Verizon Wireless reaches 40 milion subscribers

[Matt]

That's over 1 million new subs already in Q2 with 25 days to go!

the link

[GoodmanR]

"Constant attention to perfecting its network is one way"

Ha

[NYCDru]

1.) The article sounds like Verizon marketing.

2.) We knew this would happen eventualy. Its called "mind share".

3.) At this rate AT&Tingular are going to be in trouble.

[rich6880]

That article was apparantly, written and distributed, to the media, by Verizon. It reads like the introduction to the Shareholders Annual Report.

[GoodmanR]

The article is a Verizon press release, it says it right at the top....


NYCDru, I don't think this necessairly means anything for the "New Cingular". They knew Verizon would reach 40 million sooner rather than later...in fact, I would think that rapid expansion of VZW may do Cingular some good when looking at a longer time-frame. Verizon's network is already over capacity during peak times in a lot of major markets...if they keep adding customers like this, and adding capacity as slowly as they have been, Cingular could stand to gain.

[Matt]

All companies fill their press releases with some measure of fluff, some more than others.....

[Frito]

I dont see no fluff in this artcile realy. We all know that Verizon is adding more customers and loseing less then any other wireless provider out there at the present time. Now of course when something grows this fast its bound to have some growing pains, as we have seen with some capacity problems and such. I dont think this will affect Verizon much. They will eventualy fix it, i mean its to be expected when something grows thats fast. Its not easy being the best the largest wireless network in the country!

[Rich]

I would also like to add that Nextel is the king when it comes down to the lowest churn rate, not Verizon.

[GoodmanR]

Originally Posted by Frito I dont see no fluff in this artcile realy. We all know that Verizon is adding more customers and loseing less then any other wireless provider out there at the present time. Now of course when something grows this fast its bound to have some growing pains, as we have seen with some capacity problems and such. I dont think this will affect Verizon much. They will eventualy fix it, i mean its to be expected when something grows thats fast. Its not easy being the best the largest wireless network in the country!

I disagree strongly that these "growing pains" are excusable. They are not. Verizon could have easily anticipated an influx of customers and added capacity before the problems hit, not after. Actually, far far fewer people ported their numbers anywhere than anyone expected, we all knew Verizon would be a winner so in reality they actually got fewer added subscribers than they anticipated pre wlnp. This makes the capacity issues even worse, these are things that a carrier can easily see coming and fix before the problem hits.

[danny boi]

Originally Posted by GoodmanR I disagree strongly that these "growing pains" are excusable. They are not. Verizon could have easily anticipated an influx of customers and added capacity before the problems hit, not after. Actually, far far fewer people ported their numbers anywhere than anyone expected, we all knew Verizon would be a winner so in reality they actually got fewer added subscribers than they anticipated pre wlnp. This makes the capacity issues even worse, these are things that a carrier can easily see coming and fix before the problem hits.

Kind of how Cingular ignored California for two and a half years. Bad bad Cingular.

Bend over Verizon Wireless. There is no excuse. LOL. This is YourDaddy talking to you.

You know capacity issues here in California caused the Lakers to lose yesterday? Too many VZW text messages with all that NBA trivia.

All I know is that my phone(s) work despite this Capacity Catastrophy which is a bunch of noise drama queens make up everytime they drop a call or when they don't connect instantly. Direct Connect from Nextel makes regular callers impatient now. The microwave did that to the regular oven too. I guess that's just the way things go. If my call doesn't connect within 5-10 seconds, I hit END then redial. You won't see my posts to include how my call took 25 minutes to connect.

I'll be traveling through Dallas, DC and NYC in two weeks on business for my company. According to some, I won't be able to use my phone because of the capacity issues. Should I just leave it at home? LOL. It worked fine four months ago. I'll let you guys know.

[LowTech]

Originally Posted by YourDaddy Kind of how Cingular ignored California for two and a half years. Bad bad Cingular. Bend over Verizon Wireless. There is no excuse. LOL. This is YourDaddy talking to you. You know capacity issues here in California caused the Lakers to lose yesterday? Too many VZW text messages with all that NBA trivia. All I know is that my phone(s) work despite this Capacity Catastrophy which is a bunch of noise drama queens make up everytime they drop a call or when they don't connect instantly. Direct Connect from Nextel makes regular callers impatient now. The microwave did that to the regular oven too. I guess that's just the way things go. If my call doesn't connect within 5-10 seconds, I hit END then redial. You won't see my posts to include how my call took 25 minutes to connect. I'll be traveling through Dallas, DC and NYC in two weeks on business for my company. According to some, I won't be able to use my phone because of the capacity issues. Should I just leave it at home? LOL. It worked fine four months ago. I'll let you guys know.

well you won't have any problems in dallas that's for sure.

