compare phone plans and save up to 80%
compare now
Coverage

Best Phone Coverage in Asheville, North Carolina: Blue Ridge Mountains and Great Cell Phone Coverage

By
Sara Nuss
August 28, 2023

There are a ton of incredible cities to explore throughout The Tar Heel State, but none are quite like Asheville. Asheville, North Carolina is a city known for its craft beer scene, art and architecture, and Pack Square Park, where you can enjoy a relaxing day in the city. 

Main image courtesy of World Atlas.

While living in Asheville, North Carolina is a great experience, nothing tops having the best cell phone service and coverage. Asheville provides its citizens with reliable service and coverage from Verizon Wireless, AT&T, and even T-Mobile and you and your whole family can be covered no matter where you go. 

Consider looking into what mobile provider offers the best service and coverage in Asheville, North Carolina!

In this article, we’ll discuss a few topics about cell phone coverage in Asheville, North Carolina:

  • Map of the fastest cell phone coverage in Asheville
  • Local and national carriers that cover Asheville
  • Frequently asked questions about phone coverage in Asheville
Best Cell Phone Coverage in Asheville, North Carolina || Source

Phone Coverage in Asheville at a Glance

Out of the main three mobile providers offered in the United States, including Verizon Wireless, AT&T, and T-Mobile, only one can prove to be the best and for many, it’s Verizon Wireless.

Verizon Wireless has been named the best cell phone coverage in Asheville, North Carolina and customers can enjoy up to 100% coverage and reliability for call and text performance. Their 4G LTE and 5G range is often regarded as the best and customers can experience 99% 4G LTE and 85% 5G coverage in the area.

Next in line is AT&T. They also have nearly 100% service and coverage with exceptional call and text performance and 98% 4G LTE range. Their 5G range isn’t as good in the area, and only 3% of Asheville has it.

T-Mobile is the next best choice and for those who are living directly in the city. About 100% of Asheville is covered using T-Mobile’s service and coverage and their 5G range is regarded as the best nationwide. With 4G LTE coverage at around 98% and 5G at 99%, ultra fast data is provided in Asheville no matter where you are. 

It’s also important to consider what the locals of Asheville, North Carolina think about the cell phone coverage. When it comes down to it, all of them seem to work just fine. Customers say that AT&T has incredible coverage with spotty parts up in the mountains, and since Verizon Wireless added their 5G towers, their service has gotten better. Many people also experience great service and coverage through T-Mobile no matter if you’re in the Asheville Pinball Museum, the Blue Ridge Mountains, or even on an Asheville Jeep Tour. 

Local and National Cell Phone Carriers in Asheville

Getting a cell phone plan directly through a Mobile Network Operator (MNO) can be an expensive option for some. Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) are a great alternative if you’re looking for something more wallet friendly, but still get the same service and coverage.

MVNOs are a fraction of the cost of an MNO like Verizon Wireless, AT&T, or T-Mobile. What makes MVNOs so unique is that even though they are a cheaper option, they still allow customers to use the service and coverage of an MNO. 

To understand MNOs and MVNOs a little better, it’s important to know a simple breakdown of the two. Verizon Wireless and AT&T carriers from above are Mobile Network Operators, which means they maintain their own networks. Cricket Wireless, on the other hand, is a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO), which means they buy minutes from an MNO with extra capacity and resell under their own brand. In this case, Cricket Wireless uses the power of the AT&T network to provide reliable coverage at a lower price.

Before choosing an MVNO, it’s important to know that deprioritization is a common issue you may run into. Deprioritization is where your service and 4G LTE or 5G speeds slow down significantly due to congestion during busy hours throughout the day. Customers with MVNOs are more likely to experience this and anyone with a MNO will always get the best service and coverage, hence why they pay more money per month.  

Let’s take a look at which of these carriers use the network that gives people in Asheville the most coverage.

Verizon 4G (Light Purple) and 5G (Dark Purple) Coverage in Asheville, North Carolina || Source

#1 in Asheville: Visible (Verizon Wireless)

Best 4G LTE and 5G Range in Asheville

Now that you know that Verizon Wireless offers the best cell phone coverage in Asheville, North Carolina, why not save a little bit of money on an MVNO through them called Visible? This MVNO offers some of the best 4G LTE and 5G range not only in Asheville, but nationwide as well with reliable call and text performance, and truly unlimited plans. 

Features of a Visible cell phone plan include:

  • Unlimited talk, text, and data
  • 4G LTE or 5G nationwide coverage
  • Unlimited mobile hotspot
  • Spam protection
  • Unlimited talk and text to Mexico and Canada
  • 5G ultra wideband on their most expensive plan
  • Unlimited roaming in Mexico and Canada on most expensive plan
  • International calling and texting to 30+ countries
  • International texting to 200+ countries
  • 24/7 access to customer service
  • Add a smartwatch for an extra $5 per month
  • No hidden fees 

Price: Since MVNOs are known for helping you to save more money, many customers are happy with Visible’s low prices. Paying as low as $30 per month for the base plan, or at most $45 for the premium plan, there are a ton of savings in getting a Visible cell phone plan for you and your family. 

