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I apologize if this has been discussed before (I did a search and couldn't seem to find anything).
But how is cell phone reception on the farm? I know on the Bonnaroo site it says there are towers but service can be iffy.
I'm looking for the real scoop on this!?
And I know some of you may roll your eyes or laugh but this is the first time that hubby and I have been away from our kids this long and so far away and I'm a bit nervous on being out of touch for 5 days.
We have AT&T service by the way.... Is it the kind of thing that if you walk around you can find a decent spot? Is there some type of tent or place that you are guaranteed service? Is it possible to have iffy phone service but you can still get texts in and out?
I also have At&t (used to be cingular) and I have always had hit or miss service on the farm. Sometimes phone calls go straight through, other times (most times) calls won't connect. Service is better in certain areas of the Farm, you just have to walk around and find them. Service is also better @ say 7am when everyone isn't trying to use their phone.
If you're worried about being able to dial out to talk to your kids, I think you shouldn't have a problem (though it might take a few attempts). I've been able to call my GF back home to "check in" every year.
In the 5 years I've gone I've never been able to successfully use my phone to call my friends to meet up, or find out where they are on a regular basis. For communicating with each other on the farm cell phones suck. You're much better making a plan and arranging meet ups at a certain spot before seperating otherwise it can be tricky to get back up with each other.
Verizon is the best provider to have on the farm. It seems like Verizon custies get the best reception. I have heard horror stories from people with AT&T of no reception all weekend.
I usually do not have a hard time getting reception and I try to stay in contact with my group pretty regularly. And, the group tends to be pretty big as well!
Also, texting each other works way better than trying to call.
Last Edit: Apr 14, 2011 13:00:23 GMT -5 by Deleted - Back to Top
Post by plasticpepper on Apr 14, 2011 16:16:26 GMT -5
I doubt you would have much trouble calling home to check in on the kiddies, but like others mentioned, do keep in mind that texting is easier if the signal is iffy. Much easier for your phone to find a moment to cram a text through than to keep a connection open for an entire phone conversation!
Post by pondo ROCKS on Apr 15, 2011 19:14:28 GMT -5
Last year was the worst year for cell reception for me. Took FOREVER for texts to go thru and getting a call out was like trying to find a needle in a haystack. I had AT&T last year.
Up until then, I had always had an easy time getting calls out and they were clear. I really hope this year works better
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I have Verizon. Last year sometimes it took over an hour to get replies to text messages I had sent out. Took a while for messages to get out. It was fairly random and not all that great.
does Verizon have more customers and therefore having that many users in 1 concentrated location is too much? or just no Verizon tower nearby or somethin? I was confused why Verizon is normally good/better than others, but...not at Roo. I had the same issues as Lowerdeck. Texting and calls were useless with such a long delay and whatnot. I had the hardest time trying to find people.
Post by localweather on Apr 18, 2011 14:32:54 GMT -5
I have AT&T and the last couple of time I went (08, 09) reception was ok and way better than previous festivals. If nothing has changed since then, you can forget about using the internet on your phone although it seems like email comes through ok.
I found that text messages were the best way to communicate.
does Verizon have more customers and therefore having that many users in 1 concentrated location is too much? or just no Verizon tower nearby or somethin? I was confused why Verizon is normally good/better than others, but...not at Roo. I had the same issues as Lowerdeck. Texting and calls were useless with such a long delay and whatnot. I had the hardest time trying to find people.
From my experience, Verizon has always been better than the others on the farm. Last year, I actually let some guy who had AT&T borrow my phone so he could text his girlfriend to let him know where to meet up because his phone wasn't working.
Like I said in the other thread, I've been 4 years and never once had an issue on my end. Granted, I'm not on the phone the whole time, I'm busy with other stuff when at the Roo. Sometimes I'd have issues getting responses to texts, but it was always because they hadn't seen/heard my text or they were having issues on their end. Any time I made a call, I would at least get their voice mail, so again, I know it wasn't a problem on my end.
I have Verizon. Texts take forever to go through in my experience. Last year on Friday afternoon, I went into the fountain with my phone in my bra.. Phone died. Problem solved
Welcome back Bonz, but I do not find it strange that your presence being requested in the Orgy thread and then you showing up, like it was the quacking Bonzai Bat Signal.
Post by Lionel Hutz on Apr 27, 2011 14:48:41 GMT -5
I'm bringing walkie talkies this year for sure. Have ATnT and rarely could get a call in last year. Talked to the guys at the ATnT store after wards and they said it was because the high amount of data that smart phones use.
I thought about walkie talkies too, but I heard even that's still difficult to find a channel not in use by other campers or staff and then can't hear it over the noise of artists and whatnot. *shrugs*
I have AT&T and last year for me calls weren't a problem, texts were ok, but data was very very slow. Once though my phone totally locked, said I needed to input the puk number, but couldn't even make the call AT&T to fix it. Later borrowed a neighbor's phone to call AT&T support, they staightened it out, said "it just happens sometimes". Only time I've ever had that problem.
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but I do not find it strange that your presence being requested in the Orgy thread and then you showing up, like it was the quacking Bonzai Bat Signal. 
