently say that we have found the best cellular coverage in Santa Ana, CA 92705. Best Cellular CDMA coverage is by far the best for this area. Best Cellular GSM-T signal is not too far behind, but since the CDMA coverage outpaces competition nationwide, we recommend it as the superior service plan.

For more information on activating your own device or getting a new one, visit the BestCellular.com homepage. Plans on Best Cellular CDMA start at $15 a month for basic phones and $40 for smartphones.

Obamaphones, Fraud, and The True Cost of That “Free Phone”

You might have heard about the “Obamaphone” before as a free option for those with low income. But are Obama Phones really free? What is an Obamaphone? Who is paying for that phone? And how do you get more minutes on an Obamaphone? We took the time to research these topics and give you our findings below.

What is an Obamaphone?

What most people refer to as an Obamaphone is actually part of a government program that the FCC initiated far before Obama was in office. The program, called Lifeline Assistance, did cover cell phones starting in 2008, which just so happened to be when Obama took office. However, the Lifeline Assistance project originally covered only landline phone plans. Tracfone became the first company to cover cellphones using the federal program in 2008, just before Obama’s inauguration. Today they operate upwards of 4 million lines through their SafeLink Wireless brand. T-Mobile also supported the Lifeline program until 2015 when they cut it off, citing low subscriber numbers.

Consumers who want to participate must have an income no higher than 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Otherwise, they can qualify if they are already enrolled in another federal assistance program such as Medicaid, food stamps, etc.

How do I get more minutes on my Obama phone?

Since neither the phones nor the service are provided by the government directly, you need to deal with the carrier of your Lifeline phone. Most people using an “Obama phone” signed up through either SafeLink Wireless or Assurance Wireless. Approximately 60 different Lifeline Assistance carriers participate throughout the US. You may need to do a little digging to find the one nearest you. In order to get more minutes on a Lifeline Assistance phone, you must wait until the next month or sign up for a paid plan through a carrier. Most of the carriers who support the program will give 250 free minutes or less for the month.

Are Obama Phones really free?

This is where the details get complicated. For the approved end-user, your phone and/or service might be completely free. You will have to go through a qualification process first. Many of the Lifeline Assistance participators accept proof of federal assistance, which may lead to the confusion that it is a federally-funded subsidy program. The same set of individuals using welfare or Medicaid systems will typically pre-qualify for Lifeline Assistance.

All of the carriers involved in the program contribute to the Universal Service Fund. This fund, managed by the FCC (Federal Communications Commission), collects fees from the carriers through the Universal Service Administrative Company. The proceeds from the fund are then redistributed to subsidize the costs for phones and service. What many paying customers do not realize is that they are giving into this fund by default. Check the line items on your monthly bill for USF or Universal Service Fund charges to see what you are paying. Note that this itemization is not required by the FCC, and differs from the Federal Subscriber Line charges.

How do I get a replacement phone from SafeLink wireless?

SafeLink Wireless does not provide insurance for their free devices. You can purchase a compatible device from Tracfone or call a customer service representative to get more details. Once you have a replacement phone in hand, they can assist you with transferring service.

Can I use my own cell phone with Safelink Wireless or Assurance Wireless?

Some of the Lifeline Assistance companies do allow you to Bring Your Own Device. However, it must be compatible with their top-level carrier. Call and verify before you purchase a device for one of these programs. Samsung, LG, and Motorola all make handsets compatible with these services.

Who owns Safelink Wireless?

America Movil, owned by Carlos Slim, operates Safelink Wireless alongside multiple other MVNOs such as Tracfone and Straight Talk. None of the companies are controlled directly by the United States government. As previously stated, money for the company’s free phone program comes from the Universal Service Fund.

When did the Lifeline program start?

The FCC authorized the landline service subsidizations under President Clinton in 1996, but the program actually began in 1985 under President Reagan’ administration. Since then, the Lifeline Assistance program has expanded to include cellphone plans and devices. Discussion over whether Lifeline Assistance should cover high-speed internet access is still underway as of 2018.

How much is Lifeline phone service?

According to the FCC, eligible subscribers can receive up to $9.25 in discounts through the program. However, many carriers who tap into the Universal Service Fund use the allocated funds to create free low-usage plans instead of discounting existing plans. Again, applicants must provide proof of eligibility.

Can you get both Assurance Wireless and SafeLink Wireless?

Since the FCC approves subsidy payouts per individual, you are not legally allowed to use more than one Lifeline Assistance plan. However, due to high rates of fraud and a lack of accountability, many criminals have been able to cheat the system and register multiple free accounts.

Fraud Within the Lifeline Assistance Program

Unfortunately, this federally-managed program suffered from many counts of fraud over the years. In 2012, the FCC enacted a reform in order to curb losses and illegal activity. This plan went on to save over $2 Billion within three years. Criticisms of the USF management persist under certain categories.

Funding for Only Eligible Services

Once the money leaves the USF, it is under cellular carrier control. This means they self-regulate and self-report how they use those funds. It is up to the integrity of the cellular industry to determine whether the finances go back to users in need and under the approved services.

