How does AT&T work with iPhone 4-8GB?

I'm fixing to get my iPhone 4 8GB in. & I was just wondering, I don't think I have an AT&T tower in my town. But I do believe there's one in the next town over. & it takes 20 minutes to get there if not a little sooner. There's an AT&T store there as well. When my iPhone comes in can't it get service off any tower like Verizon,.ect? Or how does this work? This is my first iPhone. Super excited & paid alot for it. Someone please help me.

Ask the person at the AT&T store how well covered your town is with AT&T's service. (I wouldn't trust an online map) You can't use a tower from another company like Verizon if there isn't AT&T service in your town. Another cell phone company isn't going to service your phone, because service costs money to send and receive data. There's no point in that can't make money off of you.

I would strongly recommend you put your order on hold until you find out if there's service even available, especially if you live in a more rural area.

Check the coverage map for your phone provider, most carriers lease tower space as needed.
The map will tell you if you have any coverage from any towers leased or owned by your carrier.
The carriers website usually has the coverage map available.