Choose a wireless carrier

Unless you’re buying an iPhone or Galaxy, your carrier will determine your phone selection. And, for some of you, switching carriers is not an option. Here in the US, our wireless carriers rule everything. AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon are the major networks, but some smaller regional carriers and MVNOs (networks that piggyback on one of the majors) like Boost, Ting, MetroPCS, US Cellular, and Cricket exist, but hold very small market shares (and generally their phone choices aren’t the best). Every carrier has a different set of phones for sale and its nearly impossible to buy a phone on one carrier and take it to another.

Below is a quick rundown of the big four. Obviously, coverage will vary depending on where you live. We recommend you find a way to test each network at your home and place of work to ensure it’s a good fit for you. Try inviting a friend over, or asking your neighbors or coworkers.

AT&T: AT&T has the largest variety of phones available. If you’re interested in Windows Phone or smaller handset makers like Sony and Nokia, this is the place for you. AT&T doesn’t seem to turn ideas down. It was also the first, and is still the premiere, home for the iPhone. AT&T has a 4G LTE and 3G HSPA+ network and is attempting to catch up with Verizon in LTE deployment. AT&T, along with Verizon, dominate the market.

Sprint: Sprint is struggling and has been for several years now. It hasn’t been able to keep up with AT&T and Verizon when it comes to high-speed 4G network deployment, despite being first to deliver 4G (WiMax) through its partnership with Clearwire. Sadly, the service’s availability hasn’t moved beyond major metropolitan areas. An LTE network is in development. Sprint has the iPhone and many Android devices, but a very limited selection of Windows Phone and BlackBerry handsets.

T-Mobile: It’s hard to say where T-Mobile is right now. It does not have a high-speed LTE network or the iPhone, so that makes it a tough choice for many people. After AT&T failed to take over T-Mobile, the little carrier did get a big $4-6 billion dollar present and some valuable spectrum that should help it begin building out LTE service. 

Verizon: Verizon is the most expensive carrier, but it’s also the only carrier in the US with a nationwide 4G LTE network capable of delivering speeds faster than most people’s home Wi-Fi. It’s phone selection is also good, though it does tend to brand everything with the name ‘Droid’ and drench its phones in greys, reds, and blacks. Verizon has the iPhone, Android devices, and many BlackBerry devices, but it is curiously lacking Windows Phones.