Carriers: Shape up or ship out

A major Consumer Reports survey will be published next month that highlights significant dissatisfaction with mobile carriers.

The study found that more than half of mobile users are largely dissatisfied with their carrier, which surveyed 47,000 people in 20 major markets across the US, reports Information Week.

Reasons for that dissatisfaction include termination fees, high prices, and confusing contracts that often extend contracts deceptively.

T-Mobile is currently facing a class-action lawsuit in California for early termination fees and locking cellphones. Sprint scored the lowest among consumers, while Verizon and Alltel scored slightly better than other carriers.

This is may be another indication that the carrier hold on the mobile market is coming to a swift and certain end.

Adding more nails to the coffin, Google is expected to participate in the January open spectrum auction, and both Verizon and AT&T have promised to open their networks to all handsets.