Best cellphone services
We love our cell phones, but we're not wild about the service. In fact, cell phone service gets lower scores than most of the services consumer reports rates, down there with computer tech support.
FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- The vast majority of people get their cellphone service from one of the four major wireless providers -- Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile and Sprint. But in Consumer Reports' latest ratings, based on a survey of 63,000 of its subscribers, a new service called Ting scored much higher.
Ting bills for actual voice, text and data usage rather than charging a flat rate. It uses the Sprint network and is only compatible with Sprint phones and tablets. Right now that includes the iPhone 5 and the Samsung Galaxy SIII.
Two other smaller providers are also top-rated in the Consumer Reports survey. Consumer Cellular scored better than all the big providers, while Republic Wireless rated the highest for prepaid service.
Those three companies -- Ting, Consumer Cellular and Republic -- were the only carriers in the Consumer Reports' survey to receive the highest marks for value for the money. The lowest ratings for value among contract plans went to AT&T, Sprint and Verizon. Sprint also did worse in Consumer Reports' survey for phone support, and the lack of knowledge and ability to resolve issues.
In response to Consumer Reports' survey, Sprint said the results are disappointing and it is committed to offering customers the best value in wireless. Verizon said it will continue to work to demonstrate value by providing excellent customer experiences. And AT&T said customer satisfaction is the reason fewer people are switching away from AT&T.
