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In this report
- Introduction{4 mentions}{1 mention}{1 mention}{1 mention}{1 mention}
- Best Cell Phone Plans{15 mentions}{10 mentions}{4 mentions}{1 mention}{8 mentions}
- International Cell Phones{1 mention}{3 mentions}{1 mention}
- Useful Links
- Our Sources
Cell Phone Plans: Ratings of Sources
Total of 18 Sources
For an explanation of how we rank reviews, see our ratings criteria page.
2012 U.S. Wireless Network Quality
by Editors of J. D. Power and Associates
by Editors of J. D. Power and Associates
Our AssessmentThis study from J. D. Power and Associates examines wireless usage in three aspects of network performance -- messaging, calling and data -- in six geographic regions within the United States. The study is based on responses from over 27,000 wireless customers. Verizon Wireless ranks highest in five of the six regions, with U.S. Cellular winning in North Central United States.
Cell Phone Service Ratings
by Editors of ConsumerReports.org
by Editors of ConsumerReports.org
Our AssessmentFor this article, ConsumerReports.org asks more than 66,000 magazine subscribers to rate their cell phone plans for service (voice, texting and data), customer support and value. Editors rate seven major carriers (Consumer Cellular, Credo, AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, U.S. Cellular and Verizon Wireless) from best to worst, based on the results. They also do separate ratings for each of 23 urban areas, including New York City, Dallas, Atlanta, Chicago and Miami, and there's an additional ratings chart for Canadian cell phone plans.
Readers' Choice Awards 2012: Smartphones and Mobile Carriers
by Ben Gottesman
by Ben Gottesman
Our AssessmentIn this reader survey of cell phone users, U.S. Cellular knocks Verizon Wireless out of the top spot; both earn Readers' Choice Awards. Both Verizon Wireless and U.S. Cellular receive significantly-better-than-average ratings in all categories, including coverage, call quality and network reliability. Once again, AT&T is at the bottom of the pack.
Verizon LTE vs. The Rest: 4G Smackdown
by Jared Newman
by Jared Newman
Our AssessmentHere, PC World rates 4G networks, using its own test data as well as some data from the networks themselves and third-party sources. Verizon's 4G is the fastest but has data-usage caps; Sprint is slower and pricier but offers unlimited data. Jared Newman also lists pros and cons for T-Mobile, MetroPCS and Clear/Clearwire 4G.
AT&T Roars Back in PCWorld's Second 3G Wireless Performance Test
by Mark Sullivan
by Mark Sullivan
Our AssessmentAT&T's 3G network proves far faster than Verizon, Sprint and T-Mobile in this 13-city test. AT&T had finished last in the previous year's test. Note that although AT&T is the overall winner, other networks work better in certain cities; a chart shows results for each city. PC World used both smartphones and laptops to check the download speeds, upload speeds and connection dependability, running more than 51,000 separate tests.
4G Shootout: Verizon LTE vs. Sprint WiMax
by Brian Nadel
by Brian Nadel
Our AssessmentComputerworld tests two 4G networks -- Verizon and Sprint -- head to head in the New York metro area. Brian Nadel recommends Verizon -- "if you can get it." It's not widely available and costs more than Sprint 4G, but "it's the fastest way I've found to connect on the road."
4G Report Card: Who's Winning, Who's Failing
by Mark Spoonauer
by Mark Spoonauer
Our AssessmentLaptop Magazine grades the four major wireless companies' 4G networks, based on its own tests as well as the companies' prices, 4G device offerings and plans to upgrade and expand their networks. Verizon Wireless gets an A-, followed by Sprint (B), T-Mobile (C+) and AT&T (F).
Quick Guide to Top Cell Phone Carriers
by Kent German
by Kent German
Our AssessmentAlthough CNET doesn't rate cell phone service providers, editors have compiled a buyer's guide, which outlines the pros and cons of the four major nationwide carriers (Verizon Wireless, AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile) and three regional carriers (U.S. Cellular, MetroPCS and Cricket). Links lead to thousands of user comments on the services.
