Consumer Reports rates best cell service

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- If a new cell phone is on the Christmas list this season, make sure you're getting the best service too.

We all love our cell phones, but many are not wild about the service. In fact, cell phone service gets lower scores than most of the services Consumer Reports rates, down there with computer tech support.

Consumer Reports has just released its latest ratings of cell phone companies, based on a survey of 63,000 of its subscribers in 26 cities.

The vast majority of people get their cell phone service from one of the four major wireless providers. But in Consumer Reports' latest ratings, a new service called Ting scored much higher.

Ting customers are billed for actual voice, text and data usage rather than being charged a flat rate. It can add up to big savings.

"Our average bill was somewhere between $120 to $160 a month. And now through Ting we have months that are usually in the $65 range," said Ting User Victor Torres.

Ting uses the Sprint network and is only compatible with Sprint phones and tablets. Right now that includes the iPhone 5 and the Samsung Galaxy SIII.

"Even though Ting uses Sprint's network, people are much happier overall with the service they get from Ting." Said Rosalind Tordesillas with Consumer Reports.

Two other smaller providers are also top-rated in the Consumer Reports survey. Consumer Cellular scored better than all the big providers, while Republic Wireless rated the highest for prepaid service.

"Ting, Consumer Cellular and Republic were the only carriers in our survey to receive our highest marks for value for the money," Tordesillas said.

The lowest ratings for value among contract plans went to AT&T, Sprint, and Verizon.

Sprint also did worse in Consumer Reports' survey for phone support, as well as the lack of knowledge and ability to resolve issues.