Mobile carrier coverage/signal quality research?

[Bimwad]

Aside from word of mouth and other anecdotal evidence, are there better ways to determine the quality of service for a particular geographical area (independently of a carrier's own maps)?

I know of OpenSignal, RootMetrics, and Sensorly, but was wondering if there's any kind of place for discussion that's regional in nature. The only mobile forum I've heard of, Howard Forums, doesn't have regional sections.

I'm in a major metro market, so the worry isn't so much about service availability; all the major carriers are present. The aim is to determine whether the cheaper, smaller carriers such as T-Mobile have adequate service.

I've resisted getting a cell phone for a long time, but now I'm forced to at least get my feet wet. Fortunately, I have an unlocked GSM iP5, so there is flexbility.

So far, TMO's $30 data-loaded plan (5GB/100 min) looks the most attractive, based on how I think I'd use the phone, but all options are on the table, such as an MVNO using AT&T's network.

I don't believe the phone has a CDMA radio enabled (how to tell which version of A1429?), so Verizon and Sprint obviously aren't options.

TIA

[pqrst]

It is not perfect but I have used yelp to read reviews of local cell service. It is kind of hit or miss but is a starting point.

[Lux Interior]

If you can, borrow a phone from someone and test it at your house/apt. We happen to be in a AT&T dead spot. Need a micro-cell for service, but useless when the power goes out.

[rgG]

If I were you, I would sign up for TMobile's $30 plan for a month and try it out. If it is good for you, stop there. if it isn't, that is the beauty of prepaid, just try out anther carrier.
In my experience, using your phone as and where you use it is the best way to know which carrier to go with.
On most of the maps, my house shows decent coverage, but in reality, only Verizon has usable signal.
Unless your iPhone 5 was originally a Verizon phone, you will not be able to use it on Verizon.

[sekker]

rgG wrote:
If I were you, I would sign up for TMobile's $30 plan for a month and try it out. If it is good for you, stop there. if it isn't, that is the beauty of prepaid, just try out anther carrier.
In my experience, using your phone as and where you use it is the best way to know which carrier to go with.
On most of the maps, my house shows decent coverage, but in reality, only Verizon has usable signal.
Unless your iPhone 5 was originally a Verizon phone, you will not be able to use it on Verizon.

This is what I plan to do. Go Tmobile.

What I'm doing now is testing the Tmobile coverage using this iPad. It's been very good in my area so far.

[Bimwad]

Lux Interior wrote:
If you can, borrow a phone from someone and test it at your house/apt. We happen to be in a AT&T dead spot. Need a micro-cell for service, but useless when the power goes out.

Most people I know have AT&T, Verizon or Sprint-based service (but not TMO), so at least they're OK.

rgG wrote:
If I were you, I would sign up for TMobile's $30 plan for a month and try it out. If it is good for you, stop there. if it isn't, that is the beauty of prepaid, just try out anther carrier.

Yeah, I just ordered one of those free TMO nano SIMs. Worth a shot.