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My phone keeps turning off or going blank.

When not in use, your cell phone is designed to conserve battery life by dimming the display screen. This is called Standby Mode. Although the display is dark, the phone is still on and ready to use.

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It says "No Service" on my phone display.

When the phone is first turned on, it displays “No Service” for about 30 seconds while it connects to the cellular network. This is normal. The message should disappear after 30 seconds.

If the "No Service" message stays on, you may be in a location where the cellular signal is too weak, such as a subway or mountain valley, or where a cellular tower is not close enough to your phone. Weather or environmental conditions may also be a factor. Try your call again from another area.

If "No Service" stays on in an area where you think you should be getting reception, turn the phone off and back on. If you still get "No Service," use a land line to call our Customer Support team at 1-888-345-5509.

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I hear a beeping sound.

A beeping sound usually indicates one of the following:

• Your battery may be low. Check the battery-charge indicator.
• If you have Call Waiting, someone may be trying to reach you. Press the green key (above the 1) to answer the second call. See Call Waiting for more details.
• One of the phone keys may have been pressed accidentally.
• You may have a voice or text message in your mailbox.
• Your alarm clock feature could be activated.

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Where will my phone work? Why do I have problems in some areas where I think I should have good service?

Consumer Cellular operates from the AT&T network, which provides coverage to 98% of the households in the United States. See our coverage map.

Cellular networks operate on a nationwide grid that divides cities or regions into smaller cells. A cell might cover a few city blocks or up to 250 square miles. Every cell uses a set of radio frequencies, or channels, to provide service in its specific area. The power of these radios is controlled in order to limit the signal's geographic range. Because the shape and size of cells vary, there may be gaps between the areas covered by two or more cells. These gaps, or "dead spots," can also be caused by trees, tall buildings, or other obstructions that block the signal from reaching a nearby antenna. If a local government or landowner won't allow placement of a cellular antenna, that too can create a dead spot.

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