Welcome to Carrier Wars; next up, Verizon Wireless
You knew we weren’t going to leave well enough alone — it’s just not our style. Following yesterday’s post calling out AT&T for terrible 3G service in the NYC area and the subsequent number crunch that revealed things aren’t as bad elsewhere, BGR readers were left wanting more. What about Verizon, Sprint and T-Mobile? How do they stack up to “the nation’s fastest 3G network”? Well folks, it’s time to find out. We’re going to hit each of the big four and find out exactly what’s what. AT&T was first in line and next up is Big Red. If you’re on Sprint or T-Mobile don’t worry, we’ll be hitting you as well next week.
So now it’s time for roll call — you know the drill. If you’re a Verizon Wireless subscriber, hit the comments section below and let us know how your network stacks up. We want results from your speed tests and we also want to know where you are and what handset you’re using. Again, bonus points if you link a screenshot. Remember, we’re only interested in 3G for the time being so break out those EV-DO handsets and get to work.
When are we going to get the results? The AT&T ones were up the next day.
Hi,
Thanks for info on capture it. Not sure if I can post the screenshot through my windows mobile profile, but I’m giving it a try. Using a BlackBerry Storm in NJ about an hour from NY and 45 minutes north of Philly. Have never seen 3G ever pop up on my phone no matter where I’ve gone.
Download speed: 542.59 Kb/s
Upload: 361.76 Kb/s
This test is taken from the suburbs of Richmond, VA
From my Blackberry Tour via extreme speed
Avg. Download Speed: 604.4Kbits/s
Max. Download Speed: 985.27Kbits/s
Avg. Upload Speed: 385.39Kbits/s
Max. Upload Speed: 588.87Kbits/s
This is taken from my UM175 usb broadband modem (via speakeasy.net/speedtest)
1825 kbps down
488 up
When i’m in my apartment downtown, the USB modem generally registers around 2100 down, and as fast as 700 to 800 up.
Xtreme Labs speed test
Device: Blackberry 9630
Carrier: Verizon Wireless
Location: Glen Allen, VA
Average download speed: 524.34 Kbits/s
Max download speed: 617.2 Kbits/s
Average upload speed: 342.76 Kbits/s
Max upload speed: 427.35 Kbits/s
lol all this is over the iPhone… Verizon you had your chance and wait? didn’t you say no? Suck it up and invest your money into a GSM Network like the rest of the world!
Device: Blackberry 9630
Carrier: Verizon Wireless
Location: Rockaway, NJ
Average download speed: 723.5 Kbits/s
Max download speed: 905.2 Kbits/s
Average upload speed: 73.32 Kbits/s
Max upload speed: 73.54 Kbits/s
Device: iPhone 3GS
Carrier: ATT
Location: Rockaway, NJ
Average download speed: 1014 Kbits/s
Max download speed: 1014 Kbits/s
Average upload speed: 269 Kbits/s
Max upload speed: 270 Kbits/s
I have the iphone and live north of Memphis, not only do I not get the 3G from ATT, but hardly any signal at all…..although ATT’s coverage maps show I should get them all!!!
xtreme labs speed test
device: blackberry 9630 tour
carrier: verizon
location: Ladera Ranch, CA (Orange County)
max download speed: 632.63 kbits/s
average through tests 532.82 kbits/s
max upload 394.84 kbits/s
average through tests 454.54 kbits/s
Once I reset my phone and tried again, my numbers seemed to improve:
xtreme labs speed test
device: blackberry 9630 tour
carrier: verizon
location: Ladera Ranch, CA (Orange County)
max download speed: 785.34 kbits/s
average through tests 633.77 kbits/s
Verizon 8330 in Columbus, Ohio (suburbs)…
Here are the Speedtest results for my Blackberry:
Connection Type: Carrier (VZW)
Avg. Download Speed: 294.8Kbits/s
Max. Download Speed: 415.34Kbits/s
Avg. Upload Speed: 23.02Kbits/s
Max. Upload Speed: 102.88Kbits/s
Having used both network with blackberry 8820 (att) and 8830 (VZW), and att with an iphone, I must say NEITHER has speed to crow about. As far as reliability goes, On att, I would drop calls an average of times a day when traveling (bus/car/train) along major corridors, using VZW, I can only count twice in 1 year that I have ever dropped a call and VZW DOES has much improved coverage in remote areas (albeit not necessarily 3g. My own non-scientific consumer based test has shown Verizon to have a far more reliable network that att.
iPhone 3GS (ATT)
Gilbert, AZ:
Xtreme Labs:
Down: 1484 kbits/s
Up: 222 kbits/s
Great 3G speeds and overall quality of service with ATT in Arizona. No complaints.
San Francisco
99% great.
expensive.
dependable.