J.D. Power selects Verizon tops for Wireless Network Quality in 2014

On the heels of a report from RootMetrics that named Verizon's network the best among the nation's four largest carriers, J.D. Power ranked Verizon as having the highest network quality in 6 regions covering 48 states. Results from Volume One of the J.D. Powers 2014 U.S. Wireless Network Quality Performance Study was released on Thursday and revealed that with 12 problems per each 100 connections (PP100), the overall quality of wireless connections has been steady since 2012. The quality of data connections has improved with the number of problems dropping from 19 per 100 connections, down to 14 in 2014.

Other improvements have been seen in mobile web, with problems dropping to 17 per 100 connections in 2014 from 21 problems per 100 connections in 2012. J.D. Power cites the wider rollout of 4G pipelines as the reason for the better score. Problems with email connections dropped from 7 per 100 connections in 2012 to 5 per 100 connections in 2014. And those using 4G experience 3 fewer PP100 with data than those using 3G technology. At the same time, those using 4G have 6 fewer problems per 100 mobile web connections compared with 3G users.

Verizon had the fewest problems per 100 connections among the four major U.S. carriers in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, North Central, Southwest and West regions. Big Red ranged from 8 to 10 problems per 100 connections and in each region was given the highest "5" ranking by customers, meaning that it is "among the best". With 11 to 14 PP100, AT&T finished second in each region, behind Verizon. T-Mobile finished third in 4 out of the 6 regions, with scores of 14-15 PP100. With 15-19 problems per 100 connections, Sprint finished last in the majority of the regions listed.

The 4G rollout has helped each carrier score better in the survey and also has helped the customer experience. 25% of those using a 4G plan say that they are committed to their carrier as opposed to the 20% of 3G users who feel the same way. And 4G customers are 14%  more willing to recommend the carrier they use, as compared to those using 3G.

The J.D. Power report is based on 25,142 responses from wireless customers. The survey covers July through December 2013, which is certain to tick off T-Mobile CEO John Legere.


source: J.D.Power via Verizon