Tom’s Guide Names Verizon the Fastest Wireless Network
If you’ve got the need for speed when browsing the web or downloading apps on your smartphone, turn to Verizon. For the second consecutive year, Verizon is the fastest wireless network in testing conducted by Tom’s Guide.
T-Mobile and its MetroPCS subsidiary were the runners-up in Tom’s Guide’s special report, finishing with the top average upload speed and coming in behind Verizon for the top download speed. MetroPCS was the top-performing prepaid carrier in the test, making the carrier an excellent choice for customers looking outside the Big Four carriers for coverage.
“Now that all the major carriers offer unlimited plans, there’s a lot of attention being paid to price,” said Mark Spoonauer, editor-in-chief of Tom’s Guide. “Our in-depth testing shows you just how much performance you’re getting for your money.”
To determine the fastest wireless network speeds, Tom’s Guide dispatched testers to six cities: New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, Seattle and Houston. The tests measured the download and upload speeds of nine mobile carriers and timed how long it took to download a typical app.
Fastest Wireless Network Winners
Fastest Overall: Verizon
Fastest Prepaid: MetroPCS
Fastest in New York: Verizon
Fastest in Los Angeles: AT&T
Fastest in Chicago: Verizon
Fastest in San Francisco: AT&T
Fastest in Seattle: T-Mobile
Fastest in Houston: Sprint/T-Mobile (Tie)
Visit Tom’s Guide for the full report of how all of the carriers fared and to get a city-by-city breakdown.
