Whether you're moving to Vermont or just visiting, having strong cell service is crucial to your experience. Fortunately, as a smaller state, Vermont has widespread 4G LTE and 5G network access from Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile.
You can use WhistleOut's coverage check feature to instantly see what coverage is like at your home in Vermont or places you plan to visit across the nation. All you have to do is punch in your address, and we'll show you the best networks and plans for your area. This feature empowers you to make better decisions when it comes to your wireless plan.
You can also keep reading to learn more about Vermont's phone coverage and discover which plans are the best. We can help you find the best service statewide, whether you're eating maple creemee in Burlington or leaf peeping in Woodstock.
The bottom line: AT&T has the best coverage in Vermont
The best wireless coverage in Vermont is from AT&T, thanks to its massive 4G LTE network covering 99.14% of the state. The best plan on AT&T’s network is the US Mobile Unlimited Premium plan, which offers unlimited premium data and a 100GB mobile hotspot for just $44/month.
AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon (the Big Three carriers) all have strong cellular networks in Vermont, but none covers 100% of the state perfectly. That said, these carriers' dead zones are very small and mostly located in rural areas like the Green Mountain National Forest.
Since Vermont is such a small state, carriers have an easier time building widespread access to 4G LTE and 5G networks. Most customers can expect excellent service from any carrier, especially if they're in an urban area.
Why it's important to pick the right coverage
Picking the right coverage in Vermont is crucial to staying connected with your family and friends. It's important to have a signal you can rely on in both larger cities like Burlington and smaller tourist towns like Manchester or Woodstock. That way, you can access your navigation apps or get help during emergencies. Plus, opting for a carrier with strong coverage in the areas where you spend most of your time will help 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 Vermont phone plan and coverage, use our store locator to find the closest physical carrier store to you.
Which carrier's coverage is strongest in Vermont?
| Carrier | 4G coverage | 5G coverage | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T | 99.14% | 46.42% | |
| Verizon | 93.25% | 14.85% | View Plan |
| T-Mobile | 61.07% | 82.98% |
AT&T takes the win for the best Vermont wireless coverage by offering strong 4G LTE service to 99.14% of the state. Verizon's 4G LTE network comes in just behind at 93.25%. Finally, pulling up the rear is T-Mobile's 4G LTE network at 61.07%.
Best Coverage in Vermont by Network
| Network | Covered Area |
|---|---|
| AT&T | 99.14 |
| Verizon | 93.25 |
| T-Mobile | 61.07 |
We rank 4G LTE as the most important coverage overall because of its wide availability across the country. However, as 5G networks grow, they become a more important part of the mobile experience, offering faster speeds and more bandwidth.
Best 5G coverage in Vermont by network
| Network | Percentage of covered area |
|---|---|
| T-Mobile | 82.98% |
| AT&T | 46.42% |
| Verizon | 14.85% |
T-Mobile currently leads the 5G wireless race in both Vermont and the nation, covering 82.98% of the state. Neither AT&T nor Verizon comes close to this level of coverage. AT&T's 5G covers 46.42% of the state, while Verizon's 5G is at a very small 14.85%. That said, despite having smaller coverage maps, AT&T and Verizon generally offer faster speeds.
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AT&T network coverage in Vermont
AT&T provides the strongest 4G LTE network in Vermont at 99.14%, meaning you'll find a strong signal virtually anywhere you travel throughout the state. As for the 5G network, AT&T offers a much smaller 46.42% coverage area, with most of the coverage located in larger cities like Burlington.
When testing AT&T's 5G coverage, we saw download speeds up to 236Mbps. Our tester saw excellent coverage across the country, including in urban California and rural New England, meaning customers in Vermont will be well-covered.
You can toggle between AT&T's 5G and 4G coverage in the interactive map below to determine if its networks are strong in the areas where you live.
Best AT&T phone plan
AT&T's best wireless plan is the Premium 2.0 plan for $90/month. This plan includes unlimited premium data and a generous 60GB mobile hotspot allotment, giving you the power to stay connected on the go. AT&T doesn't offer many perks with its postpaid plans, but the single-line pricing of this plan is still cheaper than comparable options from Verizon and T-Mobile.
Best plans on the AT&T network
Getting AT&T's reliable and widespread coverage in Vermont doesn't have to break the bank. AT&T MVNOs offer the same great 4G LTE and 5G coverage at a fraction of the price.
Cricket Wireless, which is owned by AT&T, offers multiple plans to meet your budget. One of the most popular is the Supreme Unlimited plan for $55/month. It includes unlimited premium data and a 50GB mobile hotspot. Plus, it also has perks like a 150GB cloud storage allotment and HBO Max with ads, which are premium features rarely seen with MVNO plans.
A great option for seniors on the AT&T network is Consumer Cellular. Its Unlimited for Ages 50+ Plan offers 50GB of premium data and mobile hotspot capability. Plus, it also includes a special discount for AARP members.
