Verizon has a clear edge over T-Mobile in one region of J.D. Power’s 2026 wireless network quality study: North Central, where Verizon recorded 6 problems per 100 uses (PP100) to T-Mobile’s 8. Separately, an Opensignal January 2026 summary identifies Verizon as a leader in three categories—5G Video Experience, 5G Live Video Experience, and Coverage Experience. Neither result means Verizon beats T-Mobile overall: J.D. Power found a mixed regional picture, and T-Mobile says it won more Opensignal categories overall.
What are the two areas where Verizon leads?
The evidence behind the “two counts” framing comes from two different kinds of comparison, not a single head-to-head verdict. J.D. Power’s 2026 U.S. Wireless Network Quality Performance Study—Volume 1 found Verizon ranked highest in North Central for customer-reported network problems. Opensignal’s January 2026 report summary lists Verizon as a leader in three experience categories: 5G Video Experience, 5G Live Video Experience, and Coverage Experience. The available Opensignal summary does not establish scores or detailed category definitions.
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These measures should not be collapsed into one ranking. J.D. Power counted customer-reported problems by region; the Opensignal categories concern specific user experiences. The results answer different questions about network quality.
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What did J.D. Power find across regions?
J.D. Power surveyed 20,050 wireless customers about phone service as well as tablets and mobile broadband devices. Its fieldwork ran from June through November 2025. The regional scores below are problems per 100 uses; a lower PP100 score means fewer reported problems.
#1 Best Overall
- Tri-Band WiFi 6E Router - Up to 5400 Mbps WiFi for faster browsing, streaming, gaming and downloading, all at the same time(6 GHz: 2402 Mbps;5 GHz: 2402 Mbps;2.4 GHz: 574 Mbps)
- WiFi 6E Unleashed – The 6 GHz band brings more bandwidth, faster speeds, and near-zero latency; Enables more responsive gaming and video chatting
- Connect More Devices—True Tri-Band and OFDMA technology increase capacity by 4 times to enable simultaneous transmission to more devices
- Unique Design, More RAM, Better Processing - A unique housing design provides optimal heat dissipation, combined with a 1.0 GHz dual-core CPU and 512 MB High-Speed Memory, the AXE75 is designed for long-term reliability and performance.
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| U.S. region | Verizon | T-Mobile | Study result |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Central | 6 PP100; ranked highest | 8 PP100; ranked third | Verizon leads |
| Southeast | 9 PP100; ranked second | 8 PP100; ranked highest | T-Mobile leads |
| Southwest | 9 PP100; ranked second | 8 PP100; ranked highest | T-Mobile leads |
| Mid-Atlantic | 8 PP100; tied for highest | 8 PP100; tied for highest | Tie |
| Northeast | 9 PP100; tied for highest | 9 PP100; tied for highest | Tie |
| West | 9 PP100; tied for highest | 9 PP100; tied for highest | Tie |
That is not a national sweep for Verizon. It leads in North Central, T-Mobile ranks highest in Southeast and Southwest, and the carriers tie for highest in three other regions. J.D. Power senior director Carl Lepper said, “Despite generational differences in the types of problems experienced, one thing is clear: wireless network quality is strong.” He also said major carriers had kept the average overall problems per 100 uses at or below 9 over the past year. These are Lepper’s observations about the study, not a claim that every carrier performs equally in every place.
How should you interpret the Opensignal results?
The January 2026 Opensignal search-result summary lists Verizon as a leader in 5G Video Experience, 5G Live Video Experience, and Coverage Experience. T-Mobile’s January 15, 2026 newsroom account says it won 12 of Opensignal’s 16 measured categories. Treat that 12-category figure as T-Mobile’s description of the report; it does not negate Verizon’s leads in particular categories.
Rank #2
- The latest Wi-Fi generation, Wi-Fi 6 (802.11 ax) with speeds averaging 60% faster on 2.4 GHz and 38% faster on 5 GHz than previous Verizon Wi-Fi routers*
- Tri-band 4x4 antennas, increasing Wi-Fi coverage by an average of 63%*
- 4 Gigabit LAN + 1 Gigabit WAN, MoCA2.5 + LAN MoCA1.1 WAN
- Automatic Band switching between 2.4GH and 5.8GH Band and 150% more Wi-Fi range than G1100
- Self-Organizing Network technology for automatic band steering and single Wi-Fi Network name
The detailed Opensignal report could not be verified directly, so the available information does not support adding category scores, precise definitions, or methodological comparisons. “Leader” in a specific experience category also does not by itself show which carrier will be better for a particular customer.
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A regional average cannot predict reception at your home, workplace, commute, or other regular destinations. Check each carrier’s coverage information for the places you actually use service, then consider whether service works indoors and along your routes. Maps and regional rankings are useful screening tools, not guarantees of a local experience.
