If you are moving to California, you’ll be happy to know that Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and all of the MVNOs that sell service on their networks, cover the state well.
You can use WhistleOut's coverage check feature that allows you to instantly see what coverage is like at your location or any location you want to see in the country. All you have to do is punch in your address, and we'll show you the best networks and plans for that area. This feature empowers you to make better decisions when it comes to wireless.
You can also keep reading to learn more about California’s phone coverage and find out which plans are the best for those living in the Golden State.
Cellular coverage in California at a glance
Overall, coverage in California is pretty good, earning a score of 80 out of 100.
What we love
- Strong coverage from the three major cellular networks
- Verizon 4G coverage is especially strong
- Big cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco are very well covered
What could be improved
- Rural areas could use better coverage
- Long stretches of unpopulated areas could have sparse coverage
- The state's varying terrain contributes to dead zones
80/100
AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon all have strong cellular networks but don't cover 100% of the state. Even though California is known for being one of the country's big tech hubs, thanks to Silicon Valley, there are large stretches with little to no cell phone coverage.
If you live near California's big cities and suburbs, you can get fast and reliable coverage, but the same can't always be said about the rural parts of the state. Especially in the northernmost areas like Eureka and Redding, where 5G hasn't quite reached but is peppered by 4G LTE.
Why it's important to pick the right coverage
Picking the right California coverage is crucial as it guarantees seamless connectivity across the state, whether you're exploring the bustling streets of San Francisco, hiking through the rugged terrains of Yosemite, or enjoying the serene beauty of the coastline. Reliable coverage ensures you stay in touch with loved ones, access navigation apps, and have a lifeline in emergencies, making it an essential aspect of your Californian experience. Additionally, opting for a carrier with strong coverage in your frequented areas helps you avoid frustrating dead zones and dropped calls, ensuring a smooth and uninterrupted mobile experience when you don't have access to Wi-Fi.
If you are looking for face-to-face help finding the best California plan and coverage for you, use our store locator to find the assistance you need.Which carrier's coverage is strongest in California?
Percentage of California covered
| Carrier | 4G coverage | 5G coverage | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verizon | 74.34% | 31.71% | View Plan |
| AT&T | 70.81% | 34.40% | |
| T-Mobile | 51.87% | 49.36% |
Verizon leads the pack with an impressive 74.34% coverage, ensuring a wide reach and strong connectivity across various regions of the state. AT&T follows closely behind, providing coverage to 70.81% of California with its reliable network. T-Mobile's network covers 51.87% of the state, offering a substantial reach for its users.
As technology advances, 5G networks are becoming an integral part of the mobile experience, offering faster speeds and improved connectivity. In California, major carriers are racing to expand their 5G coverage across the state, enhancing the mobile experience for residents and visitors alike.
T-Mobile currently leads the 5G race in California, covering 49.38% of the state. AT&T follows behind, providing 34.40% of the state with 5G coverage. Meanwhile, Verizon is also making strides to extend its 5G network, covering 31.71% of California.
Verizon network coverage in California
With its robust 4G network covering 74.34% of California and an expanding 5G umbrella, currently covering 31.71% of the state, Verizon has the overall leading network in California. So when you need that Uber ride after spending some time in wine country, you can rest assured Verizon has you covered.
To determine how strong Big Red's 4G LTE and 5G coverage is in your neck of the woods, use the interactive Verizon coverage map below and zoom into your neighborhood. You can then toggle between 4G and 5G coverage. If you see lots of purple, you can rest assured Verizon's got you covered.
Best Verizon phone plan
We recommend the Unlimited Plus plan to take advantage of Verizon's strong California presence. You get unlimited premium data, 30GB of dedicated high-speed mobile hotspot data, and access to discounted rates on streaming services like the Disney+/Hulu/ESPN Select bundle, Apple Music, and more.
While testing Verizon's service, we clocked their 5G UW at over 800Mbps (the fastest mobile data speeds we've ever seen). This means you can stream all of those discounted Disney+ shows in 4K with no issues.