The Right Amount of Disbursement

Again, the funds allocated to carriers are their responsibility. That means they will be the sole authority on how much each individual receives under the program. While the FCC does hold them accountable, much of the specifics get lost in the shuffle.

Time Management

Once they receive an application, cellular carriers do not always run the approval process in a timely manner. The receipt of funds by individuals also may or may not occur according to their needs.

As you can see, the “Obama phone” system is not perfect, but it does contribute to millions of Americans receiving free or low-cost access to telecommunication. In this modern age, where business runs online or over-the-phone, that access could make the difference between life or death for disabled or elderly users.

For more information on affordable phone plans, check out the BestCellular.com homepage, where we offer simple phone plans starting at $15 per month.

How do MVNOs view the Sprint/T-Mobile Merger?

We were proud to have Conor Winters from The Capitol Forum recently interview M. Curtis McCoy, the CEO of Best Cellular. These are the questions and Mr. McCoy"s responses from the interview. Many MVNOs are curious about what the Sprint/T-Mobile Merger will entail and how it will affect the prepaid wireless industry. Mr. McCoy draws from his experience and technical knowledge of the industry to weigh in on these topics.

How do MVNOs view the merger?

As CEO of BestCellular.com I am deeply involved in, and keep a close watch on advancements in the wireless industry. We attend events all over the United States such as The Prepaid Wireless Expo, CTIA Super Mobility, and others.

Over the years, our team has met with T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon and many developers and executives from the major US telecom carriers. Best Cellular is also in contact with cell site and tower leasing programs in many states.

As an MVNO, Sprint has been very easy to work with, and support is readily available. We have also had many discussions with the IoT staff at T-Mobile and we are impressed by the developments they’re making in next-gen communications technology.

Hopefully, the Sprint/T-Mobile Merger would result in fewer SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) Cards for the customer and retail store owners to deal with. Currently, there are (40) different Sprint SIM Card SKUs for customers to choose from when activating a phone. Finding the correct SIM Card for a specific Sprint device was so difficult that we hired a team of research analysts to research and create a Sprint UICC Database that allows users to enter their phone model and be matched with the compatible SIM Card(s) for their device. Although this is a great source of revenue for Best Cellular as we sell Sprint SIM Cards to customers (and even wholesale to other Sprint MVNOs), it would be nice to have a single SIM Card that fits all Sprint & T-Mobile phones.

How will it affect the wireless industry?

On the tech side, this situation will likely accelerate 5G implementation. That seems to be the focus of John Legere’s vision, based on the PR he’s been doing about the Sprint/T-Mobile Merger.

Sprint has always been future-driven with their technology. They were one of the first carriers to test offering wireless coverage via a cellular radio on a drone. However, when Sprint and Nextel merged in 2005, the quality of the network degraded and they lost a lot of customers. Sprint phased out the iDEN PTT (Push-to-Talk) system within a few years as they shifted their focus. Recently, they have been developing and implementing Massive MIMO technology. That uses arrays of antennae to make the best of a limited spectrum broadcast. It will probably be a big part of the switch to 5G.

T-Mobile, of course, has been driven by innovation for several years now. They quickly established a presence in metropolitan areas. Now they compete with the established carriers in those sectors and have enough clout and experience to take on Verizon. Aided by their financial parents in Europe, their commitment to developing technologies should make this merger a net positive.

If this move goes as well as intended, Qualcomm stock would probably be a good buy at this point, since they supply handset-side cellular modules. In February of this year, Qualcomm announced partnerships with 18 different handset manufacturers to produce 5G devices. This was before the official Sprint/T-Mobile merger was announced, which means they either had a good idea of the pulse of this deal or they’re simply gambling on 5G overall. Since any official statements about the merger push 5G as the biggest benefit, companies like Qualcomm are poised to take advantage of this deal. Qualcomm will likely be the largest supplier of antenna modules for the resulting company’s handsets, due to their history with both companies in the past and their push to compete with Broadcom.

As far as the retail end of this equation, that will depend greatly on how “The New T-Mobile” decides to implement and advertise the resulting company.

How would T-Mobile"s acquisition of Sprint affect the MVNO & wholesale market?

Multi-carrier MVNOs are currently able to negotiate wholesale rates between carriers so they can focus their sales on the carriers that offer the best coverage at the lowest cost. Combining any two carriers will result in higher wholesale costs, with less competition. This is likely not a good thing for either the MVNOs or the consumers.

Are you, from your position at Best Cellular, concerned about this deal? If so, what concerns do you have?

This is just speculation since the companies have not released any details about how MVNOs will be managed, but I think it could become a major problem for the United States telecom industry. As the competition decreases, the free market will have less influence on this sector. This will likely result in poor pricing for consumers, as previously stated.

Are AT&T and Verizon considered to be less active, or somehow less viable, carriers in the wholesale market?

