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AT&T's 3G Network Gets Top Ranks

Tuesday May 13, 2008 3:05 pm PDT by longofest
AT&T's 3G network beat out Verizon and Sprint's competing networks in testing done by ComputerWorld.

To gauge the speed and reliability of these three wireless data networks, I used my ThinkPad X300 to collect nearly 500 data points at eight different places in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, within a 50-mile radius of midtown Manhattan's urban canyons.

I timed how long it took to establish a connection with each network, followed by speed tests. Using Alken's bandwidth meter, I was able to gauge download and upload speeds as well as how long it took to load that vendor's home page. Finally, I ran an Internet radio station and timed how long it took to drain the battery. I then compared it to running the battery down using the notebook's Wi-Fi radio.

All speed readings -- connection time, the Alken speed tests and page loading times -- were repeated five times and averaged.


The result placed AT&T as the leader with consistently faster download and upload speeds and shorter connection and page load times. The author notes that individual results may vary based on location.

As readers are probably aware, Apple is widely expected to announce a 3G iPhone by June's Worldwide Developers Conference.
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jazzkids
Posted: 49 months ago
Is it fair to say that Apple is probably been the best thing for AT&T?

I realize that they were probably doing fine before Apple, but I think that relationship has been more of a benefit to AT&T than the reverse.

I'm glad to see that my switch from Sprint was a good move!
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longofest
Posted: 49 months ago
I've actually been very pleasantly surprised with AT&T. I was nervous switching from Verizon, but I've had nothing but good cell service, not to mention I get to use the iPhone.

But really... haven't had the bad network coverage issues that Cingular used to have. They've done a good job of solidifying their network.
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liberty4all
Posted: 49 months ago
Now just post a Clearwire WiMax (4G) datapoint for comparison purposes...

http://clearwire.com
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longofest
Posted: 49 months ago

Now just post a Clearwire WiMax (4G) datapoint for comparison purposes...

http://clearwire.com


This was a 3G comparison. 4G is still a ways off for being really viable for consumers. See how limited the coverage map is for one. Also, the speeds aren't that much better than 3G (peak 3G speeds in this test were 1.6 Mbps, whereas clearwire peak is 2Mbps according to their website).
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amac4me
Posted: 49 months ago
Bring on the 3G iPhone! Nice to see these results. I'll be switching from Verizon once the new model is released. Looking forward to finally owning an iPhone.
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Rocketman
Posted: 49 months ago

Is it fair to say that Apple is probably been the best thing for AT&T?


I agree. I hope ATT is sourcing UNIX boxes for nodes from Apple!

Blackberry is an ATT friendly thing as well, but they have back end services to compliment the palmtop and network front end.

Oh, wait, Apple owns the former Worldcom telco center. THEY could offer Blackberry (crackberry) like back end services too.

Hmmm. iPod dock connector keyboard dongle anyone?

Rocketman
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SirOmega
Posted: 49 months ago
I have a hard time believing this. Or at least, thinking that this would apply nationwide.

I have both Verizon Rev A EVDO and AT&T HSDPA modems at work, and I find that the EVDO modems perform better than the HSDPA modem. Rev A EVDO is slightly faster - 1Mb/s-800kb/s vs 900-750kb/s - and has lower ping times (120ms vs 350ms) than HSDPA modems.
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Rocketman
Posted: 49 months ago

Now just post a Clearwire WiMax (4G) datapoint for comparison purposes...

http://clearwire.com


I am as strong of a Wimax advocate as anyone on this site, but it has latency issues and is not deployed yet of course, and hogs power. The Verizon vision of high bandwidth cellular wireless seems more compatible with the installed base of handsets and the installed base of handset and chip manufacturing for device action time intensive applications. Maybe for laptops or devices with double or quadruple sized batteries.

Once Wimax becomes dense it is better, but for rural and national coverages, cellular is still the thing.

Heck, iPhone EDGE (2.75G) is pervasive in this country and I tested that on a cross-country trip with almost no dead spots. That amazed me. Thank you NSA! :)

Rocketman
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stagi
Posted: 49 months ago
Very nice, bring on the 3g iPhone
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Diode
Posted: 49 months ago

This was a 3G comparison. 4G is still a ways off for being really viable for consumers. See how limited the coverage map is for one. Also, the speeds aren't that much better than 3G (peak 3G speeds in this test were 1.6 Mbps, whereas clearwire peak is 2Mbps according to their website).


Don't forget that Clearwire is capped at 256k upload.

They were getting 484Kbit/sec on AT&T's 3G ... which will make emailing photo's much much better.
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