As a longtime expert on the U.S. wireless industry and a consumer advocate known for my detailed analysis and picky shopping advice, I‘ve been closely following the battle between Verizon and its many competitors. Verizon may be the largest carrier, but it faces no shortage of rivals fighting to steal its customers.
In this deep dive, I‘ll be sharing my latest insights and research on how Verizon really compares to top competitors like AT&T, T-Mobile, and a host of discount brands. I‘ll cover all the factors that matter most, from network coverage and reliability to plan pricing and perks.
If you‘re a Verizon subscriber wondering about your other options or you‘re shopping for a new carrier, this detailed guide will help you make an informed decision and get the most for your money. Let‘s get started with a look at the overall competitive landscape.
Verizon‘s Biggest Rivals
Verizon‘s competition ranges from massive telecom giants to tiny regional discounters. Here are some of the most notable Verizon competitors:
National Carriers
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AT&T – Verizon‘s closest rival and the second-largest U.S. carrier with over 100 million subscribers. AT&T actually tops Verizon in market share and 5G coverage.
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T-Mobile – The "UnCarrier" known for its customer-friendly moves and rapid 5G expansion. T-Mobile merged with Sprint in 2020 to better battle Verizon and AT&T.
Regional Carriers
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U.S. Cellular – A regional provider serving 5 million customers across 23 states, largely in the Northwest, Midwest, and New England.
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C Spire – The largest privately held U.S. carrier, mainly covering Mississippi, the Memphis metro area, and coastal Alabama and Florida.
Cable Companies
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Comcast – The cable TV giant serves 3.4 million wireless customers through its Xfinity Mobile brand, an MVNO that uses Verizon‘s network.
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Charter – Another cable titan that offers wireless as Spectrum Mobile, with 2.5 million subscribers on Verizon‘s network.
Discount Prepaid Brands
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Cricket Wireless – AT&T‘s prepaid brand known for cheap plans, with over 10 million budget-conscious subscribers.
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Metro by T-Mobile – T-Mobile‘s main prepaid carrier (formerly MetroPCS) with 7.5 million customers on a variety of low-cost plans.
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Boost Mobile – Now owned by Dish Network after T-Mobile divested the brand following its Sprint merger. Boost has 9 million prepaid customers.
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Tracfone – The largest U.S. MVNO, recently acquired by Verizon. Tracfone serves 20 million prepaid customers across several brands like Straight Talk.
The wireless market is intensely competitive, with everyone from tech titans to upstarts wanting a piece of the pie. With so much at stake, Verizon must fight to prove it‘s really the best choice for your business. Let‘s see how its network stacks up.
Tale of the Tape: Verizon‘s Network vs. Competitors
Verizon has long touted its network quality as the best in the business. The company pioneered being first to 4G LTE, delivering the top speeds and coverage in the early days of that standard. Does Verizon still have the lead? Let‘s look at some key metrics.
4G LTE Coverage
Verizon remains the 4G coverage king, reaching over 327 million people across more than 2.6 million square miles, according to data from Fierce Wireless. Here‘s how that compares to top national rivals:
| Carrier | 4G LTE Coverage (POPs) | Square Miles |
|---|---|---|
| Verizon | 327 million | 2.6 million |
| AT&T | 320 million | 2.4 million |
| T-Mobile | 317 million | 2.4 million |
As you can see, Verizon maintains a small but important lead in providing the broadest nationwide 4G LTE coverage and reaching the most people. For customers in rural areas, that coverage advantage can be significant.
5G Coverage
But in the new world of 5G, Verizon has fallen behind its competitors. T-Mobile has the largest 5G footprint, covering 305 million people across 1.7 million square miles. AT&T is close behind at 250 million people covered.
Verizon initially focused its 5G rollout on high-speed but short-range millimeter wave technology. But rivals like T-Mobile bet on low-band 5G that‘s slower but covers much wider areas. Fierce Wireless 5G coverage data illustrates Verizon‘s 5G deficit:
| Carrier | 5G Coverage (POPs) | Spectrum |
|---|---|---|
| T-Mobile | 305 million | Low-band, Mid-band |
| AT&T | 250 million | Low-band |
| Verizon | 230 million | mmWave, Dynamic Spectrum Sharing |
Verizon is working furiously to catch up, aiming to reach 250 million people with 5G by the end of 2024. The company spent over $45 billion to acquire valuable mid-band C-band spectrum that can help it deliver faster 5G to more customers.
But for now, Verizon 5G falls short of T-Mobile‘s in coverage and consistency. As 5G networks mature, Verizon can‘t count on its 4G lead alone to stay ahead.
Network Speed & Reliability
Setting aside coverage, how does Verizon compare in real-world performance? According to testing by RootMetrics, Verizon narrowly edged out AT&T for the top spot in overall network performance in the first half of 2021.
RootMetrics examines metrics like network speed, reliability, and data performance across all 50 states. Verizon earned the highest marks in all categories but was nearly tied with AT&T. T-Mobile ranked third overall but was first in 5G availability and 5G reach.
Another network testing firm, OpenSignal, found similar results for 5G in particular. In OpenSignal‘s July 2021 5G User Experience Report, Verizon had the fastest 5G speeds at 56 Mbps. But T-Mobile led in 5G availability and reach.
The bottom line is that Verizon still generally delivers the best network experience, but just barely. And with 5G, Verizon is playing catch up to T-Mobile. As an expert who closely tracks network quality, I no longer see clear differentiation between the top brands.
