In Highly Competitive Market, Customers Loyal to Verizon Wireless

[Andy]

In Highly Competitive Market, Customers Loyal to Verizon Wireless
Company Posts Historically Low Customer Turnover Rates; Customers Talk About Their Loyalty on New Web Site Page



Media Contact Info

Tom Pica
Thomas.Pica@VerizonWireless.com
908-306-4385



08/24/2005

BEDMINSTER, NJ — Verizon Wireless, owner and operator of the nation’s most reliable wireless network, is continuing its leadership in customer loyalty - posting the lowest customer turnover rate among major wireless carriers and adding to its Customer Satisfaction Web site.

In the second quarter of 2005, Verizon Wireless' customer turnover reached record-low levels for the third consecutive quarter, as the company added 1.9 million customers, the largest quarterly customer increase in the history of the wireless industry. Posting a 1.2% churn rate – the percentage of customers who disconnect their service in a given period of time – Verizon Wireless boasted a churn rate well below the industry average. According to the most recent earnings announcements issued by the nation’s largest wireless carriers, churn rates were as follows:

Carrier Q2 2005 - Churn Rate
Verizon Wireless - 1.2%
Carrier A - 1.4%
Carrier B - 2.2%
Carrier C - 2.2%
Carrier D- 2.8%

Adding voices behind the numbers, Verizon Wireless also posted customers testimonials to the company's Customer Satisfaction Web site. The Web page entitled, “In Our Customers’ Own Words,” features excerpts from customer letters sent to Verizon Wireless to share positive experiences with the company and praise company service representatives at Communications Stores and call centers who resolved issues and answered questions quickly and accurately.

“Our record-breaking performance and positive customer feedback are the result of our dedication to listening, anticipating and responding to the needs of our customers,” said Lowell McAdam, executive vice president and chief operating officer for Verizon Wireless. “We will continue to provide customers with the highest level of satisfaction by delivering the most reliable wireless network and best customer service in the wireless industry.”

Verizon Wireless is dedicated to delivering outstanding customer satisfaction by providing a positive wireless experience to its 47.7 million customers. The company has regularly invested more than $4 billion nationally each year since its inception – and more than $8 billion in the last 18 months – to expand and upgrade the nation’s most reliable wireless network. For more information on Verizon Wireless, visit www.verizonwireless.com.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless owns and operates the nation’s most reliable wireless network, serving 47.4 million voice and data customers. Headquartered in Bedminster, NJ, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). Find more information on the Web at www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.

[wgray8231]

This is great, but my loyalty is starting to waiver. Service is great (except at home and work), but the phone selection is boring.

[Andy]

I'd be bored too with a vx6k

[wgray8231]

Originally Posted by Andy84094

I'd be bored too with a vx6k

Don't get me wrong, I've enjoyed the 6000. However, when it comes time to get a new phone, everything is similar. It seems like VZW is pushing some sort of clamshell agenda.

[Andy]

I've definitely enjoyed my 6000 as well but the move from a 6000 to my e815 was incredible and with this phone, I wouldn't consider going anywhere else, especially with OBEX, etc. fully working.

[Mobile Mike]

Originally Posted by wgray8231

Don't get me wrong, I've enjoyed the 6000. However, when it comes time to get a new phone, everything is similar. It seems like VZW is pushing some sort of clamshell agenda.

Yeah, they do have really nothing but clamshells, but I personally prefer the clammies over candy bars or bricks. Had them, scratched them, got rid of them. Actually I think Verizon's phone selection is starting to look a lot better than it has, but then again I'm a closeted Verizon Fanboy....

[wgray8231]

I think it has gotten worse. Over a year ago, they had a Moto bar (though very low end). And have had several Nokia bars in the last year or so, but nothing for quite a while.

[Shizam76]

Originally Posted by wgray8231

Service is great (except at home and work)

Except at home and at work? LoL...isn't that where we spend about 90% of our lives?

Didn't you say you would get a discount on sprint?

[wgray8231]

Originally Posted by Shizam76

Except at home and at work? LoL...isn't that where we spend about 90% of our lives?

Didn't you say you would get a discount on sprint?