Like Sprint, Verizon is very easy to work with as an MVNO. AT&T does not have the greatest track record, but Verizon is one of the top MVNO suppliers in the US. One thing to keep an eye on after this all shakes out is the reaction from Verizon and AT&T. They have already begun sharing tower technology, which might indicate intentions towards a future merger as well. That’s just more speculation at this point, (but so was the topic at hand just a few years ago). We’ll have to wait and see whether they create specific strategies to compete or decide to continue on their current development timelines.

Will this deal increase or decrease competition in the wholesale market?

Unfortunately, “two heads are better than one” doesn’t always seem to apply when major corporations join to create an even larger brand. For instance, look at the Canadian merger which left their country with only three major telecom companies (Bell, Telus & Rogers). This created a much worse pricing structure. In business, more competition is good for the customer. But, it does keep margins thinner for corporations, as they compete to offer the best service for the lowest cost. I’m all for making as much profit as possible, but not if it means worse service at a higher price.

Will this deal benefit or harm MVNOs?

Since we don’t have any specific directive on how “The New T-Mobile” will handle MVNOs, we can’t really answer this question as of yet.

Will this deal benefit or harm consumers?

History has shown that this may not be a good thing for the end-user. However, the MVNO market has a healthy level of competition. As long as the resulting “Big Three” continue to support the MVNO market structure, consumers will have lots of options.

How will the consolidation of T-Mobile and Verizon affect the prepaid wireless market?

Both Sprint and T-Mobile have had a good history with MVNOs. We are hopeful that this will be a net positive. One of the main difficulties will be the migration to new handsets for consumers. More than likely, the millions of active devices on both Sprint and T-Mobile will not be compatible with the new network requirements. This means a lot of customers forced to “upgrade” will not be happy with their out-of-pocket costs.

Are there any conditions you"d like to see imposed upon the deal to address any concerns you may have?

I would love to see requirements that force the carriers to maintain a reasonable wholesale pricing structure for MVNOs, and a commitment to maintain existing agreements. Although a buyout of MVNOs would be a nice payday for CEOs like myself, it would result in even further degradation of available options for consumers. Currently, there are more than (240) United States MVNOs and Wireless Carriers for people comparing cellular phone plans. If the resulting “Big Three” decided to cut MVNOs out of the picture, those alternatives would disappear.

Best Cellular Coverage in Santa Ana, CA 92705 by Sam

Recent inquiries about coverage in Santa Ana led us to research and post this article about the Best Cellular coverage in the area. Read on to find out a little bit of context for Santa Ana, CA. Also, see which carrier has the best coverage!

About Santa Ana, CA

Santa Ana, the second-most populated city in Orange County, houses the county seat. Positioned in beautiful Southern California alongside the Santa Ana River, the city combines with others nearby to form the greater Los Angeles metropolitan area. Residents of the city enjoy mild winters. However, they do have to contend with hot and dry conditions during the summer months. The demographics consist of a Hispanic or Latino population as a large majority.

Many companies run their operations through headquarters in Santa Ana. These include Ingram Micro, First American Corporation, Behr Paint, and the Rickenbacker International Corporation. Local attractions include Disneyland, Knott"s Berry Farm, and coastal beachfront activities.

Best Cellular Coverage in Santa Ana, CA 92705

After reviewing all of the carriers in the area, we can confidently say that we have found the best cellular coverage in Santa Ana, CA 92705. Best Cellular CDMA coverage is by far the best for this area. Best Cellular GSM-T signal is not too far behind, but since the CDMA coverage outpaces competition nationwide, we recommend it as the superior service plan.

For more information on activating your own device or getting a new one, visit the BestCellular.com homepage. Plans on Best Cellular CDMA start at $15 a month for basic phones and $40 for smartphones. CA 92705, Cellular Coverage in Santa Ana

Obamaphones, Fraud, and The True Cost of That “Free Phone”

You might have heard about the "Obamaphone" before as a free option for those with low income. But are Obama Phones really free? What is an Obamaphone? Who is paying for that phone? And how do you get more minutes on an Obamaphone? We took the time to research these topics and give you our findings below.

What is an Obamaphone?

What most people refer to as an Obamaphone is actually part of a government program that the FCC initiated far before Obama was in office. The program, called Lifeline Assistance, did cover cell phones starting in 2008, which just so happened to be when Obama took office. However, the Lifeline Assistance project originally covered only landline phone plans. Tracfone became the first company to cover cellphones using the federal program in 2008, just before Obama"s inauguration. Today they operate upwards of 4 million lines through their SafeLink Wireless brand. T-Mobile also supported the Lifeline program until 2015 when they cut it off, citing low subscriber numbers.

Consumers who want to participate must have an income no higher than 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Otherwise, they can qualify if they are already enrolled in another federal assistance program such as Medicaid, food stamps, etc.

How do I get more minutes on my Obama phone?

