Consumer Reports Survey Rates AT&T Worst U.S. Carrier

Despite its efforts over the past year to improve its network, AT&T came in last among U.S. cell phone carriers, according to a recent survey by Consumer Reports .

Of the 58,000 readers polled, AT&T scored just 60 points out of a possible 100, and came in last in almost every category, which included voice quality, customer service, value, and data. Regional carrier U.S. Cellular (82 points) was ranked the best, followed by Verizon Wireless (74), Sprint (73), and T-Mobile (69).

Showing that poor service wasn’t limited to New York and San Francisco, traditional trouble spots, the survey showed that AT&T came in last in Denver, Houston, and Detroit.

Network quality is a continuing struggle with AT&T, which has been working to improve its service, but may be still overwhelmed by the sheer number of iPhone users. Last year, it came in last in LAPTOP Magazine’s Carrier Customer Service Showdown.

The one area where AT&T shone was in its lineup of phones: the iPhone 4 and the Samsung Captivate were tied for the best phone, as was Sprint’s Epic 4G and the T-Mobile Vibrant. Verizon’s devices, such as its Galaxy S phone, the Fascinate, and the Motorola Droid X, did not score as high.

Consumer Reports, Electronista, WSJ.com