Consumer Reports Rates Cell Phones and Services.

YONKERS, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 17, 1998--

A worksheet in the September issue and on Consumer Reports Online, www.ConsumerReports.org, helps compute which combination of cell phone and service costs less

When Consumer Reports compared the costs of competing cellular phone service plans across the United States, it found that the difference between the least and most expensive service provider can be as much as 71 percent per month. To save money and get the best cellular phone service, the magazine recommends that consumers first establish their specific needs, then shop for the lowest priced service, and finally select the appropriate handset.

Tests of 10 analog and five dual-mode cell phones (analog and digital) found that price is not related to performance. All earned overall scores of Excellent or Very Good. Users should seek a handset that performs well in setting up and holding on to calls; in providing good reception in any surroundings; and in offering long battery life (lithium-ion batteries are the most compact and long-lived). You can purchase a service contract bundled with a handset from a local cellular service provider, electronics store, or other retailer; any of them can hook you up with the service plan you choose.

A worksheet in the September (P. 24) issue and on Consumer Reports Online, www.ConsumerReports.org, helps compute which combination of cell phone and service costs less. The comprehensive report on cellular phones and phone services also includes a look at: the pros and cons of analog vs. digital handsets; a comparison of how Omnipoint, Sprint, and Bell Atlantic performed in one metropolitan area; the so-called "advantages" of new plans such as AT & T One Rate and prepaid cellular; and the cost of being connected in the 15 largest U.S. wireless markets - Baltimore/Washington D.C., Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas/FortWorth, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami/Fort Lauderdale, Minneapolis/St. Paul, New York City, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, San Francisco/Oakland, and St. Louis.

The September issue of Consumer Reports is full of wonderful stories. Among them:

-- The cover story this month is on the future of sport utility

vehicles -- SUVs. SUVs are hotter than ever, climbing from 7 percent of new-car sales in 1990 to 16 percent last year. But SUVs raise serious safety issues. Most urgent is the devastating damage they cause in a crash with a car. Mercedes ML320, rated in this issue, may have solved the problem with a unique design. This article gives the pros and cons of SUVs; the likely dangers when an SUV hits a car or rolls over; information on SUVs as gas-guzzlers; a ratings report on Mercedes, Lexus, Mercury, and Infiniti SUVs; and Consumer Reports's recommendations.

-- Medicare - Medicare has always been a complex and

hard-to-understand program. It's about to become even more confusing. In a groundbreaking study of 200 Medicare HMOs and 1,200 Medicare Supplemental Insurance policies in 20 cities across the country, Consumer Reports has found that Medicare is more expensive and confusing than ever--and will become more so as dramatic changes come to the system this fall--for the 39 million seniors and disabled Americans who rely on the program. Consumer Reports also predicts that virtually every beneficiary will face higher out-of-pocket health-care expenses as the changes, mandated by last year's Balanced Budget Act, take root.

-- Kids for sale. In school and at home, advertisers are trying (and

succeeding at developing) new ways to influence your kids - and you. In school, there is increased commercialization in classrooms; some sponsored classroom materials give a biased view of public-policy issues; and out side school, marketers are milking the "Nag factor" - pitching kids traditionally adult purchases such as cars, vacations, and telephone lines - to get parents to the point of caving in to their kids "requests."

-- Consumer Reports surveys school lunches and finds that the

biggest problem is not the nutritional value of school lunches but children's dislike of the dishes they need for a complete healthy diet. Consumer Reports looks at what kids really eat - and offers recommendations on how to get them to eat healthier foods.

Also in the September issue of Consumer Reports:

-- Floor coverings -- Home security systems

The September issue of Consumer Reports will be available August 25 wherever magazines are sold. To subscribe to Consumer Reports, call 1-800-765-1845. In addition, information and articles from Consumer Reports can be accessed online at www.ConsumerReports.org.

The material above is intended for use by legitimate news entities only; it may not be used for commercial or promotional purposes. Consumer Reports is published by Consumers Union, an independent, nonprofit testing and information-gathering organization, serving only the consumer. We are a comprehensive source of unbiased advice about products and services, personal finance, health, nutrition, and other consumer concerns. Since 1936, our mission has been to test products, inform the public, and protect consumers.

    CONTACT:  Rana Silver, 914/378-2434