People’s Picks: Our Readers Say These Mobile Carriers Are Better Than the Industry Giants

CNET's People's Picks awards program recently surveyed readers to determine the best mobile carriers, focusing on factors like price, signal reliability, and data. Among the top picks, Mint Mobile emerged as the overall winner, boasting a strong overall satisfaction rating of 4.68 out of 5. Jeff Carlson, CNET senior editor, attributes Mint Mobile's success to its marketing efforts led by actor Ryan Reynolds and its affordability.

Mint Mobile offers various phone plans, including three, six, and 12-month options starting at $15 per month, with an upfront payment required. The carrier also provides family plans and allows customers to use their existing phones or purchase one through Mint Mobile.

Major network carriers like Verizon and AT&T offer perks and programs, such as monthly savings on phone bills and subscriptions to streaming services. However, MVNOs like Mint Mobile are gaining popularity due to their simplicity and core features like 5G coverage and high-speed data. Mint Mobile's average rating for cellular data connection is higher than that of major networks, with 90% of readers reporting consistent bill amounts over the past year and 5% experiencing a decrease.

Consumer Cellular also made a notable appearance in CNET's People's Picks, ranking high in signal reliability with an average rating of 4.60 out of 5 and customer service with an average rating of 4.72 out of 5. The carrier uses the infrastructure of larger networks but claims to assign customers to the strongest signal available in their geographic area.

Consumer Cellular's high ranking in signal reliability and customer service is attributed to its ability to provide the best coverage in the area, resulting in high ratings from CNET readers.