2012 Best Cell Phone Provider Comparisons and Review
by Editors of TopTenReviews.com
by Editors of TopTenReviews.com
Our AssessmentThis website doesn't test phone services, nor does it conduct any owner surveys. Rather, ratings are based on coverage, available plans and other features. This isn't the best way to rate cell phone plans, because it doesn't take customer service or satisfaction into account at all. Verizon takes first place; although AT&T also earns a perfect overall rating, its subscore for "help and support" is lower than Verizon's. Sprint, T-Mobile, U.S. Cellular, Cricket and Virgin Mobile are also among the 10 carriers rated here.
AT&T, Sprint and Verizon: The Plans Compared
by Joel Mathis
by Joel Mathis
Our AssessmentMacworld thoroughly compares the iPhone plans from AT&T, Sprint and Verizon -- voice, text, data, coverage and cost. Joel Mathis clearly spells out the pros and cons of each, but he doesn't pick a favorite.
Small Carrier Showdown: Switch and Save Up to $1,500
by Brian Oliver Bennett
by Brian Oliver Bennett
Our AssessmentYou can save money by choosing a smaller wireless carrier instead of one of the big four, Laptop Magazine says. Brian Oliver Bennett doesn't pick a favorite, but he identifies the pros and cons of five smaller carriers with contract or prepaid plans -- CellularSouth, Cricket, MetroPCS, U.S. Cellular and Virgin Mobile -- and shows in a chart how they stack up against the big four in terms of plan value and available smartphones.
Our 2009 12-City 3G Mega Test: AT&T Won
by Wilson Rothman
by Wilson Rothman
Our AssessmentGizmodo.com uses laptops to test the 3G speeds of AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon Wireless in 12 cities nationwide, including Maui. AT&T consistently delivers the fastest data speeds -- but testers note that they didn't measure dropped calls, customer service or coverage outside of major metro areas.
10 Companies We Love To Hate
by Karen Aho
by Karen Aho
Our AssessmentSprint ranks fourth on MSN.com's 2010 customer service hall of shame, with about a third of respondents rating the carrier's customer service "poor." Sprint is a four-year repeat offender, based on a nationwide survey that asked people about their experiences with 150 companies in 15 industries. No other wireless carrier makes the 10-worst list.
Verizon iPhone Gets Better Coverage, Slower Data, Wired.com Test Finds
by Brian X. Chen
by Brian X. Chen
Our AssessmentOn the iPhone, Verizon offers more reliable coverage in more spots, but its 3G data speeds are slower than AT&T's, this test shows. Wired ran its tests in 16 San Francisco locations.
Verizon iPhone Review
by Joshua Topolsky
by Joshua Topolsky
Our AssessmentEngadget.com's iPhone reviewer comes to basically the same conclusions as Wired's (above): Verizon's slower data speeds can be a pain, but it's so much more reliable for voice calls that overall, Verizon has "made the best smartphone in America just a little bit better."
Cell Phone Providers Reviews
by Contributors to Viewpoints.com
by Contributors to Viewpoints.com
Our AssessmentViewpoints.com has accumulated user reviews for most popular wireless carriers, both prepaid and contract. U.S. Cellular gets the best ratings of any contract provider, averaging 77 out of a possible 100 in about 70 reviews.
Cellular Phone Service
by Contributors to Epinions.com
by Contributors to Epinions.com
Our AssessmentEpinions.com has a pretty good idea -- separate ratings into major urban areas and let people rate their carriers. The trouble is that very few people are dishing out their opinions, even in New York City. (Verizon gets the highest ratings there, but only 15 people voted.) Places such as Boston, Atlanta and San Diego have the same or fewer cell phone service reviews, making them barely useful.
Ripoff Report Directory
by Contributors to RipoffReport.com
by Contributors to RipoffReport.com
Our AssessmentConsumers post complaints about all kinds of companies on this website, including cell phone service providers. AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon all have over a thousand complaints. Note that people come here only to complain -- you won't find any positive stories here -- and none of the complaints have been verified as accurate.
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