Who has the best LTE network, AT7T or Verizon?

[KenAFSPC]

No question, Verizon has the best nationwide LTE network. However, LTE service in a number of major markets is comparable, and as noted in this thread, AT&T is even better in some markets. In my market, AT&T LTE is as good or better than Verizon, and the service is significantly less expensive.

With a 15% FAN discount, my total monthly cost with taxes for 5 iPhones, each with a 2GB Data plan, is about $210. Verizon cost at least $50 more per month, before their recent price hikes.

FamilyTalk Nation 700Min with Rollover ($51)
1st iPhone5 with 2GB Data ($21.25)
2nd iPhone5 with 2GB Data ($9.99 + $21.25)
3rd iPhone5 with 2GB Data ($9.99 + $21.25)
4th iPhone5 with 2GB Data ($9.99 + $21.25)
5th iPhone5 with 2GB Data ($9.99 + $21.25)

I could add unlimited messaging with unlimited mobile-to-mobile calling on all phones for $30/mo total, if necessary.

 

[Flipmode]

You can talk and surf as long as you're in LTE coverage.

Not with the iPhone 5.

 

[BiggAW]

where?

Verizon has a blob in New Haven, and a brand new Blob in Groton/ New London, while AT&T has had continuous coverage from New Haven to Boston up the NEC for a while, and now they're down to Bridgeport I think. Ironically, it's Bridgeport to the NY line that actually needed it the most, the eastern part of the state has plenty of bandwidth on HSPA+.

All talking about LTE, both carriers have about equal HSPA+ and EVDO coverage of course, with a slight edge to AT&T, but not much.

 

[MS2083]

best LTE ?
- Verizon Hands Down !!!

Worst Network ?
- T Mobile !

 

[trevorlc]

Thank you for the link. I've been with AT&T and the network sucks, only stayed because I still have unlimited data. I work in San Diego, CA 92101 and I have the iPhone 4 and AT&T's 3G is worst and it seems even at LTE, Verizon is top in my area and so I've decided to switch to Verizon and lose my unlimited data with AT&T. Can anybody confirm though if we can talk and surf on Verizon's LTE?

With the iPhone 5, you can not use voice and cell data at the same time. (or any iPhone on Verizon for that matter.) This can be accomplished if your on WiFi, for some folks thats fine.

My understanding is there are a couple Verizon 4G LTE phones that do accomplish this but I don't know specific models.

I also live in San Diego, because of my Job I have first hand experience with major 3 the carriers and I've found Verizon's LTE to most often be my choice in San Diego. However as other people have said that does not necessarily transfer to other places, some cities ATT is better and sometimes in a city where ATT is amazing you are in a specific spot where VZ happens to work better. If you spend a decent amount of your time at some regular spots, ping your friends, co-workers, etc and see how they feel their service and performance is at those locations. Some more rural areas of San Diego like east county, edges of ramona, etc Only 1 of the 3 have service thats useable there.

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Also a general note, as the network loads change over the years we might see some changes from city to city. I was in New York a few weeks after verizon lit up their LTE towers and we where getting speeds I couldn't even believe we where getting, I was back a few weeks ago and while its still fast I wasn't seeing the peaks I saw that first time.

I did see an interesting article recently I can't find now, basically the thought was that as more people move to 4G LTE networks the loads will be easier to handle because information will travel faster and clear through the system quicker. To some degree I can totally see that, though as anyone who's done some network admin work put enough people on a connection and you can slow that down right quick.

 

[aquadisiac]

best LTE ?
- Verizon Hands Down !!!

Worst Network ?
- T Mobile !

i believe the worst is sprint.

 

[tigress666]

Most people do travel at least sometimes especially when contracts are for 2 years. It's nice to be on a carrier where you can travel once in a while and don't have to lose LTE. That would be Verizon, not the other carriers. But sure, if you are a hermit, pick a carrier with less coverage

HRm.... Verizon would be 15 dollars a month more for me (or 180 dollars more a year) and I'd have to split 1 GB with my roommate for that increase in price (vs. Unlimited with AT&T or even if they got rid of unlimited 3GB data) just for the few times I might travel in 2 years.

Hrm.... let me think...

Nah, I'll just put up with having AT&T's not so bad 3G speeds and save 360 dollars over a 2 year contract. Oh yeah, and keep my unlimited (and I can still get a subsidy to buy my phone too with that unlimited. So there's another 350 dollars savings).

 

[BiggAW]

My understanding is there are a couple Verizon 4G LTE phones that do accomplish this but I don't know specific models.

Every Android LTE phone out there. AFAIK, only a couple of them like the Tbolt and Rezound can do simultaneous on EVDO using SVDO, but that will be a moot point unless you're roaming in a matter of 10 months or so.

Why is everyone so nuts about raw LTE coverage? As long as it is not congested, EVDO or HSPA+ are more than you need. EDGE is OK when it works (not often). The reason LTE is so big is that HSPA+ and to a lesser extent EVDO are congested in the cities.