Student cell phone service providers reflect popularity

In a poll sent out to the entire high school, of which 26% responded, 42.5% of students have AT&T as their cell phone provider, 26.7% have Verizon, 19.2% have T-Mobile, 7.5% have Sprint, 2.5% use other cell phone providers, and 1.7% do not have a provider.

Mimi Geller

In a poll sent out to the entire high school, of which 26% responded, 42.5% of students have AT&T as their cell phone provider, 26.7% have Verizon, 19.2% have T-Mobile, 7.5% have Sprint, 2.5% use other cell phone providers, and 1.7% do not have a provider.

Choosing a service provider for any mobile device is no easy task. Considering all of the factors, like cost, data plans, text and call limits, and reward programs makes it almost impossible to decide. Every time the television is turned on, there’s a new ad featuring celebrities and confusing data charts that force reconsideration.

AT&T is the most prominent provider by a large margin, at 42.5% among students

In terms of popularity at St. Paul Academy and Summit School, in a poll sent out to all students, of which 26% responded, AT&T is the most prominent provider by a large margin, at 42.5% among students. Next came Verizon, T-Mobile, and then Sprint, at only 7.5%.  AT&T happens to be the most popular in every grade except 12th grade, tying with Verizon. In terms of data, about 13.3% of students had unlimited, and the rest of students had plans ranging from 1GB to 20GB.

But does popularity mean quality? In this instance, yes. The survey asked students to rate their provider out of five stars. Although no provider had a staggeringly high or low rating, AT&T did resurface in first place, with an average rating of 3.9 stars. Next came Sprint, Verizon, and then T-Mobile, with 3.3 stars. Then again, these ratings might not take everything into consideration, like affordability and rewards programs.

Even though T-Mobile did come last, they have a deal called “T-Mobile Tuesdays”; a reward program that can get you movie tickets, Lyft rides, and meals, all for free … every Tuesday.

Although the variety in cell phone providers wavers, AT&T holds the most prominent position being #1 in popularity among SPA students.