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Putting 3G networks to the test
PC World took what it called "a single-day, real-world snapshot" 
of the performance of 3G networks of Verizon Wireless, AT&T and Sprint. The publication said it used "industry-accepted testing technology techniques" to help smartphone users understand what type of performance they can get from the network.
PC World tested performance in 13 major cities with testing partner Navarum. It found that Verizon Wireless had an average download speed of 951 kbps across more than 20 testing locations in each of the 13 cities. In terms of reliability, the network was available at a reasonable and uninterrupted speed in about 90 percent of the tests.
Sprint's 3G network delivered on its promised speeds 90.5 percent of the tests in 13 cities. Average download speeds were 808 kbps. "The Sprint network performed especially well, both in speed and in reliability, in our test cities in the western part of the United States," said PC World.
Tests of AT&T's network showed average download speeds to be 812 kbps. PC World said reliability was a problem with Navarum testers only able to make a connection at a reasonable, uninterrupted speed in 68 percent of their tests.
For more:
- take a look at the data
- take a look at PC World
Related articles:
3G handset reliability depends upon chipset selected, claims study
Apple slammed with lawsuit over iPhone 3G
Comments
Posted by RLHob | July 2, 2009 - 11:19am
Typical that AT&T's ads dont bear out the truth in real live testing. How do they get away with these claims?
Posted by Martin Suter | July 2, 2009 - 3:10pm
Lynette;
Great blog. This kind of analysis is important in order to help set end-user expectations that are realistic. I blogged on 3/19 on the data that xTreme Networks published from its iPhone SpeedTest application (www.xchangemag.com/blogs/suter/blogdefault.aspx/a/wifi-opportunity-or-threat.html/m/art), where the average 3G download speed is 956kbps (US 841kbps). Interesting that this is almost exactly what Novarum measured in its tests, which makes the SpeedTest data quite credible.
I'd challenge RLHob to support his assertion that AT&T is misleading in its advertising. On its site, it's quite clear about managing actual performance expectations (vs theoretical maximums supported by each technology). The following is a cut & paste, and both the Novarum and SpeedTest results fall within the range they describe: "HSDPA typically provides download speeds between 700 kbps and 1.7 mbps and upload speeds of between 80 and 100 kbit/s. HSPDA is roughly equivalent to low-end DSL in terms of download speed, though in some circumstances HSDPA can surpass DSL. Under ideal conditions HSDPA connections can be established which maintain speeds well over 1 Mbit/s."
That's my .02!
Martin
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