Why Is My Total By Verizon So Dropped Calls Should I Switch - Complete Guide

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If you're experiencing frequent dropped calls with Total by Verizon, you're not alone. Many users report connection issues with this prepaid service, leading them to wonder if it's time to switch carriers. The good news is that better alternatives exist that use the same Verizon network with superior call quality and reliability.

Why Total by Verizon Drops Calls

Total by Verizon operates as a prepaid service with lower network priority compared to postpaid Verizon customers. When cell towers become congested, your Total by Verizon connection gets deprioritized, leading to dropped calls, slow data speeds, and poor voice quality.

This network management practice affects all budget carriers, but some handle it better than others. Total by Verizon's infrastructure struggles particularly during peak hours (7-9 AM and 5-7 PM) and in densely populated areas where tower congestion is common.

The technical issue stems from Quality of Service (QoS) protocols that prioritize postpaid customers over prepaid users. Your calls literally get "bumped" when the network needs bandwidth for higher-paying customers. This explains why dropped calls often happen during busy periods or in crowded locations like shopping centers, stadiums, or downtown areas.

Best Alternatives to Total by Verizon

Visible: Our Top Recommendation (10/11)

Visible runs on the same Verizon network as Total by Verizon but offers significantly better service quality. At $25 per month with taxes included, Visible provides unlimited talk, text, and data with much less aggressive deprioritization than Total by Verizon.

What makes Visible superior is their network architecture. While still a prepaid service, Visible has negotiated better priority levels with Verizon. Users report far fewer dropped calls and more consistent service quality compared to Total by Verizon and other budget carriers.

Visible's plans include unlimited mobile hotspot (capped at 5 Mbps), making it excellent value for users who need reliable connectivity. The carrier has maintained a clean security record with no major data breaches, unlike some competitors in the budget space.

US Mobile: Multi-Network Flexibility (9.5/11)

US Mobile earns our 9.5/11 rating by offering access to all three major networks: Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T. This flexibility lets you choose the network that works best in your area. If Verizon coverage is spotty in your location, you can switch to T-Mobile or AT&T without changing carriers.

Their build-a-plan approach means you only pay for what you need. Plans start around $15 per month for basic service, scaling up to unlimited options. US Mobile's network priority levels are generally better than Total by Verizon, resulting in fewer dropped calls and more reliable service.

The carrier's customer service consistently rates above industry average, with responsive support via chat, phone, and social media. This matters when you're troubleshooting connection issues or need account changes.

Tello: T-Mobile Network Excellence (9.5/11)

If Verizon network issues persist in your area, Tello offers an excellent alternative on T-Mobile's network. With plans ranging from $8 to $25 per month, Tello provides outstanding value with minimal network deprioritization compared to other budget carriers.

Tello's standout feature is unlimited mobile hotspot on all plans, something Total by Verizon doesn't offer. The carrier maintains transparent pricing with no hidden fees or surprise charges. Customer reviews consistently praise Tello's reliable service and responsive support team.

T-Mobile's network has expanded significantly in recent years, often providing better coverage than Verizon in suburban and rural areas. If your dropped calls stem from poor Verizon coverage rather than deprioritization, switching to Tello could solve both issues while saving money.

Network Priority Comparison

Understanding network priority helps explain why some carriers work better than others on the same network. Here's how different services stack up on Verizon's network:

Service	Priority Level	Dropped Call Frequency
Verizon Postpaid	Highest	Rare
Visible	Medium-High	Occasional
Total by Verizon	Low	Frequent
Other Verizon MVNOs	Low-Medium	Common

This priority hierarchy directly impacts call quality. When towers become congested, lower-priority connections get throttled or dropped entirely. Visible's better priority placement explains why users report significantly fewer dropped calls compared to Total by Verizon.

Troubleshooting Before You Switch

Before abandoning Total by Verizon entirely, try these troubleshooting steps that might improve your call quality:

Check Your Phone's Compatibility: Older phones may lack newer cellular bands that improve call quality. If your phone is more than 3-4 years old, upgrading could reduce dropped calls regardless of carrier.

Update Carrier Settings: Go to Settings > General > About on iPhone or Settings > System Update on Android. Install any carrier setting updates, as these can improve network connectivity and call quality.

