New research from analysts over BTIG confirms what many in the industry already know: Verizon’s 4G LTE network is crazy fast and Sprint’s WiMAX network is slow and lacks coverage. The testing methodology involved over 1,000 speed tests done in New York City using an HTC Thunderbolt (pictured above) and HTC EVO 4G. Both devices were turned into wireless hotspots and an iPad 2 and Toshiba laptop were used to run the numbers. On average Verizon’s 4G LTE network scored 9.10 megabits down, 5.28 megabits up, and a latency of 143 milliseconds. Compare that to Sprint’s WiMAX network that got 1.17 megabits down, 0.66 megabits up, and a latency of 314 milliseconds. Now to be far Sprint’s WiMAX network is older and thus has more subscribers using it, but that’s still no excuse. Sprint’s been actively testing LTE and have been mulling a transition for quite a while now. We should be hearing an announcement regarding the potential switch sometime during the summer.
What we’d like to know is what sorts of results T-Mobile’s new 42 Mbps HSPA+ network is going to get. There should be wireless hotspot devices supporting the new high speed network coming out over the next few months. Initial tests show that T-Mobile is capable of delivering 25 megabits down using a USB modem. It’s going to be a while until T-Mobile releases a mobile phone that supports 42 Mbps HSPA+, but it’ll happen sooner rather than later since networks that fast are springing up all over Europe and Asia at a ferocious clip.
Back to Sprint, the only way they can compete now is on pricing. They’re arguably the only operator that doesn’t have data caps and they don’t even throttle. Want to churn through 100 GB in a month? Knock yourself out. Once they change that policy, if they decide to do so, then there’s no reason to even consider them as your next operator.
[Update]
Sprint has responded with a comment to this test. Here’s what they have to say about LTE vs WiMAX and how the test of Verizon’s relatively un-loaded 4G network is not fair or accurate:
In a word, we find these tests inaccurate.
We work closely with an independent third party research company which reports regularly to us on real-world, scientifically tested speeds and the results we see do not match what Piecyk found. We’ve recently seen speeds in NYC (inclusive of New Jersey) averaging 4-5Mbps download.
The Verizon 4G LTE network is very new so no one has any fully time-tested data on it yet. As their network gets loaded and more than just one smartphone comes forward on their network, we can better assess its capabilities. In the early days of 4G for Sprint, we saw some very high speed numbers when the Network was launched (much higher than our current speed claims) but what ultimately matters to customers is a consistent, long-standing experience based on a network loaded with customers.
While speed tests will come and go, Sprint continues to offer consumers a dependable 4G network, more 4G devices and the best 4G value – the only truly unlimited 4G – and we will continue to invest in expanding and enhancing Sprint 4G.
Read more here.