IN WORK - Information is accurate but not complete!
The Cellular Phone has come a long way!
This page relates to Cellular Service for the Blue Hill Peninsula Area.
Cellular has its own definition of Broadband and it is not 25/3Mbps.
You can find the basics of cellular service and a lot more on the internet.
IMPORTANT TODAY!
If you have spotty Cellular service at your home & have Fiber to the Premise (or even Spectrum), resolve the issue by using WIFI Calling. You in home cellular issues will use your Internet Connection to make and receive calls. See #4 below.
Here are a few truths:
1. All cell towers are connected to the internet via fiber - except in special circumstances not found locally.
2. All cellular calls are on fiber (i.e. those on US Cellular, T-Mobile, AT&T and Verizon)!
a. The ONLY part of a cell call over the "air" is that to the nearest "cell" tower and from the "cell" tower nearest the receiver of the call.
3. Cellular service is negatively impacted by frequency, weather, distance, provider, terrain (hills and valleys), reflections (i.e., off granite) and sun spots.
4. You can use your cell phone when you have no cell coverage if you have the ability to connect to a network via WIFI and use WIFI Calling.
a. If you have fiber to your home, you should always be connected to your home WIFI with WIFI calling ON and your fiber connection will negate any issues you've had.
5. Not all towers may provide your consumer Cellular Services (the frequency we need for our personal cell phones).
a. Example AT&T has service for Consumer and for First Responders (many on non-AT&T towers) but they do not operate at the same frequency. First Responder services are provided by AT&T's FirstNet.
b. And yes, AT&T may work on equipment on Blue Hill Mtn. etc. but it is for FirstNet only (https://www.firstnet.com/) That tower is US Cellular's.
6. CDMA & GSM do not matter anymore with 4G LTE and 5G services.
Theoretically all providers could share with others - BUT THEY DO NOT!
a. Fact - you may see a tower, but your reception is terrible.
b. U. S. Cellular does not share with AT&T or Verizon. If they did Verizon would be far better in Blue Hill but it is not.
7. Questions: Can you buy a Verizon cellphone or use one on the Blue Hill Peninsula? - YES
Does Verizon have cell service on the Blue Hill Peninsula? - NO
a. You can buy a Verizon cellphone in Ellsworth, but ask if there's coverage in Blue Hill (example) and they will say No - because it is too spotty to say Yes.
Cellular has its own definition of Broadband and it is not 25/3Mbps.
You can find the basics of cellular service and a lot more on the internet.
IMPORTANT TODAY!
If you have spotty Cellular service at your home & have Fiber to the Premise (or even Spectrum), resolve the issue by using WIFI Calling. You in home cellular issues will use your Internet Connection to make and receive calls. See #4 below.
Here are a few truths:
1. All cell towers are connected to the internet via fiber - except in special circumstances not found locally.
2. All cellular calls are on fiber (i.e. those on US Cellular, T-Mobile, AT&T and Verizon)!
a. The ONLY part of a cell call over the "air" is that to the nearest "cell" tower and from the "cell" tower nearest the receiver of the call.
3. Cellular service is negatively impacted by frequency, weather, distance, provider, terrain (hills and valleys), reflections (i.e., off granite) and sun spots.
4. You can use your cell phone when you have no cell coverage if you have the ability to connect to a network via WIFI and use WIFI Calling.
a. If you have fiber to your home, you should always be connected to your home WIFI with WIFI calling ON and your fiber connection will negate any issues you've had.
5. Not all towers may provide your consumer Cellular Services (the frequency we need for our personal cell phones).
a. Example AT&T has service for Consumer and for First Responders (many on non-AT&T towers) but they do not operate at the same frequency. First Responder services are provided by AT&T's FirstNet.
b. And yes, AT&T may work on equipment on Blue Hill Mtn. etc. but it is for FirstNet only (https://www.firstnet.com/) That tower is US Cellular's.
6. CDMA & GSM do not matter anymore with 4G LTE and 5G services.
Theoretically all providers could share with others - BUT THEY DO NOT!
a. Fact - you may see a tower, but your reception is terrible.
b. U. S. Cellular does not share with AT&T or Verizon. If they did Verizon would be far better in Blue Hill but it is not.
7. Questions: Can you buy a Verizon cellphone or use one on the Blue Hill Peninsula? - YES
Does Verizon have cell service on the Blue Hill Peninsula? - NO
a. You can buy a Verizon cellphone in Ellsworth, but ask if there's coverage in Blue Hill (example) and they will say No - because it is too spotty to say Yes.
What is coming next?
Some Basic Local Information
Who is the best?
It depends. All have spotty service due to terrain, ground reflections (i.e., granite) and gaps in coverage.
How can we make it better? and a few more things!
Stand by....
NEW CELLULAR TOWER IN BLUE HILL!
Verizon - There are no Verizon Transmitters on the Peninsula YET, but that may change in 2026.
AT&T - Stonington has the only tower for AT&T on the Peninsula -with Belfast the next closest for most of the area
US Cellular - Blue Hill, Sedgwick, Deer Isle, Brooklin (This will be updated). US Cellular is becoming T-Mobile.
T-Mobile - on Deer Isle (Various locations but with gaps - lots of them)
Some Basic Local Information
Who is the best?
It depends. All have spotty service due to terrain, ground reflections (i.e., granite) and gaps in coverage.
How can we make it better? and a few more things!
Stand by....
NEW CELLULAR TOWER IN BLUE HILL!
Verizon - There are no Verizon Transmitters on the Peninsula YET, but that may change in 2026.
AT&T - Stonington has the only tower for AT&T on the Peninsula -with Belfast the next closest for most of the area
US Cellular - Blue Hill, Sedgwick, Deer Isle, Brooklin (This will be updated). US Cellular is becoming T-Mobile.
T-Mobile - on Deer Isle (Various locations but with gaps - lots of them)