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In this report
- Introduction{1 mention}{1 mention}
- Prepaid Phone Plans{18 mentions}{1 mention}{6 mentions}{5 mentions}{12 mentions}{1 mention}{1 mention}
- Global Cell Service{1 mention}{1 mention}{1 mention}
- Contract vs. Prepaid
- Useful Links
- Our Sources
Prepaid Cell Phone Plans: Ratings of Sources
Total of 16 Sources
For an explanation of how we rank reviews, see our ratings criteria page.
Prepaid Cell Phone Service Ratings
by Editors of ConsumerReports.org
by Editors of ConsumerReports.org
Our AssessmentFor this article, ConsumerReports.org polls more than 58,000 cell phone users, asking prepaid wireless users to rate their services for voice quality and value. Editors then rank services -- including prepaid wireless providers AT&T, Consumer Cellular, T-Mobile, TracFone, Verizon and Virgin Mobile -- from best to worst. The article also briefly discusses prepaid plans from Straight Talk and MetroPCS.
2010 Wireless Non-Contract Customer Satisfaction Index Study
by Editors of J.D. Power and Associates
by Editors of J.D. Power and Associates
Our AssessmentThis study focuses solely on pay-as-you-go wireless plans. J.D. Power and Associates survey about 5,400 prepaid wireless subscribers, who rate services on cost, customer service and other key indicators. Net10 wins J.D. Power's award this year, beating prepaid services from AT&T, Boost, Cricket, MetroPCS, T-Mobile, TracFone, Verizon and Virgin Mobile.
Cellular Service Providers: Prepaid Providers
by Ben Gottesman
by Ben Gottesman
Our AssessmentThis article addresses overall satisfaction with cell phones and cell phone service as reported by PCMag.com readers. TracFone earns the Reader's Choice award for prepaid carriers, beating Verizon, T-Mobile, Virgin Mobile, Sprint and AT&T. A chart shows how each service stacks up in a dozen categories, such as price and handset choices.
Small Carrier Showdown: Switch and Save Up to $1,500
by Brian Oliver Bennett
by Brian Oliver Bennett
Our AssessmentSmaller wireless carriers can save you money, Laptop Magazine says. Without picking a favorite, Brian Oliver Bennett pinpoints the pros and cons of five smaller carriers with prepaid or contract plans -- CellularSouth, Cricket, MetroPCS, U.S. Cellular and Virgin Mobile. The total cost for two years is calculated for each. A chart shows how the small carriers compare with the big four (AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon Wireless).
The 10 Best Cheap Prepaid Phone Plans You've Never Heard Of
by Alex Colon
by Alex Colon
Our AssessmentAside from well-known prepaid plans from the big carriers, TracFone, MetroPCS and Cricket, PCMag.com identifies 10 little-known prepaid carriers you might want to consider. Alex Colon doesn't pick a favorite, but he briefly describes each plan and its pros and cons. Common Cents Mobile, Consumer Cellular, H2O Wireless, Kajeet, Net10, Page Plus Cellular, PlatinumTel, Ready Mobile PCS, Red Pocket Mobile and Simple Mobile are all discussed here.
Best Rated Pay As You Go Phone Plans
by Editors of PrepaidReviews.com
by Editors of PrepaidReviews.com
Our AssessmentThis website rates 29 prepaid wireless providers. The highly detailed write-ups are based on an evaluation of features and prices rather than on testing, but the information seems accurate and helpful. Four carriers earn 4.5 stars out of 5 -- A&T, Net10, PlatinumTel and T-Mobile Prepaid -- with scores ranging down to 1.5 stars for last-place carriers. Each write-up includes details about roaming charges, 411 calls, data plans and much more, making this an excellent place to begin researching plans. There are also loads of user reviews, which are extremely revealing.
4 Tricks to Buying the Best Cell Phone for Grandma
by Kathy Kristof
by Kathy Kristof
Our AssessmentKathy Kristof points out some strategies for finding the best cell phone for seniors -- those who want one to keep in the car for emergencies, for example. She names a few good deals to consider, including a low monthly plan from TracFone's Senior Value Cell and even cheaper options from T-Mobile and AT&T.
Best Cell Phone Options for Seldom Calling Seniors
by Jim Miller
by Jim Miller
Our AssessmentSyndicated columnist Jim Miller outlines the best cell phones and prepaid plans for seniors who only want to make emergency or occasional calls. He finds the cheapest plans at T-Mobile, Virgin Mobile and TracFone.
Is Prepaid Wireless or a Monthly Contract Cheaper?
by Adam Fendelman
by Adam Fendelman
Our AssessmentAdam Fendelman, former About.com cell phones guide, analyzes seven popular prepaid wireless carriers, comparing their costs for 200, 400 and 1,000 minutes. Virgin Mobile has the strongest prepaid plans across all categories, the review concludes. Virgin Mobile's prices have dropped since this article's last update, and Boost Mobile has dropped its $20-per-month plan. (Note: ConsumerSearch is owned by About.com, but the two don't share an editorial affiliation.)
Quick Guide to Top Cell Phone Carriers: Prepaid and Specialty Carriers
by Kent German
by Kent German
Our AssessmentCNET compares five of the most popular prepaid wireless carriers: TracFone, Boost Mobile, Virgin Mobile, Kajeet and GreatCall (known for the Jitterbug phone). Although CNET doesn't pick a favorite, it's a great starting point for shoppers, with concise "things you should know" listed for each service.
For Prepaid Customers, Phones That Won't Give You Away Anymore
by Bob Tedeschi
by Bob Tedeschi
Our AssessmentThis article looks at new prepaid offers that include unlimited access and nice handsets. Boost Mobile's $50-per-month offering has its flaws, but it's cheaper than a similar Virgin Mobile plan (prices have changed for both, but this still holds true), and far less confusing than prepaid plans from Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile.
Talk Is Cheap. Really Cheap.
by Roy Furchgott
by Roy Furchgott
Our AssessmentEven cheaper than the new $50-per-month unlimited prepaid plans, TracFone's Straight Talk plan offers 1,000 minutes, 1,000 texts and 30 megabytes of data for $30 a month. Despite a couple of drawbacks -- including unfancy phones -- this review pronounces the deal "a bargain."
Prepaid Cell Plans May Be Your Best Bet
by Herb Weisbaum
by Herb Weisbaum
Our AssessmentPrepaid wireless is no longer considered a second-rate choice, reviewer Herb Weisbaum says. This article names prepaid plans from TracFone, Virgin Mobile and Net10 as good choices, backing up the picks with research by ConsumerReports.org, the Telecommunications Research and Action Center and others.
Cell Phone Providers Review
by Editors of TopTenReviews.com
by Editors of TopTenReviews.com
Our AssessmentThis website doesn't conduct its own tests or ask owners for their opinions. Instead, it says it ranks 10 popular wireless service providers based on features, such as coverage and fees. Intangibles like customer satisfaction are not considered. Verizon Wireless is the top-ranked carrier overall, offering both contract and prepaid services. TracFone, a prepaid-only service, ranks last.
Cell Phone Providers Reviews
by Contributors to Viewpoints.com
by Contributors to Viewpoints.com
Our AssessmentUsers rate most major wireless carriers (both prepaid and contract) at Viewpoints.com. Prepaid provider Straight Talk tops the list, averaging 4.15 stars out of 5 in more than 100 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 wireless carriers. The trouble is that very few people offer opinions, even in New York City. (Verizon gets the highest ratings there, but only 15 people voted.) Big cities such as Chicago, Denver and Las Vegas have even fewer cell phone service reviews, and only a few reviews overall specifically address prepaid plans.
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