We write with a fundamental belief that it doesn't have to have happened yesterday to be news, and that people are more interested in how the facts of today will impact their lives for tomorrow.

In short, our mission is simple: to bring knowledge to millions.

Masthead

Our team comes from backgrounds in journalism, English literature, film and media, engineering, consulting and more, but we speak with a collective voice. Technology is often discussed, and disputed, by staff and editorial members. And writers often cooperate on articles, which in some cases, are heavily edited. We focus on producing a great end product, regardless of who gets the spotlight.

In The News

Regularly recognized as an authority in the mobile industry, we are often cited or quoted in major media outlets. For press inquiries or questions, please contact us. Here are some select nationwide mentions:

Jul 1, 2010

That's a Nice Phone, but How's the Network?

"... You need to think about only two things in choosing a carrier: the speed of its network and its reliability. That sounds deceptively simple..."

"... Another site, Mobiledia, tells you where nearby cell towers are. The low-tech approach might be as useful..."

Feb 14, 2010

Analyze this: Your cell phone bill

"... Chances are you're wasting gobs of money on wireless phone service because you chose the wrong plan..."

"... Also, consider call quality in your area. Cheaper is not better if you don't have a wireless signal. Sites such as Mobiledia (cellreception.com ) can help determine whether you'll have good coverage..."

Oct 7, 2009

In Choosing a New Phone, Online Research Goes Only So Far

"... Buying a new cellphone is about as much fun as buying a used car. Had my friend read a couple of online reviews of the Tour, he might have chosen more carefully..."

"... If he had another shot, I'd suggest he start by spending five minutes on sites like CellReception.com to check the coverage of the major carriers in his area..."

Aug 24, 2009

Study Guide: How to save money on the first year of college

"... Many students arrive at school with a phone they've had for years. It's often most economical to stay on the existing family plan or to opt for a prepaid plan. One warning: Don't leave home without finding out whether there's good reception in the area..."

"... The colleges could let you know. Cellreception.com is also a potential source..."

Jul 26, 2009

What to do About Bad iPhone 3GS Reception

"... I'd return the phone and go shopping at another carrier that has good coverage where you live...'

"... All the big carriers disclose coverage areas on their Web sites. And for an unbiased opinion, go to cellreception.com..."

Apr 1, 2009

Switching Networks for an iPhone

"... I have always advised that nobody should get any phone unless it is on a network that they are sure works to their satisfaction in the areas where they will use it..."

"... So, my advice is to ask friends around Boston who have iPhones or other AT&T 3G devices how they feel about the network. You might also enter your ZIP Code at some Web sites that track overall carrier coverage and dead zones, like cellreception.com..."

Feb 26, 2009

For Prepaid Customers, Phones That Won’t Give You Away Anymore

"... Prepaid cellphones have long been an outlet for those without the money or credit rating to get a contract with one of the major mobile carriers..."

"... Since Boost uses Sprint's network, you would be wise to check with your friends, relatives and Web sites like CellReception.com to see how well the company covers your area..."

Jan 14, 2009

The Web Brings Together Cellphone Users Searching for Signals

"... CellReception is an offshoot of Mobiledia.com, a widely read mobile-industry blog..."

"... The site's president, Allen Tsai, said it held more than 45,000 comments, mostly written by Mobiledia readers..."

Feb 18, 2008

Planning a road trip? Prepare for cellphone outages

"... We must also come to terms with the fact that our cellphones aren't as reliable outside the city. Luckily, we can plan for these things..."

"... Websites such as Mobiledia's CellReception.com allow users to type in their locations and get a map or a list of past issues with AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon in that area..."

Feb 18, 2008

Computing Q&A

"What's the best way to find out which cell phone models have the best reception?..."

"... What you can do is go to the Mobiledia Web site (cellreception.com) and check how well or badly the big wireless carriers cover your area. The Web site lets you search for nearby cellular towers, and it has a database of user comments about coverage from people in your ZIP code..."

Jul 9, 2007

Why Don't Cell Carriers Care About Loyalty?

"Cellular providers spend most of their efforts luring new customers into switching from some other service, offering only a few breadcrumbs for their loyal subscribers..."

"... Use sites like cellreception.com that tell you how well the carrier provides service in your zip code area. At least that way you'll know how the phone provider stacks up your geographic area."

Jun 21, 2007

Staying Connected via Cellphone (and Cellphone Bill)

"For a second opinion, I phoned the lead analyst for mobile phones at PC Magazine..."

