Whether you're moving to Montana, passing through on a road trip, or just stopping by to explore the breathtaking Glacier National Park, you'll find that wireless coverage varies throughout this mountainous state. While service is reliable in most populated areas, some rural regions may experience gaps in connectivity.

You can check your coverage in Montana with our coverage feature. We'll show you the strongest signals and best plans for your location, whether you're in a downtown loft in Missoula, a suburban home in Billings, or a remote cabin near the Beartooth Mountains.

Read on to learn more about Montana's cell coverage landscape and how to find the best phone plan to keep you connected across the Treasure State.

Why it's important to pick the right coverage

Choosing a wireless provider is essential so you can stay connected at home and on the go, whether you're working in downtown Billings, hiking Glacier National Park, or driving through the sweeping plains of eastern Montana. By picking the carrier with the best statewide coverage, you can rest assured you’ll have coverage if you have to make an emergency call, check real-time weather alerts, or navigate in far-removed areas. With the right provider, you get an uninterrupted mobile experience when you don't have access to reliable Wi-Fi. 

If you'd like in-person help finding the perfect phone plan, our store locator can guide you to a nearby T-Mobile, Verizon, AT&T, or Cricket store in cities like Missoula, Bozeman, and Great Falls, as well as smaller towns across Montana.

Which carrier's coverage is strongest in Montana? 

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Verizon offers Montana's best coverage with its solid 66.50% 4G LTE network, delivering the most reliable service across the state. AT&T comes in second with 64.22% 4G LTE coverage, while T-Mobile brings up the rear with 50.95%. However, T-Mobile does maintain Montana's most extensive 5G network, covering 66.60% of the state compared to Verizon's 14.22% and AT&T's 37.98%.

We rank 4G LTE as the most important coverage overall because of its wide availability across Montana's rugged terrain. In a state where vast areas remain remote, 4G LTE continues to serve as the primary form of reliable connectivity. That said, 5G networks are becoming increasingly valuable as they expand, offering faster speeds and greater bandwidth where available.

T-Mobile currently leads Montana’s 5G coverage, reaching 66.60% of the state. AT&T follows with 37.98% 5G availability, while Verizon’s 5G network covers just 14.22%. As is the case in most rural states, T-Mobile’s 5G signals are primarily found near cities, towns, and major highways.

AT&T’s 5G network isn’t as extensive, covering 37.98% of Montana. You’ll find 5G coverage with AT&T in urban hubs like Great Falls, Kalispell, Helena, and Billings. Beyond these cities, AT&T relies on its broader 64.22% 4G LTE network to maintain connections.

Verizon offers the least amount of 5G coverage statewide. That said, its 5G Ultra Wideband network is available in Helena and Billings, delivering the fastest speeds we’ve seen. While Verizon’s 5G footprint is limited, its 66.50% 4G LTE coverage remains the most dependable statewide option for consistent connectivity.

Verizon network coverage in Montana

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Verizon offers Montana's best coverage with reliable 4G LTE reaching 66.50% of the state, outperforming AT&T at 64.22% and T-Mobile at 50.95%. While Verizon's 5G coverage is limited to 14.22% of Montana, its Ultra Wideband network in Billings and Helena delivers blazing-fast speeds. When we put it to the test, we saw speeds over 800Mbps.

You'll get strong service in central and eastern Montana, including Great Falls, Havre, and along Interstate 90. Coverage weakens in the northwest, particularly near Fort Peck, but towns like Wolf Point can still connect to Verizon’s network. For consistent statewide service, Verizon remains the top choice, though T-Mobile leads in 5G availability at 66.60% coverage if that's your priority.

Check Verizon’s coverage near you

Best Verizon phone plan

Verizon's best plan is its Unlimited Plus option, offering unlimited premium data, and a 30GB mobile hotspot. Verizon customers can even snag and additional perks at a discount, like the Disney+ bundle and Apple Music for $10/month each.

In our testing, Verizon's 5G Ultra Wideband network reached speeds over 800Mbps in our tests of its service (the fastest we've ever seen). With speeds that fast, you can count on smooth 4K streaming and lag-free mobile gaming, though only in areas with Verizon 5G coverage.

Best plans on the Verizon network

You don't need a direct Verizon plan to access Montana's most reliable coverage. By switching to a Verizon MVNO, you can get the same coverage at a lower price. In a nutshell, these smaller carriers rent service from major carriers instead of maintaining their own infrastructure. 

The best Verizon MVNO is Visible, which is also owned by Verizon. Among its plan options, the $45/month Visible+ Pro plan offers the most perks for its price. It includes unlimited data, unlimited hotspot at 15Mbps, and access to Verizon’s 5G network. You also get two Global data passes a month to stock up or use abroad now. Plus, when we tested Visible’s service, we loved its reliable signal across both city centers and rural areas.

Another impressive MVNO on Verizon’s network is Total Wireless. Among its budget-friendly plans, Total Wireless’ $50/month Total 5G Unlimited plan is unbeatable. It includes unlimited data, 15GB of hotspot data, and international calls and texts as well.

Popular phone plans on Verizon's network

Check out these popular plans on the Verizon network:

T-Mobile network coverage in Montana

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T-Mobile provides the best 5G network in Montana, bringing you fast speeds and smooth scrolling. Covering 66.60% of the state, T-Mobile 5G network far surpasses AT&T's 37.98% and Verizon's 14.22%. The Un-carrier also offers decent 4G LTE coverage throughout Montana, reaching 50.95% of the state. That means you'll typically find 5G service wherever 4G exists. Our speed tests confirm T-Mobile delivers strong performance in urban areas, particularly around Billings and Great Falls where coverage is most concentrated.

