Service Area of Golden State Cellular

Roam vs. Home/Long Distance

Will my phone work anywhere?

Golden State Cellular contracts service in all 50 United States, Canada and some areas in Mexico . As long as you are in an area where a cellular signal is accessible, you should be able to use your phone.

What is the home area?

Golden State Cellular's home area is Alpine, Amador, Calaveras, Tuolumne and Mariposa Counties .

What is the difference between “home” and “roam”?

When your phone is receiving a signal from one of our towers located in Tuolumne, Calaveras, Amador, Alpine or Mariposa county you are considered to be in the "home" area. Golden State Cellular's current plans include anywhere minutes, these anywhere minutes apply in all 50 States and Canada

*Note: There are occasions when you are physically in the home area but your phone's roam indicator is displayed. This is often caused because your phone has direct line of site to a tower outside of our home area, such as when you are at a location that has a view of the valley. Be aware that if you use the phone while your roam indicator is displayed for mobile to mobile or night and weekend minutes those minutes will be charged against your plan minutes.

What am I charged for roaming?

This will depend on what is included with your plan. Most plans with Golden State Cellular do include roam minutes. Please speak with any of our friendly sales staff and they will be happy to explain your plan and available roaming options.

What is the difference between roaming and long distance?

Roaming is when you are using your phone outside of our “home area” as defined above.
Long Distance, or Toll, is when you are calling either from the home area to outside the 209 area code or if you are calling from outside the home area to anywhere that would be long distance from where you are while calling.

Will I be charged long distance to call from the home area to anywhere in the 209 area code?

Golden State Cellular customers are not charged long distance to call from the home area to any number with a 209 area code.

What am I charged for long distance?

On most of our plans the charge for long distance is 10¢ per minute, again this is affected by the plan you are on and whether or not you have the “free long distance” feature included.

Will my phone work internationally?

Golden State Cellular currently has usage agreements in place with cellular carriers in Canada and portions of Mexico. When you are traveling in Canada and as long as you are in an area where your phone will receive a signal, you will be able to use your phone. If you are planning a trip to Mexico check with our Sales and Service department to see if the area you are traveling to has coverage.

How much does it cost to call internationally?

Canada - When using your phone while in Canada airtime is included with your anywhere minutes.

Mexico - When using your phone while in Mexico airtime is included with your anywhere minutes, however, long distance charges if applicable are not included and are billed at $1.95 per minute.

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