JD Power survey names top cellular networks

J.D. Power and Associates on Thursday released the first volume of its 2008 Wireless Call Quality Performance Study, which rates the major wireless carriers in seven specific areas relating to quality based on surveys of users. The bi-annual report rates each provider on a demerit point system, measuring their performance on a problems per 100 calls (PP100) scale, with lower scores translating to better performance. The report concluded Alltel, T-Mobile, Verizon and US Cellular are the top-ranking providers in their respective regions.

The scores are calculated based on criteria such as the number of dropped calls and the speed of notification for text messages and voicemail. The study also found that CDMA networks performed better overall than GSM providers, with 3G handsets often outperforming 2G equivalents as well.

Alltel and T-Mobile tied for first in the US Southwest region, while Verizon Wireless took top honors in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions. Alltel was rated best in the Southeast and West, while US Cellular claimed its fifth victory in a row in the North Central portion of the country. AT&T is not known to have excelled in the survey's criteria.

Filed under: industry
Other story tags: Verizon, T-Mobile, Alltel, GSM, US cellular, CDMA, JD Power