Whether you're moving to Arkansas or already live there, you’ll be happy to know that Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile all offer expansive coverage across the state.
You can use WhistleOut's coverage check feature to instantly see what coverage is like at your home in Arkansas or any location in the country. All you have to do is punch in your address, and we'll show you the best networks and plans for that area. This feature helps you to make better decisions when it comes to wireless.
You can also keep reading to learn more about Arkansas' phone coverage and discover which plans are the best, no matter if you're exploring Downtown Little Rock or hiking in the Ozark Mountains.
The bottom line: Verizon has the best coverage in Arkansas
The best wireless coverage in Arkansas is from Verizon because of its expansive 4G LTE network. Covering 98.27% of the territory in the state, it offers the largest coverage area of any carrier. The best plan on Verizon’s network is the Visible+ Pro plan because it offers unlimited premium data and an unlimited mobile hotspot with speeds capped at 15Mbps.
AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon all have strong cellular networks, but none covers 100% of the state. That said, despite the massive rural regions of the state, Arkansas still manages to have a respectable wireless grid from all three carriers.
If you live near larger cities like Little Rock or Fayetteville, you can get fast and reliable 4G LTE and 5G coverage from virtually every carrier. On the other hand, if you live in rural areas near the Arkansas Delta or Ozark Mountains, you may struggle to find 5G coverage or even a phone signal at all.
Why it's important to pick the right coverage
Picking the right coverage in Arkansas is important to guarantee wireless connectivity across the state. Whether you're visiting a city like Little Rock or relaxing in Hot Springs National Park, you want to ensure that you stay connected with your family and friends. It's also crucial to access things like navigation apps and have a lifeline in emergencies. Additionally, opting for a carrier with strong coverage in the areas where you work, live, and play helps you avoid frustrating dead zones and dropped calls, ensuring a smooth and uninterrupted mobile experience when you don't have access to Wi-Fi.
If you're looking for in-person help finding the best Arkansas phone plan and coverage, use our store locator to find the closest physical carrier store to you.
Which carrier's coverage is strongest in Arkansas?
| Carrier | 4G coverage | 5G coverage | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verizon | 98.27% | 50.14% | View Plan |
| AT&T | 98.23% | 79.22% | |
| T-Mobile | 78.4% | 90.61% |
Verizon narrowly takes the win with an impressive 98.27% 4G LTE coverage, ensuring an extremely wide reach and strong connectivity across the entire state. AT&T's 4G LTE follows closely behind, providing coverage to 98.23% of Arkansas with its reliable network. T-Mobile's 4G LTE network covers just 78.4% of the state, which is still a wide coverage area for its users.
Best 4G Coverage in Arkansas by Network
| Network | Covered Area |
|---|---|
| AT&T | 98.23 |
| Verizon | 98.27 |
| T-Mobile | 78.40 |
We rank 4G LTE as the most important coverage overall because of its wide availability. However, as technology advances, 5G networks are becoming an integral part of the mobile experience because they offer faster speeds and improved connectivity. In Arkansas, major carriers are racing to expand their 5G coverage, enhancing the mobile experience for residents and visitors alike.
Best 5G coverage in Arkansas by network
| Network | Percentage of covered area |
|---|---|
| T-Mobile | 90.61% |
| AT&T | 79.22% |
| Verizon | 50.14% |
T-Mobile currently leads the 5G wireless race in Arkansas, covering 90.61% of the state. AT&T follows behind with 79.22% of 5G coverage. Meanwhile, Verizon's 5G brings up the rear, covering just 50.14% of Arkansas.
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Verizon network coverage in Arkansas
With its robust 4G network covering 98.27% of the state and a respectable 5G map currently covering 50.14% of the state, Verizon is the overall leading network in Arkansas. You'll find widespread 4G LTE coverage no matter where you roam. As for the 5G network, it's centered on urban areas such as Little Rock, Fayetteville, and the suburbs of West Memphis.
To determine how strong Verizon's 4G LTE and 5G coverage is in your neck of the woods, use the interactive Verizon coverage map below and zoom into your neighborhood. You can then toggle between 4G and 5G coverage to see if Verizon will work well in your area.
Best Verizon phone plan
If you want the best Verizon experience, the Unlimited Plus plan is the choice for you. It offers unlimited premium data, 30GB of mobile hotspot data, and access to discounted rates on perks like the Disney+/Hulu/ESPN Select bundle, Apple Music, and more.
While testing Verizon's service, we clocked their 5G UW speeds at over 800Mbps (the fastest mobile data speeds we've ever seen). This means you can stream videos in 4K and play mobile games with no lagging or delays.
