Until now, cell phone users have had no detailed and impartial way to assess and compare which network offers the best data and voice service where they use their phones.
Root Wireless Inc., a Bellevue, Wash., startup, aims to change that. Root's colorful online map, which debuted last week on CNET.com and is currently usable only by consumers living in the eight U.S. markets analyzed so far, shows voice and data signal strength for each of the four major U.S. carriers. An intriguing plan calls for building out map coverage through 200,000 volunteers nationwide, all armed with a data-gathering app on their smartphones.
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Initially, the Root map is accessible only through CNET.com, as part of its library of cell phone reviews. CNET isn't promoting the map, but it's available by clicking "check coverage" directly under the reviewed phone's name. Checking it out is difficult, because it is currently available only within selected cell-phone reviews, and only to CNET visitors in the eight markets — Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, New York, Orange County, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington, D.C. — where Root has done its own mapping.
Another 12 [metro] markets are slated to be mapped by year-end: Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Denver, Houston, Miami/Ft. Lauderdale, Minneapolis, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Diego, St. Louis and Tampa/St. Petersburg.
Source: MSNBC
The map provides data for AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon Wireless. It's easy to move from one provider to another.
To access the map which is a beta release (remember only eight markets are currently available) head to the cell phone review section of CNET and select a smartphone. ) Smartphones are the only phones that will trigger a map link during the beta period. We're selecting the iPhone 3GS 32GB (in white) from AT&T. Finally, look in the right hand column below the first two boxes for the clickable link, "Check your coverage area." You should now be viewing a map. The default region on the map is Metro Seattle but simply enter a street address and/or Zip Code for one of the available metro areas and the map will change to that location. At the bottom of the map you can learn more about data collection and methodology and report descriptions.
The MSNBC article also points out that when the beta period is over (sometime in January) you'll be able to access maps for all phones.
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