AT&T has best 3G network? Really? No way…
In a recent Computerworld test, AT&T was determined to have the “best” 3G network, leaving its competitors “in the dust”. This is pretty surprising since the iPhone carrier is known to generally suck…
In the interest of fairness, we should point out a couple flaws in Computerworld‘s 3G test. First of all, it was conducted within a 50 mile radius of midtown Manhattan’s urban canyons, so the results only count for that area. As you may or may not know, most of the rest of the United States is situated outside of that area.
Furthermore, there wasn’t a reception component to the test. What good is a speedy signal if you can’t connect to it? We can’t speak for the rest of the country, but in Southern California, going with AT&T generally means giving up reception indoors. Computerworld also didn’t take into consideration T-Mobile’s new 3G network.
But all criticism aside, the results of the test were surprising considering Verizon and Sprint utilize the theoretically “superior” EV-DO technology. AT&T won the peak download speed category, which measured the fastest download speed experienced by the testers.
- AT&T: 1.6Mbit/sec
- Verizon: 1.3Mbit/sec
- Sprint: 1.2Mbit/sec
AT&T also bested Verizon and Sprint in the average download speed category.
- AT&T: 755Kbit/sec
- Verizon: 592Kbit/sec
- Sprint: 494Kbit/sec
The laptop connected to AT&T’s network the faster than the others, but Sprint didn’t finish last this time.
- AT&T: 3 seconds
- Sprint: 3.7 seconds
- Verizon: 5.6 seconds
The iPhone overlord also took gold for the average upload speed category, but Sprint loaded web pages more quickly than the others. Verizon taxed the battery on the laptop the least, but the EV-DO adapter used with Verizon’s service may be the reason behind the victory. A change in the adapter used with any of these networks could modify the results of the tests significantly.
Though we applaud AT&T for the good work it’s done with its 3G network in New York, we can’t recommend AT&T for anyone outside of New England. Frankly, AT&T sucks on the West Coast, and we wouldn’t be doing our job if we didn’t point that out again.
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September 10th, 2008
Actually, AT&T sucks on the east coast as well. I live in lower Manhattan, and have seen and heard horror stories from friends with AT&T. Even with five bars they get no reception and are constantly dropping calls.
So yeah, AT&T sucks. Pretty much everywhere.
For the record, I have Verizon and get reception just about everywhere, and have had only one dropped call that I can remember. That was when I stepped into an elevator.
December 31st, 2008
Unless you are where the AT&T exec. are (which is in most large cities) their 3g network sucks.My daughter has an iphone & had to pay an extra 30.00 a monthe for a service that only works 50% of the time.I am in a small town,but there are plenty of towers to carry a good signal,so I know that isn’t the problem.Verizon has much better coverage area & Verizon seems like it cares more about the U.S. as a whole and not just the big cities.I work for a local ILEC and can tell you by the service I have installed for all three of the carriers(AT&T,Verizon,and Sprint) Verizon has 3 times as many T1′s as AT&T or Sprint.For every 1 T1 I install for AT&T,there are 3 put in for Verizon and roughly 2 for Sprint.
May 20th, 2009
So thats three people then. Try not to look around and see everyone and there brother using the iPhone 3G! AT&T has a great 3G network that I use in a rural part of Florida with great success and when I visit any major city it gets even better due to more towers! I unfortunately have never been to Southern California so I cannot speak to the claims, but for most of the United States I have had great success. As far as reception to phone, Im pretty sure every phone company stays away from that figure. As for T-Mobiles 3g network, yes it would be nice to know there capability but everyone should know it would be a waste this early on to see the results. I would stand by the report and take a review that explicitly says I only know about Southern California and uses suck in an article with a box of salt.
July 6th, 2010
I actually live in the West Coast. Traveled up the 101 from LA to San Fran, to Calistoga, CA. Sure I didnt have reception in some areas but neither did my verizon friends. But when I was in San Francisco I had full bars and was definately on a call while using google maps to help my friends navigate through the city, something my verizon friends were powerless to do. So i saved the day! haha.
I will say from my personal experience with the iPhone and AT&T I am 9/10 satisfied.
January 16th, 2011
Hello there, just stopped by doing some research for my San Francisco 4g site. Amazing the amount of information on the web. Looking for something else, but nice site. Have a good day.
October 20th, 2011
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