Best Reviewed
Cell Phone Plans
- Best cell phone plans Verizon Wireless *Est. $40
- Top regional cell phone carrier U.S. Cellular *Est. $30
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- Good scores for customer service
- More minutes for the money
- Wide selection of plans to choose from
- Lower scores for coverage, call quality
- Slower 3G and 4G data speeds than others
Despite its good customer service and robust plans, T-Mobile lags behind other national carriers in reviews -- largely because subscribers say call quality isn't very good. When it comes to data speeds, T-Mobile's 3G and 4G networks prove fast in some cities but slow in others, and some experts say its "4G" network is really just enhanced 3G. However, it is possible to get a T-Mobile world phone that works in the U.S. and abroad, whereas phones from top-rated Verizon Wireless (*Est. $40 per month and up) will only work in the U.S. T-Mobile's least expensive plan costs $40 per month, which gets you 500 anytime minutes and unlimited night and weekend minutes. Step-up plans -- ranging up to $100 per month for unlimited talk, text and data -- likewise offer more for the money than Verizon's cell phone plans.
We consulted large owner surveys to gauge customer satisfaction with cell phone service. One such survey was conducted by ConsumerReports.org, based on responses from more than 58,000 subscribers. Additionally, J.D. Power and Associates polls about 26,000 users, and PCMag.com collects ratings from more than 7,200 readers. PC World and Gizmodo.com both test T-Mobile's 3G speed against its rivals', and PC World, Computerworld and Laptop Magazine briefly discuss its 4G capabilities. TopTenReviews.com compares various cell phone carriers according to their plan features, and PhoneDog.com collects anecdotal user reviews.
Our Sources
J.D. Power and Associates rates the major wireless carriers, based on large surveys. T-Mobile wins awards for customer service and business customer satisfaction. However, it earns the lowest possible score for call quality in every region of the country.
Review: Telecom Ratings, Editors of J.D. Power and Associates, March 2011
2. ConsumerReports.orgDetails/Subscribe
ConsumerReports.org polls more than 58,000 of its subscribers, asking them to rate their cell service for value, voice/text/data service and customer support. Each carrier, including T-Mobile, gets an overall score and a separate rating in each of 26 major cities.
Review: Overall Cell Phone Service Ratings, Editors of ConsumerReports.org, Jan. 2011
In PCMag.com's reader poll, T-Mobile finishes behind U.S. Cellular, Verizon Wireless and Sprint, ahead of only AT&T. Readers say T-Mobile has low fees, great plan options and the best customer service and technical support of any national carrier, but Verizon trumps all others when it comes to coverage and call quality.
Review: Cellular Service Providers: Contract Providers, Ben Gottesman, Sept. 7, 2010
T-Mobile's 3G download speed proves fast in some cities and slow in others in this 13-city test. Slow uploads "were a recurring theme."
Review: AT&T Roars Back in PCWorld's Second 3G Wireless Performance Test, Mark Sullivan, Feb. 22, 2010
5. Gizmodo.com
Gizmodo.com testers use laptops to test the 3G speeds of the four major nationwide wireless carriers. AT&T and Verizon Wireless are the fastest, but T-Mobile wins the test in Portland, Ore., and places second in New York, Phoenix and Seattle.
Review: Our 2009 12-City 3G Mega Test: AT&T Won, Wilson Rothman, Dec. 21, 2009
In Brian Nadel's opinion, T-Mobile's enhanced 3G network doesn't qualify as 4G. He tests only the Verizon and Sprint 4G networks for this article.
Review: 4G Shootout: Verizon LTE vs. Sprint WiMax, Brian Nadel, Feb. 3, 2011
PC World's reviewer also says T-Mobile's enhanced network is "not really 4G." Jared Newman notes that it's slower than Verizon and Sprint 4G.
Review: Verizon LTE vs. The Rest: 4G Smackdown, Jared Newman, Dec. 2, 2010
8. Laptop MagazineDetails/Subscribe
T-Mobile's 4G network gets a C+ in this review. Laptop Magazine's tests show slower real-world speeds than the theoretical ones T-Mobile claims.
Review: 4G Report Card: Who's Winning, Who's Failing, Mark Spoonauer, March 18, 2011
The editors of this site compare cell phone services according to features and costs, but not call quality. T-Mobile's fees rate just as well as other national carriers', but it lags slightly behind top-rated Verizon Wireless's plans, phones/features, additional benefits and help/support, and T-Mobile finishes fourth overall.
Review: Cell Phone Providers Review, Editors of TopTenReviews.com
10. Phonedog.com
The frustrating thing about user-review sites like PhoneDog.com is that most of the ratings are at the extreme: either 4 or 5 stars, or 1 or 2 stars. As with Verizon Wireless, folks posting here either love or loathe T-Mobile, which isn't particularly helpful.
Review: T-Mobile User Reviews, Contributors to PhoneDog.com
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