Verizon Unlimited Plus
| Carrier | Verizon |
|---|---|
| Data | Unlimited Data |
| Type | No Contract |
| Current Deal | Get $10 off per line for 1 line via monthly promo credits over 36 months. For new customers only |
| Total Price |
$70 per month
+ Taxes & Fees. Price includes AutoPay & Paperless discount.
+ $40 Upfront
|
| View Plan |
Best phone plans on Verizon's network
You don't have to be signed on directly with Verizon to get its excellent coverage in California; you can switch to a Verizon MVNO instead. MVNOs offer identical coverage to the larger players but don't maintain or operate their own towers, making them a cheaper alternative to Verizon. Our favorite Verizon MVNO is Visible, which Verizon actually owns.
The Visible base plan is already pretty great, but if you want premium data (data that isn’t slowed down during network congestion) and access to Verizon’s faster 5G UW network, you can upgrade to the Visible+ or Visible+ Pro plan. For $35/month and $45/month respectively, you’ll get unlimited premium data, and you’ll get to take advantage of Verizon’s fastest 5G.
We tested Visible's service in Southern California and were pleased that the signal remained consistent, whether in a suburban setting or more remote areas.
Visible $25 Visible Plan
| Carrier | Visible |
|---|---|
| Data | Unlimited Data |
| Type | No Contract |
| Total Price |
$25 per month
Taxes & Fees included
|
| View Plan |
Another great Verizon MVNO is US Mobile. With a wide selection of offerings, US Mobile has the right plan for all sorts of budgets. Its Unlimited Premium is especially enticing. For just $44/month, you'll get unlimited talk, text, and data, as well as 50GB of dedicated hotspot data—all of this on the Verizon network.
US Mobile Unlimited Premium Plan
| Carrier | US Mobile |
|---|---|
| Data | Unlimited Data |
| Type | No Contract |
| Current Deal | Get this monthly plan for only $39 for 6 months of service using promo code ONLY39 OR $5 off per month for 6 months OR 30 Days FREE Trial |
| Total Price |
$39 per month
|
| View Plan |
Popular phone plans on Verizon's network
Take a look at these popular plans on the Verizon network:
|
#1
|
100%
|
Plans from $25/mo
|
|
#2
|
100%
|
Plans from $10/mo
|
|
#3
|
 57%
|
Plans from $0/mo
|
|
#4
|
52%
|
Plans from $35/mo
|
|
#5
|
 22%
|
Plans from $20/mo+ $20 Upfront
|
T-Mobile network coverage in California
T-Mobile might be your best bet in California if you are primarily looking for strong 5G coverage. Its 5G network currently reigns supreme across the entire country, not just the Golden State. Check the interactive T-Mobile coverage map below to determine if T-Mobile's network is strong where you live. If your neighborhood is saturated in purple, you can expect a reliable signal from T-Mobile.
We tested T-Mobile on both coasts and found it's best for those who live in populated city centers and suburban areas. As the map indicates, it isn't great if you frequent rural areas.
Best T-Mobile phone plan
Go big with T-Mobile Experience Beyond. This plan gives you unlimited premium data, 60GB of premium hotspot data, and extra perks like Netflix and Apple TV+ subscriptions.
|
T-Mobile
Experience Beyond
$100.00/mo
with Auto-Pay + Taxes and fees
|
Best phone plans on T-Mobile's network
T-Mobile might have the best 5G but doesn't have the best prices. The good news is that you can access the best 5G network nationwide for half the cost with a T-Mobile MVNO.
Mint Mobile is one of the best MVNOs around. Starting at just $15/month for the first three months, Mint’s Unlimited plan includes 50GB of premium data and 20GB of dedicated hotspot data. We clocked Mint's speeds never dipping below 200Mbps, with peak speeds reaching as fast as 600Mbps.
