AT&T
In the Southwest AT&T is rated highly, and gets average reviews everywhere else.  They also offer a large number of phones, including the Apple iPhone and Blackberry.
Nextel makes walkie talkie like push-to-talk phones.  They are perfect for saving minutes if you are using them on a jobsite, or by family members.  The phones available offer clear quality reception.  They offer the only Blackberry that has the push-to-talk function.  Nextel is a division of Sprint
Sprint PCS
Sprint has a large selection of cell phones and many plan options.  Their flat rate plan for SmartPhones includes just about any option you can think of.  Since Nextel is part of the Sprint network, some phones even offer the push-to-talk function.
T-Mobile
T-Mobile has had excellent scores in owner surveys, for service plans, cost of service, and billing.  Their phones include the Google Phone, a handset with an 8mg camera, and a top notch music phone
Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless has the best rated call quality and best rated customer service.  They are rated highest in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and Western States.  It works on a CDMA (digital) network.   They have a large selection of phones that can contend with other carriers.

Cell phone usages provide freedom from wires, freedom from waiting for phone calls at home or business, and let’s not forget the convenience they provide.  There are lots of ins and outs to the cell phone service industries.  It’s as confusing as insurance policies and getting your taxes done!  You’ll have to take a lot of information into consideration.  Questions you will be asked are:

• What is your zip code
• Where will you be calling? 
  • Local
  • Regional
  • National
  • International
  • What will you be using your phone for?
  • How often do you think you will be using it?
  • Digital or Analog?
  • Are you willing to commit to a contract?

The most important thing that determines your choice for best cellular phone service will be where you live.  Plans, phones, and even provider’s coverage vary from region to region.  The coverage is the geographic area where a cell phone can connect to a tower and be used to make calls and receive calls.  Most people will be using their phone in the areas surrounding their home.  So it makes the most sense to have one that will cover most of that region.  However, if you travel a lot, nationwide may be just as important, and you would need to think about roaming.  Your plan would need to have service where you most travel to.  Do you have family out of town?  Will you be calling them often?  You can check each provider at their website or compare service at sites like Letstalk.com
Cellular phone carriers divide their plans into local, regional, national and international calling areas.  Local plans will be a lower rate per minute or plan.  National will be the highest and international even higher.  There are prepaid plans that do not require credit checks and minutes are paid for and added to the service as needed.  Minutes can be rolled over from month to month.  There are carriers who charge by the minute, but also have bundled plans that are most cost effective.  The bundles also have options for roaming, texting, caller id, voicemail and other services.

The local calling area is usually the metropolitan area you live in.  National calling areas is the entire US.  Regional calling areas are groups of calling areas together, usually multiple states.  If you plan to make a lot of calls outside your local area, it’s usually best to get a regional or national plan.  You will avoid roaming and long distance charges and the charges are usually at premium rates. Local areas coverage is usually effective for kid’s phones, when you want to keep in touch.
Regional plans offer a much larger area, sometimes as large as a five state region.  The plans offered for this home area will provide you consistent billing on your roaming and long distance.  National plans usually have a per minute price that will cover both roaming and long distance.  You may have a certain monthly charge for a certain number of minutes.  If you go over the minutes, you pay a certain price per minute.  For example, if you have a 500 minute plan for $50 per month and .24 a minute, you would pay the $50.  If you used 504 minutes you would be charged $50.96.   If you use your cellular service a lot, or are using it to replace a landline, it is usually best to go with a national plan.
The next thing to consider is how you are going to be using the cellular phone service.  Will it be only for emergencies?  Will it replace a landline?  Will it be for general use, or for business?  If you are going to use the phone for emergencies only, or 20 minutes or less a month, you are best to look at a prepaid phone service.  If you need the phone for business you’ll need a plan with a lot of minutes and flexibility.  If you are using the phone for personal use, you’ll want to start out with a minimum of minutes and see how much you will be using it.  If it mostly sits in your car or purse, you don’t want to pay more than you have to.  You want the most minutes for your money!  If you travel a lot, but don’t use a lot of minutes, a national plan with a low number of minutes might be the best option.

To sum up, if you plan to use the phone occasionally for emergencies, a prepaid phone or economy plan will be best.  If you make a lot of calls, but in a local area, it’s more economical to choose a plan that has a set number of minutes per month.  If you are a heavy user, choose the highest number of minutes per month and lowest per minute fee for overages.

• Minimal usage plans are 20 minutes or less a month. 
• Medium usage is 100-500 minutes a month
• Heavy usage is over 500 minutes per month.

Next you’ll want to consider if you want a digital or analog phone.  This will depend on when you will be doing the majority of your calls.  Digital is the most clear reception and is more secure.  If you want wireless internet and email, you’ll need digital service.  Analog is being replaced by Digital in most areas.  Rural areas are more likely to have analog service.  A dual mode phone is able to be used in both areas.
Unless you are getting a prepaid plan, most carriers will want you to sign a contract.  The longer the time period, the better the deal is.  However, there are stiff fees if you break the contract.  So if you see a more improved plan a year after you sign a two year contract, it will not be a good idea to break the contract.   Do your homework and you will be able to make the wise choice.