U.S. Wireless Network Quality Study
Benchmark Wireless Network Quality and Performance
The U.S. Wireless Network Quality Study provides a detailed assessment of wireless customers’ usage activities in areas impacting network performance. It evaluates carriers on calling, messaging, and data activities across regions and identifies issues impacting customer perception.
What the Study Measures
A Complete View of Wireless Network Quality Performance
Network performance is tracked across key quality areas and customer activities:
• Calling experience and clarity
• Messaging reliability
• Data activities and speed
• Continuity and dropped calls
• Coverage across regions
• Customer perceptions of network quality
• Regional strengths and weaknesses
• Semi-annual performance tracking
Includes:
• Six U.S. regions including West and Northeast
• Two volumes per year
• PowerSource benchmark reporting
• Performance Report eligibility
How the Wireless Network Quality Study Works
• Surveys wireless customers about recent calling, messaging, and data usage
• Evaluates carriers that operate their own networks
• Conducted semi-annually across two volumes each year
• 2026 Vol. 1 fielding begins June 2025
• 2026 Vol. 2 fielding begins December 2025
• Subscribers access PowerSource for benchmarking
Core Strengths
Diagnose and Improve Network Performance
• Determine issues impacting customer perceptions of network quality
• Evaluate performance of carriers operating their own networks
• Identify regional strengths and weaknesses to guide investment
• Develop actionable marketing programs by region
• Track semi-annual progress on continuity, speed, clarity, coverage
Business Impact
Target Network Investment for Maximum Impact
• Identifies problems driving network quality perceptions by region
• Prioritizes investment across continuity, speed, clarity, and coverage
• Tracks semi-annual regional performance to monitor improvements
• Differentiates against AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, and UScellular
• Supports marketing claims and award licensing across six regions
Key Dates
2025
Fielding Begins: July 2024
Publish: December 18, 2024
Press release: January 16, 2025
Fielding Begins: December 2024
Publish: July 15, 2025
Press Release: July 17, 2025
2026
Fielding Begins: June 2025
Wave 1 Publish: September 11, 2025
Wave 2 Publish: (Final): December 17, 2025
Press Release: January 15, 2026
2026
Fielding Begins: December 2025
Wave 1 Publish: March 19, 2026
Wave 2 Publish: (Final): June 18, 2026
Press Release: July 16, 2026
Press Release & Award Information
JD Power issues national press releases highlighting key findings and top-to-bottom rankings from award-eligible studies. The brand(s) that rank highest in each award-eligible segment and meet predetermined award criteria will have the opportunity to enter into a licensing agreement through the JD Power Awards Program, which requires subscribing to the Wireless Network Quality Study as a prerequisite.
2026 Brands Targeted to be Profiled (final profiled list will be available upon study publication)
Profiled Brands
Mid-Atlantic
AT&T
T-Mobile
Verizon Wireless
North Central
AT&T
T-Mobile
UScellular
Verizon Wireless
Northeast
AT&T
T-Mobile
Verizon Wireless
Southeast
AT&T
T-Mobile
Verizon Wireless
Southwest
AT&T
T-Mobile
Verizon Wireless
Southwest
AT&T
T-Mobile
Verizon Wireless
West
AT&T
T-Mobile
Verizon Wireless
Designed for Wireless Network Leaders
• Network planning and engineering executives
• RAN and coverage optimization leaders
• Regional operations managers
• Marketing and competitive intelligence teams
• Customer experience executives
• Strategy and investment planning heads
PowerSource
Insights Available at a Touch of a Button
Subscribers to this study have full access to benchmark reporting, competitor analysis, and more with PowerSource.