Best phone plans on Verizon's network
You don't have to be directly on a Verizon plan to get its excellent coverage in Arkansas. You can switch to a Verizon MVNO instead to get the same great service. MVNOs offer identical coverage to the larger players but don't maintain their own towers, allowing them to pass on the savings to you. Our favorite Verizon MVNO is Visible, which Verizon actually owns.
The Visible base plan is great. For just $25/month, you can get a basic wireless plan with unlimited data and an unlimited mobile hotspot with speeds capped at 5Mbps. During our testing of Visible's service, we saw fast and consistent speeds, whether in a suburban setting or more remote areas.
|
Visible
$25 Visible Plan
$25.00/mo
Taxes & Fees included
|
Another great Verizon MVNO is US Mobile. With a wide selection of plans, US Mobile has an offering for you no matter your budget. Its Unlimited Premium is one of our favorite premium phone plans. For just $44/month, you'll get unlimited talk, text, and unlimited high-speed data, as well as 50GB of dedicated hotspot data. Plus, if you purchase Unlimited Premium on a family plan with three or more lines, you can also get a free streaming perk.
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US Mobile
Unlimited Premium Plan
$39.00/mo
|
Popular phone plans on Verizon's network
Take a look at these other popular plans on the Verizon network:
|
XFINITY Mobile
Mobile Select Plan
$0.00/mo
(for the first year of service) <br>Regular rate of $30/mo. thereafter
|
|
MobileX
Build Your Own Plan
$1.98/mo
Platform fee
+ $9.88 Upfront
|
|
Twigby Mobile
Unlimited Talk, Text and 2GB Data
$5.00/mo
for the first 3 months then $15.00/month
|
|
Red Pocket
Essentials Monthly Plan (CDMA)
$10.00/mo
|
|
US Mobile
2GB By the Gig Plan
$10.00/mo
Taxes and fees included
|
T-Mobile network coverage in Arkansas
T-Mobile is the best option for 5G coverage in Arkansas with 90.61% of the state covered. Its 5G network currently reigns supreme across the entire country. On the other hand, T-Mobile's 4G LTE is much smaller at 50.14%. There are small T-Mobile dead zones scattered throughout the state, but the largest are in the areas around the Ozark Mountains. Check the interactive T-Mobile coverage map below to determine if T-Mobile's network is strong where you live.
We've tested T-Mobile across the nation and found it's best for those who live in populated city centers and suburban areas. As the map indicates, it isn't great if you frequent rural areas.
Best T-Mobile phone plan
T-Mobile's best plan is the Experience Beyond plan. It gives you unlimited premium data, a 60GB of mobile hotspot, and extra perks like Netflix and Apple TV+ subscriptions. Plus, it also includes free access to T-Satellite, T-Mobile's satellite coverage that runs off Starlink's internet service.
|
T-Mobile
Experience Beyond
$100.00/mo
with Auto-Pay + Taxes and fees
|
Best phone plans on T-Mobile's network
T-Mobile offers the most expensive plans of any major carrier. The good news is that you can access the best 5G network nationwide for half the cost with a T-Mobile MVNO.
Mint Mobile is one of the best MVNOs around and is owned by T-Mobile itself, so you can rest easy knowing you'll have excellent coverage. Starting at just $15/month for the first three months, Mint’s Unlimited plan includes 50GB of premium data and 20GB of dedicated hotspot data. We clocked Mint's speeds never dipping below 200Mbps, with peak speeds reaching as fast as 600Mbps in areas with T-Mobile's 5G UC coverage.
|
Mint Mobile
5GB Data Plan
$10.00/mo
$30.00 upfront payment for 3 months (equals to $10.00/month). Intro pricing for new customers only.
|
Tello is another excellent option for T-Mobile's service. It offers customized phone plans, meaning you only pay for what you need. As cool as that is, we are pretty impressed with its pre-built unlimited plan. It includes unlimited talk, text, 50GB of premium data, and a 10GB mobile hotspot on the T-Mobile network for just $25/month.
|
Tello
Unlimited Text, Talk, and Data Plan
$25.00/mo
|
Popular phone plans on T-Mobile's network
Check out the most popular phone plans on the T-Mobile network:
|
Lyca Mobile
$33 High Data Plan
$7.50/mo
Pay $7.50/month for the first 6 months<br>Regular rate is $33/month
|
|
Tello
Unlimited Text, 300 Minutes, and 2GB Plan
$8.00/mo
|
|
Mint Mobile
5GB Data Plan
$10.00/mo
$30.00 upfront payment for 3 months (equals to $10.00/month). Intro pricing for new customers only.
|
|
Red Pocket
Essentials Monthly Plan (GSMT)
$10.00/mo
|
|
US Mobile
2GB By the Gig Plan
$10.00/mo
Taxes and fees included
|
AT&T network coverage in Arkansas
AT&T provides strong 4G LTE and 5G coverage in Arkansas 98.23% and 79.22% respectively. If you want a well-rounded mobile network with strong coverage in both rural and urban areas, AT&T might be the best choice. Just know that its 5G coverage is generally not as expansive as T-Mobile or fast as Verizon.
