Looking for a New Cell Phone and Plan

Frustrated with your current wireless carrier and need to make a change

Let’s Compare US Wireless Carriers

US cell phone news – November 07, 2013 – We’ve listed the five top US wireless carriers in order of relative overall performance below, because we feel a wireless carriers’ performance is most customers primary consideration when first considering a wireless carrier.  However, if you tend to travel a lot internationally or through backwash rural areas of the United States, the type of network that your wireless carrier uses and the way you use your cell phone maybe worth examining as well.  After the list below you will find our suggestions on how to go about changing wireless carriers and selecting the right wireless provider for your home and business needs.

VERIZON WIRELESS

Verizon Wireless has stores across America where you can purchase a new cell phone and plan today

How good – consistently a top performer in customers surveys by independent sources like Consumer Reports and in our own independent surveys.  Always among the better national carriers in responsiveness to customer questions, inquiries and complaints.  Networks – CDMA and analog.  Verizon offers analog access on only a few of its new phones, which could mean less coverage in some rural areas of the country.

ALLTEL

Alltel Wireless is a top wireless carrier with locations across the continental US

How good – Alltel has been a consistent top performer in all three metro areas where they have sufficient data to rate it, but only three of course.  Notably good for both connectivity and customer service in all areas, including helpfulness in responding to questions, inquiries or complaints.  Networks – CDMA or analog.

T-MOBILE

T-Mobile sells smartphones and cell phones

How good – A solid consistent performer in all the metro areas where there is sufficient data to rate their service, but marred by lack of service in some places.  Also ranked among the better providers in responsiveness to customers questions, inquiries and complaints.  Networks – GSM only.  Most of its phones can be used outside the United States because of this fact though.

CINGULAR

Cingular Wireless is a top wireless carrier selling cell phones and plans to Americans

How good – AT & T consumers reported middle to low levels of satisfaction with poor sound and voice quality.  Static and busy circuits were common problems, as they have been in previous surveys conducted.  Relatively low performance for helpfulness in handling customer questions, inquiries and complaints.  Networks – Primarily GSM, some TDMA and analog.  Most GSM phones can also be used in many parts of the world.

SPRINT

Sprint sells cell phones like this Galaxy and plans to match

How good – One of the poorest performers in terms of overall performance and customer satisfaction.  Had more dropped calls than other carriers in all situations.  Sprint merged with Nextel in 2005, and our results do not include former Nextel customers or those who receive Nextel service from Sprint, because their phones operate on a different network than Sprint customers.  Networks – Sprint uses CDMA but can roam using analog.    If you’re ready to switch to a different cell service provider, here’s how to find a wireless carrier more likely to meet your personal and business standards.

Finding the right cell phone and plan for your business and home needs

If you live in a major metropolitan area focus your search on the wireless carriers at the top of the list, in most of these population centers there are up to three carriers to choose from when making your choice.  To choose from the top wireless carriers in your area, check the online coverage maps for each carrier at their web sites, paying special attention to where you live, work and plan on traveling.  These online maps can vary in detail and accuracy, so you should go one step further. Ask people you know who travel, work and live on the same streets as you which wireless carrier they use and if they get consistently good service.

Depending on how often you use your cell phone while in rural areas or outside the continental United States, you’ll want to pay close attention to which network the wireless carrier operates on.  The major digital networks are CDMA (code division multiple access) and GSM (global system for mobile).  The advantage of CDMA is that many CDMA phones incorporate analog backup for roaming in areas where a digital signal is unavailable.  Many GSM phones, however, provide coverage in other countries, a plus for those of us planning to spend a lot of time away from home.

Once you choose a wireless carrier, be sure to take advantage of the trial period most carriers offer.  If you find that the service is poor or nonexistent in places where you need it most, cancel that contract and try another of the highly rated wireless carriers on the list.

If you’ve settled on a wireless carrier, you can go directly to its web site and compare the cell phone plans it offers.  As we’ve noted in the past, however, you might have to poke around a little to find the cheapest plan the carrier offers, or else call the wireless carrier directly and ask.  Comparing plans of different wireless carriers is relatively simple on web sites like Letstalk.com (click on Service Plans, then Compare).

If the amount of shekels you spend is your primary concern, the best way to compare is on a per-minute basis.  For example, when we recently checked rates for Tampa, Florida, Sprint and Verizon were both offering 450-minute plans for $39.99 a month, or about 9 cents a minute.  T-Mobile offered 600 minutes for the same $39.99, or about 7 cents a minute.

If you only use your cell phone for roadside emergencies or make very few calls, consider a prepaid or “pay as you go” plan.  When comparing prepaid plans, pay special attention to what the wireless carrier charges per minute, how soon minutes expire, and whether your minutes can be rolled over.  Although we haven’t rated prepaid carriers, some of the major providers are T-Mobile, TracFone, Verizon, and Virgin.  You can buy prepaid phones and refill minutes at electronics and office supply stores, as well as online and in Canada online or at specified stores.

Saying goodbye to your old wireless carrier isn’t always easy

Saying goodbye to your old wireless carrier will be very easy if your contract has expired.  Just ask your new wireless carrier to switch your existing (and, by law, portable) cell number to your new cell phone.  If however, you still have months or years to go on your contract with your current wireless carrier, the switch is a little trickier, especially since you could be facing a whopping early termination fee.  If you’re desperately unhappy with your plan and wireless carrier, you may want to just pay the fee and get them out of your life forever.  As much as we hate to admit it, paying a penalty of $150 to get out of a deal may be no worse than paying $50 month after month for service you’re not getting or that drives you insane.

Well that’s it for this article, join me next time.  Happy talking!

P.S. Looking for a great way to reduce your monthly landline phone bills? Read Internet Phoning Versus a Traditional Landline or Cell Phone Service“.