Since neither the phones nor the service are provided by the government directly, you need to deal with the carrier of your Lifeline phone. Most people using an "Obama phone" signed up through either SafeLink Wireless or Assurance Wireless. Approximately 60 different Lifeline Assistance carriers participate throughout the US. You may need to do a little digging to find the one nearest you. In order to get more minutes on a Lifeline Assistance phone, you must wait until the next month or sign up for a paid plan through a carrier. Most of the carriers who support the program will give 250 free minutes or less for the month.

Are Obama Phones really free?

This is where the details get complicated. For the approved end-user, your phone and/or service might be completely free. You will have to go through a qualification process first. Many of the Lifeline Assistance participators accept proof of federal assistance, which may lead to the confusion that it is a federally-funded subsidy program. The same set of individuals using welfare or Medicaid systems will typically pre-qualify for Lifeline Assistance.

All of the carriers involved in the program contribute to the Universal Service Fund. This fund, managed by the FCC (Federal Communications Commission), collects fees from the carriers through the Universal Service Administrative Company. The proceeds from the fund are then redistributed to subsidize the costs for phones and service. What many paying customers do not realize is that they are giving into this fund by default. Check the line items on your monthly bill for USF or Universal Service Fund charges to see what you are paying. Note that this itemization is not required by the FCC, and differs from the Federal Subscriber Line charges.

How do I get a replacement phone from SafeLink wireless?

SafeLink Wireless does not provide insurance for their free devices. You can purchase a compatible device from Tracfone or call a customer service representative to get more details. Once you have a replacement phone in hand, they can assist you with transferring service.

Can I use my own cell phone with Safelink Wireless or Assurance Wireless?

Some of the Lifeline Assistance companies do allow you to Bring Your Own Device. However, it must be compatible with their top-level carrier. Call and verify before you purchase a device for one of these programs. Samsung, LG, and Motorola all make handsets compatible with these services.

Who owns Safelink Wireless?

America Movil, owned by Carlos Slim, operates Safelink Wireless alongside multiple other MVNOs such as Tracfone and Straight Talk. None of the companies are controlled directly by the United States government. As previously stated, money for the company"s free phone program comes from the Universal Service Fund.

When did the Lifeline program start?

The FCC authorized the landline service subsidizations under President Clinton in 1996, but the program actually began in 1985 under President Reagan" administration. Since then, the Lifeline Assistance program has expanded to include cellphone plans and devices. Discussion over whether Lifeline Assistance should cover high-speed internet access is still underway as of 2018.

How much is Lifeline phone service?

According to the FCC, eligible subscribers can receive up to $9.25 in discounts through the program. However, many carriers who tap into the Universal Service Fund use the allocated funds to create free low-usage plans instead of discounting existing plans. Again, applicants must provide proof of eligibility.

Can you get both Assurance Wireless and SafeLink Wireless?

Since the FCC approves subsidy payouts per individual, you are not legally allowed to use more than one Lifeline Assistance plan. However, due to high rates of fraud and a lack of accountability, many criminals have been able to cheat the system and register multiple free accounts.

Fraud Within the Lifeline Assistance Program

Unfortunately, this federally-managed program suffered from many counts of fraud over the years. In 2012, the FCC enacted a reform in order to curb losses and illegal activity. This plan went on to save over $2 Billion within three years. Criticisms of the USF management persist under certain categories.

Funding for Only Eligible Services

Once the money leaves the USF, it is under cellular carrier control. This means they self-regulate and self-report how they use those funds. It is up to the integrity of the cellular industry to determine whether the finances go back to users in need and under the approved services.

The Right Amount of Disbursement

Again, the funds allocated to carriers are their responsibility. That means they will be the sole authority on how much each individual receives under the program. While the FCC does hold them accountable, much of the specifics get lost in the shuffle.

Time Management

Once they receive an application, cellular carriers do not always run the approval process in a timely manner. The receipt of funds by individuals also may or may not occur according to their needs.

As you can see, the "Obama phone" system is not perfect, but it does contribute to millions of Americans receiving free or low-cost access to telecommunication. In this modern age, where business runs online or over-the-phone, that access could make the difference between life or death for disabled or elderly users.

For more information on affordable phone plans, check out the BestCellular.com homepage, where we offer simple phone plans starting at $15 per month. assurance wireless, lifeline assistance, Obama phone, safelink wireless, What is an Obamaphone

How Do I Remove Bloatware From My Android Phone? - Best Cellular

Just this past week, I helped several customers uninstall an app that they did not want or need. Many handset manufacturers and cellular service providers are still preloading devices with unnecessary apps. Industry experts refer to these unwanted apps as “bloatware.” Thankfully, removing bloatware on Android (or preinstalled apps on iPhone) is a fairly straightforward process. We’ll answer the most relevant questions on how to remove bloatware.

What is bloatware on Android phones?

When you hear someone referring to bloatware on Android or iOS, they mean the preinstalled, unnecessary apps that exist when you get your device. These unwanted apps can range from carrier-specific tools for monitoring your usage to sponsored apps or games. Mainly they exist to create another stream of revenue for either the carrier or the OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer). Since typically these apps are ad-supported, the ad company increases the chance of consumer views and interaction with their ad when they preinstall them on a phone.

