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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Best cell phone plans
- Best call quality in most areas
- Fewest dropped calls
- Extensive nationwide 3G coverage
- Fastest 4G network
- Most phones can't be used overseas
- Plans are expensive
- Mixed reviews for customer service
Reviewers agree that Verizon Wireless has the best call quality and service in almost all areas of the United States. Only U.S. Cellular (*Est. $30 per month and up) surpasses it in the North Central region of the country. Otherwise, Verizon customers say they experience fewer dropped calls and circuit overloads than with other carriers. Verizon's extensive 3G network transmits data quickly and reliably in expert tests, and its ever-expanding 4G network is the fastest around -- important if you want to use a smartphone for Internet access. Verizon works on the CDMA network, which is not compatible with European or Asian GSM networks, so you won't be able to use your phone in most places abroad. AT&T (*Est. $40 per month and up) and T-Mobile (*Est. $40 per month and up) both use GSM technology, but they lag far behind Verizon Wireless in reviews.
The most effective way to judge cell phone service is via large-scale surveys that poll users on best network coverage, fewest circuit overloads, least number of dropped calls and most effective customer service. ConsumerReports.org collects responses from more than 58,000 subscribers nationwide; J.D. Power and Associates polls about 26,000 users; and PCMag.com receives feedback from more than 7,200 readers. PC World, Computerworld and Laptop Magazine rate Verizon Wireless's 4G network against its rivals', and Engadget.com compares the iPhone on Verizon's 3G network versus AT&T's. The New York Times' David Pogue and his readers point out problems they've had with cell phone carriers, notably Verizon Wireless. Rounding out our list of reviews is TopTenReviews.com, which compares various cell phone plans according to their features, as well as a list of user reviews on PhoneDog.com, though the individual comments here are more anecdotal than scientific.
Our Sources
Verizon Wireless nearly sweeps the call-quality ratings here, and rates "better than most" for customer service, based on responses from about users.
Review: Telecom Ratings, Editors of J.D. Power and Associates, March 2011
2. ConsumerReports.orgDetails/Subscribe
ConsumerReports.org polls more than 58,000 subscribers nationwide, asking them to rate their cell service for value, voice/texting/data service and various types of customer support. Editors rank the major carriers -- AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon Wireless and regional carrier U.S. Cellular -- from best to worst overall, and they also rate how the carriers perform in each of 26 urban areas.
Review: Overall Cell Phone Service Ratings, Editors of ConsumerReports.org, Jan. 2011
Despite its high fees and poor plan options, PCMag.com readers rank Verizon Wireless best among national cellular service providers, thanks to its best-in-class coverage, good call quality and top-notch handsets. Only regional carrier U.S. Cellular scores better overall.
Review: Cellular Service Providers: Contract Providers, Ben Gottesman, Sept. 7, 2010
Verizon Wireless's 4G network is the speediest among major carriers, Jared Newman concludes, but "the data caps are a downer." PC World rates the Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile, MetroPCS and Clear/Clearwire 4G networks based on data from its own tests, the networks themselves and third-party sources.
Review: Verizon LTE vs. The Rest: 4G Smackdown, Jared Newman, Dec. 2, 2010
Verizon Wireless's 4G network again proves the fastest in this test. Brian Nadel tests it against the Sprint 4G network in and around New York City.
Review: 4G Shootout: Verizon LTE vs. Sprint WiMax, Brian Nadel, Feb. 3, 2011
6. Laptop MagazineDetails/Subscribe
Laptop Magazine gives Verizon Wireless an A- for its fast-but-expensive 4G network. Sprint 4G gets a B, T-Mobile a C+ and AT&T an F.
Review: 4G Report Card: Who's Winning, Who's Failing, Mark Spoonauer, March 18, 2011
7. Engadget.com
On the iPhone, Verizon Wireless is so much more reliable for voice calls than AT&T that Joshua Topolsky concludes it makes "the best smartphone in America just a little bit better" -- even though Verizon's 3G data speeds aren't quite as fast as AT&T's.
Review: Verizon iPhone Review, Joshua Topolsky, Feb. 2, 2011
While nationwide surveys give Verizon Wireless average or better marks for customer service, The New York Times' David Pogue and his readers find much to criticize -- although Verizon's decision to refund millions of dollars' worth of spurious data charges to its customers (after Pogue's blog post prompted a federal investigation) wins Pogue's praise.
Review: Pogue's Posts, David Pogue
This site names Verizon as the best cell phone provider overall, with the highest ratings for plans and support, but call quality is not rated. A detailed comparison chart lets you compare features offered by each of the providers.
Review: Verizon Wireless, Editors of TopTenReviews.com
10. Phonedog.com
About 250 users posting at this site rate Verizon Wireless for customer service, overall value and service quality. Its scores always fall in the middle range, because many reviewers give it either 1 star or a perfect 5 stars. Most of the recent bad reviews describe frustrating problems with Verizon's customer service.
Review: Verizon Wireless User Reviews, Contributors to PhoneDog.com, About 250 users posting at this site rate Verizon Wireless for customer service, overall value and s
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