Verizon Wireless came out on top of its nationwide rivals in Consumer Reports‘ latest consumer survey of wireless operators. The carrier received favorable scores for voice and data quality and in customer service for attributes such as staff knowledge and issue resolution. Consumer Reports said in a statement that AT&T Mobility, Sprint Nextel and T-Mobile USA each received “mostly middling to low marks, particularly for voice and text service quality.”
However, despite AT&T Mobility scoring low overall, its LTE network received the highest ratings of any carrier. Users reported the fewest problems with LTE services offered by the carrier.
Low-cost mobile virtual network operator Consumer Cellular, which operates via AT&T Mobility’s network, also received positive marks in the ratings of postpaid wireless service.
The survey also examined prepaid services, finding that consumers who switched to prepaid plans saw significant cost savings. Two-third of respondents who had changed to prepaid said that they had saved more than $20 per month by doing so. Tracfone received high ratings among prepaid services for its value, and its voice and text services. Consumer Reports also noted that less expensive plans are also introducing more advanced devices, offering consumers more options.
“Some small carriers that scored respectably in our ratings and offer low-priced plans, such as Straight Talk and Virgin Mobile, now offer fairly sophisticated smart phones,” said Paul Reynolds, electronics editor for Consumer Reports. “And you can save by switching a phone from a major carrier that’s coming off contract to a prepaid plan.”
The full report can be found in the January issue of Consumer Reports, which is available now. It includes the company’s ratings of wireless service providers in 23 metropolitan markets, advice on choosing plans and saving money on phones and services, and ratings of smart phones and cell phone retailers.
