Verizon Has Fastest LTE Network in the West, While T-Mobile Tops the East in Latest Study

[MacRumors]

Verizon has the fastest LTE network in western regions of the United States, while its up-and-coming rival T-Mobile has the top speeds throughout the east coast, according to a recent study by OpenSignal, which crowdsourced signal data from nearly 170,000 smartphone users who downloaded the OpenSignal app.

OpenSignal divided the United States into five regions--the Midwest, Northeast, Southeast, Southwest, and West--and found that Verizon had the fastest LTE speeds in the West and Midwest, while T-Mobile was tops in the Northeast and Southeast. Verizon and T-Mobile had a statistical tie in the Southwest.

Verizon had an average download speed of 20 Mbps in the Midwest, for example, compared to 18.4 Mbps for T-Mobile. Meanwhile, in the Northeast, T-Mobile's average download speed was 18.6 Mbps versus 17 Mbps for Verizon. OpenSignal's testing was completed in the fourth quarter of 2016.

LTE speeds among all "Big Four" carriers in the United States, namely AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, and T-Mobile, were fastest in the Midwest overall, while lowest in the Southwest, said OpenSignal.

The geographical breakdown is a follow-up to OpenSignal's latest State of Mobile Networks report published last week. The original report, which included a city-by-city breakdown, found Verizon had the faster network in a number of major cities, including Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco.

Article Link: Verizon Has Fastest LTE Network in the West, While T-Mobile Tops the East in Latest Study

 

[I7guy]

I'm more interested in coverage in remote locations, like the Grand Canyon, than a minute difference in speed in populated areas.

 

[AlliFlowers]

I'm more interested in coverage in remote locations, like the Grand Canyon, than a minute difference in speed in populated areas.

I was thinking similarly. When I last had T-Mo, I had very little coverage on my most traveled routes. I want coverage.

 

[Crzyrio]

Is that right? 20Mbps? or MBps?

If it is Mbps then I completely understand why we pay so much more in Canada

In non-ideal conditions I get 100Mbps with 3 bars. Fair amount more with 5 bars.

 

[theshoehorn]

Even though this is done by OpenSignal... The places I frequent in WI are much better for AT&T that Verizon. So again YMMV

 

[Andres Cantu]

So Verizon and T-Mobile will be winning all the awards from now on. AT&T and Sprint need to step-up their game!

 

[44267547]

Interesting to see how the demographic pans out. T-Mobile has grown exponentially this last year. Surprised to see how dominant they are in the east.

 

[BaccoE]

I was thinking similarly. When I last had T-Mo, I had very little coverage on my most traveled routes. I want coverage.

I used to think that way. But since I live in NYC, I decided to not let the tail wag the dog and left ATT for T-Mobile and haven't regretted it at all.

However, for those that travel often in remote areas or live there, I totally understand.

 

[unplugme71]

I used to think that way. But since I live in NYC, I decided to not let the tail wag the dog and left ATT for T-Mobile and haven't regretted it at all.

However, for those that travel often in remote areas or live there, I totally understand.

By 2020, when we get 6G networks, I honestly think the top 4 carriers will be level with coverage and offer consistent 4G/LTE & 5G/LTE+ speeds. It'll be a fight for 6G/LTE^

 

[co.ag.2005]

Even though this is done by OpenSignal... The places I frequent in WI are much better for AT&T that Verizon. So again YMMV

What places in WI? I've felt they've been fairly close through where we frequent, although, Verizon seems better in the northwoods than AT&T (in my testing). T-Mobile is pathetic in WI. Pretty much only roams on AT&T towers thus you get very little data to use.

 

[now i see it]

I've never got more than about 6 Mbps (not MB) on AT&T. More often 5-4

 

[BaccoE]

T-Mobile in Stamford CT

View attachment 688860 View attachment 688860

I've never got more than about 6 Mbps (not MB) on AT&T. More often 5-4

View attachment 688859

 

[ehrens]

The posts about availability are spot-on. T-Mobile is spotty at best (at least outside of this urban core), LTE or no, and Verizon LTE seems to be everywhere. I would rather put up with a slower speed around my home if it means 4G is broadly available when I travel.

