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Nationwide Study Shows AT&T Has Fastest iPhone Data Speeds, Sprint Most Dropped Calls
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Verizon has the lowest churn in history with the iPhone exclusive to AT&T for most of those 5 years? UH, You have to show the facts rather then declare them. Verizon users didn't bail for the iPhone and AT&T users didn't stay on AT&T to keep the iPhone for the last 5 years? I find that IMPOSSIBLE to believe and totally not credible with the iPhone being the fastest groaning phone ever. AT&T customers are loyal for many reasons and if you read the last couple weeks of replies to these type of stories on MacRumors, you will see that MANY people like AT&T. Many people have had the opportunity to leave but realized the downgrade in data service was not worth the minimal difference in dropped calls (in a few markets).
As far as some carriers better than others at dropped calls, I agree. This article shows a .7 calls out of a 100 difference between AT&T and Verizon. It also shows that some data networks are better than others. This article shows that AT&T is 3x as fast for iPhone users. It's exactly what I said. Take your pick.... Want a much faster and feature rich network for iPhone users, choose AT&T. Want better dropped call rate (.7 POINT 7) percent, choose Verizon.
What is the primary purpose of your iPhone?
When the O.G. iPhone launched on AT&T = voice
2011/2012 = data, which AT&T kills the competition
Because the study is flawed....
Does it compare an Iphone to a Thunderbolt on Verizon?
The study is for "fastest Iphone in a few colonial cities", not "fastest smartphone".
It's not flawed. It's comparing who the iPhone is fastest on. And any comparison between an iPhone 4S and a Thunderbolt would be JUST as flawed. If you want to go that route compare a Samsung Galaxy SII Skyrocket on AT&T to a Motorola Droid RAZR or something on Verizon. Which wins will depend on the city. But that's apples to apples. Two LTE phones.
As one data point, nothing can be drawn by your success or lack thereof. That's like determining the United States is 100% diabetic based on one test subject.
Problems
SOOOO many problems with this. First, where did they conduct this test at? How far away from cell towers, respective to the company? What time of day? What were they downloading? How long did these calls last and were they across services or did they call to the same service provider? What are the limitations of their study? ....Point is this is not a very well done study, if anything I'm sure you can find information showing that they were paid to do this "study" by a subsidiary of AT&T.
SOOOO many problems with this. First, where did they conduct this test at? How far away from cell towers, respective to the company? What time of day? What were they downloading? How long did these calls last and were they across services or did they call to the same service provider? What are the limitations of their study? ....Point is this is not a very well done study, if anything I'm sure you can find information showing that they were paid to do this "study" by a subsidiary of AT&T.
Opinions
After reading a lot of the comments left, I think you all are over thinking the issue of customer loyalty. The average joe does not think about the facts of speed, dependability or any of these logical thoughts based on actual statistics that is out there for them to research. The average joe is interested in popularity and costs. If AT&T is the popular choice and offers them a deal, than they will go for it especially if they throw skewed numbers and results in their face I (over load them with information) and pressure them into signing a contract. It is true with ALL carriers and in sales period. That is not to say there are a few of us out there that do look at these things, but you need to remember that you, as an individual, should prioritize what you want based on what you intend to use the phone for, for how long, ect.; not what carrier tells you. Take a few days, do a little research, after you figure out what your priority is, as to what is the best in your area. F this popularity crap, do what is best for you.
After reading a lot of the comments left, I think you all are over thinking the issue of customer loyalty. The average joe does not think about the facts of speed, dependability or any of these logical thoughts based on actual statistics that is out there for them to research. The average joe is interested in popularity and costs. If AT&T is the popular choice and offers them a deal, than they will go for it especially if they throw skewed numbers and results in their face I (over load them with information) and pressure them into signing a contract. It is true with ALL carriers and in sales period. That is not to say there are a few of us out there that do look at these things, but you need to remember that you, as an individual, should prioritize what you want based on what you intend to use the phone for, for how long, ect.; not what carrier tells you. Take a few days, do a little research, after you figure out what your priority is, as to what is the best in your area. F this popularity crap, do what is best for you.
3.7 vs 2.1 are interesting percentages... one is almost double the other! Of course, it doesn't say the margin of error, so...
There isn't even a need for a "study" at all.
You can easily go outside and see: Grass is green, Sky is Blue.
You can just as easily run a speed test anywhere in the country and find out: AT&T has blazingly fast 3G data, and Verizon and Sprint both have horrible, disgustingly slow data.
Not one single person who cares about data speed has ever purchased a Verizon or Sprint smartphone. Oh plenty of people buy them, but none that care about the speed of their data plan. NONE.
Don't forget about T-Mobile
I've done a few comparisons, and, in my area(s), T-Mobile's data is faster (9-12 Mbps download speed) than AT&T (1.5-7.x Mbps). Can replace DSL as long as you don't exceed 2 GB limit (but then, can't do that at all on the AT&T account). Too bad no iPhone on T-Mobile. iPhone definitely has a better UI than Android. There are an awful lot of iPhones around here, and, the speed of data downloads is pretty variable on AT&T, while, T-Mobile has been very steady. Probably because there aren't as many T-Mobile users. YMMV.
I've done a few comparisons, and, in my area(s), T-Mobile's data is faster (9-12 Mbps download speed) than AT&T (1.5-7.x Mbps). Can replace DSL as long as you don't exceed 2 GB limit (but then, can't do that at all on the AT&T account). Too bad no iPhone on T-Mobile. iPhone definitely has a better UI than Android. There are an awful lot of iPhones around here, and, the speed of data downloads is pretty variable on AT&T, while, T-Mobile has been very steady. Probably because there aren't as many T-Mobile users. YMMV.
Meanwhile, any Droid user with Verizon LTE is laughing at everything you just wrote.
Congrats, your AT&T 3G is the winner. It's like winning a car race made up of Yugos.
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I guess you haven't been in downtown San Francisco in any high rise since the iPhone came to market.