There's been talk for a long time about them adding a tower on the east end. One of the reps at the store told me the other day it was about to happen. I said OK and ordered Verizon.
AT&T has always been spotty down here, especially bad spots include Seaside and Grayton. Dead zones can be found on 30-A between Grayton and Redfish Village. Also dead zone near Borago. Also a big dead zone near Lake Powell/Inlet Beach. My AT&T phone might as well be a paperweight in Grayton/Seaside during summer. Your two remedies are to call AT&T and complain and they will give you a credit as well as a portable signal booster. Otherwise, follow Kurt's lead and go Verizon.
They offered to give me a microcell booster but I would have to go pick it up and install. When I asked to cancel without fee she waived the fee on one phone. So I'll come out ok when I sell them.
There actually is an AT&T tower on the east end. Its on the water tower near Alys Beach. From m experience with it, it has always been messed up. When you call 911, it sometimes puts your location far, far away from your actual location.
I have noticed that ATT signal strength overall as deteriorated in the past few months. It used to be fine, especially in the off season. In the summer, forget it; you may as well just put your phone in a drawer until mid August.
About a year ago, I called AT&T about the booster. I told them to look at my usage sax proof of how bad the service is in certain areas and at certain times. Funny how there are 6 calls back and forth in the same 3 minutes- all they had to do was look at this dropped called record. They sent a booster for free. It is currently not in use- didn't seem to work that great.
The kicker is they are opening up a new AT&T store next to Publix on 98. Gonna have some angry customers when they realize the service is horrible here. I find it the least reliable the minute I hit SanDestin, and once I'm in Destin, forget about it. No signal ever