Regional carriers tend to provide solid coverage in the areas they serve by relying on Verizon and others for roaming. But network quality can vary. Discount prepaid brands are also hit and miss as they deprioritize traffic behind postpaid customers.
Price Check: Comparing Verizon Plan Value
With networks looking more alike, price has become a key battleground. Verizon is known for its premium plans and had long avoided the price wars around unlimited data. But Verizon has recently responded to pressure with more competitive unlimited offers.
Here‘s how Verizon‘s cheapest and most expensive unlimited plans currently stack up against similar plans from AT&T and T-Mobile:
Entry-Level Unlimited Plans
| Plan | Price for 1 Line | Price for 4 Lines | Premium Data |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verizon Start | $70/month | $140/month | N/A |
| AT&T Unlimited Starter | $65/month | $140/month | N/A |
| T-Mobile Essentials | $60/month | $105/month | N/A |
Premium Unlimited Plans
| Plan | Price for 1 Line | Price for 4 Lines | Premium Data |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verizon Get More | $90/month | $220/month | 50 GB |
| AT&T Unlimited Elite | $85/month | $200/month | 100 GB |
| T-Mobile Magenta Max | $85/month | $200/month | Unlimited |
A few key takeaways as a shopping expert:
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Verizon remains the most expensive at the high end. But it‘s now on par with AT&T for entry-level unlimited and not wildly pricier than T-Mobile.
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Verizon now offers much more premium data before slowing speeds. 50 GB is enough for most users.
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Verizon has also added more perks to its plans, like bundling Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ with certain unlimited tiers. AT&T and T-Mobile also include various extras.
For prepaid plans, Verizon can‘t touch most discount brands on price. Carriers like Cricket and Metro offer unlimited plans starting around $30 per month, though speeds are limited. Verizon‘s cheapest prepaid plan is $50/month with only 15 GB of data.
That said, you generally get what you pay for with networks. Verizon‘s premium prices come with more reliable coverage away from major cities. For customers who value quality over price, Verizon remains a top choice.
Promotions & Deals: Verizon vs. Competitors
While Verizon‘s regular plan prices skew high, the carrier has gotten much more aggressive with deals and promotions to lure customers. A few recent offers:
- Up to $1,000 off a 5G phone with trade-in and new line
- $500 to switch from another carrier
- Free 5G phone with trade-in and new line
- 25% off for students and teachers
These deals are competitive with the best offers from AT&T and T-Mobile. But there are a few caveats for bargain hunters. Verizon‘s promotions sometimes require pricier unlimited plans. And many deals are paid out over 2-3 years rather than upfront.
Regional and prepaid carriers tend to have more modest deals, though some offer solid switcher incentives and discounts on older phone models. Recently, Comcast‘s Xfinity Mobile had a standout offer for a free iPhone 12 with new line.
As a general rule, Verizon and other postpaid carriers will have the flashiest deals on the latest phones. For no-contract bargain hunters willing to settle for an older device, prepaid brands deliver the lowest out-of-pocket prices.
Customer Care: Verizon‘s Service Reputation
Verizon has long been an industry leader in customer service. In 2020, Verizon ranked #1 in J.D. Power‘s U.S. Wireless Customer Care Study. But the carrier slipped to second place behind AT&T in the 2021 edition of the study.
Common customer compliments for Verizon‘s support include knowledgeable reps, multiple contact options, and quick resolutions. But some users report long wait times and billing issues.
Smaller regional carriers like Consumer Cellular often excel in personalized support with consistently high marks from J.D. Power and others. Prepaid brands tend to be a step below Verizon and national rivals but offer basic phone and online support.
As a consumer advocate, I advise wireless shoppers not to overlook customer service. While network coverage should be the top factor, the responsiveness and ease of a carrier‘s support is crucial when issues arise.
The Verdict: Is Verizon Still the Best Bet?
After this deep dive comparing Verizon to its many competitors, where does the nation‘s largest carrier stand? Here are my key conclusions:
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Verizon remains the coverage and reliability king for now. But rivals are rapidly catching up, especially in 5G. Verizon‘s network advantage is not what it used to be.
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On price, Verizon has become more competitive but still positions itself as a premium brand. You can find cheaper options from discount carriers if you‘re willing to compromise a bit on network.
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Verizon has stepped up its promotional game to match aggressive offers from AT&T and T-Mobile. Switcher deals and phone trade-in promos are more generous than ever.
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While Verizon has generally been an industry leader in customer service, the gap with competitors has narrowed in recent years based on consumer feedback and studies.
So is Verizon still the best overall choice? It depends on your specific needs and preferences. If you‘re a data-hungry user who values reliable coverage and can pay the premium, Verizon is an easy pick as it delivers the top speeds in most areas.
For more price-sensitive shoppers, the value equation is a bit muddier. Verizon‘s higher rates are harder to justify as network quality has leveled out. You can find cheaper options elsewhere if you‘re willing to do a bit more homework on a plan‘s fine print.
As an expert who obsesses over the details, my advice is to always shop around. Use coverage maps to see what carriers are strong in your area. Carefully compare unlimited plans and beware of catches like speed caps. Look for the best deals on your preferred phones.
Ultimately, Verizon is still a leading choice and millions of subscribers are unlikely to defect. But the market is moving fast and the carrier must stay nimble to avoid losing customers to hungry competitors offering similar network quality at cheaper rates.
