Which 3G Network Is the Best? Computerworld 13May08

ebiz

Computerworld did a test of ATT, Sprint & Verizon's mobile broadband services. The results were surprising to me and appear on the link below. The article correctly warns that all mobile service can have wide variations of speed whether remaining in the same place or moving to different places (We've all experienced that). Anyway, it is worth a read. The findings sure challenged some of my conceptions.

This could be a problem for Sprint. Since we gain no benefit from having the same carrier for cell and mobile broadband, Sprint users coming to the end of their broadband contract have no price advantage for staying other than having no further lock-in agrmt.

Review: Which 3G network is the best?
Computerworld, 13May08
www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9083559&pageNumber=5

ATT (Sierra Wireless 881 free with 2 Yr. agrmt)
In tests, AT&T's network left its competitors in the digital dust
Coverage map, www.wireless.att.com/coverageviewer/popUp_3g.html

Sprint (Novatel Wireless Ovation U727, $100)
The slowest of the three cellular data networks
Coverage map, http://coverage.sprintpcs.com/IMPACT.jsp?covType=sprint

Verizon (Sierra Wireless AC595U, $130)
A midrange performer
coverage map, www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/CoverageLocatorController?requesttype=NEWREQUEST
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Vista64 & EX720

dan1101 · EVDO User Joined: 17 May 2007 Posts: 64

Interesting.

Where I am there is no 3G AT&T coverage, there is nearby 3G Sprint coverage (which is probably why my service is marginal), and there is complete 3G Verizon coverage. Pity about Verizon's 2GB limit, IIRC.

Edit: Well crap, I see Verizon will sell me 5GB per month for $60. Even if I can't get something equivalent to (Employee Discount) for Verizon, $10 more per month for better service would be worth it.

n6gn · Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2008 11:48 am Post subject:

Thanks for posting. since it is wideband CMA, HSDPA has the potential for higher speeds but what I found telling is the difference in coverage maps. AT&T looks more like a case of acne than Sprint's coverage - a really bad rash.

It will be interesting to see what happens to profitability and plan prices as AT&T has to pay for build out of wider areas. If you happen to live where there's coverage it may be a good deal but I wouldn't hold my breath on them adding the necessary cell sites, close enough together to support full rated HSDPA in some of the outlying regions of the US. They aren't going to get 14 Mbps download, never mind HSDPA+ speeds, with the kind of cell site density they currently have for voice.

The truth is, nobody has very complete 3G coverage of the US. We're all still stuck with whatever happens to work best and be most affordable wherever we live. For some of us, that's not much.

n6gn

nmfiredawg · EVDO Fledgling Joined: 02 May 2008 Posts: 22

strange it says that in my area is only about 700 kps where with sprint I am getting aroung 1.2mb