When selecting a cellular provider, it is wise to make sure the service covers your area. You can inquire within the store before committing to a contract.

Also, major cell phone companies offer online coverage maps that show a picture of where you will get service, and how strong your signal will be.

For instance, AT&T (formerly known as Cingular) displays an online “Coverage Viewer,” which describes service in Standish as “Best” and “Good.” Customers can even type in a street address to get the most accurate picture of coverage possible.

Other companies, like US Cellular, give more general maps according to state, using shading based on whether or not there is signal, no matter the strength, in a particular state. And according to US Cellular, the majority of Maine, and all of the Lakes Region, has access to US Cellular signal.

Of course, this doesn’t mean US Cellular users will have little problem making and receiving successful phone calls. Christin Scott, a Saint Joseph’s College student who lives on campus in Standish, says that although signal on campus has improved since last semester, US Cellular has provided her less-than-perfect service. There are areas on campus where she is unable to use her phone, but Scott believes this is the nature of the beast.

“I figure no matter where you go, there are places where you’re going to have bad reception,” said Scott.

A reason for this is that oftentimes, wireless providers use a standard of 95 decibels to gauge whether service is available. This measurement is the minimum signal strength a cell phone needs for service, and it is sometimes used to overstate coverage in areas with weak signal. A signal of 95 decibels is very sensitive to changes in terrain, and is frequently useless. Of course, even if signal strength is well above the minimum, geographical variation, like valleys, may cause signal cut off.

These factors make it worth your while to take time in selecting the provider that is right for you. Make sure to ask for detailed coverage description, and discuss any possible service variables with a potential provider before committing to a lengthy, and hard-to-break, contract.