What this? New survey finds AT&T data is faster, as reliable as Verizon
One of Ma Bell’s harshest critics has published a study that surprisingly shows the carrier’s data network is generally faster and about as reliable as Verizon’s. No, they didn’t test calling reliability or spend time outside of a dozen big metros — i.e. their work admittedly has some flaws — but this result is still surprising.
Gizmodo put together a rather large survey of data network speed and reliability covering 12 metro areas in these oddly fractious United States and the result surprised them — AT&T, at least during the period covered — did quite well compared to Verizon.
Let’s get this straight right away: We didn’t test dropped voice calls, we didn’t test customer service, and we didn’t test map coverage by wandering around in the boonies. We tested the ability of the networks to deliver 3G data in and around cities, including both concrete canyons and picket-fenced ‘burbs. And while every 3G network gave us troubles on occasion, AT&T’s wasn’t measurably more or less reliable than Verizon’s.”
Atlanta – AT&T, followed by Verizon
Bay Area/San Francisco – AT&T, followed by Verizon
Chicago – AT&T, followed by Verizon then Sprint
Denver – AT&T, followed by Verizon
Las Vegas – Verizon, followed by AT&T
Los Angeles – AT&T, followed by Sprint
Maui – Verizon, followed by AT&T
New York – AT&T, followed by T-Mobile
Phoenix – Verizon, followed by T-Mobile
Portland – T-Mobile, followed by Verizon
Seattle – Verizon, followed by T-Mobile
Tampa – Sprint, followed by AT&T
Obviously, there are huge swaths of the country Gizmodo’s survey didn’t even sample, but this survey provides some vindication to AT&T, which has taken a lot of abuse for service and network issues. Again, this report doesn’t touch on customer service or calling reliability — iPhone users big beefs with Ma Bell — but does cover data network speed and reliability in the cities listed.
After seeing this information, do you feel better about AT&T or are you still going to join the Operation Chokehold rebels?
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