Toggle Airplane Mode: When experiencing frequent dropped calls, turn airplane mode on for 10 seconds, then off. This forces your phone to reconnect to the nearest tower, potentially grabbing a stronger signal.

Reset Network Settings: This nuclear option clears all saved WiFi passwords but can resolve persistent connectivity issues. The process varies by phone model but typically lives in Settings > Reset options.

If these steps don't improve your dropped call situation within a week, switching carriers becomes the logical solution.

Regional Considerations for Switching

Your geographic location significantly impacts which carrier switch makes sense. In major metropolitan areas, network congestion affects Total by Verizon more severely, making Visible or US Mobile clear upgrades. Rural users might benefit more from switching to Tello if T-Mobile has deployed newer towers in their area.

West Coast users often find T-Mobile (Tello) provides better coverage than Verizon in mountainous regions and newer suburban developments. East Coast users typically see consistent performance improvements by switching to Visible while staying on Verizon's network.

Southern states present mixed results, with Verizon generally dominant in rural areas but T-Mobile competitive in cities. US Mobile's multi-network approach works particularly well in these regions, letting you test different networks without switching carriers again.

Cost Comparison Analysis

Switching from Total by Verizon can actually save money while improving service quality. Here's how monthly costs compare:

Carrier	Monthly Cost	Network	Annual Savings
Total by Verizon	$30-50	Verizon	Baseline
Visible	$25	Verizon	$60-300
Tello	$19-25	T-Mobile	$132-300
US Mobile	$15-30	Multi	$0-420

These savings calculations assume Total by Verizon's typical $30-50 monthly cost range. Visible's flat $25 rate with taxes included often costs less than Total by Verizon's advertised prices once fees are added.

Tello's flexible pricing means light data users can save substantially, while unlimited users pay similar rates for better service quality. US Mobile's build-a-plan approach offers the most potential savings for users who don't need unlimited everything.

Best Phone to Pair With Your New Plan

If you need an unlocked phone that works perfectly with any of these carriers, we recommend the Google Pixel 9a. It's our top budget phone pick for 2026:

• Works with all US carriers (Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T networks)
• Supports eSIM + physical SIM for easy switching
• 7 years of software updates
• Excellent camera and battery life
• Around $499 unlocked

View Pixel 9a on Amazon →

Making the Switch Process Easy

Switching from Total by Verizon to a better carrier takes 15-20 minutes with proper preparation. First, ensure your phone is unlocked by calling Total by Verizon customer service. Most phones become eligible for unlocking after 60 days of service.

Next, choose your new carrier based on our recommendations above. Visible works best if you want to stay on Verizon's network with better priority. Tello offers excellent value on T-Mobile's network. US Mobile provides maximum flexibility across all networks.

Order your new SIM card or set up eSIM service before canceling Total by Verizon. This prevents service gaps during the transition. When ready to switch, contact your new carrier to port your number - they'll handle canceling Total by Verizon automatically.

The entire process typically completes within 2-4 hours, with phone service restored once number porting finishes. Keep your Total by Verizon account active until the port completes to avoid losing your phone number.

Long-Term Service Quality Expectations

After switching from Total by Verizon to a better carrier, expect immediate improvements in call quality and data reliability. Visible users typically report 70-80% fewer dropped calls within their first week of service. The improvement becomes most noticeable during previously problematic times like rush hour or in crowded areas.

Tello users switching from Verizon-based services often discover T-Mobile provides better coverage in their specific locations. The carrier's newer network infrastructure can deliver superior performance, especially for users in rapidly developing suburban areas where Verizon's towers face increasing congestion.

US Mobile's multi-network approach means you can optimize performance over time by testing different networks in various locations. This flexibility proves valuable for users who travel frequently or split time between different regions with varying coverage patterns.

The Bottom Line

Total by Verizon's frequent dropped calls stem from aggressive network deprioritization that affects service quality, especially during peak usage periods. Switching to Visible (10/11) keeps you on Verizon's network with significantly better priority levels and fewer dropped calls for just $25 monthly. For users open to changing networks, Tello (9.5/11) on T-Mobile or US Mobile (9.5/11) with multi-network access provide excellent alternatives with superior reliability and often lower costs than Total by Verizon.

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