Can you remove bloatware or delete factory installed apps?

Yes, you can! Most of the time, you can easily uninstall an app that you consider bloatware. We’ll walk through the specific steps below, but suffice it to say, you can safely remove most of the apps and bloatware you don’t want or need. We’ll also give you some ideas for apps that cannot be removed.

What are the bloatware apps?

These apps can usually be identified by the logo and/or brand name of your carrier or device manufacturer. Carrier apps will have names such as Caller Name ID, Cloud, Support & Protection, or some kind of Navigator app. Unless you are in a direct postpaid contract with one of the Big Four, these apps will be useless. A subscriber to one of the over 240 MVNOs in the US can safely uninstall an app that was created only to be used on a direct carrier. Other bloatware on Android phones includes apps like Peel, Amazon Kindle or Audible, IMDb, Slacker Radio, NFL Mobile, or possibly even defunct services (on older handsets).

How to remove bloatware on Android devices:

This is a very thorough method to remove or uninstall factory installed apps on your phone. Not all of these steps are completely necessary, but we highly recommend them based on our experience and research. That way these unwanted apps won’t have any excuse to bother you after you remove them.

• Open the Android System Settings – drag down the Notification Bar and tap the gear icon, or open the App Drawer and select the Settings app.


• Find the General section of the settings. It should be towards the bottom of the list, or under the General tab.


• Select the Application Manager.


• Once you see the list of apps, make sure that it displays All Apps. You may have a drop-down or a tab view, but you will not typically see every single installed app by default.


• Scroll through and select the item you wish to remove.


• The first step you will want to do is Force Stop, if available. This will clear the app from memory if it is running.


• Then, go to the Storage entry and tap Clear Cache and Clear Data. That way you will delete any default profiles or ad-related downloads (images most of the time) and free up the space.


• Under Permissions, deselect all of the options available. Occasionally, apps that you disable still have Permissions in the background. As a precaution, you want to disable any and all of these.


• After that, go back and enter the Notifications section. You want to Block or disable any notifications here. That way, the app can’t continue to send you ads or bug you to update even though it is disabled.


• Back at the App Info page, now you can tap the Disable button on the right. If the option to Uninstall Updates is available, hit that first to clear any extra info. If the button says simply Uninstall, all the better! That way you can completely remove the app.

Note: Even though the app may be Disabled, it will still show up on your list of All Apps. This is part of the reason why bloatware on Android phones is such a pain – it’s never truly gone. That means a little less space on your phone due top unusable or unwanted apps no matter what. The only way to truly and fully remove bloatware is to “root” your device (which we’ll discuss below), but that process is much too complex and dangerous a procedure for the average user.

How do I uninstall an app that won’t uninstall?

Sometimes, the above methods will not work to remove an app. This is because the contracts in place between the carrier and manufacturer do not allow for removal of the app. At this point having a newer device on the latest version of the Android OS can be a real benefit. Older versions (up through KitKat) can give you the option to “Turn Off” an individual app. However, not every app will have this option. Newer updates to Android allow you to “Disable” the same app that older versions of the OS do not.

Can I remove bloatware on Android without root?

Most of the average smartphone users don’t have any idea what “rooting” means, but we’ll address it here just in case. When you root your phone, you are essentially going into an Administrative control mode of operation. This might include just unlocking the system-level permissions for the current OS, or it might mean installing your own kernel and custom Operating System. If all of that didn’t make any sense, thankfully you do not need root to remove or disable bloatware apps. The methods described above will take care of 99% of preinstalled apps on a device. Rooting is a tempting option for the tech-savvy since it provides the ability to fully control any and all applications on an Android device. However, it also requires a high degree of skill and care, since removing an important system-level app can easily make your device unusable. Google has made sure that all of the newer versions of Android provide enough user-level control that rooting is no longer a requirement for removing bloatware.

BONUS: How to delete preinstalled apps on iPhone:

Apple has chosen not to allow 3rd-party developers to install any bloatware on their devices, which is great news for end users. Some folks might still want to remove the default iOS apps anyways. For iOS 10 devices, uninstalling preinstalled apps on iPhone or iPad is simple. You can even remove default apps such as the Mail app if you desire. However, please note that removing default apps can result in a loss of user experience. Apple also advises that this process does not free up any more system storage than before.

• Go to your Home screen and long press on an app.


• The apps will start to shake and any available for removal will show a red X on the corner.


• Tap the X to remove any apps you no longer want to use.

bloatware on Android, factory installed apps, preinstalled apps on iPhone, remove bloatware, uninstall an app

How do I check my signal strength? - Best Cellular

What do the signal bars mean?

If you look at the top of your phone screen, you"ll see 4 or 5 ascending bars. These represent your phone manufacturer"s impression of your current cellular signal strength. Unfortunately, the signal bars are arbitrary and do not correlate in any way to your actual signal. In other words, there is no standard measurement unit for the bars. 4 out of 5 bars on one phone could show up as 2 out of 4 on another. These bars are not an accurate way of determining your absolute signal at any given time. So how do you know your true cellular signal strength? Before we answer this question, we need to know what signal strength means.

