Help Document iPhone 3G Network Speeds Around The World

Edward Kirk · August 14th, 2008, 04:54 PM

Apple's iPhone 3G ads tout the new iPhone 3G as being fast, but just how fast is it? The ads make it seem a little utopian, showing it loading webpages almost instantaneously. However, while almost everyone agrees 3G is an improvement, it's not nearly that fast in real life. Secondly, speeds differ for everyone. So, the only real way to find out how fast the iPhone 3G is is to ask people who use it in your area, and that's exactly what Wired is doing.

Apple's iPhone 3G ads are about as far from an accurate rendition of download speeds as you can get. Gizmodo decided to put them to the test, trying to replicate the speeds in Apple's US ad titled "Unslow". Of course, it wasn't even close.

Still, it was only tested in one location. Chances are it will be different for just about everyone depending on where you're at at the time. That is why the people at Wired are asking for your help to document the iPhone 3G's download speeds at locations across the world, once and for all.

To participate, test your network speed at TestmyiPhone.com using the 3G network in your area. Once you have the numbers, register for a ZeeMap account and enter the information on their global ZeeMap.

The result of this will (hopefully) be a once and for all documentation of AT&T's network and networks around the world, and the iPhone 3G's performance on them.

Full participation instructions are on Wired's post. Let us know if you'll be participating in the comments.

[via Wired]

warlock · August 14th, 2008, 06:45 PM #2

many people i know have complained about 3G coverage and Im ready for all the US coverage to improve... HURRY AT&T!

exbusfish · **This test is BS!** - August 14th, 2008, 08:11 PM #3

Don't buy the hype about the Wired site. I tried it today and had many DB connection errors and other site problems. Not sure how reliable their results are if they can't even build a scalable site!

Stephen007 · August 14th, 2008, 10:09 PM

I did the test a few times in a row, after a fresh reboot of the phone.

Got 275kbps one times & 1.2Mbps another time. Exact same spot in my house with no change. That's a wide difference.

August 14th, 2008, 10:31 PM

Can't register with zeemap ... so I'll just tell you here.

Brisbane, QLD Australia - Optus 3G = 411 Kbps / 287 Kbps

August 15th, 2008, 03:17 PM #6

A couple days ago I was shocked to get 1.11 mbps over 3G. I usually get 300 kbps. I'm not sure why, at times, I can get so much. Has anybody else experienced this?

Stephen007 · **Hot dog!** - August 15th, 2008, 04:26 PM #7

1.18Mbps at my "sucky" work location with 3G where my old 1st gen phone wouldn't work for data or (just barely) phone calls.

Switched 3G off. The test wouldn't load multiple times but finally loaded with a speed of 74Kbps. Wow. 1.18Mbps on 3G to 0.07Mbps on EGDE. Needless to say I love my 3G iPhone.

Just goes to show how variable everyone's experiences can be, though. Last night I had wildly varied results in 1 single spot. Today at work my 3G is far, far superior to EDGE whereas I see many posts of people with better EDGE results at times.

August 16th, 2008, 03:17 AM

Hi there.

I just did a wifi test from my laptop (Develop menu in Safari, changed user agent to iPhone), and guess what?
It must be because I'm in Norway and the server in... I have no idea. But the results are just faaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaar from the truth for me.
It tells me that I have a 2 mbps connection.. Other tests reveal the real speed of my connection, 12 mbps.

So, take those test results with a pinch of salt.

Cheers.

sikosis Guest Posts: n/a	Can't Register with Zeemap - August 14th, 2008, 10:31 PM #5
sikosis Guest Posts: n/a	Can't register with zeemap ... so I'll just tell you here. Brisbane, QLD Australia - Optus 3G = 411 Kbps / 287 Kbps

