Verizon Wireless’s 4G LTE was found to be the fastest mobile data network in the US according to a nationwide survey conducted by PCMag. PCMag also doled out awards to the AT&T 4G LTE and T-Mobile HSPA+ mobile networks.
Aiming to identify the country’s fastest mobile networks for its annual “Fastest Mobile Networks” report, PCMag covered 30 cities and six rural/suburban regions. Using software developed by Sensorly, PCMag tested the networks of the five largest US wireless telecompetitors– AT&T, MetroPCS, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon Wireless– collecting 240,000 lines of data on smartphone downloads, uploads, Internet streaming and network reliability. The test survey included exclusive access to Sprint’s new 4G LTE network, which is due to be launched this summer.
“Verizon’s 4G LTE network offers the best overall experience across the country,” said Sascha Segan, lead analyst for mobile at PCMag.com. “Where it’s available, AT&T’s network has terrific download speeds, but it’s in fewer cities. T-Mobile’s HSPA+ is also truly 4G, and offers great value for the money.”
“Sprint’s 4G LTE looks to be competitive with AT&T and Verizon; we just need to know where it’s rolling out,” Segan continued. “AT&T has the fastest network for iPhones, but Verizon’s 3G network is more reliable in many key cities.”
PCMag handed out 44 awards in total, for local and regional data for each city included. Verizon Wireless 4G LTE won 28, AT&T 4G LTE won 10, T-Mobile won five and one was a tie between Verizon Wireless and AT&T in San Antonio.
AT&T won 10 city awards in total, including New York, San Francisco and Washington D.C. Verizon Wireless won 19 cities including Chicago, Los Angeles and Miami. T-Mobile won awards for being the fastest in four suburban/rural regions, as well as fastest outside PCMag’s 30 test cities in general.
At 13.71 Mbps, AT&T 4G LTE delivered the fastest downloads. Verizon Wireless 4G LTE had the fastest uploads at 6.46Mbps as well as the best overall reliability.
