Re: Cell phones in the PacNW, after long study, I opted for AT&T
wireless. They claimed coverage well up into Canada.  Again to my
pleasant surprise, the claim proved true.  I was able to call home and
get a clear reception all the way up to Nainaimo

The main mobile carriers in BC are Rogers AT&T and Telus Mobility.  Both
have web sites which you can find through Google and both have coverage
maps.  They don't show which US carriers have roaming agreements with whom.
I just did a quick look and it shows Telus has better coverage (analog) in
the inside passage.

Clarence Bell
Toronto

Clarence Bell wrote, "<snip> The main mobile carriers in BC are Rogers AT&T
and Telus Mobility.  Bothhave web sites which you can find through Google
and both have coverage maps.  They don't show which US carriers have roaming
agreements with whom. I just did a quick look and it shows Telus has better
coverage (analog) in the inside passage."

I looked at Rogers AT&T coverage map at
http://www.shoprogers.com/store/wireless/content/moreabout/MoreAboutCel_Cove
rageBC.asp?shopperID=S2TCVD9HPESR2M670G05LBCD5KD09046 and Telus Mobility
coverage map at http://www.telusmobility.com/bc/coverage/pcs_home.shtml

I looking at the maps and I'd agree that the analog coverage is slightly in
favor of Telus but really close. However, the significant thing to me is
that Rogers AT&T has a huge advantage in digital coverage. Since the digital
service is the newer hardware, I think the superior digital coverage shows a
greater financial commitment. In addition if you go to Rogers AT&T PDF
format coverage map at
http://www.shoprogers.com/store/wireless/content/moreabout/British_Columbia_
Coverage_01-2001.pdf you can zoom in close and get a better look. You will
also see that Rogers AT&T shown "future coverage" in yellow that will fill
in the coverage gap between Granite Bay and Alert Bay, so Rogers AT&T will
claim contiguous coverage from the US border to Port Hardy.

Cheers;
Mike Schooley
Trailerable Trawler wannabe

We have Verizon digital with added Canada coverage.  I can attest that we
only were bill the amount of the monthly service charge and no roaming or
long distance.  My Qualcum 2035 has internet capabilities and I can receive
my E Mail or browse the internet until I cross the border.  Apparently Telus
does not have reciprocal with Verizon.

We also have a strictly analog 3 watt Motorola Bag phone with an external
antenna on the fly bridge.  We can get service as far east as Lagoon Cove
and north of Blunden Harbor.

We also have an AT&T phone -- works about the same as the Verizon but the
Verizon has no roaming and long distance and that adds up.  Probably won't
bring it next year.

Bag phone (analog) works best at north end of Vancouver Island because it is
3 watts and has an outside antenna.  Hard to find a company with analog
coverage (we have Marathon).

No coverage when you get to Cape Caution.  Only phone is pay phone inBella
Bella and Shearwater.

All our phones work north end of Grenville Channel and Dixon Entrance just
north of Prince Rupert.  We called Prince Rupert and checked in on our Can
Pass while crossing Dixon Entrance last year.  Sure saves a trip up Venn
Passage.

Bob & Anne Reeves
SEABIRD 45' CHB
Port Townsend, WA