Popular phone plans on AT&T's network
Check out these popular plans on the AT&T network:
T-Mobile network coverage in Vermont
T-Mobile is the best option for 5G coverage in Vermont, covering 82.98% of the state. Its 5G network also reigns supreme across the entire country. On the other hand, T-Mobile's 4G LTE network is a bit smaller at 61.07%. Most of the carrier's dead zones are in the rural western parts of the state, around towns like Manchester or Waterbury.
Check the interactive T-Mobile coverage map below to determine if T-Mobile's network is strong where you live. During our testing of T-Mobile's network, we've found it's best for those who live in populated city centers and suburban areas.
Best T-Mobile phone plan
T-Mobile's best offering is the Experience Beyond plan. It offers unlimited premium data, a 60GB mobile hotspot, and extra perks like Netflix and Apple TV+ subscriptions. Plus, you'll also get extra premium features only available with T-Mobile, like free access to T-Satellite, which is T-Mobile's satellite coverage.
Best phone plans on T-Mobile's network
T-Mobile's plans include more perks than any other carrier, which also causes them to cost more than plans from Verizon or AT&T. The good news is that you can access the best 5G network in Vermont for a fraction of the cost with a T-Mobile MVNO.
Mint Mobile is one of the best MVNOs on T-Mobile's network. Since it's owned by T-Mobile, you can rest easy knowing you'll have excellent coverage with little fear of deprioritization. Starting at just $30/month ($15/month for new customers) for the first three months, Mint Unlimited 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's one of the few carriers that offers customizable phone plans, meaning you only pay for what you need. It's perfect for building a limited plan for low-data customers. That said, we were also impressed with its pre-built unlimited plan during our testing. The plan 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:
Verizon network coverage in Vermont
Verizon offers 93.25% of 4G LTE coverage in Vermont, but just 14.58% of 5G coverage. Verizon's 5G network is the smallest of any major carrier, but it also offers some of the fastest 5G speeds you'll find because of its reliance on ultra-wideband towers. You'll generally only find Verizon's 5G service in urban areas like Montpelier and Burlington.
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.
Best Verizon phone plan
Verizon's best plan is the Unlimited Plus plan. Starting at $80/month, it offers unlimited premium data, a 30GB mobile hotspot, and access to customizable 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 that in the few cities in Vermont where you can find a Verizon 5G signal, 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 sign up with Verizon to get its excellent coverage in Vermont. You can switch to a Verizon MVNO instead to get the same great service for a much cheaper price.
Our favorite Verizon MVNO is Visible, which Verizon owns outright. The base-level Visible plan starts at just $25/month. It includes unlimited 5G data and an unlimited mobile hotspot with speeds capped at 5Mbps. Unlimited mobile hotspot is a rare perk with any phone plan, and Visible offers it for an incredible price. During our testing of Visible's service, we saw fast and consistent speeds, whether in suburban settings or more remote areas on 4G LTE.
Another great Verizon MVNO is US Mobile, which lets customers pick their own coverage among the three major networks. Its Unlimited Premium plan starts at just $44/month and includes unlimited talk, text, and high-speed data, as well as 50GB of dedicated hotspot data on Verizon's network. Plus, family plans with three or more lines can also qualify for a free streaming perk.
Popular phone plans on Verizon's network
Take a look at these other popular plans on the Verizon network:
5G and 4G LTE network speeds in Vermont
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 will be. Fast 5G data speeds guarantee your device and apps will work whenever you need them.
- T-Mobile has the largest 5G network in Vermont at 82.98%, but it offers slightly slower speeds (around 174Mbps) due to relying on mid-band towers for most of its coverage.
- AT&T offers a great middle ground with the largest 4G LTE network and a decent 5G network (covering 46.42% of the state), and includes speeds up to 236Mbps.
- Verizon provides the smallest 5G network in Vermont at just 14.85%, but it also has the fastest speeds with up to 800Mbps on its 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 in your area of Vermont, you should consider testing your local networks through an eSIM free trial. Carriers like US Mobile and Visible offer free temporary trials of their networks to get a taste of their plans. While you can't treat these offers as a replacement for your regular phone plan, they should give you enough time and data to decide which network you can rely on most for your next wireless plan.
FAQs
Can I get good phone coverage in rural Vermont?
Yes, AT&T offers excellent 4G LTE coverage in most of the rural areas of Vermont.
What carrier has the fastest speeds in Vermont?
Verizon has the fastest data speeds in Vermont with its 5G UW (ultra-wideband) network. During our testing of Verizon's network, we saw data speeds in excess of 800Mbps.
Do prepaid plans get the same coverage as postpaid plans?
Yes, prepaid plans get the same coverage areas as postpaid plans. The difference between prepaid and postpaid plans is when you pay your phone bill.
Is there a difference between data speed and signal strength?
Yes, data speed is the rate at which data is transmitted over your network connection, while signal strength is the power of a wireless signal when it reaches your device. Although they are separate network measurements, having a strong signal strength is crucial to getting the fastest data speeds.
Max McCaskill
Sr. Staff Writer