 

[Delorean2006]

I've never got more than about 6 Mbps (not MB) on AT&T. More often 5-4

View attachment 688859

I'm with you there, ATT has gotten progressively worse throughout the years. I have only seen 20mbps probably once or twice in the last few months, but its usually 1-3mpbs where I live.

 

[shamino]

But note the "availability" line on the chart. Verizon wins everywhere. All the bandwidth won't matter if your phone can't connect to the network.

Take a road trip away from a major city, even along major highways (e.g. the Pennsylvania Turnpike between Harrisburg and Pittsburg) and watch as the people with Verizon phones still have service (via their "extended area" coverage), while the people on AT&T, T-Mobile and Sprint have nothing.

I wouldn't want to have a breakdown on the side of the road without a signal. On the PA Turnpike, it can be a mile walk to the nearest emergency phone box. And if you're not on the highway, you may be completely doomed.

By 2020, when we get 6G networks, I honestly think the top 4 carriers will be level with coverage and offer consistent 4G/LTE & 5G/LTE+ speeds. It'll be a fight for 6G/LTE^

2020 is only three years from now. You'll be lucky if anybody has deployed 5G by then (the equipment manufacturers are just running the first preliminary field trials now, and it can take at least a year from product availability to wide deployment by carriers). 6G doesn't exist at all, even on paper, at this time.

 

[themick4u]

SE Florida here, AT&T:

 

[Crzyrio]

In Canada

 

[macTW]

Not sure how T-Mobile "tops" the east... depends on your view of "tops." Speed vs availability. Unlike Verizon, which clearly owns the west.

People keep trying to make T-Mobile and sprint look like they beat Verizon, but on a nationwide level, nobody is even close.

 

[shareef777]

I'm more interested in coverage in remote locations, like the Grand Canyon, than a minute difference in speed in populated areas.

Really!? Here's an idea, put the phone away and enjoy the Grand Canyon.

But seriously, I'd think your home area where you use your phone the most would be more important.

I'm in a southwest Chicago suburb and Verizon speeds are garbage (mi-fi). My ATT phone maintains a reliable connection/speed as does my wife's T-Mobile phone.

 

[daverobeson]

The chart is missing some Bs -- it says "availaility" all over the place.

 

[pittpanthersfan]

Is anyone else's eye twitching at "4G Availaility" on the map?

 

[RadioGaGa1984]

I have no issues at all with T-Mobile I'm in the mountains close to 100 miles oustside of LA and have excellent coverage and enough speed.

 

[Juicy Box]

Really!? Here's an idea, put the phone away and enjoy the Grand Canyon.

But seriously, I'd think your home area where you use your phone the most would be more important.

I'm in a southwest Chicago suburb and Verizon speeds are garbage (mi-fi). My ATT phone maintains a reliable connection/speed as does my wife's T-Mobile phone.

You say that until your car breaks down or a car accident, someone gets hurts, or a medical emergency. Then you look down at your phone and you see no signal.......

Besides, not everyone lives in near a big city.

 

[pdshelley]

As for availability, I went camping with a bunch of friends a while ago and was a little bummed when everyone with Verizon still had coverage and I did not with T-Mobile. Then I realized that I was camping! The whole point was to get away from everything and "disconnect" for a while. I admit that it was difficult to not have service but in the end I am glad.

I understand that many people live is rural areas where one provider has coverage where you live and work where others don't, this is obviously a different story and something to think about.

The third issue that I would like to see in these charts is some sort of price comparison. For me T-Mobile is by far the less expensive option for the data and speeds that I need. I also love the international data that all T-Mobile customers get as this is something I actually use.

 

[Vasilioskn]

I have ATT on Long Island and usually get 25 down and 2 up