Best cell phone move? No contract!

By Clark Howard

updated 1:05 PM EST, Fri November 30, 2012

NEED TO KNOW

Consumer Reports surveyed readers on cell phone carriers
No-contract companies rated the highest
AT&T has best 4G network, worst customer service

If you’re trying to decide whether you should sign a new contract with a cell phone company, there’s new data from Consumer Reports that will help you make the best choice possible.

Let me tell you what they found. The best thing of all to do is not sign a contract! They found that the best-rated company to go with is Straight Talk. It’s a non-contract company, $45 a month for unlimited calling, texting and web.

If you want to go with a contract carrier, the number one rated company for customer service is Verizon. And for the third year in a row, the company with the worst customer service is AT&T. Sprint and T-Mobile are in the middle.

But, AT&T did shine very brightly in one important area. Their 4G network was found to be the best of all the carriers.

So if you’re looking for the best speed on your smartphone, AT&T is it. If you’re looking for the best deal, go to Straight Talk. The best customer service? Verizon.

Check out the full survey at Consumer Reports.

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