When testing AT&T's 5G coverage, we saw download speeds up to 236Mbps. Our tester also had a strong and reliable signal no matter where they traveled. In Arkansas, AT&T offers 4G LTE coverage in most areas of the state. Its 5G coverage is also expansive, but you'll typically find it in urban areas, suburbs, and larger towns.
You can toggle between AT&T's 5G and 4G coverage in the interactive map below to determine if their network is strong where you live.
Best AT&T phone plan
AT&T's top offering is the Premium 2.0 plan for $90. This feature-packed plan offers unlimited premium data and a 100GB mobile hotspot, giving you the power to stay connected on the go. While it is AT&T's most expensive plan, you can cut the price by getting it as part of an AT&T family plan.
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AT&T
Premium 2.0℠
$90.00/mo
+ $35 Upfront
|
Best plans on the AT&T network
You don't have to break the bank to experience AT&T's reliable and widespread coverage. AT&T MVNOs offer the same great coverage at a fraction of the price.
Cricket Wireless, a popular AT&T-owned MVNO, offers multiple plans to meet your needs. One of the best is the Supreme Unlimited plan for $55/month. It includes unlimited premium data, a 50GB dedicated hotspot, and a 150GB cloud storage perk.
|
Cricket
Supreme Unlimited Plan
$55.00/mo
with AutoPay; $60 for the first month.
+ $9.99 Upfront
|
Another great carrier on the AT&T network is RedPocket. Its Premium Monthly Plan provides unlimited talk, text, and 50GB of premium data for just $30/month. Plus, it includes a modest 10GB mobile hotspot if you need to connect your laptop or tablet to your phone.
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Red Pocket
Premium Monthly Plan (GSMA)
$30.00/mo
|
Popular phone plans on AT&T's network
Check out these popular plans on the AT&T network:
|
Red Pocket
Essentials Monthly Plan (GSMA)
$10.00/mo
|
|
US Mobile
2GB By the Gig Plan
$10.00/mo
Taxes and fees included
|
|
Cricket
3-Month Unlimited Plan
$15.00/mo
$45 advance payment for 3 months (equals to $15/month)<br>regular rate for 3 months is $120 (equals to $40/month)
+ $9.99 Upfront
|
|
AT&T
Prepaid Unlimited Talk, Text, and Data Plan
$25.00
Per 1 Month Refill
+ $0.99 Upfront
|
5G and 4G LTE network speeds in Arkansas
Your network speed will help determine your overall wireless experience. In general, the faster your speed, the better your experience. Fast 5G data speeds guarantee your device and apps will work well.
- Verizon provides the largest 4G LTE network and the fastest 5G speeds with up to 800Mbps on the 5G UW (Ultra Wideband) network, though its 5G network only covers 50.14% of Arkansas.
- AT&T offers the best middle ground with a large 5G network (covering 79.22% of the state) and speeds up to 236Mbps.
- T-Mobile offers the largest 5G network at 90.61%, but slower speeds (around 174Mbps) due to relying primarily on mid-band towers for its network.
Still unsure which network you should choose? Try an eSIM free trial
Despite our information in this guide, you should still consider testing your local networks through an eSIM free trial. Both US Mobile and Visible offer free temporary trials of their networks. While you can't treat these offers as a replacement phone plan, they should give you enough time to decide which network you can most rely on in your region of Arkansas.
FAQs: Phone coverage in Arkansas
Can I get good phone coverage in rural Arkansas?
Yes, most areas in rural Arkansas have good phone coverage from Verizon or AT&T. They offer coverage to 98.27% and 98.23% of the state, respectively.
What should I do if my coverage is bad at home?
If your coverage is bad at home, you may need to switch wireless networks. If no carrier offers good service at your home, you may need to buy a signal amplifier or rely on your home Wi-Fi for service.
Does coverage depend on the phone I use?
Yes, your coverage quality can partially depend on the smartphone you use, especially if it is an outdated device. However, your coverage experience depends more on how close you are to the nearest cell tower, and whether that tower is providing a 4G LTE or 5G wireless signal.
What carrier has the fastest speeds here?
The fastest data speeds in Arkansas are offered by Verizon's 5G network. While it has the smallest coverage map and is largely limited to urban areas, most of its towers provide high-speed ultra-wideband signals, which is the fastest 5G connectivity type.
Max McCaskill
Sr. Staff Writer
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