Survey Finds Cell-Phone Satisfaction

Even though consumer complaints were down overall, the top complaint for 14% of readers was the high cost of cell-phone service. Consumer Reports' analysis of the carrier's pricing found that cost-cutter consumers might not be aware of "pay-by-the-minute," or prepaid, service, which is offered by all major carriers as well as providers such as Virgin Mobile (VM Quote) and TracFone (AMX Quote).

According to the report, while major carries make no secret of their prepaid plans, which require no contract agreement, traditional plans are so lucrative that carriers have little reason to promote prepaid.

Cell-phone users seem to be coming to their senses about "free" cell phones. They might not be so "free." Consumers Reports found that you pay for the phones in your monthly service charges. According to public documents, in 2007, about $4.50 of an average Sprint subscriber's monthly bill was devoted to repaying the carrier for the cost of its equipment subsidies.

Cell phones actually cost carriers hundreds of dollars, so you should be aware that somehow they are going to charge you for some -- or most -- of that. Hopefully, this survey will begin to change all that.