Verizon Wireless Leads in Network Reliability, But Not Subscriber Growth

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Verizon Wireless Leads in Network Reliability, But Not Subscriber Growth

6:05 am on October 27, 2008 | Category: Telecom Services, Wireless

Verizon Wireless has the lowest percentage of dropped calls of any major U.S. wireless carrier, according to a recent survey of 2,883 cell phone users by ChangeWave.

Verizon customers reported that, on average, just 2.7% of their calls are dropped by the network. AT&T has the second most reliable network, the findings suggest, with 3.6% of calls being dropped. Sprint Nextel and T-Mobile were third and fourth with 4.4% and 4.5%, respectively.

One in five Verizon customers reported that none of their calls had been dropped in the last 90 days, while 43% described themselves as ‘Very Satisfied’ with Verizon’s services – a higher percentage than any of its rivals.

But despite these glowing reviews, Verizon’s customer base seems to be growing at a slower rate than AT&T’s. Among survey respondents that expect to switch carriers in the next six months, 31% plan to move to AT&T, versus just 19% for Verizon. This is likely a result of the much sought-after Apple iPhone device, which is available exclusively through AT&T, and has given that company an edge in future share since early 2007.

Verizon is likely hoping to reverse this phenomenon when it launches the much-hyped BlackBerry Storm device later this year.