16% of AT&T iPhone Users Ready to Head to Verizon

A couple of weeks ago, Apple announced a brand-new iPhone 4… no, not a major overhaul, but rather one suited to work on Verizon’s network. This model carries a couple of caveats, as it’s CDMA-only, doesn’t have a SIM card and can’t utilize voice and data at the same time. But, those inconveniences don’t seem to bother too many, as it appears that 16% of AT&T’s customers are preparing to move over to Verizon as soon as the phone gets released.

Considering that AT&T has been the lone choice for the iPhone ever since the device’s inception, and also the fact that the iPhone is popular beyond belief, 16% is a huge number. Granted, it was gained by a surveying a mere 4,050 people, but as the general consensus over the past couple of years is that AT&T’s network is not super-reliable, it’s easily believable.

The announcement of Verizon’s iPhone couldn’t have come at a better time. Mere days earlier, CES took place, and during the event, I ran into many people who were complaining about AT&T, and of course, all of them were iPhone users. I even tried to call a couple of people (who use iPhones), and couldn’t get through.

I don’t live in the US, so I’m oblivious to the true hassle that AT&T’s service offers, but after this CES, I can understand why people would be ready to jump ship. AT&T rode its iPhone train for far too long without fixing some major issues, and if the 14% number is to be believed, it’s about to hurt, bad.

The top three reasons for switching, according to ChangeWave’s data, are poor reception or coverage area, dropped calls, and cost. While AT&T has consistently bragged that its network is faster, Verizon has pounded in the message that its 3G coverage area is superior to AT&T’s. And, while AT&T has improved its dropped-call rate, according to ChangeWave’s data, it still trails behind Verizon significantly.