What is the strength of a signal?

Your cellular signal strength is measured in dBm (decibel-Milliwatts). Without getting too technical, one key point to remember with dBm and cell phone signal is that they are not additional units of measurement. Since they are exponential, that means a 4dBm signal is not going to be twice as good as a 2dBm measurement. In actuality, every +3dBm is twice the signal. Is a higher or lower dBm better? The closer to zero (0), the better signal you have. Just remember that you will rarely if ever get a better signal than -50 dBm on a cell phone. Also, it is possible to get too close to a tower, which we"ll discuss below.

How do you measure signal strength?

Now to find out your phone"s cellular signal strength. First, we"ll go over the process for Android devices; if you have an iOS device we included that below as well.

Reading Android Device Signal Strength

1. Drag down the status bar from the top of the screen. (You don"t have to start on the Home screen for this process.)


2. Tap the Gear icon to access Android Settings. If it"s not visible, you may need to tap the down arrow to show your full Status Menu options.


3. If your Settings menus are split into tabs, go to the one on the far right titled "General." If you"re looking at a long list of options, the "General" section will be all the way at the bottom. Either way, tap on "About phone" when you find it.


4. From here, just tap "Network," then "Network type and strength."

Reading iOS Device Signal Strength

1. From your Home screen, tap on the Phone app icon.


2. Dial the following code and press the call button: *3001#12345#*


3. You should see a screen with the words "Field Test" at the top. This is a testing mode for iOS devices.


4. If you are using iOS 10 or lower, you can now see your signal strength in dBm displayed at the top left of your notifications bar.


5. If you are on iOS 11, you need to use the displayed menu to get to your signal reading. Tap "LTE" -> "Serving Cell Meas" Your current signal strength is displayed next to "rsrp0" (That stands for Reference Signal Received Power, FYI)

How many dB is a good cell signal?

Now that you know how to find your cellular signal strength reading, let"s talk about how to interpret it. How many dB is a good cell signal? Here"s a quick reference for determining your signal"s rating:

-50 dBm or higher	EXCELLENT SIGNAL - You are probably at an ideal distance from a cell phone tower. Everything you use will be as clear and fast as possible.
-50 dBm to -65 dBm	GOOD SIGNAL - Everything should work very well, with good speeds and clear call quality.
-65 dBm to -80 dBm	FAIR SIGNAL - Usage will be decent but speeds may not be ideal. Call quality is good enough to use.
-80 dBm to -120 dBm	POOR SIGNAL - The weak signal means your calls, texts, and data will be spotty at best.
-120 dBm or lower	NO SIGNAL - Calls, texts, and data will be unavailable.

What is the range of a cell phone tower?

Next, we"ll take a look at some important things to keep in mind with cell phone towers and cellular signal. First off, the maximum reported distance to receive the signal from a tower is about 45 miles. Of course, at that distance, you wouldn"t be able to send or receive calls but you would have a reading. When considering cellular signal, it"s also good to pay attention to your surroundings. Since it"s carried through the air by radio waves, the signal can slow down or stop altogether in areas where either the landscape or architecture block your view of the cellular tower. Alongside all of that, there"s a common misconception about how towers transmit the signal. Since the cellular signal is sent out in a wave pattern, there is a required minimum distance from the source of the signal to use your cell phone. In other words, if you stand too close to a tower, you might not actually have any signal at all. The first wave of the signal is basically overshooting your position. If you can see a tower close by but don"t get a signal, walking away from it might actually give you better reception.

Do cell towers work when power is out?

Since an outage may or may not affect your nearest tower, you may never feel the effects at all. The FCC actually requires cell phone providers to equip their towers with a backup power supply. Most of the time, the only low power problem you"ll have is when your phone itself runs out of juice! Occasionally towers do go down, in which case you may have to relocate to find a usable signal.

How do I find the closest tower?

If you are looking for a better signal in your area, finding your nearest tower is your best bet for making a call or text at a given moment.

• We recommend the OpenSignal service and app as a quick and easy way to determine the closest tower for your service. They use crowdsourced signal mapping to record actual signal strength from users" devices. Since they are not connected to any of the major carriers, they are a great source of objective real-world readings.


• If you do not have any apps installed and poor signal, use the above method(s) to find out your signal strength in dBm. Find a spot on the ground as a reference point and either record or remember the reading at that spot. Then take a few steps away in any direction and wait there for at least 1 minute before recording the signal strength again. It"s tedious, but you will want to do this in all four directions off your original spot. That way you can find out which way to go for a better signal. Once you do, you can head that direction until you"re able to make a call or send a text.

How to Fix Weak Signal

In general, you will be in town and near a tower with coverage most of the time. However, you might be looking for ways to increase your existing signal to make it stronger or more reliable. To extend cell phone range, there are multiple methods available. We created a list of things you can do (or avoid) in order to maximize your cell phone signal.

