The Outer Banks known for its string of barrier islands off the North Carolina coast has its own unique challenges when it comes to mobile connectivity. Kitty Hawk and Nags Head, two of the most prominent destinations known for their historical significance and natural beauty offer a fascinating peek into the world of cellular coverage in this coastal environment where connectivity is a big issue.
Here, we delve into the nitty-gritty's of cellular coverage in the region, and how different carriers perform in terms of connectivity and coverage.
AT&T
AT&T is known for its undisputed coverage in Kitty Hawk. Its 4G LTE and 5G networks boast an impressive 99.1% coverage area with wide connectivity. These are its statistics in terms of coverage:
99.1% - Total coverage area
98.1% - Great reception
1% - Good reception
0% - Poor reception
0.9% - No coverage
Nags Head has a similar story when it comes to AT&T which has the second best coverage in the region. Its 4G LTE and 5G networks cover 100% of the city. Here are the details of its coverage in the area:
100% - Total coverage area
83.4% - Great reception
16.6% - Good reception
0% - Poor reception
0% - No coverage
T-Mobile
While AT&T dominates in Kitty Hawk, T-Mobile has a wide coverage in Nags Head. Its 4G LTE and 5G networks has a 100% coverage in the region. Here is the full breakdown of its coverage:
100% - Total coverage area
94.3% - Great reception
5.7% - Good reception
0% - Poor reception
0% - No coverage
However, T-Mobile stands third best in Kitty Hawk with its 4G LTE and 5G networks covering 100% of the city. Here's how it fares in the region:
100% - Total coverage area
63.4% - Great reception
29.7% - Good reception
6.9% - Poor reception
0% - No coverage
Verizon
Verizon has the second best coverage in Kitty Hawk after AT&T. Its 4G LTE and 5G networks cover 92.7% of the city. Here are the details of the carrier's coverage in the region:
92.7% - Total coverage area
83.7% - Great reception
9% - Good reception
0% - Poor reception
7.3% - No coverage
Verizon stands at third place in Nags Head with its 4G LTE and 5G networks covering 89.6% of the city. Here is the breakdown of its coverage in the area:
89.6% - Total coverage area
87.1% - Great reception
2.5% - Good reception
0% - Poor reception
10.4% - No coverage
Which cell phone service provider fares best in Kitty Hawk & Nags Head?
Kitty Hawk:
AT&T tops with its median download speed of 78.7 Mbps, and median upload speed of 10.9 Mbps.
Verizon stands at second place with its median download speed of 36.7 Mbps, and upload speed of 10.3 Mbps.
T-Mobile comes third with its median download speed of 27.1 Mbps, and median upload speed of 12.7 Mbps.
Nags Head:
T-Mobile tops with its median download speed of 101.2 Mbps, and median upload speed of 13.4 Mbps.
AT&T is at the second place with a median download speed of 87.2 Mbps, and download speed of 11.9 Mbps.
Verizon has the slowest median download speed of 8.4 Mbps, and upload speed of 4.7 Mbps.
MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operators)
MVNO's provide a budget friendly alternative with significant lower monthly costs as compared to major cell phone service providers in the Outer Banks. There are many options like Mint Mobile, Boost Mobile and Visible which provide the exact same coverage as major carriers, but at affordable prices.
Conclusion
Whether you are a visitor or contractor on assignment in the Outer Banks seeking reliable mobile connectivity, there are multiple cellular operators providing services with wide coverage. These mobile network providers ensure that you stay connected while enjoying the region's spectacular natural beauty.