Rank #3
- Please update the firmware upon initial setup of the router, as it greatly enhances the device's performance and ensures a superior user experience.*** 【WiFi 6 Standard with ultra-low latency】Wi-Fi 6 speeds up to 6 Gbps to let you enjoy smoother 4K streaming, gaming, video calls and more, DDR4 1GB / eMMC 8GB
- 【High Speed Gaming Router】Dominate with uninterrupted performance with the ultimate MT6000 gaming internet router, equipped with 8-stream Wi-Fi 6 technology, the Flint 2 delivers blazing speeds, ensuring a stable and high-speed connection during intense multiplayer battles.
- 【Rapid OpenVPN & Wireguard speed】Wireguard VPN and OpenVPN speeds up to 900Mbps and 880Mbps respectively, giving you complete control over your gaming, streaming and working bandwidth. Actual speed may differ depending on internet service provider, network environment, VPN server location, VPN service provider, etc.
- 【AdGuard Home Supported】Enabling the use of a DNS server for blocking unwanted tracking and offers a convenient web interface for filtering selected digital advertisements. Users can take full control of their online experience and enjoy a clutter-free browsing environment with ease.
- 【Mass device connectivity】Experience enhanced online connectivity with our higher storage capacity, catering to over a hundred devices and fulfilling the requirements of DIY users seeking to install additional plugins. Enjoy stable and reliable connections, ensuring seamless performance and accommodating a wide range of digital needs.
For a decision grounded in your own usage, compare practical evidence where possible: ask people who use each network at your locations, check coverage at the exact address rather than only the surrounding region, and consider any trial or return terms available with the plan. A strength in coverage or video categories elsewhere is not a substitute for service at your locations.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Compare plans separately from network scores
Network studies do not determine which plan is the better value. Compare equivalent options for the number of lines you need and the features you use. Verizon’s published comparison page describes its Simplicity Plan as a single flat-rate plan and contrasts it with T-Mobile’s tiered portfolio; this is Verizon’s own marketing comparison, not an independent assessment. Plan terms and offers can change, so verify current details with both carriers before switching.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 【Rapid OpenVPN & Wireguard Speed】Wireguard VPN and OpenVPN both deliver speeds of up to 1100 Mbps, giving you complete control over your gaming, streaming and working bandwidth. Actual speed may differ depending on internet service provider, network environment, VPN server location, VPN service provider, etc.
- 【Extensive Coverage】Experience seamless Wi-Fi connection throughout your home and workplace with performance designed for extra long range WiFi, modern connectivity. This advanced router system delivers strong, reliable signal strength for up to 2,500 square feet of coverage.
- 【Mass device connectivity】Experience enhanced online connectivity with our higher storage capacity, catering to over a hundred devices and fulfilling the requirements of DIY users seeking to install additional plugins. Enjoy stable and reliable connections, ensuring seamless performance and accommodating a wide range of digital needs.
- 【MLO + 4K-QAM Breakthrough】Flint 3e represents the future of wireless router, delivering ultra-fast speeds, significantly reduced latency, and improved connectivity in high-density environments through cutting-edge innovations like Multi-Link Operation (MLO), enhanced OFDMA, 4K-QAM, preamble puncturing and Multi-RUs.
- 【AdGuard Home Supported】Enables the use of a DNS server for blocking unwanted tracking and offers a convenient web interface for filtering selected digital advertisements. Users can take full control of their online experience and enjoy a clutter-free browsing environment with ease.
Rank #4
- STAY CONNECTED WITH 5G: The G530 AX3000 5G WiFi 6 Router delivers 5G cellular speeds up to 3.4 Gbps (5G SIM), bringing reliable, high-speed internet to rural/remote locations where wired broadband isn’t available or as an alternative to urban broadband
- PERFECT FOR: Rural/Urban Homes, Cottages, Mobile Homes, RVs, Food Trucks, Pop-Up Stores, Construction sites, temporary setups, or anywhere you need high-performance or redundant internet access - connects to both 5G / Wired Broadband for flexible usage
- NEXT-GEN WI-FI 6: The G530 5G Router delivers blazing speeds—up to 574Mbps (2.4GHz) + 2402Mbps (5GHz) to your devices. Perfect for seamless streaming, gaming, and remote work. Advanced MU-MIMO and OFDMA help keep everyone connected without a hitch
- SETUP AND MANAGEMENT SIMPLIFIED: The intuitive FALCON app helps guide you through setup and keeps remote management simple. Easily setup Enhanced Parental Controls, Guest Network, set usage caps/notifications and more right from the app
- CERTIFIED AND BACKWARD COMPATIBLE: Compatible with 5G (both NSA and SA standards), 4G LTE and 3G networks – Compatible with IEEE 802.11ax/ac/n/g/b/a, IEEE 802.3u/ab - Certified with PTCRB, AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon. Comes with 1GB SIM card for testing
- Compare the same number of lines and similar plan tiers.
- Check the total cost, including taxes, fees, activation, and upgrade charges.
- Match hotspot allowances and any speed or data conditions that apply.
- Review roaming and international coverage for the places you travel.
- Count streaming or other included benefits only if you would otherwise pay for them.
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