JD Power study shows we're seeing more problems with mobile networks, even with 5G

A new study measuring mobile network performance in the US indicates an increase in network problems, with slow performance or an inability to load content cited as the most common complaints. According to research firm JD Power, the reason for the decline in network quality is due to increased usage.

JD Power conducted the study from January to June 2022 and ranked each mobile carrier based on the number of problems per 100 connections. The results consistently show Verizon as the carrier with the least issues, with AT&T only beating Verizon in the southwest and joining the company in the northeast. Meanwhile, T-Mobile is two carriers behind in every region in the US.

In areas where 5G is available, the problems are markedly reduced, which shows a previous study by JD Power from July to December 2021 that the widespread rollout of 5G helped reduce network problems. During this time, the average area of network problems was nine per 100 devices in most regions and climbed to only 10 and 11 in the Southeast and Southwest. In this most recent study, the area average reached 10 across the country, as well as 11 and 12 in both the Southeast and Southwest.

"The increase in wireless and device usage was bound to catch up with network quality," said JD Power managing director Ian Greenblatt. "While the number of problems when 5G is available is quite small, the problems most affecting the network quality rating are audio and video quality, slow loading times and calls not playing."

Although T-Mobile reported the most problems in both studies, the company remains at the fore when it comes to 5G coverage. T-Mobile expanded its mid-band 5G spectrum ahead of AT&T and Verizon, which have yet to fully switch to their respective C-band networks due to an ongoing dispute with the Federal Aviation Administration. .