[pct-l] Best overall cell coverage?

[Brian Lewis]

I'm considering an all-in-one device plus solar charger to bring on my PCT
attempt next year, i.e., a combination cell phone, GPS, camera, PDA, MP3
player, and I think some have attachments that will wash the car and walk
the dog <g>.  Something like the E-TEN Glofish M700 or ASUS P526.

Since such a device includes a cell phone, and I'm wondering if anyone has
experience to suggest which of the major carriers (Cingular, T-Mobile,
Verizon, Sprint) has the ~best coverage in the context of what little is
available along the PCT.  Or can they all "roam" to each others towers so it
boils down to the same?  I know that analog towers are disappearing, and
reckon that the infrequent times I could use a cell phone would likely be in
larger towns and when crossing the more major highways.

Similarly, if anyone has experience with the data features (email, internet)
of any of those carriers and can comment on useability there, that would be
great too.

The phone is almost an after thought; I just realized that the combination
of camera + mp3 + maybe GPS were heavy enough that an all-in-one device
could make sense, but it would be great to be able to touch base with my
wife without having to hunt down pay phones.   And maybe I could swap food
for cell phone use with others on the trail ... <g>

Thanks in advance for any relevant data.


	Brian Lewis