If you live anywhere near Green Bay or the surrounding parts of Wisconsin, you’ve probably seen the CellCom name pop up more than once—maybe at a community event, on a billboard, or in a neighbor’s hands. But over the past year, it’s not just the name that’s become more visible—it’s the speed.
Last week, I took a small detour on my way home from work just to test something: How fast is CellCom’s 5G network, really? With an unlocked Pixel 7 Pro in one hand and a local coffee in the other, I parked outside a public park in Appleton and ran a speed test. My phone blinked back: 384 Mbps download. Not bad for a quiet Thursday afternoon in the Midwest.
That small test spiraled into a deeper curiosity. Where does CellCom’s 5G really reach? How does it compare to bigger national carriers? And is it worth switching to if you’re already settled in with another provider?
Over the next few days, I did some digging, talked to a few locals, visited a CellCom store, and even chatted with a couple of their support staff. What I learned paints a surprisingly grounded picture of a regional provider doing a lot more than you might expect.
A Regional Legacy That’s Still Rooted Locally
CellCom’s roots go back to 1987, but its story really begins in small towns where national carriers barely paid attention. Born out of the need to serve rural Wisconsin and parts of Michigan, CellCom positioned itself not as a disruptor, but as a connector. And that local-first mindset is still evident today.
While other telecom giants spread themselves thin nationwide, CellCom kept its focus tight—building towers where other providers wouldn’t, investing in local storefronts, and training staff who actually understand the communities they serve.
If you’ve ever dealt with a customer support agent 2,000 miles away who couldn’t pronounce your town’s name, you’ll know why this matters.
So, Where Does CellCom 5G Actually Work?
CellCom’s 5G rollout is a work in progress, but it’s picking up pace. The network currently covers most major population centers in Northeast and Central Wisconsin, as well as key parts of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
Key Cities with Strong 5G:
- Green Bay – Full 5G coverage across most neighborhoods
- Appleton – Consistent and fast 5G across business districts and suburbs
- Madison outskirts – Partial 5G availability, growing monthly
- Escanaba, MI – Early-stage but usable 5G in town center
The company uses a combination of low-band and mid-band spectrum, which allows for both broad coverage and decent speeds. I found the 5G signal strongest outdoors, especially near town centers and retail areas. Indoors, speeds dipped but remained usable.
In less populated rural zones, the 5G signal often falls back to LTE, but that LTE is generally stronger than what I’ve experienced from national providers in the same regions.
Speed Tests That Feel Real, Not Lab-Crafted
I ran 5G speed tests in five different spots over two days, using the same device and the same app (Speedtest by Ookla). Here’s a quick summary:
| Location | Download (Mbps) | Upload (Mbps) | Ping (ms) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Green Bay (east side) | 412 | 78 | 22 |
| Appleton (downtown) | 384 | 69 | 25 |
| Kaukauna (residential) | 191 | 38 | 36 |
| Escanaba, MI (city center) | 162 | 31 | 41 |
| Random rural road near Shawano | 94 | 20 | 53 |
Are these blazing speeds? Not quite. But they’re reliable—and fast enough to stream, work remotely, or make high-quality video calls without a hitch.
What Devices Work with CellCom 5G?
One thing I appreciated about CellCom is their transparency around compatible devices. They don’t push obscure or locked models—most newer unlocked phones work just fine.
Here’s what you need to know:
✅ Compatible Devices:
- iPhone 12 and newer
- Samsung Galaxy S21, S22, S23, S24
- Google Pixel 5 through 8 series
- Motorola Edge, OnePlus 9+, and other 5G unlocked phones
If you’re unsure, the CellCom website has a compatibility tool. But their in-store reps are just as helpful. I asked about my Pixel and the associate didn’t skip a beat—they knew exactly how to check the band support and settings to enable 5G.
Staff Who Actually Know Their Stuff
During my visit to a CellCom store in Green Bay, I spoke with a store manager named Kendra. She’s been with the company for seven years and has watched the network grow from “spotty but promising” to “genuinely competitive.”
“We don’t oversell what we don’t have,” she told me. “If you’re outside our 5G zone, we’ll tell you. But if you’re in it, you’ll see the difference.”
Another tech rep, Jordan, mentioned that they regularly get folks switching from bigger carriers after poor rural coverage. “Once they see it works at their cabin, they’re sold.”
Real Talk from Real Customers
I asked a couple of locals for their thoughts. Both had used CellCom for at least a year.
Mike (38, Sturgeon Bay):
“I switched from Verizon last fall. My LTE was barely usable in the woods. CellCom isn’t perfect, but my phone works at the cabin and on the lake. That’s what I care about.”
Rita (62, De Pere):
“I just wanted a phone that worked when I visit my daughter. The 5G speed is nice, but I mostly like how I don’t have to fiddle with anything. It just works.”
A Quiet but Effective Tech Upgrade
CellCom doesn’t throw around flashy terms or try to build a buzz around every small update. Instead, they’ve focused on things that actually improve user experience—like expanding tower density, optimizing rural LTE fallback, and rolling out mid-band 5G for both range and performance.
Their network also supports Wi-Fi calling, eSIM, and VoLTE, all of which worked without hiccups on my test device.
It’s Not the Cheapest, But It’s Fair
CellCom’s prices are what I’d call “honest.” Not cheap like budget carriers, but not overpriced either.
Sample Plans:
- Unlimited Talk/Text/Data: ~$65/month for individuals
- Family Plans: Start around $120 for two lines
- Data-only SIMs: For tablets or hotspots from $30+
A basic OPD-style store visit for SIM activation was free, and the setup took under 15 minutes. There are no mandatory long-term contracts unless you’re financing a device.
Giving Back, Quietly
I found out CellCom hosts several free tech literacy events in libraries and senior centers. They also ran COVID support pop-ups in smaller counties during the pandemic and frequently support local sports teams and community events.
These aren’t big PR stunts. Most locals just hear about them through flyers or word of mouth.
Who’s CellCom Best For?
If you:
- Live in Wisconsin or the Upper Peninsula
- Spend time in rural or semi-rural areas
- Prefer local customer support over call centers
- Use mainstream unlocked phones
Then CellCom may honestly be a better fit than national carriers.
Final Take: A Provider That’s Grounded, Growing, and Surprisingly Good
CellCom doesn’t try to be flashy. They don’t shout from rooftops about “revolutionizing” anything. But in an age of overhype and under-delivery, that’s a good thing.
What they offer is solid: reliable 5G in the places where it matters, decent speeds, real people behind the counters, and a sense of community involvement you can actually see.
If you’re in their service area and tired of juggling bars or being bounced around phone menus, CellCom is worth a real look. Not perfect—but quietly impressive.