[GoodmanR]

Originally Posted by YourDaddy Kind of how Cingular ignored California for two and a half years. Bad bad Cingular. Bend over Verizon Wireless. There is no excuse. LOL. This is YourDaddy talking to you. You know capacity issues here in California caused the Lakers to lose yesterday? Too many VZW text messages with all that NBA trivia. All I know is that my phone(s) work despite this Capacity Catastrophy which is a bunch of noise drama queens make up everytime they drop a call or when they don't connect instantly. Direct Connect from Nextel makes regular callers impatient now. The microwave did that to the regular oven too. I guess that's just the way things go. If my call doesn't connect within 5-10 seconds, I hit END then redial. You won't see my posts to include how my call took 25 minutes to connect. I'll be traveling through Dallas, DC and NYC in two weeks on business for my company. According to some, I won't be able to use my phone because of the capacity issues. Should I just leave it at home? LOL. It worked fine four months ago. I'll let you guys know.

There is really no reason at all to try to flame people on every post like this. It's not like people make up the problems they are having.

[bobolito]

Verizon shouldn't have to worry about network congestion. Capacity issues will fix themselves when people get fed up and start leaving Verizon.

[danny boi]

I do think people make up things for conversations sake. It's in our nature to make a bigger deal over something than it really is. I've dealt with many customers who add a bunch of drama to their stories to get some kind of sympathy credit.

I doubt any of you could prove your capacity problem anymore than I could refute it. All we have is hear-say and alleged reports here and there. A cell site could of been down for one day and somebody says they couldn't make calls for a month. Somebody won't get reception in a movie theatre so all of a sudden their carrier must be going out of business.

I have read many threads on this forum and many of you start to develop a pattern of cheerleading one carrier and sneering whenever another gets some kind of commendation. Advice seems to get tainted that way. I'm sure Verizon paid someone to say they had 40 million subs. Right?

[GoodmanR]

Originally Posted by YourDaddy I do think people make up things for conversations sake. It's in our nature to make a bigger deal over something than it really is. I've dealt with many customers who add a bunch of drama to their stories to get some kind of sympathy credit. I doubt any of you could prove your capacity problem anymore than I could refute it. All we have is hear-say and alleged reports here and there. A cell site could of been down for one day and somebody says they couldn't make calls for a month. Somebody won't get reception in a movie theatre so all of a sudden their carrier must be going out of business. I have read many threads on this forum and many of you start to develop a pattern of cheerleading one carrier and sneering whenever another gets some kind of commendation. Advice seems to get tainted that way. I'm sure Verizon paid someone to say they had 40 million subs. Right?

If there was no capacity problem why did Verizon rush to turn on PCS channels in NYC in the last few weeks? I spoke with the system performance group last week who confirmed they are working to add capacity in DC. I am not making that up. There is a legitimate capacity issue with Verizon wireless right now. You are right though, they have done a lot right to get 40 million subs, but that doesn't mean they are perfect, and I am not sure why you can't seem to admit that they might be having problems somewhere.

[Rich]

YourDaddy,You also seem to forget that companies in general, like Verizon, are in business for the money. And sometime when they get to become the giant conglomerate, like Verizon, they tend to forget about the customer along the way.

THE CUSTOMER IS ALWAYS RIGHT!!!!!

[danny boi]

Rich, I don't have an issue admitting any problems with any company. I just notice some users post speculation as fact unless it pertains to the carrier of their liking. I also notice all of a sudden how capacity issues always seem to be the cause when someone has problems with their phone. It's becoming a popular excuse when the issue may be somewhere else. "You couldn't make a call on 16th street?" Capacity issue. "What, your phone doesn't work in your basement and it worked there last year?" Capacity issue. Dumb really. Too many "know it all's" lurking around here.

I don't use T-mobile, but I won't downplay the company's accomplishments if someone posts it.

