Best Cell Phone Service Providers in the U.S.

Have you ever been on an important cell phone call when you suddenly enter an area with no coverage? The signal drops and you frantically redial to continue your call. Have you ever wanted to throw your phone out the car window when it freezes up, requiring you to completely power it down?

Dropped calls, spotty reception, and no reception at all top the list of the biggest concerns for consumers. The main reason many folks switch providers is due to poor sound quality. Almost everyone with a cell phone has a horror story to tell of bad customer service or a faulty phone. Consumers measure their happiness with their cell phone provider on three aspects of service: quality of calls, equipment, and customer service.

Seamless service is a rarity although many cell phone service providers are making great strides in improving service. J.D. Powers and Associates and Consumer Reports monitor customer satisfaction of cell phone service providers on a yearly basis. Both companies have found that consumers generally aren't too happy with their cell service providers. However, there is a bright spot. With the yearly publishing of their report, cell service companies are made completely aware of weak spots in their service. A definite bonus for the cell phone consumer.

Cell phone service seems to be the one area where consumers accept bad service. Possibly because we are locked into 2 year service agreements with our providers. Or maybe it's because we like a particular feature on a phone from a certain company. Whatever the reason, consumers should arm themselves with information on the best service providers in their part of the country. Find out which cell provider serves your area with the best coverage.

J.D. Powers and Associates publishes their twice-yearly cell phone service provider ratings by country region. Recognize that there is not one company that provides perfect service from coast to coast. With that being said, it is very possible to choose a company with excellent service. In 2008, Verizon Wireless was ranked the highest in call quality in metropolitan areas on the U.S. T-Mobile was ranked highest in customer care with Verizon Wireless running a close second.

T-Mobile received high marks in many categories in 2007. T-Mobile was the highest ranked in wireless customer service performance, highest overall satisfaction among wireless cell phone users in the Southwest, West, and Northeast regions, and tied with other companies in the North-Central, Southeast and Mid-Atlantic regions. T-Mobile also ranked as the company providing the highest in overall customer satisfaction in wireless retail service.

Regional call quality is a big concern for consumers. There's no point in having a cell phone without seamless service availability. Verizon Wireless ranked high for service in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, and West regions of the U.S. Alltel ranked high in the Southeast and AT&T ranked high in the Southwest. U.S. Cellular receives high quality service reviews in the North Central states that include Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin.

So what does this mean to the consumer? You should still educate yourself on the best service provider in your area. Talk to friends, family, and colleagues about their experiences. Ask about dropped calls, lack of coverage, and service plans. You might also want to consider your lifestyle. If you travel a good deal, choose a cell phone service provider that covers your regular areas of travel. If you're staying close to home, consider one of the highest ranked companies in your area. Remember that call quality and reception are the most important factors to consider when choosing a cell phone service provider.

Sources: J.D. Power & Associates, Consumer Reports