Who has the fastest mobile broadband? Speed tests from Sprint, Verizon and AT&T
So you open your browser and jump to Google. You write something like:
“Who has the fastest mobile broadband?“
3 sites that seem very familiar appear saying things like:
“Verizon Wireless’ BroadbandAccess Evolution Data Optimized (EV-DO) network has been enhanced with EV-DO Rev. A to deliver even faster data speeds and greater efficiency. Fast Downloads: Typical speeds from 600 Kbps to 1.4 Mbps. Uploads fast: typical speeds of 500-800 Kbps”.
“With a Sprint mobile broadband card, you get average download speeds of 600-1400 Kbps, maxing out at 3.1 Mbps, and average upload speeds of 350-500 Kbps, maxing out at 1.8 Mbps Similar to DSL, and about ten times faster than a dial-up modem”
“AT&T offers the broadband speed and responsiveness of BroadbandConnect…the latest 3G devices deliver typical download throughput of 700kbps to 1.7Mbps for downloads and 500kbps to 1.2Mbps for uploads”
Yuck.
Just give it to me straight Doc. He speaks English. How the hell is anyone supposed to find out who’s the fastest with this ‘you can’t sue me’ lawyer language?
All the ranges seem to overlap. Even looking at the top speeds, Verizon and Sprint look identical…until, that is, you realize they’re just theories. A best case scenario that is not too optimistic.
It’s like the range of your speedometer that goes from 0 mph to 120 mph. Just because 120 mph is on your dash doesn’t mean your rusty 16 year old Honda Civic Hatchback with the check engine light flashing will make it.
Companies also know that they can’t be called because ‘there are too many variables’. How were the road conditions? How fast were you going? When was the last time you had a tune-up? How was the weather? Do you know how many cell phone towers there were in the area? How many satellites were placed around you at that time? Or my personal favorite ‘You are most likely roaming and we have no control over other networks’.
It’s like trying to get fresh organic vegetables at McDonald’s. It just won’t happen.
It just is what it is my friend.
The only way to get to the heart of the matter and revel in the raw truth is to get out in nature. Outside of my own testing, I draw on the experiences of others from ComputerWorld, Gizmodo, and jkOnTheRun. I’ll give you a brief chronological summary of what happened with each one:
computer world – Which 3G network is the best? – 05/13/08
To lease:
New York, New Jersey and Connecticut
Broadband cards:
(AT&T) Sierra Wireless USBConnect 881, (Sprint) Novatel Wireless Ovation U727 and (Verizon) Sierra Wireless USB AirCard 595U
Result: AT&T had the highest maximum speed (1.6 Mbps), average download speed (755 Kbps) and upload speed (484 Kbps)
gizmodo – The Ultimate Coast-to-Coast 3G Data Test – 12/17/08
To lease:
Austin, Boston, Chicago, New York, Portland, Raleigh-Durham, San Francisco, and the Bay Area
Broadband cards:
Sierra USBConnect 881 from AT&T, Sierra Wireless Compass 597 from Sprint and Novatel USB727 from Verizon Wireless
Results: Sprint had the highest national average download speed (1.4 Mbps) while AT&T (640 kbps) had the highest average upload speed
jkontherun – 3G speed test: EV-DO vs. HSDPA in Phoenix – 12/27/08
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Broadband cards: Verizon Wireless USB727, AT&T USB Quicksilver
Results: Verizon had the highest download speed (2.1 Mbps) and upload speed (744 Kbps)
So here we have 3 different tests, all showing someone else as the winner. It is not surprising. Mobile broadband speeds vary from place to place. The only way to get a clear winner is to try multiple locations, take a couple of averages, and then see who comes out on top.
Given that Gizmodo’s test was the most comprehensive, it’s fair to say that it’s also the most reliable. Sprint is getting big in the mobile broadband game. Even if you only compare the tests Gizmodo conducted in New York City to the tests ComputerWorld conducted in New York City, Sprint still outperforms AT&T in download and upload speeds.
Sprint is clearly the overall winner and offers serious competition everywhere.. Add in the fact that they are the largest and fastest mobile broadband network and you get a one-two punch.
It’s no wonder Andy Abramson of Working Anywhere recommends Sprint. He spends about $900 a month testing services related to wireless Internet and mobile broadband. Looks like he might know a thing or two.
To further beat a dead horse…
I personally tested it on over 1001 highway miles at 70 miles per hour (New Orleans to Jacksonville and Tampa to Atlanta). My connection dropped once… for 15 minutes total. That’s solid.
Now, before we all start bowing down to the incredible network that is Sprint, ComputerWorld points out a few things to know:
“Using this technology can be a bit like being on a roller coaster. I found that I could be screaming at 1.1 Mbit/sec only to have slow speeds at 20 Kbit/sec a moment later. That’s because, as with everything Cellular service, speed, and reliability depend on a variety of conditions, such as how far you are from a cell tower, how many other users are connected in your vicinity, and how much data you’re moving.”