Things You Can Do

• Death Grip: Although this was a larger issue with older model smartphones, it can make a difference. "Death grip" is a reported phenomenon where holding the phone a certain way affects the signal strength. Since most manufacturers now place the internal antenna towards the bottom of the device, covering the lower half with your palm can lower the cellular signal. The fix is to hold the phone with just your fingertips or use a headset if possible. Although it doesn"t make a huge difference according to tests, it might be enough to help you out in a pinch.


• Turn off 4G/3G/etc: Sometimes, depending on the area of coverage, you receive a stronger signal with one set of broadcast technology over another. You can usually go to the Mobile Networks settings on your device and change the Network mode under System Select. This is not a guaranteed fix, but might be worth a shot when you have no other options available.


• Charge Your Device: Believe it or not, a low battery could prevent your phone from making calls or texts. Whether it"s a battery saver option or just inherent to the hardware, many devices will conserve as much energy as possible when the charge is low. That could mean keeping your screen on at the expense of fully powering the antenna module. However it happens, a low battery can lead to poor signal reception.


• Get Off Your Cell Phone Tower: Although modern cellular companies design their broadcast systems to handle large loads of users at once, they can get overcrowded. If you can"t get a signal off of a tower during a sports event or political rally, you might need to head across town so that your phone can get through on a clear tower.


• Reset Your Antenna: Sometimes a cellular device can get stuck trying to switch towers or running an OTA (Over the Air) update and won"t let you make a call. Simply power cycle your phone or toggle Airplane Mode on for about 10 seconds, then turn it back off. Either way, your phone will cut power to the antenna and then start it again. That means it will initiate a fresh connection to the host tower, which might give you a better signal.

Things You Can Get

• Gen-X Antenna: These little stickers have been a great addition to our products here at Best Cellular. Essentially they catch static interference, which occurs naturally in a cell phone, and prevent it from affecting your signal. While it"s not a "booster" for your cellular signal, it can give you several more dBm. Note that we have tested the Gen-X Antenna"s and they do work, but stacking two or more together does not make the signal strength any better.


• Signal Boosters: Wilson, SureCall, WeBoost, and other companies produce products specifically designed to boost your cellular signal strength. Remember that they can only amplify existing signal, so if you are shopping for a home signal booster you need -50 dBm or better for it to work. Call Best Cellular for more details on current models and pricing.

We trust that this answers your most pressing questions about cellular signal strength, tower coverage, and increasing your signal. If you need any further assistance, reach out on our Live Chat or give us a call to get personalized help.

  cell phone tower, cellular signal, good cell signal, measure signal strength, signal strength

7 Alternatives for Using Your Phone on the Road - Best Cellular

So you’ve hopped in the car, got ready for your morning commute, and the phone rings. What to do? Unfortunately, cradling the phone on your shoulder cramps your neck. You don’t want to ignore them because it’s an important call. If you initiate a conversation through text, then you’re obligated to respond every time they do – but texting and driving is a terrible idea! Thankfully there are a lot of options available today. You may recognize a few of these, but there may be some that surprise you.

7 Options for Calling in the Car

How do I connect my iPhone to my car? What is the driving mode? How do I turn off the driving mode? How do I set up a hands-free phone in my car? Read on to find out!

1. Connect to Callers with a Bluetooth Headset

Ever since the advent of Bluetooth transmission, these accessories have been a lifesaver for consumers who want to talk and drive. With options ranging from tiny earpieces to stereo headsets with an extended microphone, almost everyone can find a Bluetooth for them. This wireless technology, introduced in 1994, enables devices to connect by simply pairing over the air. The broadcast range can extend as far as 330 feet, but most devices only reach about 30 feet. All you have to do is initiate a pairing between the Bluetooth headset and your phone, verify it, and you’re done. Now you can set your phone down and drive!

2. Use a Wired Headset

The benefits of a wired headset are similar to wireless Bluetooth models. The ability to have an inline mic close to your mouth means less shouting or repeating yourself. One thing to remember is that these wired headsets tether you to your phone. In other words, it will have to be nearby since the cords on these headsets are usually not very long. Quality for wired headsets can vary, so make sure you choose a model that

3. Plug-in to Your Car’s 3.5mm Jack

The 3.5mm headphone jack may have been snubbed by the newest devices, but it’s still one of the simplest ways to connect to your phone’s audio. The same port that powers your headphones can be used for calling in the car! All you need is a vehicle with an accessible jack and a male-to-male 3.5mm cord. Just plug one into your device and the other end into the car jack, and you’re ready to rock. Although this works great for listening to music, this will only be one-way audio. If you’re in a call, the device will use the regular handset mic.

