SIMple Calling SIM card coverage in the hinterlands

[rfranzq]

Originally Posted by rfranzq

[ekit claims there are 58 GSM providers in the USA. I suspect there are less with the recent mergers.

Well I guess I will try to answer my own question. Using info from GSM World USA network page I counted 75 networks. Five are not on the 850/1900mHz frequencies, 7 are 'planned' and 3 have multiple listings for the same network. So 50 would seem to be the number of GSM networks from a easily accessed resource.

Having done some more research at GSM World one finds that some of the information is dated and some of the companies no longer exist or were bought out and then bought out again. So grain of salt is always wise.

[rfranzq]

I like the direction this thread has gone. If it becomes: "Who are the obscure GSM phone companies of the USA?" that would be neat.

North East Colorado Cellular does a suprisingly good job of Colorado and Nebraska if we can believe the maps:

North East Colorado Cellular, Inc (NECCI) (Viaero Wireless) - Coverage Map

Viaero local coverage

Now, coverage in South Dakota seems a lot more iffy.
A code USA-590 gave me Western Wireless Properties which had been bought by Alltel which is being consumed by Verizon. The last two are not GSM providers but GSM World has an Alltel map:

Alltel Communications Inc - Coverage Map