Plan: They offer a base plan and a premium plan where both offer unlimited talk, text, and data, but on the premium plan, you can enjoy extra features. These features include 5G ultra wideband, international features, and even a mobile hotspot.

👍 What We Liked

  • Uses Verizon Wireless’ Network Coverage. Visible uses Verizon Wireless’ nationwide coverage and you will get reliable call and text performance and the best 4G LTE and 5G coverage nationwide. 
  • Truly Unlimited Plans Available. Many customers love Visible because of their simple, easy-to-choose cell phone plans that are both truly unlimited. 

👎 What We Didn’t Like

  • No Physical Stores or Customer Service Number. Visible doesn’t offer any physical stores for customers to go to, or even a 1-800 number to call. Instead, customers will have to rely on an online live chat option for any issues with their plan. 
  • More Features on Premium Plan. While the base plan is a great option if you’re on a tight budget and need a cell phone plan, the premium plan offers more features that many customers enjoy more for better 5G coverage. 
AT&T 4G (Light Purple) and 5G (Dark Purple) Coverage in Asheville, North Carolina || Source

#2 in Asheville: AT&T

Best for its Local and Long-Distance Talk and Text Performance in Asheville

Many of the locals rave about AT&T’s service and coverage and how reliable it is. While they may not have the best 5G in Asheville, they offer some of the best cell phone coverage with reliable call and text performance both locally and for long distance purposes too.

Features of an AT&T cell phone plan include:

  • Unlimited talk, text, and data
  • 50GB of premium 5G high-speed data and then slower unlimited data afterwards
  • AT&T’s incredible 5G nationwide service and coverage
  • AT&T ActiveArmor which protects you while using public Wi-Fi, Identity Monitoring, and more
  • 15GB of a mobile hotspot available per line 
  • Unlimited international talk, text, and data in Canada and Mexico
  • Unlimited texting from the United States to 200+ countries
  • Standard definition streaming included

Price: Since AT&T is an MNO, the price of their cell phone plans is higher compared to getting one through an MVNO, but customers won’t have to worry about deprioritization. Their cell phone plans can be sold individually for $65 to $85 per month, or you can save money by purchasing a family plan. For example, a four-line family plan will cost around $35 to $50 per month, which is even bigger savings. 

Plan: No matter the cell phone plan that you choose through AT&T, customers will get unlimited talk, text, data, and even a set amount of a mobile hotspot. Other plans will also feature more international features, or even entertainment perks. 

👍 What We Liked

  • AT&T’s Reliable Network. AT&T uses their own network to power all of their cell phone plans to give them the most reliable service and coverage with top speed data and reliable call and text performance. 
  • Individual and Family Plans Available. No matter if you are purchasing a cell phone plan for yourself or for your family, AT&T helps to give you the option of an individual or family plan that can even save more money. 

👎 What We Didn’t Like

  • More Expensive MNO. Since AT&T is an MNO that provides their very own service and coverage to customers, they will end up being a more expensive option compared to an MVNO where you can spend hundreds more per month. 
  • Throttled Streaming Quality. Streaming services are often added to many cell phone plans. AT&T offers entertainment perks, but many customers have complained of throttling data at certain times. 
T-Mobile 4G (Light Purple) and 5G (Dark Purple) Coverage in Asheville, North Carolina] || Source

#3 in Asheville: Ting Mobile (T-Mobile)

Best for its Affordability in Asheville

MVNOs are known to be a more affordable option compared to getting a plan through a MNO. T-Mobile’s very own Ting Mobile is a MVNO that is a game changer when it comes to affordable prices.

Features of a Ting Mobile cell phone plan include:

  • Unlimited talk and text on all plans
  • Set data allotment plans
  • T-Mobile’s fast network service and coverage
  • All plans except the Flex plan include an allowance of 4G LTE and 5G data
  • Once data cap is reached, high-speed data will slow down to 2GB for the remainder of the billing cycle
  • No hidden or extra fees
  • Mobile hotspot on all plans
  • No data overage charges
  • 2G data speeds after exceeding data allotment

Price: Ting Mobile is mostly known for their affordable cell phone plan options compared to its many competitors. Their plans start as low as $10 to $55 per month, which all depends on the plan that you choose and how much data that you need. 

Plan: Many customers enjoy Ting Mobile because of the customization that comes with choosing one of their plans. They offer set data allotments plans ranging from 5GB, 12GB, 25GB, or even 35GB, or you can choose a $10 per month pay-per-GB plan where you pay $5 for every GB you use. There are no unlimited plans through Ting Mobile, which is important to note. 

👍 What We Liked

  • Affordable Prepaid Plans. No matter how small or large your budget is for a cell phone plan, Ting Mobile offers some of the best and most affordable plans out of many MVNOs. 
  • T-Mobile’s Reliable Network Coverage. Ting Mobile customers receive T-Mobile’s reliable service and coverage with fast 5G speeds to use nationwide for a low price. 

