J.D. Power rates Net10 highest, notes prepaid savings

Net10, which was included in the survey for the first time. Quite a strong debut indeed. They put up a score of 774 out of 1,000. Ranking two through six, in order, were Tracfone, Boost Mobile, Virgin Mobile, Alltel, and T-Mobile. All of these ranked above industry average, while the others were apparently left in the dust. The survey also had some findings about prepaid in general. Unlimited plans have done much to shift the usage of prepaid. While last year 70 percent of users were pay-as-you-go, rather than monthly plan users, that was down to 60 percent this year. Unlimited plans have moved customers to the monthly plan, something prepaid carriers surely value, considering the high level of churn they experience with pay-as-you-go users. Still, pay-as-you-go users seem to have a slightly higher level of satisfaction with their services. This is reflected in the minutes used. While pay-as-you-go users average 145 minutes per month, monthly users consume an average of 573 minutes per month, mostly owed to unlimited plans. Still think going to prepaid can’t save you money? An average contract user pays $81 per month for service. The average monthly prepaid user spends $56 per month, while the average pay-as-you-go user spends just $35 per month. Also note that one area where people complain most about most prepaid services, but specifically Net10 and Tracfone, is customer service. This is weighted the least among J.D. Powers’s criteria. Perhaps if they put more of an emphasis on customer service, different services would rise to the top.]]>

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7 Comments

  1. Amanda Daly on August 3, 2009 at 2:49 pm

    I have been a loyal NET10 customer for a few years and this is why. They have the best rates, very decent phones, they are real simple to use and the coverage is simply terrific!
    But the fact that they have a no nonsense approach in terms of hidden fees, THAT is really why I love them! Always 10c a minute. No hidden charges, no bills, no EVIL! Yea!



  2. Jollybird on August 5, 2009 at 6:58 pm

    Well done prepaid phones! and as if this wasn’t good enought, thre’s a new plan called STRAIGHT TALK that offers UNLIMITED nationwide anytime calls and texts for just $45 – compare that to AT&T’s 1000 min plan that runs more than $85/mth! And by the way, Tracfone does have awesome customer service.



  3. lance on August 6, 2009 at 10:54 am

    I think that J.D. Powers’s criteria is correct, how often do you really need to call customer service anyway and besides all the cell company’s have poor customer service. I think it’s more important to get good network coverage and service as well as really good prices because I really feel satisfied in my pocket. I use Tracfone because they have the best prices for someone that doesn’t have a phone glued to their ear all the time and they have the best nation wide coverage.



  4. Sammy on August 13, 2009 at 3:33 pm

    Is this not amazing, you would think going on to contract would save you money.
    Im proud to be prepaid and Net10.
    I save a lot of money, talk and sms a lot (especialy for 10cens a minute and 5cents a text) and always have minutes with the as left over minutes get carried over.
    There service is actualy really great!
    I called for a new phone and everything was sorted out quickly and with ease.
    Net10 prepaid is certainly the answer



  5. Arilys on August 25, 2009 at 10:07 pm

    My prepaid Net10 works great for me! I’m not much of a phone person so with the traditional cell phone service plan, I’d be paying for unused minutes. With Net10, the math is simple and there’s no hidden fees.



  6. Marcello Vetlino on August 29, 2009 at 8:42 pm

    I’m also a Net10 fan. The 10¢ a minute is a great deal but 15¢ a minute for international calls is also awesome.



  7. Funkey Frank on December 31, 2010 at 11:10 am

    I like Net10’s new unlimited pan for $50. It’s a fine deal so I can talk and text and check my email and never worry about going over. Sweet!