Phone plan for Alaska

Question

Planning my third trip to Alaska next March!

One thing I've learned is that service providers like Ting and Mint (who piggyback off major carriers like Verizon, T-Mobile, etc) rarely work outside cities.

What I'd like is a sim or e-sim to use short-term for about 6-8 weeks. From what I understand, AT&T probably has the best coverage.

I live in the lower 48 and will be using a Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra. I don't want to transport my current number so getting a new number is fine.

I'm looking for something prepaid for AT&T (unless you guys advise another carrier) but only want service with it for 6-8 weeks. I'm having challenges finding one. Can anyone help, please?

There is obviously a tech forum, but since my question is specifically about Alaska, that's why I posted here.

Answer

For a short-term phone plan in Alaska, especially in remote areas, coverage is the key concern. Most MVNOs like Ting or Mint may work well in cities but often lose signal in rural or wilderness areas. Based on your requirements and experience, AT&T is generally considered one of the best options for statewide coverage, along with Verizon in certain regions.

Options for Prepaid AT&T Service:

AT&T Prepaid SIM: AT&T sells prepaid SIM cards that can be activated online or in-store. You can choose a plan with talk, text, and data that fits your 6-8 week timeframe. Plans are flexible and can be paused or topped up as needed.
AT&T eSIM: Since your Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra supports eSIM, you can purchase an AT&T prepaid eSIM online. Activation is quick, and it avoids the need for a physical SIM card. You can pick a data-only plan if you don’t need calls.
Short-Term Packages: AT&T offers prepaid plans with monthly or multi-week options. You could purchase one month at a time and then extend as needed. For a 6-8 week trip, buying two sequential one-month plans may be easiest.

Other Carrier Considerations:

Verizon Prepaid: Verizon has excellent coverage in Alaska, sometimes slightly better than AT&T in remote northern and interior regions. They also offer prepaid SIMs and eSIMs.
T-Mobile/Metro: Generally less reliable outside Anchorage, Fairbanks, or Juneau, so not ideal for trips involving remote areas, Denali, or Alaska Highway drives.

Tips:

Purchase the SIM or eSIM before your trip if possible, but some travelers prefer buying locally at AT&T stores in Anchorage or Fairbanks for convenience.
Check coverage maps carefully, especially if you plan to travel outside main towns—AT&T’s website provides detailed Alaska coverage maps.
Consider a basic data plan with hotspot capabilities if you plan to share connectivity with other devices. Just be aware that speeds may be slower in rural areas.
Since you don’t need to keep your existing number, activating a new number is straightforward and avoids potential complications.

Overall, a prepaid AT&T SIM or eSIM will give you the most reliable service for a 6-8 week Alaska trip, particularly if you’re traveling in March when some areas can be more remote and sparsely serviced.

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