Will using an iPhone work in my region vs AT&T?

I live in a region where cellular phone-technology is very sparse. Only AT&T has signal-strength enough to make & receive cell phone calls in regions in my neighborhood.
Because of this, I use a Windows Touchpad as my only connection to the outside-world.

How do either of the APPLE units connect? - Do any of the ipads / iphones /ietc devices connect using different signals (via direct sattelite connection) vs.local Towers?

No nonce of the apple products connect to sattelite or local tower connections, I have tried, AT&T is the only fast working network i know out there other than verizon all the other phone company signals suck!