Unregistered Guest Posts: n/a	Hmmm, testing from my laptop - August 16th, 2008, 03:17 AM #8
Unregistered Guest Posts: n/a	Hi there. I just did a wifi test from my laptop (Develop menu in Safari, changed user agent to iPhone), and guess what? It must be because I'm in Norway and the server in... I have no idea. But the results are just faaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaar from the truth for me. It tells me that I have a 2 mbps connection.. Other tests reveal the real speed of my connection, 12 mbps. So, take those test results with a pinch of salt. Cheers.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Edward Kirk WrAdminterizer Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Illinois, USA Posts: 3,084 Thanks: 19 Thanked 26 Times in 25 Posts	Help Document iPhone 3G Network Speeds Around The World - August 14th, 2008, 04:54 PM #1
	<script language="JavaScript" src="http://adserver1.backbeatmedia.com/servlet/ajrotator/13894/222/viewJScript?pool=13886&type=3158&pos=20&zone=5000"></script> Apple's iPhone 3G ads tout the new iPhone 3G as being fast, but just how fast is it? The ads make it seem a little utopian, showing it loading webpages almost instantaneously. However, while almost everyone agrees 3G is an improvement, it's not nearly that fast in real life. Secondly, speeds differ for everyone. So, the only real way to find out how fast the iPhone 3G is is to ask people who use it in your area, and that's exactly what Wired is doing. Apple's iPhone 3G ads are about as far from an accurate rendition of download speeds as you can get. Gizmodo decided to put them to the test, trying to replicate the speeds in Apple's US ad titled "Unslow". Of course, it wasn't even close. Still, it was only tested in one location. Chances are it will be different for just about everyone depending on where you're at at the time. That is why the people at Wired are asking for your help to document the iPhone 3G's download speeds at locations across the world, once and for all. To participate, test your network speed at TestmyiPhone.com using the 3G network in your area. Once you have the numbers, register for a ZeeMap account and enter the information on their global ZeeMap. The result of this will (hopefully) be a once and for all documentation of AT&T's network and networks around the world, and the iPhone 3G's performance on them. Full participation instructions are on Wired's post. Let us know if you'll be participating in the comments. [via Wired] __________________ About my iPhone: iPhone & Color: iPhone 3G 16GB White iPhone Version: 3.0 Computer & OS: MacBook Pro 15", Mac OS X 10.5.4 Twitter

warlock Rocks the Board Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 168 Thanks: 3 Thanked 6 Times in 6 Posts	August 14th, 2008, 06:45 PM #2
	many people i know have complained about 3G coverage and Im ready for all the US coverage to improve... HURRY AT&T! __________________ About my iPhone: iPhone & Color: Black 32GB iPhone 3GS iPhone Version: 3.0 Developer GM Seed Computer & OS: Aluminum MacBook Pro-OS X & iMac 24''-OS X AIM: dirtbikedude2201 www.tmdevteam.com

exbusfish iPA Regular Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 47 Thanks: 5 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	This test is BS! - August 14th, 2008, 08:11 PM #3
	Don't buy the hype about the Wired site. I tried it today and had many DB connection errors and other site problems. Not sure how reliable their results are if they can't even build a scalable site! __________________ To upgrade or not to upgrade. That is the question. The answer: Upgrade. New 32GB Black iPhone 3Gs! The 3G is now serving duty as my European phone when I go overseas.

Stephen007 Rocks the Board Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Milwaukee WI Posts: 347 Thanks: 20 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Holy variances, Batman! - August 14th, 2008, 10:09 PM #4
	I did the test a few times in a row, after a fresh reboot of the phone. Got 275kbps one times & 1.2Mbps another time. Exact same spot in my house with no change. That's a wide difference.

Unregistered Guest Posts: n/a	August 15th, 2008, 03:17 PM #6
Unregistered Guest Posts: n/a	A couple days ago I was shocked to get 1.11 mbps over 3G. I usually get 300 kbps. I'm not sure why, at times, I can get so much. Has anybody else experienced this?

Stephen007 Rocks the Board Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Milwaukee WI Posts: 347 Thanks: 20 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Hot dog! - August 15th, 2008, 04:26 PM #7
	1.18Mbps at my "sucky" work location with 3G where my old 1st gen phone wouldn't work for data or (just barely) phone calls. Switched 3G off. The test wouldn't load multiple times but finally loaded with a speed of 74Kbps. Wow. 1.18Mbps on 3G to 0.07Mbps on EGDE. Needless to say I love my 3G iPhone. Just goes to show how variable everyone's experiences can be, though. Last night I had wildly varied results in 1 single spot. Today at work my 3G is far, far superior to EDGE whereas I see many posts of people with better EDGE results at times.