news-record.com

Love your cell phone service? I don't either.

Join the club.

Here's something to think about if you're considering a new cell phone plan for yourself or others this holiday season: Only about half of those responding to an annual survey about cell phone service were completely or very satisfied, according to Consumer Reports, which released its findings Tuesday.

"Despite 'smarter phones,' more flexible plans, and faster wireless networks, cell service continues to be among the lower-rated of all the services that Consumer Reports evaluates," the consumer products reviewer said in a news release.

The full report, which includes carrier ratings in 26 major cities, is featured in the January 2010 issue of Consumer Reports magazine and at www.consumerreports.org (subscribers only).

Ratings were based on 54,332 responses regarding regular (contract) and prepaid services from subscribers surveyed in September.

“America is in love with the cell phone, but they are lukewarm about cell phone-phone service,” Paul Reynolds, electronics editor at Consumer Reports, said in the news release. "They’re especially concerned about its cost in these tight economic times."

Verizon, the nation’s largest wireless carrier, fared the best, according to the survey. It was above average on every attribute including customer support, voice connectivity and data service.

T-Mobile came in second. Sprint came in third and AT&T came in last, or fourth place.