What is the issue or challenge? Even though both ALLtel and Verizon got top marks for best connectivity. I actually went out on the field and asked a random number of cell phone users what their experience were. To my surprise. This 1 guy I asked, He had 2 cell phones. 1 with Nextel his company phone and the 2nd cell phone was an AT&T tilt that is his family phone. He said to me over the weekend. Hands down the AT&T tilt is the best phone I have ever had and I have never had any dropped calls. 99% of the outgoing calls I make works. At&T has the largest coverage in the United States!

What about T-mobile? for the most part. A lot of washington non cell phone users were comfortable with the T-mobile website and its brand recognition. The only problem with T-mobile even though the connectivity is good. T-mobile has a much less coverage compared to AT&T.

What about AT&T? For people living in remote areas without cell phone towers, they said that there was problem with static and gaps in service. This is not true for people living in big cities. In fact, of 8 out of 10 respondents that answered my survey said they are so pleased with the AT&T service.

Sprint has the biggest customer complaints for dropped calls. Sprint has an outstanding wireless broadband internet connection for people who just want to surf the web, check emails and log into myspace. Because their high speed internet is blazing fast. Since Sprint

Given Sprint Nextel’s customer service woes of late–cutting off people because they call the help line too often and billing dead people–it’s not surprising that the company has problems.

Source: Larry Dignan is Editor in Chief of ZDNet
If You are a war vet, a person who has experienced a lot of trauma and don't need to have rude customer service agents hang up on you, I would recommend either not getting a cell phone all together or not sign up with Sprint.
Go with T-Mobile or Verizon