My friend who works as a T-Mobile tower manager screams about Rio Verde all the time.
Lot's of complaints, but that's federal land.
And T-Mobile is AT&T's rural carrier, correct? My point is that Verizon in that same area is rock solid. (Even Sprint is good, as I had them with a prior employer.) If they can do it why not AT&T?
From the Tonto on the north, which my lot boarders, to the McDowell's on the south, is all private land. It's a pretty big area, with a fair population now. That being said, the last time I drove to Fountain Hills I did note like 10 new small and kinda funky towers along Forest Road once you leave the actual Rio Verde community. All were powered by GenSets, as the power had not been plumbed in yet. They were serving up AT&T!! So someone out there has some pull.
I think that if I could see the actual plans and dates for new sites coming online here (AZ) it might reduce my anger, but of course that info is not shared. Just, "we are spending X $ amount this year alone."
Hey, at least the iPhone works great south of the boarder! We were in Rocky Point a couple of weeks ago and I was impressed! If it were that good here, I'd not have a complaint.