In 2025, Verizon customers are increasingly voicing their frustrations online, and the reasons behind their departures are revealing more than just pricing issues. While Verizon remains a giant in the telecommunications industry, it appears that many users are leaving due to concerns beyond the monthly bill. This article explores the real factors driving customers away and why T-Mobile is attracting former Verizon subscribers by offering something Verizon struggles to maintain: reliable 5G coverage.
Customer Complaints Highlight Coverage Issues Over Cost
One Verizon customer recently shared on Reddit that after switching to T-Mobile, Verizon reached out with a promotional offer to win them back by promising to beat competitor pricing. However, the user explained that price was not the reason for leaving. Instead, the constant failures and unreliability of Verizon’s 5G service were the main drivers. Having been with Verizon for 17 years, they expressed disappointment, saying Verizon’s service has declined sharply.
“I just received a card from them begging me to come back. 'Bring in your bill from AT&T or T-Mobile, and we will beat it.’ I can’t believe they think I left because of cost. The sad thing is they don’t see their service is trash now. Verizon used to be the best… not anymore.”
– EnCrio, Reddit, December 2025
Other users echoed these sentiments, highlighting slow speeds and poor signal strength, especially after Verizon’s 5G transition. Many shared that the improved reliability and coverage with T-Mobile was the real benefit that made switching worthwhile.
“My biggest complaint is how Verizon’s signal used to be solid, but now I struggle to get any connection or run into slow speeds. Something changed with the 5G rollout – it’s just terrible.”
– OzMedical80, Reddit, December 2025
“After switching from Verizon (which I’d had since high school) to T-Mobile, I’m no longer constantly searching for WiFi. Coverage and reliability made all the difference.”
– DrewRddt, Reddit, December 2025
The Great Migration: Why Verizon Is Losing Customers Fast
Recent customer churn data highlights Verizon’s challenges. Complaints about high prices, spotty customer service, and, most critically, inconsistent 5G coverage are pushing many users toward competitors. In response, Verizon recently appointed a new CEO, Dan Schulman, who has announced significant layoffs as part of an effort to restructure the company.
User Poll: Primary Reasons for Leaving Verizon
- Inconsistent 5G coverage: 28.57%
- Price too high for service quality: 31.17%
- Poor customer service: 18.18%
- Better deals and speeds at competitors like T-Mobile or AT&T: 22.08%
The Core Issue: Verizon’s 5G Coverage Shortfalls
While Verizon’s 4G network remains competitive and dependable in many areas, its 5G rollout has been far less successful. Nearly all phone users now expect robust 5G connectivity, but Verizon’s 5G-NR coverage only spans around 14% of the U.S., with just 9% for its faster 5G tier.
Contrastingly, T-Mobile holds a significant advantage with 37% coverage for standard 5G-NR and 26% for the higher-speed tier. This edge largely comes from T-Mobile’s acquisition of mid-band 2.5 GHz spectrum through the Sprint merger – an ideal balance of speed and range for 5G coverage.
Verizon prioritized high-band mmWave technology early on, branding it 5G Ultra Wideband (UW). Although capable of blistering speeds, mmWave technology has limited range and poor penetration through obstacles like buildings and trees. Verizon’s later attempts to improve coverage with C-band spectrum faced regulatory and technical hurdles that slowed deployment.
These factors allowed T-Mobile to leap ahead in coverage and customer satisfaction, leaving many former Verizon users frustrated and switching carriers.
While Verizon’s 4G remains solid, and future developments like 6G may rebalance the playing field, for now, T-Mobile is setting the pace when it comes to reliable, everyday 5G service.
Image Credit: FCC – Verizon 5G network coverage compared to T-Mobile and AT&T