4. FM Radio Dongle

These little devices have come a long way, and some no connect through Bluetooth to your phone. FM Radio transmitters for your car will plug in or connect via Bluetooth to your device, and broadcast the audio they receive over an FM radio signal. Depending on the model, you may have a dial or a digital readout for adjustment. You will need to make sure you use a station that’s not already busy; this can be a chore when you’re traveling since local stations change. However, most of these devices make it easy to readjust, and some even include an Auto-Scan feature that finds the cleanest signal available. Just remember, if you want to use one of these for a call, the other side of the conversation is broadcast locally! (FM Radio transmitters typically only reach up to 100 feet.)

5. Connect Wirelessly to Your Car’s Stereo

A lot of newer vehicles have a built-in Bluetooth transmitter. This makes life simpler since you only have one device to carry around! Just bring up the Bluetooth menu on your phone, put both the car and your phone into pairing mode, and connect. These setups usually use your car’s stereo as the output side, which makes it much easier to hear your conversation. Call quality may vary.

6. Speakerphone

We only recommend this as a last resort. While it does give you the option to be hands-free, speakerphones vary wildly in call quality. The other issue is that your mic will need to be close enough for the other person to hear over road noise. This can be a usable alternative to shouldering the phone and gives you the ability to drive with both hands on the wheel.

7. Old School: Tape Deck

Many people still have a cassette tape deck as part of their car stereo. There are connectors that plug into your device’s headphone jack and have a faux cassette on the other end. You simply insert the tape as you would normally and your phone’s audio is now running through your car stereo. Just remember that hot and cold days may affect the stereo’s temperament. The cassette reader can interpret temperature variations as a “tight tape” and may take some coaxing before accepting your adapter. However, the audio quality can be pretty decent once you have one of these going. As with other one-way audio options, keep in mind that with a phone call your device’s mic will be the only way the other party can hear you.

BONUS: Other Tools to Keep Your Calls Alive in the Car

Dashboard Mounts

With any of the wireless options above or the hands-free navigation choices below, you might be thinking, “Where do I put my phone in the car?” Fortunately, there are many options for dashboard mounts and other hands-free options for keeping your device visible. These can vary from simple pads to keep your phone from sliding to mounts that use suction cups to attach to the windshield. Whichever you choose, a smartphone mount can keep your device accessible while still remaining hands-free. Calling in the car has never been easier!

Driving Mode

Many of the devices on the market now have a Driving Mode that prevents unimportant calls or notifications while on the move. Apple’s phones now have the “Do Not Disturb While Driving” setting. This mode prevents calls from ringing through unless they call more than once in a given period or are on an approved list. That means less unnecessary distractions while driving. Many Android manufacturers have implemented similar driving mode settings. Independent developers have also created driving mode apps on the Play Store for the same purpose. One of the nice features of such apps and settings is the ability to detect your motion and speed. That way the driving mode restrictions only enable while you are actually on the road.

If the driving mode is on but you don’t need to use it, or if it is somehow misreading your speed, you can always turn it off. On iPhones, search for “Do Not Disturb” under Settings. Otherwise, go to Settings -> Do Not Disturb -> Activate. Here you can choose whether the feature will turn on automatically or only when you choose to enable it manually.

Coverage Booster for your Car

One thing to mention is the fact that driving across the country can leave you in low-signal areas. Since even the best coverage has poor spots, due to landscape or buildings, a mobile signal booster might be your best bet. These small units install easily onto your vehicle. They are carrier-independent, so they will boost a signal from any service you use. (By the way, Best Cellular carries all sorts of signal boosters – just give us a call at 970-549-2378 for details!) These mobile signal boosters are a great investment for you and your passengers. As long as you can get a bar of signal, they can amplify it to give you clear call quality in your car.

BONUS 2: Hands-Free Navigation Options

Driving in a new area can be stressful! Whether you are in unfamiliar territory or just want to make sure you don’t miss a turn at a busy intersection, many people today use their phones for navigation. Unlike the standard GPS units, your phone can update its maps and local information instantly, which means you’re never left with an outdated regional map. Here are a few BONUS tips if you’re looking to use your phone as a copilot.

Download Google Maps

Google Maps has become one of the most comprehensive navigation tools available today. Whether you’re looking for business hours or trying to drive to grandma’s house, Google Maps can get you there. Unfortunately, Grandma might live over the river and through the woods, which means little to no cellular signal on the way. What to do? Thankfully, Google has the option of Offline Maps in their app. We go over the details on this page about saving mobile data. Not only does this reduce your data consumption and lower your monthly bill, but it can also save you in areas of poor reception. The Offline Maps you download can be customized to a certain area, which means you can prepare for those spots with low coverage.

Google Assistant, Siri, and Other Voice-Controlled Apps

Almost every device on the market now has a virtual assistant you can control with your voice. Whether that’s the Google Assistant, Siri, or a third-party app, these hands-free tools can help you navigate. Simply command them to “take me to (your destination)” and they will usually comply. Typically they are programmed to take your request and interpret it as the destination, then input that into your Maps or navigation app. This can save you the hassle of trying to type on your device in the middle of traffic.

We hope these hands-free options have given you the answers you need for using your phone on the go!