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Prepaid Wireless
- Best prepaid wireless overall Virgin Mobile *Est. $20
- Best prepaid wireless for occasional use T-Mobile To Go *Est. $10
- Best call quality TracFone *Est. $10
- Best as an emergency phone T-Mobile To Go (annual plan) *Est. $100
- Best prepaid wireless for local calling MetroPCS *Est. $30
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Best prepaid wireless for local calling
- High ratings for overall satisfaction
- Excellent customer service
- Flat-rate plans
- Limited handset choice
- Regional coverage
February 2009. MetroPCS ranks highest among prepaid wireless providers in a J.D. Power and Associates national survey, where it is rated against Virgin Mobile, Verizon Wireless, T-Mobile and other carriers. Although it is a regional provider, MetroPCS receives excellent ratings in seven out of eight categories. Editors at PrepaidReviews.com like that MetroPCS uses a flat rate with unlimited minutes, which eliminates the need to monitor usage. Monthly plans for unlimited local calls are $30, and for $5 more, you can add unlimited long distance. The $50 plan has unlimited local and long-distance calling, as well as text and picture messaging, instant messaging, e-mail and web access. A comparable plan by Virgin Mobile is about $80. If you live in one of the 26 states covered by MetroPCS, the smaller carrier offers a competitive option.
J.D. Power and Associates polls more than 3,000 users and PC Magazine solicits feedback from nearly 20,000 of its readers about prepaid wireless cell service. Rounding out our list of reviews is PrepaidReviews.com, which ranks prepaid wireless plans and also includes subscriber comments.
Our Sources
In this survey of more than 3,000 prepaid wireless cell-phone users, MetroPCS places first out of nine prepaid wireless providers. J.D. Power and Associates selects MetroPCS as its top pick based on overall customer satisfaction and the carrier's first-place ranking in five out of seven service categories.
Review: 2008 Wireless Prepaid Customer Satisfaction Study, Editors of J.D. Power and Associates, July 24, 2008
MetroPCS receives a four-star rating at PrepaidReviews.com, although editors say the carrier's biggest setback is its limited coverage, because it is available in only 26 states. Subscribers aren't as impressed. A number complain about poor customer service, limited coverage and call quality.
Review: MetroPCS Prepaid Cell Phone Plans, Editors of PrepaidReviews.com
Prepaid Wireless Runners Up:
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2 picks including: J.D. Power & Associates, Prepaid Reviews…