Yes, but would have to spend more, cancelling the discount. If I needed a data plan (like many people around here do), it might not be a bad option. My boss doesn't even use Sprint for his Treo (TMO).

The VZW signal is usable at home and I miss calls at work depending on where/which building I'm in. Sprint has repeaters in buildings I don't frequent, but I'd rather use VZW.

Does anyone know how to check the signal on a v220 or v551?

And many GSM phones just have better features.

[WiggyFife]

Originally Posted by lbmike212

Yeah, they do have really nothing but clamshells, but I personally prefer the clammies over candy bars or bricks. Had them, scratched them, got rid of them. Actually I think Verizon's phone selection is starting to look a lot better than it has, but then again I'm a closeted Verizon Fanboy....

preach on, brotherlbmike!!!

[WirelessBeachBum]

Originally Posted by wgray8231

I think it has gotten worse. Over a year ago, they had a Moto bar (though very low end). And have had several Nokia bars in the last year or so, but nothing for quite a while.

Bar phone's just don't sell as well as they used to...They still have two bar phones if you want to add PTT. There is a new nokia in development but it will be awhile...

What I'm upset about is that Nokia's baby Symbian OS has not made it onto a CDMA phone, I asked a Nokia rep about that six months ago and they didn't see it coming yet.

[bobolito]

Originally Posted by wgray8231

Don't get me wrong, I've enjoyed the 6000. However, when it comes time to get a new phone, everything is similar. It seems like VZW is pushing some sort of clamshell agenda.

I've gotten bored with the 6000 just by looking at how many people have one. Seriously, doesn't Verizon sell another phone?

[danny boi]

Originally Posted by bobolito

I've gotten bored with the 6000 just by looking at how many people have one. Seriously, doesn't Verizon sell another phone?

Haha.

I live in an affluent community but for the past year all I'd see are those giveaway 6K's everywhere. I got tired of looking at them too.

Now, I see the e815's and v551's around here more than any other phone(s). I swear the v551 looks like a toilet seat when opened. LOL. I've only seen two RAZR's around here. The one I bought and returned then some chick @ our local Pavillion's Grocery Store had one too. I really like the way the black one looks I just don't like the speakerphone or camera.

Nokia's aren't too popular around here. When AT&T Wireless was around, I used to see a lot of 3300 series TDMA Nokia's but not anymore.

[Andy]

wgray,
try another phone, like the Moto E815 and reception in your home will be a lot better. My move from the VX6k to the E815 made a huge difference in fringe areas/buildings, RF wise.

[agentHibby]

Only thing that I think is sad for VZW is that almost all bar phones in the past 2 years have been budget cheap phones and nothing really latest in technology on a bar phone.

[wgray8231]

Originally Posted by agentHibby

Only thing that I think is sad for VZW is that almost all bar phones in the past 2 years have been budget cheap phones and nothing really latest in technology on a bar phone.

Agreed. I would love to see a good Nokia bar to compete with the LG, Samsung, and Motorola flips VZW has.

[wgray8231]

Originally Posted by Andy84094

wgray,
try another phone, like the Moto E815 and reception in your home will be a lot better. My move from the VX6k to the E815 made a huge difference in fringe areas/buildings, RF wise.

It will take a lot of smooth talking to convince my wife to let me get a phone that expensive. And the fact that I've had my vx6000 only 9 months will help her argument.

[Andy]

Well the phone is $99.99 now with 2 year, free with NE2, but it might be an issue if you've only had your old phone for 9 months

[wgray8231]

Originally Posted by Andy84094

Well the phone is $99.99 now with 2 year, free with NE2, but it might be an issue if you've only had your old phone for 9 months

And I've never signed a 2-yr contract in case I need/want a new phone earlier (like right now). Of course they do upgrades early depending on how much you spend, but at $59.99/month I don't see that happening.

[Andy]

Originally Posted by wgray8231

And I've never signed a 2-yr contract in case I need/want a new phone earlier (like right now). Of course they do upgrades early depending on how much you spend, but at $59.99/month I don't see that happening.

Actually anytime after 1 year(if you're on a two year contract) you can upgrade for the promotional pricing a new customer would get, so in other words, you wouldn't be able to get NE2 early, unless you're lucky, and that only works if you're a couple months away from the NE2 upgrade time.