Goodman, I know VZW screwed you. Very apparent. So that is why all your posts reflect your PRO GSM/ PRO CINGULAR stance with your negativity towards anything but.

Bobolito, I know you hate Nextel (don't know why) so your posts reveal that too.

Maybe it's not obvious to some of you, but to myself it is very obvious.

I'm not asking anyone to agree with me. I just like reading posts from non-special interest users who have no bias towards any cellco in particular.

[larry]

Speaking of capacity I'm always amused by the Sprint users who make a claim such as this:

"they oversold the network, I used to have good signal now I barely
can make a call"

This is false. Modern CDMA systems are designed so the number of
maximum calls are set so that coverage area changes very little (they'll
get "System Busy" before any coverage decreases). If they had good
signal and now don't, it's most likely 1. A hardware failure or change
at the tower. 2. A faulty handset 3. Interference from an outside source.

[jones]

I define Capacity Issue as:

1. You're in the Middle of your conversation, when your call gets dropped.
2. When you press SEND it takes longer to hear the Ringback Tone than it Usually does.
3. You have fluctuating Signal Bar, that when someone calls you, your phone does not ring.

Your phone is new, so it's not the phone. Others will deny this but this is the case.

[GoodmanR]

Cingular is far from being a perfect company. Verizon did screw me, but I also understand they have an excellent network and excellent spectrum, but they DO have capacity problems in some areas. Cingular has their issues as well, as you are quick to point out. So does ATT, although I have been really impressed with them in the last few months, granted I use them only for data. Yourdaddy, you quickly accuse others of cheerleading but it seems to be that you and some of the other verizon proponents do the most cheerleading of anyone.

Capacity and phone hardware issues are really pretty easy to tell apart. So are capacity and coverage issues, especially on a CDMA network. When the network is being used heavily, coverage shrinks, signal bars drop and it takes longer to connect. Larry, coverage shrinking has always happened quite often in my experience with VZW. I don't know if coverage shrink is the right way to describe it, but while waiting for a call to conect when the network is busy, the phone will fluctuate between say 5 and 1 bar. Putting this with the call delay together suggests overcapacity to me.This is what many users have been reporting not just on this forum, but on HoFo as well. THe problems seem to be most sever in Philly and DC although they happen elsewhere. These problems aren't made up and are exactly what jones described.

[larry]

I don't buy the old "coverage shrinks when more people use the system" thing with CDMA. I have never seen any evidence of this happening on Sprint. Not to say it can't happen but it's just not as common as a lot of people think it is. When a signal fluctuates rapidly it's usually a sign of a weak signal (for whatever reason) not capacity. Some phones will fluctuate more than others will. This is speaking for my area (So. Calif) only.

[larry]

Originally Posted by jones I define Capacity Issue as: 1. You're in the Middle of your conversation, when your call gets dropped. 2. When you press SEND it takes longer to hear the Ringback Tone than it Usually does. 3. You have fluctuating Signal Bar, that when someone calls you, your phone does not ring. Your phone is new, so it's not the phone. Others will deny this but this is the case.

These things can certainly happen due to capacity but more likely it is due to a weak signal or other network equipment malfunction.

[GoodmanR]

Originally Posted by larry I don't buy the old "coverage shrinks when more people use the system" thing with CDMA. I have never seen any evidence of this happening on Sprint. Not to say it can't happen but it's just not as common as a lot of people think it is. When a signal fluctuates rapidly it's usually a sign of a weak signal (for whatever reason) not capacity. Some phones will fluctuate more than others will. This is speaking for my area (So. Calif) only.

THe signal is strong enough here that it really can't be that, and I know it is not the equiptment.

[danny boi]

God bless HoFo. We all know HoFo represents the majority of wireless phone users and they never lie. Just pick a forum. Everyone has a different opinion and remedy to the same subject. Go to a Cingular forum and ask why they're better than VZW. Then go to the VZW forum and ask the same question. I guarantee you will get different answers. Each forum has their techy know it all braniacs and will try to convince you why he/she is right and you are wrong for not sharing the same viewpoint.

I've been with Airtouch/Verizon Wireless since '96. From time to time, some calls would not connect immediately. Sometimes I would drop calls. This still happens in the busy LA market. Phones drop calls sometimes even while in a conversation with important people. No discrimination. No kidding. Sometimes signal fluctuates. Yes, mighty VZW doesn't have stellar signal everywhere. My phone sometimes gets 1 or 2 bars. Sometimes full. When this happens, it's temporary. I just redial and it always goes through.

