I’m lucky I have a Consumer Reports subscription so I can tell you what they found when they rated cell phone service in the US. I’ll give you the bottom line, for the details, buy a subscription.
1. In overall ratings Verizon was the best in every category. AT&T was the worst in every category but one (whether or not an issue was resolved, for that only Sprint was worse). The order was: Verizon, T-Mobile, Sprint and AT&T.
2. Consumer Reports also rated service by city. Verizon was top-rated in every city. There were some cities where AT&T wasn’t worst. For example, in Dallas AT&T was #2. Other cities where AT&T didn’t come in last: Boston (3), Detroit (3), Indianapolis (2), San Antonio (3), St Louis (3), Tampa (2).
In these cities AT&T did come in last: Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Cleveland, Columbus, Denver, Houston, Jacksonville, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, New York, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Washington DC.
So, bottom-line, if you live in the US and you think the service on your iPhone sucks, it isn’t your imagination. 
December 2, 2009 at 8:21 am
[...] which service actually wins out in your area? Share your take on wireless coverage in the comments. Consumer Reports rates cell phone service in the US [DROIDIE] Verizon Leads Wireless Service Rankings, While AT&T Lags [Bits Blog - [...]
December 2, 2009 at 10:04 am
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December 2, 2009 at 11:36 am
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December 2, 2009 at 11:39 am
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December 2, 2009 at 1:53 pm
[...] which service actually wins out in your area? Share your take on wireless coverage in the comments. Consumer Reports rates cell phone service in the US [DROIDIE] Verizon Leads Wireless Service Rankings, While AT&T Lags [Bits Blog - [...]
December 3, 2009 at 5:16 am
For me, the network has been a huge differentiator. I live in Metro Detroit, and with the Droid on Verizon, I get service everywhere. In the university where I teach, I receive 3G in the elevator, whereas iPhone owners don’t even receive plain old phone service.
However, I do agree with your overall assessment of Droid usability. It’s too confusing, and there are too many steps to achieve basic functionality. So while I like the additional functionality the Droid provides me, it needs to hone down its delivery A LOT.
December 3, 2009 at 5:36 am
“in Dallas AT&T was #2. Other cities where AT&T didn’t come in last: San Antonio (3). In these cities AT&T did come in last: Atlanta”
Oh, c’mon. You can’t even claim bragging rights in your headquarters cities?
December 3, 2009 at 7:35 am
In over the years i have seen the degradation of phones, and service. A phone that is locked per carrier was non-exsistant in the 80′s and 90′s. That would be equivalent to having your filler neck to the gas tank of your car, only accept ie Exxon gas, and no other gas provider pump handle would fit your tank.
Texting was just another way for the carriers to hook children at an early age. Very similar to the Tobacco industry with “Joe Cool” and camel cigarettes. Now, they have a customer for life, contractually bound under their thumb. Just like a Kentucky coal miner, only to be stuck in their shaft, and purchase from their commissary.
Car kits increase the reception value and increase the life expectancy of the cellphone; Therefore, allowing you the consumer to exceed your contract. The carriers can not have that! So, look in any of their commissaries, their solution for hands free is an ear bud. But, you are still holding the phone, and thumbing it. Which then causes it to drop, and another new phone and contract is generated. What a concept.
Think about it, in a going green society, to replace a new cellphone each year or two is over the top on waste. Batteries, and circuit boards etc. in our land fills. Also think about this as well, how often do you replace your office phone, or home phone? Now, our next generation of drivers are texters, on a collision course near you. Kj
December 3, 2009 at 2:02 pm
Sorry, but I’ve had all of them…they all suck to one degree or another!
December 4, 2009 at 10:01 am
Ha, great to see some numbers fulfill my imagined stats. Good work Dave. I’m still holding out on an upgrade till 4G becomes available.
I’ll go with the cheapest per bit, and the most open architecture.
December 6, 2009 at 9:35 pm
[...] which service actually wins out in your area? Share your take on wireless coverage in the comments. Consumer Reports rates cell phone service in the US [DROIDIE] Verizon Leads Wireless Service Rankings, While AT&T Lags [Bits Blog - [...]
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