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If you're looking to switch phone plans, you might think you only have three options: AT&T $T, Verizon $VZ, and T-Mobile $TMUS. But Consumer Reports thinks you should broaden your search.
“Smaller providers are clearly doing a better job at bringing in new customers, largely due to lower costs,” Tian Wang, CR’s manager of survey research, said. “Customers of smaller providers also tend to say they’re more satisfied with their service overall.”
CR surveyed more than 120,000 people to find their views on their phone providers. Using their responses, it compiled a list of the best phone plan providers.
Continue reading to see what it found.
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CR said if you're going with the big three, consider T-Mobile $TMUS. It still ranked 17th among the 26 services it ranked, but higher than AT&T $T and Verizon $VZ. About half of the members who switched to T-Mobile said they're saving money every month.
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Credit: U.S. Mobile
If you're going with a small provider, consider U.S. Mobile. CR said U.S. Mobile "is the top cell service provider in our ratings, far outperforming AT&T $T, T-Mobile $TMUS, and Verizon $VZ." It has satisfied customers and good prices.
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Screenshot: Consumer Cellular
Consumer Cellular has the best customer service among the 26 providers evaluated, CR said. Only 13% of its user who were surveyed said they had a problem with customer service, an impressively low amount for a cell phone provider.
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Screenshot: https://www.mintmobile.com/
CR didn't name just one company for having the best reception, but noted the majority of customers surveyed were happy with their reception, saying it's "very good" or "excellent." It shouted out a few smaller providers, like U.S. Mobile, Mint Mobile, Tello, and Ting, which earned strong marks for their scores.