👎 What We Didn’t Like

  • Expensive Cell Phone Options. Ting Mobile is an MVNO that offers cell phones to their customers, but there are no extra discounts on them and customers will have to utilize device financing when choosing one. 
  • No Truly Unlimited Plans. There are no unlimited plans to choose from and there is only set data allotments, or a pay-per-GB option. 
Verizon 4G (Light Purple) and 5G (Dark Purple) Coverage in Asheville, North Carolina || Source

Get to Know Your Local Carrier Options in Asheville 

MVNOs are a popular option nationwide due to their affordable plans for you and your family, and even the reliability with service and coverage.

Consider some of the best MVNOs that are available in Asheville, North Carolina:

  • Boost Mobile
  • Mint Mobile
  • Tello
  • US Mobile
  • Consumer Cellular
  • Red Pocket
  • Twigby
  • Good2Go Mobile
  • Pure Talk
  • Ultra Mobile
  • Straight Talk Wireless
  • Tracfone
  • Net10 Wireless
  • And more!
Asheville, North Carolina is a fun city to live in with plenty of tourist attractions including the craft beer scene, and even some great cell phone coverage. Image courtesy of Bent Creek Lodge

FAQ: Your Questions About Cell Phone Coverage in Asheville, Answered

Good cell phone coverage is important to have no matter where you go, so check out some of the most frequently asked questions about it in Asheville, North Carolina!

How to Determine Who Has the Best Cell Phone Coverage in Your Area

. By taking a look at a coverage map, you can get a better idea as to which MNO works best for you by just plugging in your address, and even get some plan options as a result. 

Does Asheville, North Carolina Have 5G?

Asheville, North Carolina is an area that has access to 5G towers, more specifically Verizon Wireless and T-Mobile. While AT&T offers only 3% of 5G coverage, if you’re aiming for a plan specifically based on data speeds and coverage, Verizon or T-Mobile are better options.  

Which Phone Carrier Gets the Best Cell Phone Reception?

While Verizon Wireless, AT&T, and even T-Mobile all have their own pros and cons to their services and coverage, Verizon takes the lead with offering the best reception. Verizon Wireless is known for having amazing nationwide coverage even in rural areas where their 5G data is regarded as having ultra fast speeds. 

Verizon Wireless is your best bet for fast phone coverage in Asheville, North Carolina 

When it comes to the best cell phone coverage in Asheville, North Carolina, locals are happiest with Verizon Wireless’ service and ultra fast 5G speeds. 

Finding the best cell phone plan for you and your family can be difficult and one of the best places to check out is Really for all of your needs! Really can help you select the cell phone plan with the best coverage in your area, and also break down what plans would fit in your budget with the features you need. You can also sort out plans by price, best value, and even learn more about each one by checking out a simple breakdown of each.

compare phone plans and save up to 80%

compare now

compare phone plans and save up to 80%

compare now
Sara Nuss
Sara Nuss is a journalist from Pittsburgh, PA that specializes in wireless, dewi, phone plan advice & blockchain.
Select your area of interest
tags

your questions,
answered

Does this phone service work everywhere?

Yep, we offer premium wireless service on the T-Mobile® 5G Network, the nation’s largest and fastest 5G network. If you are in our dewi coverage areas, you’ll also get access to our decentralized phone network powered by the people which will give you even faster speeds and better coverage.

Is there a contract?

Nope, it’s pay as you go.

Is this prepaid?

Yeah! You put your card on file and prepay each month so that you never experience any disruption.

Does my phone need to be unlocked?

Yep, but it’s super easy to unlock your device as long as it’s paid off. Chat with us and a real human can help you here.

What if I want a new phone?

We have some recommendations on what we think you should get, from iPhones to Droids. Check out our list here which includes affordable places online to get a good deal.

What does decentralized wireless (DeWi) mean?

It means we are building a phone network that is powered by the people. Your neighbors put small radios on their roof and help extend the phone network to cover deadzones™ and get even faster speeds. Right now our DeWi network is available in Austin, but we’ll be expanding to other cities REALLY soon. Learn more about DeWi here.

How many SIMs will I be installing?

Great question. If you’re in Austin, TX, you’ll install 2 new SIMs. The REALLY nationwide SIM as your first SIM, which will give you voice / text & data on the nation’s largest and fastest 5G network powered by T-Mobile®. Your 2nd SIM will give you access to the REALLY DeWi network in Austin, TX, which you’ll prioritize when available so that you get even faster speeds and better coverage. Depending on your device, you may be able to install eSIMs via a QR code.

Can I keep my phone number?

Yep, we are powered by T-Mobile®, the nation’s largest and fastest 5G network. If you are in Austin, TX you’ll also get access to our decentralized phone network powered by the people which will give you even faster speeds and better coverage.

How much data do you get on the unlimited plan?

The plan is unlimited, but once you reach 20GB you may experience slower speeds depending on network usage.

How much hotspot data do you get on the unlimited plan?

You get 10GB of hotspot data per month, but can add more if you need to.

How do I add more data to my plan?

You can chat with us, text us, or login to your account to top off. It only takes a few seconds.

start building a new era of connectivity

join REALLY DeWi