JD Power Survey: Wireless Call Quality Improves Again

The average number of initial connection problems has dropped 50% compared to 2004, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2005 Wireless Call Quality Performance Study. The study, which measures wireless call problems nationwide, finds that only 3% of calls experience an issue with the initial connection—half of the 2004 rate—even though call volume increased 7% year over year.

"It’s clear that wireless providers have made great strides in making sure calls connect on the first attempt," said Kirk Parsons, senior director of wireless services at J.D. Power and Associates. "In fact, improving network quality is a big financial incentive for wireless carriers, as customers experiencing at least one call quality problem are three times more likely to say they will ‘definitely’ switch carriers in the future." The study employs a Call Quality Index based on seven customer-reported problem areas that impact overall carrier performance. These are (in order of importance): The average number of initial connection problems has dropped 50% compared to 2004, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2005 Wireless Call Quality Performance Study. The study, which measures wireless call problems nationwide, finds that only 3% of calls experience an issue with the initial connection—half of the 2004 rate—even though call volume increased 7% year over year. "It’s clear that wireless providers have made great strides in making sure calls connect on the first attempt," said Kirk Parsons, senior director of wireless services at J.D. Power and Associates. "In fact, improving network quality is a big financial incentive for wireless carriers, as customers experiencing at least one call quality problem are three times more likely to say they will ‘definitely’ switch carriers in the future."

The study employs a Call Quality Index based on seven customer-reported problem areas that impact overall carrier performance. These are (in order of importance):

1. static/interference (39%)
2. connection on first try (24%)
3. voice distortion (12%)
4. no echoes (10%)
5. dropped/disconnected calls (9%)
6. no immediate voice mail notification (4%)
7. no immediate text message notification (2%)

About Wirefly

Launched in 2003, Wirefly (www.wirefly.com) is an online leader in one-stop comparison shopping for cell phones, wireless service plans and wireless accessories. A wholly-owned subsidiary of Simplexity, Wirefly is an authorized dealer for every major cellular carrier, including Cingular Wireless, Verizon Wireless, T-Mobile and Sprint. Wirefly also offers discounts and services not available in retail wireless stores, including real-time online order status and tracking, and the guaranteed lowest price – online or anywhere else -- on cell phone devices from Motorola, Nokia, Samsung, LG, BlackBerry and many other cell phone handset manufacturers. Wirefly.com has been named Best of the Web by Forbes magazine as the “best all-around number portability portal” and “Best in Overall Customer Experience” by Keynote Performance Systems. For more information on Wirefly, its wireless products and its services, visit www.wirefly.com.

Launched in 2003, Wirefly is an online leader in one-stop comparison shopping for cell phones, wireless service plans and wireless accessories. A wholly-owned subsidiary of Simplexity. (NASDAQ: INPC), Wirefly is an authorized dealer for every major cellular carrier, including Cingular Wireless, Verizon Wireless, T-Mobile and Sprint. Wirefly also offers discounts and services not available in retail wireless stores, including real-time online order status and tracking, and the guaranteed lowest price – online or anywhere else -- on cell phone devices from Motorola, Nokia, Samsung, LG, BlackBerry and many other cell phone handset manufacturers. Wirefly.com has been named Best of the Web by Forbes magazine as the “best all-around number portability portal” and “Best in Overall Customer Experience” by Keynote Performance Systems. For more information on Wirefly, its cell phones and its services, visit www.wirefly.com.