"... He looked at cellphone coverage maps - available online at sites like Cellreception.com - before warning me that switching to a Vermont carrier for prepaid minutes would be prohibitively expensive."

Feb 22, 2007

Money-saving tips

"Correspondents will tell you how to fight back if you think you're being mistreated as a customer. Here are some tips that could save you money and aggravation..."

"... Consumers generally have little idea how reliable their cell phone service will be when they buy a phone and sign a contract. The best information comes from word of mouth or from Web sites such as CellReception.com."

Jul 27, 2006

Beyond Tuition

"The Zogby study reports that 89% of college students have cell phones. One dad complained that the most shocking cost he encountered was 'that darned cell-phone bill.'..."

"... Check sites such as Cellreception.com to make sure that there's good service on campus; some carriers entice students with special discounts or enhanced service..."

Jun 12, 2006

Have Simple Cell Phones Disappeared?

"Find out what cell phone provider has a tower and cell site near your location..."

"... Go to www.cellreception.com and enter your zip code; it will show you the nearest locations by provider. There's even a Dead Zone Search feature on the site, listing areas within various states where dead zones are reported..."

Jun 11, 2006

Which Cell Phone Is Best for You?

"To figure out which companies offer service you can use, start by checking the coverage maps..."

"... Get an independent analysis of coverage from a site like cellreception.com (a searchable database of cell-phone tower locations and consumer reports)..."

May 15, 2006

Computing Q&A: Tip of the Week

"Before you lock yourself into a cell phone contract, make sure there's good reception in your area..."

"... You also can check out Mobiledia Corp.'s Web site (cellreception.com), which keeps track of cell site deployments and features comments from users around the country..."

Mar 30, 2006

Switching Wireless Carriers

"If you're thinking about switching carriers, I recommend that you do the following..."

"... Check the new carrier's coverage. Wireless service providers include coverage maps on their sites, which you can search by zip code. Independent Web sites, such as Mobiledia, can provide even more information..."

Jan 1, 2006

Cell Phone Service, How to Choose

"At Consumer Reports, editors say that users in metropolitan areas should go with the cell-phone plan that gets the highest rating. Since Verizon and T-Mobile both rank highly in most regions, your best bet is to ask around -- find out how happy friends and neighbors are with their cell-phone service..."

"... Web sites like CellReception.com can give you a good idea what you can expect in your specific area. This Web site is a great source for identifying service 'dead spots...'"

Dec 29, 2005

A Cellphone and a Plan for Just About Any Situation

"A few times I thought I had found a nearly perfect phone and a tolerable service plan, but they used incompatible wireless technologies. So start by choosing a carrier, because no phone is useful if it does not get good reception where you need it..."

"... A good resource for all carriers is cellreception.com, where you get access to a map of local cellphone towers and reports from your neighbors about the reception they get..."

Dec 19, 2005

Where in the World Is...

"Individual programmers have been the first to seize on the technology and turn mundane lists into such interactive maps. But some larger businesses are starting to use mashups as a way to gain exposure and boost traffic to their sites..."

"... CellReception.com brings up a Google map of nearby cellular towers when you enter a city name or ZIP Code. Also provides comments about coverage and signal strength in nearby areas for multiple carriers..."

Nov 14, 2005

Era of the mash-ups Newest Web sites among Net's hottest phenomena

"Take a pinch of Yahoo or Google. Then stir in some census data, photographs or crime statistics. What you get is a 'mash-up.' Among the Internet's hottest phenomena, these Web sites combine ingredients from different online sources to create intriguing hybrids..."

"... A mix of mash-ups - www.cellreception.com (cell phone towers + maps)..."

Oct 20, 2005

A Journey to a Thousand Maps Begins With an Open Code

"Using a Google map as a base, programmers can create interactive charts with information like U.F.O. sightings, cheap gas locations, census findings, restaurant reviews or subway directions..."

"... Related Google Maps Mash-Ups - Cell Phone Reception..."

May 4, 2005

The Cellphone's Potential as a Search Tool Gets Tapped

"Still, searching the Web on a phone is frustrating for most users. Screens are tiny. Waiting for a page to appear can take 10 seconds or more. And when signals fade, the lag times can be unbearable..."

"... 'The experience is much like text browsing in the early days of the Internet,' said Allen Tsai, founder of Mobiledia.com, a site for comparison shopping of cellphones..."