Wireless phone carrier quality comparisons

So Cingular has been bragging about their fewest dropped calls on commercials lately. They say "based on nationwide experience among national carriers." The interesting thing is their press release web site lists a smaller area. They have some others, but more generally and also for smaller areas. They just say two companies without saying which. Apparently someone actually tried to get more info from them. Looks like Global Wireless Solutions and Telephia. It seems both companies do call testing with test calls, and note that while call quality and attempts are tested, only dropped calls are mentioned in the ads and press release. The GWS guy also didn't give details but didn't have issues with Cingular's claims. Even if they aren't hiding anything, not releasing their sources seems really suspicious (especially since they did before - why would their contracts with the survey company suddenly not allow releasing it?).

What's also interesting is that just over two weeks ago J.D. Power and Associates released a report with detailed information on the major nationwide and regional carriers, with ranking figures (at the bottom) and descriptions of why (in the middle). This isn't just based on test data either, but on interviewing customers. Guess where Cingular falls on that one? You can get detailed info. T-mobile also is bragging, but they're willing to cite their sources.

There is some good news for those Orange customers in MN though (guessing as usual Blue customers won't get access to the upgrades). Hopefully it'll get VZW to react.