KEY:

• On-Network Coverage: (1 = worst, 5 = best) How much area the carrier covers with all services, and within their own service area, the coverage quality.
• Off-Network Coverage: (0 = none, 5 = best) How much area can be accessed through roaming partners.
• Cost: (1 = least value, 3 = most value) How much you get for your money.
• Customer Service: (1 = Below, 2 = Average, 3 = Above)
  

Additional Comments
Click on the carrier name for detailed reviews

• ALLTEL has excellent coverage, but with a smaller native service area depends more on roaming partners, and you can be booted off the network for excessive roaming. This mostly affect Wireless Internet customers. They have good customer service and plans. Our rating reflects the Alltel that has been acquired by ATN and continues to use the name, "Alltel Wireless". For now, Alltel users get Mobile to Mobile capabilities with Verizon customers.
  
  
• AT&T gets lower marks for their variable customer service and network capacity problems. Also, while they have extensive roaming agreements, they get a slight deduction because there are fewer areas of GSM coverage, mostly in the rural west. This situation will improve somewhat with the acquisition of Alltel properties. In some parts of the country, mostly east of the Mississippi River, AT&T gets a better score for on-network coverage.
  
  

• CRICKET's own network is available in more than half of the 50 states and offers primarily "Unlimited" minutes. They now offer Voice and Text roaming in all 50 states with agreements through other carriers, also Unlimited. In some places they suffer from weak Local coverage.
  
  
• METRO PCS is a fast-growing "Unlimited" carrier. They are available in many large markets and offer a variety of plans. Roaming is available, some of it Unlimited. Coverage reports have been better than expected for a new carrier.
  
  
• NEXTEL gets low marks for their inability to roam on any other networks. Also, their parent company, Sprint, states they are no longer upgrading the Nextel network nor adding any new coverage.
  
  
• SPRINT gets a slightly lower rating for coverage due to its strictly PCS (1900 MHz) frequency, however, they partly make up for it with excellent broadband and roaming capabilities.
  
  
• T-MOBILE gets credit for optimizing their all-PCS (1900 MHz) network better than others, but is penalized for fewer roaming abilities. Their Prepaid plans actually offer more roaming capabilities than most other Prepaid services.
  
  
• US CELLULAR has very good coverage and adequate roaming agreements. They have a much more customer-friendly attitude than the larger carriers.
  
  
• VERIZON has excellent coverage, but is a little more expensive. Their customer service department actually closes at 11pm (but not if you have a technical problem), but makes up for it with excellent customer support. Roaming is excellent for Verizon customers but isn't often needed.