While it leads in 5G availability, T-Mobile's 4G LTE coverage trails behind Verizon's 66.50% and AT&T's 64.22%, making it less ideal for those frequently traveling off main highways. T-Mobile's network works well along Interstate 94 in western Montana; however, service becomes less reliable when venturing into remote areas like eastern Montana's plains.

Check T-Mobile’s coverage near you

Best T-Mobile phone plan 

T-Mobile's most competitive plan is Experience Beyond. Priced at $100/month, it’s T-Mobile’s most expensive offering, and includes unlimited premium data, a massive 250GB high-speed hotspot, T-Satellite service, international data, and even free Netflix with Ads, Apple TV+, and Hulu with Ads.

Best phone plans on T-Mobile's network

If T-Mobile’s plans are too pricey, you can opt for a plan with a budget-friendly T-Mobile MVNO (mobile virtual network operator). These smaller carriers essentially rent T-Mobile’s network, allowing them to offer cheaper data plans.

Our favorite T-Mobile MVNO is Mint Mobile. We love Mint’s multi-month service plans because they offer a range of data options from 5GB to unlimited. 

The best Mint plan is its Unlimited, which includes 50GB of high-speed data and a 20GB mobile hotspot, all on T-Mobile’s network. New customers can even get Mint’s Unlimited plan for only $15/month with Mint’s introductory pricing.

Tello is another solid T-Mobile MVNO that offers cheap data plans. Choose from its capped data plans or opt for unlimited monthly data. Tello’s $25/month Unlimited Plan includes 50GB of premium data at 5G/4G LTE speeds, and a 10GB hotspot.

Popular phone plans on T-Mobile's network

Take a look at these popular plans on the T-Mobile network:

AT&T network coverage in Montana

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AT&T provides reliable wireless service across Montana, offering a strong balance between coverage and speed. With 64.22% 4G LTE availability, AT&T keeps you connected in both urban areas and rural regions, while its 37.98% 5G network delivers faster speeds in cities like Billings, Missoula, and Bozeman.

For Montana residents who travel frequently, AT&T presents a competitive middle option. T-Mobile leads in 5G coverage at 66.60% but has more limited 4G LTE reach at just 50.95%. Verizon offers slightly better 4G LTE coverage at 66.50% but trails significantly in 5G availability with only 14.22% coverage. AT&T offers the best of both worlds, bringing you fast speeds and reliable coverage across the Treasure State.

You can check AT&T's coverage map to see both 4G and 5G availability in your specific area of Montana. The map lets you toggle between network types to understand what service to expect where you live, work, and travel.

Check AT&T’s coverage near you

Best AT&T phone plan

AT&T’s best plan also happens to be its top-tier option—Premium 2.0. Ideal for heavy data-users, it includes unlimited premium data that never slows down, as well as 100GB of mobile hotspot data to keep your other devices connected too. While it’s AT&T's most expensive plan at $90/month, you can cut the price by getting it as part of an AT&T Unlimited Your Way family plan.

Best phone plans on AT&T's network

You can still access AT&T’s network without having to pay top-tier plan pricing. AT&T MVNOs (Mobile Virtual Network Operators) are smaller carriers that offer the same coverage for a fraction of the price. 

Cricket Wireless is one of the most popular AT&T-owned MVNOs with plenty of stores for in-person assistance. Cricket’s best plan is the Supreme Unlimited plan for $55/month. You get unlimited premium data at 5G speeds, hotspot capability, and even a subscription to HBO Max to sweeten the deal.

US Mobile is another solid option for cheap data on AT&T's network. The Unlimited Premium plan (on US Mobile's Dark Star) is one of our favorite plans because it includes unlimited premium data, talk, text, and a 200GB high-speed hotspot—for only $44/month. Plus, US Mobile has access to all three major networks, so you can easily switch to T-Mobile or Verizon if you can't connect to AT&T's network. 

Popular phone plans on AT&T's network

Check out the most popular phone plans on the AT&T network:

5G and 4G LTE network speeds in Montana

Network speed plays a crucial role in shaping your wireless experience. In general, higher speeds translate to better performance. With fast 4G LTE or 5G connections, you can trust your devices and applications will function seamlessly whenever you need them most.

• Verizon delivers the most reliable coverage with its extensive 66.50% 4G LTE network, ensuring strong service everywhere from central Montana to remote eastern communities.
• T-Mobile offers Montana's best 5G network, covering 66.60% of the state, making it ideal for Montana residents who want cutting-edge speeds.
• AT&T provides a solid balance with 64.22% 4G LTE coverage statewide and 37.98% 5G availability. This makes AT&T a strong choice for those who want both wide reliability and faster speeds across multiple locations.

Verizon is the best choice for coverage in Montana, despite its limited 5G network. T-Mobile delivers the state's best 5G, while AT&T lands in the middle.

Still unsure which network to choose? Try an eSIM free trial

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Before you commit to a single carrier, consider testing out the major carriers’ networks through a free eSIM trial. US Mobile, Mint Mobile, and Visible offer free trials of their service, allowing you to compare which one is best for you. You won’t be able to use these trials as full-fledged phone plans, but they should give you enough time to decide which network you can most rely on.