Recommendations for the best cell phone provider for a family of 4.

Are you looking to stay with AT&T for the iphone and crappy service, or switch to something with great service and high rates (Verizon) or something in between (T-Mobile, Sprint)?

T-Mobile

T-Mobile seems to specialize in family plans.

@papayalily Frankly, one of the primary motivations is to give AT&T the boot.

I want:

1) Something that gives basic phone service at a cost less that our current collective pre-paid + one AT&T phone.

2) Some basic smart phone technology with a basic data plan for one of the phones would be nice, but not an absolute must.

3) Being able to tether the smart phone to a laptop on rare occasions when visiting a rural location in order to work remotely would be a plus.

I have had T-Mobile, since it started as Voicestream in 1998. yeah, thats a long time and we are number two in T-Mobile longevity.

If we had not been satisfied with T-Mobile, we would have changed. they have many plans for families. they have a live person to talk to and that makes a big difference. they are customer-oriented. this means they will go the limit to help you with a problem.

They will give you free bonus minutes when an emergency arrives in your family and you need more minutes, when your minutes are about to end.

I highy recommend T-Mobile.

This is why they are No. 2 in the nation.

@YoBob T-Mobile, get a Droid for tethering.
http://www.t-mobile.com/shop/plans/Cell-Phone-Plans.aspx?catgroup=Family&WT.z_shop_plansLP=family