America’s Cell Tower Coverage Network

The cell phone has become an essential tool in our daily lives, providing us with communication, business, and emergency services. With the increase in mobile network usage, the demand for network coverage has increased, and companies like Verizon, AT&T, and Telephone & Data Systems have expanded their cell tower networks to meet this demand.

In this article, we will explore the coverage of these companies in the USA and understand the state of mobile network coverage across the country. Individual cell tower maps for each company is shown below.

Methodology of the Map

To understand the coverage of Verizon, AT&T, and Telephone & Data Systems cell towers across the USA, we created a map that visualizes the location and distribution of the largest operators towers. We sourced our data from the Homeland Infrastructure Foundation and used QGIS to visualize the data on a map. We color-coded the map to show the coverage areas of each company.

Each individual tower is mapped to it’s respective licensee. Many towers are owned by private and public cell tower holding companies. These companies lease their towers to large telecommunication companies like Verizon, ATT&T, and Telephone and Data Systems.

There are of course many independent operators with coverage in smaller locations throughout the country. These were excluded to highlight the largest operators of cell towers. Even companies like T-Mobile lack a sufficient number cell tower leases to be included on the map.

AT&T Cell Coverage & Towers

Over the years, several mergers and acquisitions have reshaped AT&T’s business. In 2004, AT&T completed the acquisition of New Cingular Wireless or Cingular Wireless, which was a joint venture between SBC Communications and BellSouth. This acquisition played a crucial role in helping AT&T expand its network coverage and improve its technology.

Following the acquisition of Cingular Wireless, AT&T gained full ownership of the company, further expanding its network and subscriber base. As a result, AT&T became one of the largest mobile network providers in the United States, offering services to millions of subscribers across the country.

Verizon Cell Coverage & Towers

Verizon has made significant strides in expanding their mobile network through mergers and acquisitions. Notably, they acquired Cellco in a joint venture with Vodafone, which provided Verizon with full ownership of the largest wireless network in the USA at that time. Moreover, Verizon continued its acquisitions with Alltel in 2009, which added over 13 million subscribers to their network and expanded their coverage across several states.

Another vital acquisition for Verizon was Rural Cellular, which helped to expand network coverage in rural areas that mobile networks previously underserved. Finally, in 2000, Verizon completed the acquisition of GTE, granting them access to GTE’s broadband network that improved their data services. These acquisitions allowed Verizon to grow its network and subscriber base, providing high-quality mobile services to millions of users across the country.

Telephone and Data System Cell Coverage & Towers

Telephone and Data Systems (TDS) is a telecommunications company that operates primarily in the Midwest, the Pacific Northwest, and the Eastern regions of the United States.

One of the unique aspects of TDS’s network is its partnership with US Cellular. TDS operates its network under the US Cellular brand in certain regions, and the two companies share network infrastructure in some areas. This partnership allows both TDS and US Cellular to offer broader network coverage and improved services to their subscribers.