(The iPhone itself continues to win rave reviews from customers, most recently coming out on top of a )

Relatively low profile carrier U.S. Cellular beat out Verizon Wireless for overall satisfaction among carriers for contract service and boasted an overall customer satisfaction score of 82 out of 100. And while Verizon still rated high overall at 74, Sprint essentially tied it, reversing some poor customer satisfaction ratings from recent years. 

Sprint's strong showing is consistent with . 

Verizon may be poised to boost its ratings next year with a new that should challenge AT&T, T-Mobile and others on the 4G wireless front. 

Follow Bob Brown on and be satisfied.