[BroadHopper]

There are three basic cell phone services in the US. CDMA, TDMA and GSM.

Major carrier of CDMA is Verizon, TDMA is AT&T and T-Mobile is GSM. CDMA is the predominant technology in this area. TDMA has expanded rapidly lately. AT&T recently installed a tower on Red Hill pointing North to Tamworth, Sanbornton and Ossipee area. I was told it provided coverage in the Northern part of the lake. Not sure what that means.

GSM as far as I know covers the metropolis areas and the interstate highways. I was told Laconia just receive coverage and you will find the transponder on the Opechee Conference Center smokestack.

Sprint use CDMA. If you live outside of their coverage areas, you may request for free roaming. They will gladly provide to keep the business.

Straightalk, tracfones and others depending on the local coverage will provide CDMA, TDMA or GSM phones. If you follow the money, most of these 'independants' are owned by the parent companies of the 'giants'.