The quality of wireless networks has improved across the board in 2025, according to the latest study from J.D. Power.
In its 2025 U.S. Wireless Network Quality Performance Study, the research firm found that problems per 100 cell phone interactions fell to 8, the lowest point since the study redesign in 2018. Additionally, the total time the average wireless customer spends on their phones in 48 hours has dropped six minutes to a total of seven hours and nine minutes.
The study is based on responses from 31,237 wireless customers. Along with evaluating the quality of networks experienced by customers with wireless phones, the study also measures the network performance of tablets and mobile broadband devices
Verizon had the best results, finishing first in the Mid-Atlantic region, the Northeast region, and the Southeast region while tying with UScellular for first in the North Central region and tying with AT&T in the Southwest region.
“Typically, as time spent on mobile devices drops, so do problems experienced,” said Carl Lepper, J.D. Power senior director of technology, media and telecom, in a prepared comment about the wireless networks study.
“However, the drop in problems this volume goes beyond that. As wireless technology evolves and 5G adoption accelerates — reducing service-related issues — the competitive landscape among providers is becoming more balanced, narrowing the gap in network quality.”
In the first volume of the study this year, J.D. Power noted that problems with wireless networks grow with increased usage.
That part of the study found that Gen X and Gen Y subscribers use phones an average of eight hours every two days. Most of the use is for streaming, gaming or browsing. Overall, use of devices has increased 40 minutes compared to the first half of last year.
