Contact Us

24 / 7 Support Line: + (123) 1800-567-8990

Our Location

USA, New York - 1060 Str. First Avenue 1

The customer service nightmare: How telecoms are driving away business

When it comes to customer service, few industries have reputations as tarnished as telecom. Long hold times, unhelpful responses, and endless transfers between departments have become synonymous with calling your provider. It’s not just an inconvenience. It’s also a massive business risk.

In a market where competition is fierce, poor customer service is one of the top drivers of churn. And with social media amplifying every misstep, telecom providers can no longer afford to overlook the importance of exceptional customer experiences. Let’s explore why the industry is failing and how to fix it.

A long history of frustration

Telecom companies have long struggled with customer satisfaction, often ranking at the bottom of customer service surveys.

The numbers don’t lie

Common pain points

The cost of poor customer service

Bad customer service doesn’t just annoy customers—it also directly impacts revenue, retention, and reputation.

Churn and lost revenue

Customer churn is a perennial challenge for telecom providers, and poor service is a major driver.

Reputational damage

In the digital age, every negative interaction can quickly become a public relations crisis.

  • Social media backlash: Complaints on Twitter, Reddit, and other platforms often go viral, reaching thousands of potential customers.
  • Example: In 2014, a recorded call between a telecom rep and a customer went viral on social media because of the rep’s use of aggressive retention tactics and refusal to let the customer cancel his service.

Why telecom customer service struggles

Despite its importance, customer service often takes a backseat in the telecom industry.

Legacy systems and inefficiencies

Misaligned priorities

  • Cost-cutting measures: Many providers prioritize cost reduction over customer satisfaction, leading to undertrained staff and insufficient resources.
  • Focus on acquisition: Telecom companies often invest heavily in acquiring new customers but neglect retention efforts, resulting in high churn rates.

How telecoms can fix the customer service crisis

Turning around customer service isn’t just possible—it’s essential. Here’s how telecom companies can address the issue and win back customer trust.

1. Invest in omnichannel support

Customers expect seamless service across channels, from phone calls to chatbots to social media.

a leap in customer self-service interactions from 19 percent to 45 percent,” enthuses Heng. “This boost is driven by a 140 percent increase in average messages per user, particularly for Digital Lifestyle products.” He shares Rahmi’s support for her customer service agents, who can now spend more time with the customers who need them the most. “Our agents used to handle 8,000 calls a day, but now that volume has dropped to 1,000 calls, and cross-selling has

2. Train and empower agents

Customer service agents are often undertrained and overwhelmed. Providing them with better tools and training can significantly improve outcomes.

  • Actionable step: Implement regular training sessions focused on conflict resolution, technical knowledge, and empathy.

3. Embrace proactive service

Instead of waiting for customers to call with problems, telecoms can use data to anticipate issues and address them proactively.

4. Measure what matters

Traditional customer service metrics such as average handle time (AHT) often prioritize speed over quality. Instead, focus on metrics that reflect true customer satisfaction.

A path to better customer relationships

The telecom industry doesn’t have to be synonymous with bad customer service. By investing in the right technology, prioritizing training, and rethinking their approach to customer care, providers can transform a longstanding weakness into a competitive advantage.

In an industry where trust is rare and loyalty is fleeting, exceptional customer service is no longer a nice-to-have—it’s a necessity for survival.