Whether you're moving to South Dakota, passing through on a road trip, or just stopping by to visit the Badlands and Black Hills, you'll find reliable wireless coverage from Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile across most of the state.

With WhistleOut's coverage checker, you can instantly check coverage in your hometown in South Dakota or all over the United States. Just enter an address, and we’ll show you the strongest signals and best plans for that spot, from a ranch near Rapid City, an apartment in Sioux Falls, or a campsite in Custer State Park. 

Keep reading to discover more about South Dakota’s coverage and the perfect plan to keep you connected statewide, so you can stream music while cruising Interstate 90, video-call from Mount Rushmore, or check emails in historic Deadwood.

While all three major carriers offer decent coverage statewide, AT&T is the only carrier with coverage virtually everywhere across South Dakota. Although you won't get the fastest speeds with 4G, you do get dependable service, which is more important for most users looking for a wireless connection. Verizon offers the second-best 4G network, followed by T-Mobile. However, if you're looking for the fastest speeds in South Dakota, AT&T offers just as much 5G coverage as T-Mobile, the nation's 5G leader.

Why it's important to pick the right coverage

Picking the right wireless provider in South Dakota ensures you stay connected across all your travels. As you explore downtown Pierre, take in the sights at Mount Rushmore, or drive across the expansive eastern plains, reliable service keeps you in contact with family and friends. 

Strong coverage is important not just for convenience, but also for access to navigation apps and safety in South Dakota's remote areas. Choosing a carrier with dependable service where you live and work helps you avoid dead zones and dropped calls, delivering consistent connectivity when Wi-Fi isn't available.

For in-person help locating the best South Dakota phone plan, use our store locator to find nearby carrier stores in communities like Rapid City, Aberdeen, and smaller towns throughout the state.

Which carrier's coverage is strongest in South Dakota? 

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AT&T offers the best South Dakota network, combining its 98.66% 4G LTE coverage with faster speeds on its 87.16% 5G network. With AT&T, South Dakotans get both widespread service and strong connectivity statewide. AT&T gives you the best option, since its 5G network is on par with T-Mobile’s and offers better 4G coverage than both Verizon and T-Mobile.

AT&T offers 87.16% 5G coverage across South Dakota, just about as much as the nation's leading 5G carrier, T-Mobile. With less than one percent of a difference between AT&T and T-Mobile, the main difference between both carriers is network distribution. 

AT&T's 5G network is mainly located on the eastern side of the Missouri River, with coverage in eastern South Dakota in and around Rapid City. T-Mobile, on the other hand, offers pockets of 5G coverage across the state, even within some reservation territory. Verizon falls far behind with only 29.46% 5G coverage, exclusively located in Sioux Falls.

While 5G networks may offer faster speeds, having reliable 4G coverage is essential for your day-to-day cell phone usage. AT&T offers the best 4G network across South Dakota. Covering 98.66% of the state, you're covered virtually anywhere within South Dakota. Verizon has the second-best 4G network, offering 96.38% coverage, followed by T-Mobile with the least amount of 4G coverage at only 66.06%.

Due to its longer wave frequency, 4G networks can be accessed both in remote areas and within city limits. When a 5G network isn't available, your phone automatically reverts and connects to 4G to maintain a stable connection.

AT&T network coverage in South Dakota

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AT&T offers the most reliable wireless coverage across South Dakota. With the most 4G LTE coverage reaching 98.66% of the state, AT&T ensures reliable connectivity in urban centers such as Rapid City and Sioux Falls, as well as in more rural areas. The carrier’s 87.16% 5G availability extends high-speed service beyond major urban hubs into smaller communities, including Spearfish, Pierre, and the Badlands region.

AT&T’s combination of statewide reliability and next-generation connectivity makes it the ideal carrier for most South Dakotans. Although T-Mobile’s 87.57% 5G coverage is technically the most extensive in South Dakota, AT&T offers a smidge less over more concentrated areas, unlike T-Mobile’s smatterings of service. Verizon’s 96.38% 4G LTE network is second-best to AT&T’s, offering broad reach but last in 5G coverage at almost 30%. 

For consistent coverage in South Dakota’s prairies, mountain towns, and remote regions, AT&T remains the definitive leader.

Check out AT&T’s coverage map to evaluate signal strength in your area by toggling between 4G and 5G availability.

Check AT&T’s coverage near you

Best AT&T phone plan

Given that AT&T has outstanding 5G coverage across South Dakota, its best plan is the Premium 2.0. At $90/month, Unlimited Premium includes unlimited premium data, plus 100GB of high-speed mobile hotspot. The price is high for one line, but you can save more by adding lines with an AT&T family plan.

Best phone plans on AT&T's network

If you want to save on your monthly phone bill without sacrificing on service quality, choose an AT&T MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator). 

US Mobile offers the best plans with truly unlimited premium data on its Dark Star network (which connects to AT&T's coverage) with its Unlimited Premium plan. For only $44/month, you can get unlimited premium data that never slows and a 200GB hotspot.

Another well-known AT&T MVNO is Cricket Wireless. You can easily find a Cricket retail location anywhere across the nation and snag one of its competitive data plans on AT&T’s network. Cricket’s best plan is the Supreme Unlimited plan. For $55/month, you get unlimited premium data at 5G speeds, hotspot capability, and a subscription to HBO Max.

Red Pocket offers budget-friendly plans with generous 5G data on the AT&T network. Its Premium Monthly Plan includes unlimited talk, text, and 50GB of premium data for only $30/month. You also get 10GB of hotspot data to use when you’re away from Wi-Fi.