Oh well. Enjoy.

[bobolito]

I agree with Larry. The CDMA "shrinking" effect is just an apparent shrinking of coverage. As such, there is no real coverage shrinking. What happens is that as one tower gets congested, your phone switches to a more distant tower which of course will have less signal strength which is why your signal indicator fluctuates. The same thing happens on GSM, TDMA and all other systems.

The other reason why some people claim there is a "shinking" phenomena on CDMA towers is more technical. It has to do with the way CDMA stations operate. A CDMA base station needs to receive all signals from all phones at the same strength level. As congestion level increases, mobile phones need to increase power or "shout louder" so the tower can hear them. Eventually, as congestion gets worse, only those users who are closer to the CDMA tower will be able to communicate with it giving the impression that the coverage area has diminished. However, since there are techniques to prevent this, such as setting a hard limit on the number of users, this phenomena is rarely seen. Therefore, mobile phones seek for another, more distant tower instead of connecting to a closer, more congested tower.

[GoodmanR]

Originally Posted by bobolito I agree with Larry. The CDMA "shrinking" effect is just an apparent shrinking of coverage. As such, there is no real coverage shrinking. What happens is that as one tower gets congested, your phone switches to a more distant tower which of course will have less signal strength which is why your signal indicator fluctuates. The same thing happens on GSM, TDMA and all other systems. The other reason why some people claim there is a "shinking" phenomena on CDMA towers is more technical. It has to do with the way CDMA stations operate. A CDMA base station needs to receive all signals from all phones at the same strength level. As congestion level increases, mobile phones need to increase power or "shout louder" so the tower can hear them. Eventually, as congestion gets worse, only those users who are closer to the CDMA tower will be able to communicate with it giving the impression that the coverage area has diminished. However, since there are techniques to prevent this, such as setting a hard limit on the number of users, this phenomena is rarely seen. Therefore, mobile phones seek for another, more distant tower instead of connecting to a closer, more congested tower.

That makes sense and would explain the signal fluctuations I am seeing...but the bottom line for me is that they are still being caused by capacity, not a handset.

[MOTOhooligan]

Originally Posted by NYCDru 3.) At this rate AT&Tingular are going to be in trouble.

AT&Tingular, nice. I prefer CingulAT&T myself.

[bobolito]

Originally Posted by YourDaddy Bobolito, I know you hate Nextel (don't know why) so your posts reveal that too.

Remember when Nextel started crying like a baby when they tried to block Cingular from acquiring Nextwave's licenses? Remember when Nextel got in the way of Verizon's PTT trying to sue them because Nextel though of the ridiculous argument that PTT was their trademark? That's why I don't like Nextel. They think they have more power than the FCC, trying to get in the way of everyone else's progress. I am surprised they haven't filed any documents trying to block the AWS acquisition. Just look at them today, trying to survive because they are getting kicked out of the 800Mhz band and scrambling around between 1900Mhz and 2100Mhz not knowing where to go. This proves once and for all that what goes around comes around. Nextel started a war with other carriers, now they are paying for it.

[Rich]

Bobolito,I understand your point of view and where your coming from but, Nextel is not going anywhere. Nextel will continually be very competitive when it comes to the PTT market, remember, they started it. Now if I ran the company, I would have done the same thing, in business, it's called a strong arm tactic, and their balance sheet proves it.
Regarding the public safety issue, I think Nextel will prevail, then I think we can all sleep better at night knowing Nextel is moving off the 800MHz. Most importantly, I personally don't just blame Nextel for this, The FCC needs to to be held accountable, after all, they are the FCC.

[larry]

I have respect for Nextel because they are the only carrier who will consistenly share towers with Sprint here in So. Calif. Any time Sprint wants to co-locate with them they accept it. In fact one time Nextel agreed to disguise their exsisting panels behind a fiberglass paraphet on a building so that the city would grant Sprint a permit to co-locate their panels on the same building in Alhambra, CA. A few NIMBY's had appealed the case to the city council to get it stopped and that's when Nextel agreed to a compromise to help Sprint out. They didn't have to. Can't say the same thing for Verizon who very rarely will share their towers with Sprint.