HSDPA - iPhone 4 vs HTC desire?

[amro]

While I'm in the UK, I've been comparing the data speeds of my iPhone 4 vs my friend's HTC Desire. Since I'm on AT&T, I am able to try all the networks available (O2, Vodafone, T-Mobile, Orange, 3UK). The HTC can regularly pump 2-3 Mbps up and down. I'm lucky to get 1 down. Why?

I noticed that the HTC uses HSDPA 900 / 2100 for the frequencies whereas the iPhone uses UMTS/HSDPA 850, 1900, 2100. Is this a factor?

We're using speedtest.net apps on both devices and have tried it many many times (happy hour and the results are the same.

 

[zephxiii]

While I'm in the UK, I've been comparing the data speeds of my iPhone 4 vs my friend's HTC Desire. Since I'm on AT&T, I am able to try all the networks available (O2, Vodafone, T-Mobile, Orange, 3UK). The HTC can regularly pump 2-3 Mbps up and down. I'm lucky to get 1 down. Why?

I noticed that the HTC uses HSDPA 900 / 2100 for the frequencies whereas the iPhone uses UMTS/HSDPA 850, 1900, 2100. Is this a factor?

We're using speedtest.net apps on both devices and have tried it many many times (happy hour and the results are the same.

The iphone4 is supposed to have HSPA 900 as well.

 

[daneoni]

Weird...i get 2.5-3.1Mbits/s down on my iP4 on O2. Maybe there are caps on roaming data?

 

[sorchard]

The UK only uses UMTS/HSPA on 2100MHz, so support for other bands doesn't matter.

The telecoms regulator has only very recently announced that it is going to allow the GSM network operators (everyone apart from 3UK) to use their GSM spectrum for 3G. So right now it makes no difference.

For a more scientific test, you could get a PAYG SIM here (might be cheaper too) so that you aren't dealing with the potential issues of roaming.

 

[amro]

I'm guessing it may also be the town I'm in. Bedford isn't big by any stretch, but it is supposed to have good coverage for the majors. I'll test next time I'm in London.

I have a local Orange SIM, but that didn't make a difference.

Thanks for the replies.

Amro