Reliable Cell Phone Service In 2009?

How hard can it be to find a reliable cell phone service provider in America in 2009? Well unfortunately, it is harder that you would think it would be. AT&T first did a prototype way back in 1977. Lots of time has passed, so you would think with technological advances it should be perfect by now. Not quite.

In a survey published in 2008, by Consumer Reports, it looked at the top 20 metropolitan areas and included responses from 47629 readers. It says that cell service typically gets the lowest ratings of any services offered with "fewer than half of the respondents were completely or very satisfied with their cell phone service." Verizon took the survey lead with a meager 70% approval rating, followed by closely by T-Mobile. AT&T came in third, followed by Sprint coming in last place of the major cell phone service providers.

Service quality varies widely by carrier and metropolitan area. Take California for example. In California T-mobile and Sprint are known for spotty service throughout the state. Verizon is strong in the San Francisco Bay Area and San Diego, but mediocre in Los Angeles and elsewhere. AT&T is strong in Los Angeles, Sacramento with just OK but not great service in the Bay Area and San Diego.

Check the local reputation with your friends and associates before signing up for a long term contract. MetroPCS provides low cost service in select major metropolitan areas; however do wander too far if you want to stay in the service area. It is best to stay with the major four service providers if you live in rural areas. Some carriers such as T-Mobile, provide detail coverage map which may be helpful as a rough guideline, but check with your neighbors just to be sure. I live two blocks from a major freeway in California and I was amazed to find out that my service provider, a major carrier, provided no service at that location. Now that my contract has expired, I am ready to make my move. Good luck and good hunting.