J.D. Power has released their Canada Wireless Network Quality Study for 2018, and Videotron, Telus and SaskTel were ranked as the leaders in their respective segments.
Rankings were based on problems per 100 network connections (PP100), and in the East region, Videotron ranked the highest for network quality (7 PP100), followed by Rogers and Telus in a two-way tie (8 PP100). Bell was below the average of 8 PP100 with a score of 10 PP100:
In Ontario, Telus ranked the highest in network quality with 8 PP100, with Bell in second place at 10 PP100, while Rogers was at 11 PP100, below the average of 10 PP100. Shaw’s Freedom Mobile had a score of 15 PP100 for its growing network:
Telus told iPhone in Canada in a statement this marks four years in a row in Ontario and three years in the West, where it has led J.D. Power’s rankings for network quality. A spokesperson said “Today’s report further highlights the strength of the TELUS network.”
In the West Region, J.D. Power saw SaskTel and Telus in a two-way tie with 8 PP100, followed by Bell and Rogers with scores of 10 PP100, below the west average of 9 PP100, while Bell MTS had 13 PP100:
J.D. Power says their data also revealed “23% of customers have had their phone for more than two years, an increase from 21% in 2017”. Those with newer devices also saw fewer slow web and app connection problems compared to those with smartphones older than two years.
“Consumers’ increased appetite for heavy data-based websites and apps, such as streaming HD videos, are causing bottlenecks and impairing the performance of wireless networks when coupled with older devices,” says Adrian Chung,Director of the Technology, Media & Telecom Practice at J.D. Power in Canada, in an issued statement. “Although these issues are more related to end-user devices and their ability to process data rather than network capacity, it has a negative effect on a carrier’s brand image.”
The study says wireless networks and devices “are pushed to their limits”, as one in three Canadians are opting for data plans 5GB or higher.
The study took place from February to March of 2018 and was based on nearly 14,000 responses online, conducted in English and French.
