AT&T's 3G Network Wins Speed Test

As long as there are areas in the US with better coverage from other networks than AT&T, there will be unlocking of the iPhone. However, AT&T's network might offer more incentive than you think. In a test conducted by ComputerWorld, AT&T's 3G network beat the 3G networks of Verizon and Sprint based on speed and reliability.

The tests were conducted by conencting 3G wireless data cards to a ThinkPad X300 to compare nearly 500 data points at eight different locations in "New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, within a 50-mile radius of midtown Manhattan's urban canyons."

"I timed how long it took to establish a connection with each network, followed by speed tests. Using Alken's bandwidth meter, I was able to gauge download and upload speeds as well as how long it took to load that vendor's home page. Finally, I ran an Internet radio station and timed how long it took to drain the battery. I then compared it to running the battery down using the notebook's Wi-Fi radio."

Who emerged victorious? None other than our very own AT&T. It was faster to connect, as well as having better download and upload speeds. Of course, results will vary depending on a user's location.

[via ComputerWorld]