JD Power: US cellular network quality declines – users cite slow or failure to load content

US cellular network quality has recently declined, according to a new study released this week by J.D. Power.  That metric comes as as more devices were loaded onto their respective networks and used for streaming and other types of data-hungry applications.  The most common reported problem is slow or failure to load content.

“An uptick in wireless and device usage was bound to catch up to network quality,” said Ian Greenblatt, managing director at J.D. Power. “Wireless customers are increasingly adept in data usage and streaming, meaning they’re less inspired and more aware of problems. While the number of problems is significantly lower when 5G is available, the most influential problems on network quality ratings continue to be streaming audio and video quality, low loading times and calls not going through.”

Verizon Wireless ranks highest in five regions evaluated in the study, achieving the fewest network quality problems per 100 connections (PP100) in call quality; messaging quality; and data quality in the Mid-Atlantic, North Central, Northeast, Southeast and West regions.

AT&T ranks highest or is tied in all factors in the Southwest region with a score of 11 PP100, achieving the fewest network quality problems in call quality in the region.

The 2022 U.S. Wireless Network Quality Performance Study—Volume 2 is based on responses from 34,174 wireless customers. Carrier performance is examined in six regions: Mid-Atlantic, North Central, Northeast, Southeast, Southwest and West. In addition to evaluating the network quality experienced by customers with wireless phones, the study also measures the network performance of tablets and mobile broadband devices. The study was fielded from January through June 2022.

By region, here’s how the network quality numbers compared:

  • Mid Atlantic: regional average in V2 is 10; regional average in V1 was 9.
  • North Central: regional average in V2 is 10; regional average in V1 was 9.
  • Northeast: regional average in V2 is 10; regional average in V1 was 9.
  • Southeast: regional average in V2 is 11; regional average in V1 was 10.
  • Southwest: regional average in V2 is 12; regional average in V1 was 11.
  • West: regional average in V2 is 11; regional average in V1 was 9.

For more information about the U.S. Wireless Network Quality Performance Study, visit
https://www.jdpower.com/business/resource/jd-power-wireless-network-quality-performance-study.

About J.D. Power:
J.D. Power 
is a global leader in consumer insights, advisory services and data and analytics. A pioneer in the use of big data, artificial intelligence (AI) and algorithmic modeling capabilities to understand consumer behavior, J.D. Power has been delivering incisive industry intelligence on customer interactions with brands and products for more than 50 years. The world’s leading businesses across major industries rely on J.D. Power to guide their customer-facing strategies.

J.D. Power has offices in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. To learn more about the company’s business offerings, visit JDPower.com/business. The J.D. Power auto shopping tool can be found at JDPower.com.

 

References:

https://www.jdpower.com/business/press-releases/2022-us-wireless-network-quality-performance-study-volume-2

https://www.lightreading.com/the-edge/us-mobile-network-quality-declines-but-helped-by-5g—study-/d/d-id/779037?

 

Media Relations Contacts:
Geno Effler, J.D. Power; West Coast; 714-621-6224; [email protected]
John Roderick; East Coast; 631-584-2200; [email protected]