Six Major 3G and 4G Networks Tested Nationwide 115
adeelarshad82 writes "PCMag recently tested six 3G and 4G networks to determine which ones were the fastest (and slowest) in 18 different US cities. They focused on data, not calls, and used their own testing script and methodology, which combined various kinds of uploads and downloads. Using laptops, more than a dozen people ran more than 10,000 tests; they found AT&T is both the fastest national 3G network, and the least consistent. Sprint's 3G system was the slowest of the 'big four' carriers, but the most consistent. When the test results were broken down by regions, AT&T led on speed in the Southeast, Central, and West, but T-Mobile took the crown in the Northeast region. Sprint's 4G network was fast where it was available, but it was surprisingly slower than 3G in some cities. The fastest AT&T download seen, at 5.05 megabits/sec, was right behind Apple's headquarters at 1 Infinite Loop in Cupertino, CA. The fastest connection in any of the tests was a blazing 9.11 megabits down on Sprint 4G in the Midtown neighborhood of Atlanta, GA. The slowest city, on average, was Raleigh, with average 3G downloads of 880kbits/sec."
Re:Verizon (Score:4, Funny)
I'm surprised at not seeing Verizon mentioned in the summary, as I've heard pretty much everywhere that they have the best network. Perhaps Verizon focuses more on phone service than data?
I imagine Verizon will switch their focus to data once the 'can you hear me now' guy is done testing their network's voice coverage.
Now i know why my 3G connection has been slow (Score:5, Funny)
Assholes are running around the country with laptops trying to see how much bandwidth they can eat up for testing purposes.
Yay Raleigh! (Score:1, Funny)
Yay Raleigh! We have IBM! We have Redhat! We have Cisco! We also have slow-as-hell 3G / 4G!
At least our Roadrunner cable service is pretty solid. Would hate to be in an area with great wireless while simultaneously being stuck with Comcast.
Re:Verizon isn't "3G" (Score:3, Funny)
1 megabits/s should be enough for everyone
First Post~ (Score:3, Funny)
Why am I not suprised this isn't a black spot for AT&T coverage. I bet they have a transmitter aimed directly at Steve Jobs' head.
Mbps/MBps/MBPs/MbPs.....etc (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Verizon isn't "3G" (Score:1, Funny)
you are fired