76% of Americans Have Switched Long Distance Carriers

We have seen it more and more in the past several years. As communications technology becomes cheaper and the industry more competitive, more service providers are popping up all the time, offering rock bottom prices on services such as long distance calling and wireless communication.

With this constant bombardment of new services, many customers are taking advantage of their ability to pick and choose carriers, and to switch on a whim. A 2005 survey conducted by US based National Consomers League (NCL) suggests that a whopping 76% of Americans with long distance service have switched carriers at some point. At the same time, 45% have changed local service providers, and 47% have switched wireless plans.

The survey also suggests that customers are generally more satisfied with services when there is a large array of options to choose from. This, of course demonstrates the fact that competition is good for the market, and that customers will be more satisfied in the long term if they have the ability to choose.

The results also show us that many people actually seem to enjoy switching carriers. Definitely something that telecommunications companies need to keep in mind when deciding how to handle customer support issues.

It seems that in the current market, no company can hold the rank of “cheapest carrier” for long. So providing superior service and support to customers will be what truly defines the most popular and successful service providers.

(Originally published by TeleClick.ca)

Jeremy Maddock is a well-known technology blogger who specializes in telecommunications news, and long distance telephone information.