Whether you're moving to Louisiana or are a lifelong Cajun, it's important to have strong cell service in your neighborhood. You’ll be happy to know that Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile all offer solid coverage across the state from New Orleans to Shreveport.
You can use WhistleOut's coverage check feature to instantly see what coverage is like at your home in Louisiana or across 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 empowers you to make better decisions when it comes to wireless.
You can also keep reading to learn more about Louisiana's phone coverage and discover which plans are the best. We can help you find service whether you're celebrating Mardi Gras in New Orleans or watching LSU football at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge.
The bottom line: AT&T has the best coverage in Louisiana
The best wireless coverage in Louisiana is from AT&T because of its large 4G LTE network that covers 99.31% of the territory in the state. The best plan on AT&T’s network is the US Mobile Unlimited Premium plan because it offers unlimited premium data and a 200GB mobile hotspot for just $44/month.
AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon all have strong cellular networks, but none covers 100% of the state perfectly. That said, most of these carriers' dead zones are located in extremely rural areas, so you'll likely have strong service most of the time.
If you live near larger cities like New Orleans, Baton Rouge, or Shreveport, you can get fast and reliable 4G LTE coverage from virtually every carrier. The 4G LTE coverage from AT&T and Verizon is also widespread in the rural areas of Louisiana. On the other hand, each network's 5G coverage is somewhat splotchy, and there may even be urban areas where you can't get a 5G signal at all.
Why it's important to pick the right coverage
Picking the right coverage in Louisiana is important to making sure you stay connected with your family and friends. Whether you're partying in New Orleans or exploring the state's bayous and woodlands, having a strong phone signal is crucial to accessing your navigation apps or getting help during emergencies. Additionally, opting for a carrier with strong coverage in the areas where you work and live 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 Louisiana phone plan and coverage, use our store locator to find the closest physical carrier store to you.
Which carrier's coverage is strongest in Louisiana?
| Carrier | 4G coverage | 5G coverage | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T | 99.31% | 73.29% | |
| Verizon | 97.02% | 27.98% | View Plan |
| T-Mobile | 83.85% | 93.99% |
AT&T takes the win for best Louisiana coverage by offering 4G LTE service to 99.31% of the state. Verizon's 4G LTE follows closely behind, providing coverage to 97.02% of the state. T-Mobile's 4G LTE network covers just 83.85% of the state, which is still respectable.
Best 4G Coverage in Louisiana by Network
| Network | Covered Area |
|---|---|
| AT&T | 99.31 |
| Verizon | 97.02 |
| T-Mobile | 83.85 |
We rank 4G LTE as the most important coverage overall because of its wide availability. However, as 5G networks grow and become an integral part of the mobile experience because they offer faster speeds, they also become more important for coverage. In Louisiana, all three major carriers are racing to expand their 5G coverage, enhancing the mobile experience for residents and visitors alike.
Best 5G coverage in Louisiana by network
| Network | Percentage of covered area |
|---|---|
| T-Mobile | 93.99% |
| AT&T | 83.29% |
| Verizon | 27.98% |
T-Mobile currently leads the 5G wireless race in Louisiana, covering 93.99% of the state. AT&T follows behind with 73.29% of 5G coverage. Meanwhile, Verizon's 5G brings up the rear, covering just 27.98% of Louisiana, with much of the service area only located along the Gulf Coast.
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AT&T network coverage in Louisiana
AT&T provides the strongest 4G LTE network and excellent 5G coverage in Louisiana, covering 99.31% and 83.29% of the state, respectively. You'll find excellent 4G coverage throughout the entire state, no matter if you're in a city or a small town. As for 5G coverage, it's mainly centered around urban areas, with the largest dead zone stretching between Alexandria and Natchitoches.
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 the nation. In Louisiana, you can expect AT&T to provide excellent coverage through its 4G LTE network and fast speeds from its 5G.
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 plan is the Premium 2.0 plan for $90. This premium offering includes 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 Unlimited Your Way family plan.
Best plans on the AT&T network
You don't have to empty your wallet to experience AT&T's reliable and widespread coverage in Louisiana. 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 that can meet your needs. One of the best is the Supreme Unlimited plan for just $55/month. It includes unlimited premium data and a 50GB dedicated hotspot. Plus, you'll also get perks like a 150GB cloud storage feature and HBO Max with ads.
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 other devices on the go.
Popular phone plans on AT&T's network
Check out these popular plans on the AT&T network:
Verizon network coverage in Louisiana
Verizon offers the second-largest 4G LTE network, covering 97.02% of the state. You'll generally find an excellent 4G signal no matter where in Louisiana you travel. On the other hand, Verizon's 5G network is much smaller, only covering 27.98%. This coverage is centered in the areas around New Orleans and Baton Rouge. Outside of those areas, you won't have Verizon's 5G service.
To determine how strong Verizon's 4G LTE and 5G coverage is in your area, use the interactive Verizon coverage map below and zoom in on your neighborhood. You can then toggle between 4G and 5G coverage to see if Verizon will work well where you live.
Best Verizon phone plan
If you want the best experience on Verizon, the Unlimited Plus plan is the choice for you. It offers unlimited premium data, a 30GB mobile hotspot, and access to extra perks like the Disney+ bundle, Apple Music, and more for just $10/month for each.
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 your favorite videos in 4K and play competitive mobile games with no fear of lag.
Best phone plans on Verizon's network
You don't have to be directly on a Verizon plan to get its excellent coverage in Louisiana. You can switch to a Verizon MVNO instead to get the same great service. MVNOs rent service from major carriers, meaning their plans are much cheaper for customers.
Our favorite Verizon MVNO is Visible, which Verizon actually owns. The base Visible plan starts at just $25/month. It includes unlimited 5G 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.
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. US Mobile also offers coverage on all three major networks, meaning you can switch to AT&T or T-Mobile if you decide Verizon isn't for you.
Popular phone plans on Verizon's network
Take a look at these other popular plans on the Verizon network:
T-Mobile network coverage in Louisiana
T-Mobile is the best option for 5G coverage in Louisiana, with 93.99% of the state covered. Its 5G network also currently reigns supreme across the entire country. On the other hand, T-Mobile's 4G LTE is much smaller than its competitors at 83.85%. Overall, there are small T-Mobile dead zones scattered in rural areas throughout the state, but most of the cities and urban areas of T-Mobile coverage. 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.
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.
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 on T-Mobile's network. Plus, it's owned by T-Mobile outright, 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 a 20GB mobile hotspot. 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.
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.
Popular phone plans on T-Mobile's network
Check out the most popular phone plans on the T-Mobile network:
5G and 4G LTE network speeds in Louisiana
Network speeds are one of the most important factors in determining 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.
- T-Mobile has the largest 5G network in Louisiana at 93.99%, but it offers slightly slower speeds (around 174Mbps) due to relying primarily on mid-band towers for its network.
- AT&T offers a great middle ground with the largest 4G LTE network and a sizable 5G network (covering 83.29% of the state) with speeds up to 236Mbps.
- Verizon provides the smallest 5G network in Louisiana at 27.98%, but the fastest speeds with up to 800Mbps on the 5G UW (Ultra Wideband) network.
Still unsure which network you should choose? Try an eSIM free trial
If you can't make up your mind about which network is best, you should 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 Louisiana.
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Max McCaskill
Sr. Staff Writer