Mint Mobile Unlimited Data Plan
| Carrier | Mint Mobile |
|---|---|
| Data | Unlimited Data |
| Type | No Contract |
| Current Deal | Get this plan for just $25/mo. when you switch to Mint Mobile using promo code 15OFF at checkout. Upfront payment required |
| Total Price |
$25 per month
$75.00 upfront payment for 3 months (equals to $25.00/month). Intro pricing for new customers only.
|
| View Plan |
Tello is also a great option if you are looking for a T-Mobile MVNO. One of the best things about Tello is that it allows you to build your own plans. That means you get to only pay for what you need. As cool as that is, we are actually pretty impressed with its pre-built unlimited plan. you'll get unlimited talk, text, and data on the T-Mobile network for just $25/month.
Tello Unlimited Text, Talk, and Data Plan
| Carrier | Tello |
|---|---|
| Data | Unlimited Data |
| Type | No Contract |
| Total Price |
$25 per month
|
| View Plan |
Popular phone plans on T-Mobile's network
Check out the most popular phone plans on the T-Mobile network:
|
#1
|
100%
|
Plans from $15+ $10 Upfront
|
|
#2
|
88%
|
Plans from $10/mo
|
|
#3
|
57%
|
Plans from $10/mo
|
|
#4
|
20%
|
Plans from $8/mo
|
|
#5
|
 16%
|
Plans from $20/mo
|
AT&T network coverage in California
AT&T provides strong 4G LTE in California, covering 70.81% of the state, while its 5G network covers 34.40%. If you want a well-rounded mobile network with a company that has been in the game for a long time, AT&T could be your carrier in California.
When testing AT&T's 5G coverage in Oceanside, we saw impressive speeds of 236Mbps. When venturing to the beach in San Diego to use the 4G network, we saw speeds dip, but never enough to keep us from sending texts or receiving calls.
You can toggle between AT&T's 5G and 4G coverage in the interactive map below to determine if their network is strong where you live.
Best AT&T phone plan
Unlock the full potential of AT&T's robust coverage in California with the Premium 2.0 plan. This feature-packed plan offers unlimited premium data and 100GB of high-speed mobile hotspot data, giving you the power to stay connected on the go.
|
AT&T
Premium 2.0℠
$90.00/mo
+ $35 Upfront
|
Best plans on the AT&T network
You don't have to break the bank to experience AT&T's reliable coverage. Discover the value of AT&T MVNOs—carriers that utilize AT&T's network while offering budget-friendly options.
Cricket Wireless, a popular AT&T MVNO, brings you excellent coverage and a variety of affordable plans. One of Cricket’s best plans is its Supreme Unlimited plan, which, for $55/month, includes unlimited premium data and a whopping 50GB of dedicated hotspot data. Plus, Cricket offers amazing perks not offered by many MNVOs, like 150GB of cloud storage and a subscription to HBO Max with ads.
Cricket Supreme Unlimited Plan
| Carrier | Cricket |
|---|---|
| Data | Unlimited Data |
| Type | No Contract |
| Total Price |
$55 per month
with AutoPay; $60 for the first month.
+ $9.99 Upfront
|
| View Plan |
Another great carrier on the AT&T network is Red Pocket. Red Pocket's unlimited plan provides unlimited talk, text, and data for just $30/month. The best part of Red Pocket is that the price is locked for as long as the plan is active, meaning you will not see a price increase.
Red Pocket Premium Monthly Plan (GSMT)
| Carrier | Red Pocket |
|---|---|
| Data | Unlimited Data |
| Type | No Contract |
| Current Deal | Get 50% off your first month of service with this monthly plan. New customer only. |
| Total Price |
$30 per month
|
| View Plan |
Popular phone plans on AT&T's network
Check out these popular plans on the AT&T network:
|
#1
|
100%
|
Plans from $25+ $0.99 Upfront
|
|
#2
|
57%
|
Plans from $15/mo+ $9.99 Upfront
|
|
#3
|
 39%
|
Plans from $10/mo+ $4.99 Upfront
|
|
#4
|
 36%
|
Plans from $20/mo
|
|
#5
|
 27%
|
Plans from $10/mo
|
Angelo Ilumba
Senior Writer
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