Wireless carriers go back to basics

With a churn rate that makes their execs weep like Michael Powell during his farewell speech, wireless carriers will do nearly anything to attract – and more importantly retain – customers. Given that to Joe Calling Plan, choosing one carrier over another usually comes down to something like “Which pretty phone do I like best?”, the carriers are returning to good, ol’ fashioned business basics – like customer service – to stand out.

USA Today looks at the lengths some wireless providers are going to, such as quick, in-store phone repair or replacement. Sprint is planning to add in-store repair to half of its 800 stores in the U.S., while Cingular Wireless customers will be able to get replacement phones overnighted.

“Industry observers say customer service has never been a strong suit for cellular companies, but it’s a habit the carriers had best cultivate,” writes USA Today. We think “industry observers” = “anyone who’s ever had a cell phone.”

Via USA Today