Quick Guide to top cell phone carriers

These carriers offer nationwide service. They offer a broad range of services with standard monthly plans that require contracts. Most offer prepaid plans and though some offer "unlimited plans," data use typically is capped at several gigabytes per month.

National carriers

After acquiring Alltel in January 2009, Verizon Wireless became the biggest wireless carrier in the United States. It was one of the first carriers to offer a 3G network, a music store, and GPS services. Also, it was the first carrier to offer a mobile TV network. Verizon launched its 4G LTE network in December 2010, though its first 4G-ready phone, the HTC Thunderbolt, didn't burst forth until March 2011. A joint venture between Verizon Communications and Vodafone, Verizon Wireless was formed in 2000 through a merger between GTE Wireless and Bell Atlantic.

Things you should know about Verizon wireless:

• This carrier offers unlimited calling and data plans (up to 5GB), but plans to end them in mid-summer 2011.
• High-speed 3G and 4G networks are limited to urban areas.
• Feature phones use BREW instead of Java for games and other applications.
• Of the major carriers, Verizon has received several awards from J.D. Power and Associates for the best network.
• Its smartphone selection is varied and includes handsets that run on Google Android, and BlackBerry operating systems. It acquired the <a href="http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-19512_7-20030471-233.html">Apple iPhone in February 2011</a>.
  
• Its Friends & Family option offers unlimited calling to a select group of numbers, even landlines.
• As a CDMA carrier, Verizon's international coverage is limited to a handful of countries but it offers dual-mode CDMA/GSM handsets.
• This carrier offers prepaid plans.

What do CNET users think of Verizon Wireless? Its fans praise its "killer service" and "perfect coverage," while its detractors complain of "poor customer service" and call it "locked down and overpriced." To leave your own opinion and for more information, see our Verizon Wireless carrier page.

AT&T is the second largest wireless carrier in the United States after Verizon Wireless, at least for now. In March 2011, AT&T announced intentions to buy T-Mobile. Pending FCC approval, the purchase would make AT&T America's largest network and bump Verizon to the No. 2 position. Today it offers a widespread network and a large and varied selection of cell phones and smartphones. Originally formed in 2001 as Cingular Wireless, it changed its name to AT&T in 2007 to reflect its parent company. In 2004, Cingular acquired the now defunct AT&T Wireless.

Click here to see to see AT&T's coverage map.

Things you should know about AT&T:

• This carrier does not offer unlimited data plans.
• AT&T's "rollover" plans let you roll unused minutes over to the following month.
• Carrier operates a GSM network, AT&T offers extensive international roaming.
• Customers can pay an extra fee to expand night and weekend hours.
• AT&T has picked up some of the trendiest phones soon after their release date. It was the first carrier to offer the Motorola Razr V3 and is the exclusive provider of the Apple iPhone.
• Has a varied selection of smartphones with all major operating systems.
• High-speed 3G networks are limited to urban areas. AT&T currently offers 4G-capable phones on its HSPA+ network, but plans to launch its next-generation 4G LTE network in the latter half of 2011
• This carrier offers prepaid plans.

What do CNET users think of AT&T? Its fans say it offers "great service with cool phones" and the "best coverage out of the top carriers," while its detractors complain of "bad product and worse customer service" and say it is "epically terrible." To leave your own opinion, and for more information, see our AT&T carrier page.

Following a 2005 merger, Sprint Nextel is now the third largest wireless carrier and the second largest CDMA carrier in the United States. The company is retaining separate Sprint and Nextel brands for the time being. Sprint began wireless service under its brand in 1995, and Nextel was founded in 1987. Prepaid service is available only through its Boost Mobile and Virgin Mobile subsidiaries.

Click here to see Sprint's coverage map.

Things you should know about Sprint Nextel:

• This carrier offers unlimited calling and data plans.
• Sprint was the second major carrier to offer a 3G (EV-DO) network. However, coverage is limited to urban areas.
• It was the first major U.S. carrier to introduce a 4G (WiMax) network and phone, the HTC Evo 4G in June 2010
• Nextel phones offer a strong set of business-friendly features, including adding a second line to a handset. Also, the carrier pioneered push-to-talk technology with its Direct Connect (aka Walkie-Talkie) service.
• Its handset lineup includes a large selection of smartphones that include Android and BlackBerry.
• Some plans offer extended night and weekend hours.
• Sprint's CDMA network and Nextel's iDEN network are distinct technologies that use separate networks with different coverage areas; however, Sprint is phasing out iDEN by 2013.
• International CDMA and iDEN coverage has a smaller footprint than GSM, though the carrier now offers dual-mode CDMA/GSM handsets.

What do CNET users think of Sprint? Its admirers say it has the "best bang for your buck" and "flawless service." On the other hand, a critic complained of "hideous service and billing, with stores manned by zombies" and another said "what a joke!" To leave your own opinion, and for more information, see our Sprint Nextel carrier page.

The second-largest GSM carrier in the United States, T-Mobile grew out of the former VoiceStream Wireless in 2001 when Germany's Deutsche Telekom acquired VoiceStream. T-Mobile operates one of the smaller U.S. networks of the big four carriers, but it has roaming agreements with AT&T and other smaller operators. In 2008, it launched its 3G network and last year it introduced a contract-free service. T-Mobile is now facing a buyout by its only national GSM competitor, AT&T (see AT&T above for more details.)

Click here for T-Mobile's coverage map.

Things you should know about T-Mobile:

• This carrier offers unlimited calling and data plans.
• T-Mobile's myFaves feature gives you unlimited calling minutes to any five numbers on any network, even landlines.
• As a GSM carrier and a subsidiary of Germany's Deutsche Telekom, T-Mobile has extensive international roaming and thousands of Wi-Fi hot spots in the United States and Europe.
• Of the major carriers, T-Mobile has received the highest customer service rating by J.D. Power and Associates for several consecutive years.
• It was the first carrier to launch a Google Android phone. Its smartphone lineup now includes Android, BlackBerry, and Windows Phone devices.
• T-Mobile's plans are some of the most competitively priced among the major carriers. In 2009 it introduced Even More Plus plans that don't require a contract, but don't offer subsidies for phones. Its Even More plans require contracts, but come with hardware subsidies.
• After a long wait, T-Mobile finally released its 3G high-speed data network in 2008. Coverage remains somewhat limited, however, and the network is incompatible with AT&T's 3G.
• This carrier offers prepaid plans. It's upgraded HSPA+ network offers 4G-like speeds, though it is not a 4G technology.

What do CNET users think of T-Mobile? Opinions range from "best service with least amount of problems" and "the least evil cell phone company" to "irresponsible, unethical company" to "too many dropped calls." To leave your own opinion, and for more information, see our T-Mobile carrier page.