Consumer Reports: AT&T cell service rates last

Globe Staff

AT&T is the worst-rated cell-phone service carrier in a new survey from Consumer Reports.

"U.S. Cellular, a regional carrier that provides service in 26 states, beat out the long-standing top provider Verizon Wireless with outstanding marks for value, voice service, and customer support," Consumer Reports said in a press release about its survey.

The survey reflected the feedback of more than 58,000 ConsumerReports.org subscribers, Consumer Reports said, and is the subject of an article in the January edition of the print and online magazine.

Two other survey findings: AT&T was the only carrier whose satisfaction scores dropped sharply from last year. Verizon Wireless remains among the better performers, but Sprint has pulled even with the carrier in overall satisfaction, Consumer Reports said.  

At the moment, iPhone owners can only use AT&T. The survey found that iPhone owners were" much less satisfied with their carrier and rated data service (Web and e-mail) lower than owners of smart phones on other carriers that, like the iPhone, have a host of apps to encourage heavy data use."

The Consumer Reports press release included a statement from Paul Reynolds, its electronics editor. who said, "Our survey suggests that an iPhone from Verizon Wireless, which is rumored, could indeed be good news for iPhone fans."

Consumer Reports is published by Consumers Union, a organization that seeks to work for a fair and safe marketplace for consumers.