Popular phone plans on AT&T's network

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

T-Mobile network coverage in South Dakota

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T-Mobile operates on South Dakota’s most expansive 5G network, covering 87.57% of the state, only slightly more than AT&T’s 87.16% and far better than Verizon’s 29.46%. We tested T-Mobile’s service and found that it worked best in larger cities. That means residents in urban hubs like Sioux Falls, Rapid City, and Aberdeen get T-Mobile’s consistently fast speeds for seamless streaming, gaming, and general phone usage.

While it may be the leader in 5G coverage, T-Mobile’s 4G LTE coverage reaches only 66.06% of the state, lagging behind AT&T’s 98.66% and Verizon’s 96.38%. Rural areas like the Badlands, Pine Ridge Reservation, and stretches of Interstate 90 may experience weak or even no service. While T-Mobile’s 5G excels in cities, visitors to remote regions like the Black Hills or the Missouri River Valley won’t have service.

Check T-Mobile’s coverage using our interactive map below to compare 4G and 5G availability in your neighborhood.

Check T-Mobile’s coverage near you

Best T-Mobile phone plan 

Our pick for the best T-Mobile phone plan is Experience Beyond. Although it’s pricey at $100/month, it’s the plan with the most perks available on the market. Experience Beyond includes unlimited premium data, unlimited hotspot data, three free streaming subscriptions (including free Netflix), and even 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 plans may be the most expensive among major carriers, but you can still get access to the T-Mobile network without paying top-tier pricing with a T-Mobile MVNO. 

Mint Mobile is our top T-Mobile MVNO because it offers affordable multi-month service plans. Choose your monthly data limit or opt for unlimited for stress-free usage. New customers can get Mint’s Unlimited plan for just $15/month through Mint’s three-month introductory pricing. 

Included in the Unlimited plan is 50GB of premium data and a 20GB mobile hotspot to keep your other devices connected while away from home. We tested Mint's speeds firsthand and appreciated its consistently high speeds, which exceeded 200Mbps, reaching a peak of 600Mbps.

Boost Mobile is another top option for cheap data plans on T-Mobile’s network with capped monthly limits. For unlimited monthly data, choose Boost’s $25/month Unlimited Plan. You get 30GB of premium data at 5G/4G LTE speeds—more than enough even for heavy data users—and unlimited talk and text.

Popular phone plans on T-Mobile's network

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

Verizon network coverage in South Dakota

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Verizon provides South Dakota with dependable 4G LTE coverage across 96.38% of the state, ensuring reliable service in both urban and rural areas. However, Verizon’s 5G network currently covers only 29.46% of the state, primarily concentrated in Sioux Falls and Rapid City. If you happen to live in these areas, you’ll benefit from Verizon's Ultra Wideband 5G, which delivers speeds exceeding 800 Mbps, just like we did when we tested Verizon’s service.

Verizon’s extensive 4G LTE network delivers consistent connectivity throughout areas further removed from cities, outperforming T-Mobile's 66.06% 4G coverage. However, Verizon's overall coverage still trails behind AT&T's more comprehensive 98.66% 4G LTE reach across South Dakota.

Check Verizon’s coverage near you

Best Verizon phone plan

The best Verizon plan for South Dakotans is Unlimited Plus, bringing you lightning-fast speeds and 5G access. Priced at $80/month, it includes unlimited premium data, 30GB of hotspot data, and access to Verizon’s 5G Ultra Wideband network.

On top of fast speeds and unlimited data, Verizon offers customers discounted perks. You can easily add on extra services for only $10/month each, like a Disney Bundle (Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN Select) or Netflix and HBO Max combo.

Best plans on the Verizon network

You can still access Verizon’s network without the expensive price tag; choose a Verizon MVNO to save and still get the same service. Since MVNOs don't maintain or operate their own towers, they pass these savings on to you, lowering your monthly phone bill. 

Our top Verizon MVNO is Visible, which is also owned by Verizon. Visible’s best plan is the $25/month Visible plan, which includes unlimited data, unlimited hotspot at 5Mbps, and access to Verizon’s 5G network. We tested Visible’s service and were impressed by its reliable signal across both city centers and rural areas.

Straight Talk is another competitive MVNO with budget-friendly plans on the Verizon network. For $60/month, you get unlimited data with 60 GB of premium data, unlimited hotspot, data, and even up to 100 GB of cloud storage for free with Straight Talk’s Unlimited Platinum Data plan.

Popular phone plans on Verizon's network

Check out these popular plans on the Verizon network:

5G and 4G LTE network speeds in South Dakota

Fast networks mean better connectivity across South Dakota. By opting for a carrier with a strong 5G network ensures smoother streaming and clear video calling. However, a reliable 4G network is crucial for constant connection statewide.

South Dakotans looking for the best cell phone plan depend on whether speed or coverage is most important.

• AT&T has the best coverage across South Dakota. Its extensive 4G LTE network reaches over 98.66% of the state, with virtually no gaps in service or coverage, and substantial 5G coverage throughout 87.16% of the state.
• Both T-Mobile and AT&T offer extensive 5G coverage across South Dakota, but they have service in different areas. AT&T's range is limited to Rapid City and the surrounding area, as well as cities to the east of the Missouri River. T-Mobile, on the other hand, offers spotty coverage throughout the state.
• Verizon has the second-best 4G LTE network across South Dakota, covering 96.38% of the state. However, its 5G network falls behind both AT&T and T-Mobile, covering only 29.46% of the state and is exclusively limited to Sioux Falls.

AT&T is the clear winner for overall best mobile coverage among major carriers.

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

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Before you commit to a single carrier, test out all networks through an eSIM free trial. US Mobile, Mint Mobile, and Visible all offer free temporary trials of their networks so you can see whose service is best for you. Although you can't use these trials as full-fledged phone plans, they should give you enough time to decide which network you can most rely on.