WIRELESS AND MOBILE NEWS

As AT&T and Verizon f duke out their superiority, independent research, showed that AT&T is really faster. Recent Root Wireless data showed that in areas where AT&T has 3G wireless coverage, the AT&T network is faster than any of the other major U.S. carriers.

Root Wireless scouts, equipped with smartphones from each of the major carriers drove routes designed by engineers, to gather the data in Chicago, Dallas, New York City, Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Washington D.C.

Chances for connection failure were very close, but AT&T overall had less chances of failure. AT&T and Verizon tied for chances of connection failure with each at in Chicago (2%) Seattle (3%) and San Francisco (2%) and Washington D.D. (2%). While AT&T had lower chances of failure int Dallas, Los Angeles, and New York City. Dallas shows AT&T's chance of failure 1% and Verizon at 2%.  Los Angeles chances of failure for Verizon: 3%  and AT&T: 2%. In New York City chance of failure Verizon: 2% AT&T: 1%  (Note: Continue Reading to see all of Root Wireless' figures.)

Tech pundits after seeing the data, proposed that since the data speeds are so good in AT&T coverage areas, iPhone complaints may be in fact due to the iPhone's hardware "air interface" that connects to the AT&T voice and data network. 

Root Wireless will be crowd-sourcing a smartphone application which allows users to record, submit and review their true mobile experience where they actually use their cell phone. The program is in beat right now and will be available next year. Since the iPhone interface does not allow access to core functions by the developers, iPhone users will be asked to submit data themselves.

The Root Wireless app will also allows users to view what their signal strength/data strength is as well as other carrier's signal strength and data speeds in the same location.

Root Wireless service will soon be available at major retail locations.

The Root Wireless spokesman gave us their most recent data for Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco,

CHICAGO

Network Technology: 3G vs 2.5G

Verizon: 98% runs 3G infrastructure AT&T: 98% Sprint: 97% T-Mobile: 96%

Signal Strength

Verizon: Percentage of network operating at:

75% of full strength or better: 22% of network mapped 50 - 75%: 36% 25 - 50%: 37% 25% or less: 5%

AT&T:

75% or better: 34% 50 - 75%: 16% 25 - 50%: 44% 25% or less: 5%

Sprint:

75% or better: 69% 50 - 75%: 24% 25 - 50%: 5% 25% or less: 2%

T-Mobile:

75% or better: 51% 50 - 75%: 18% 25 - 50%: 27% 25% or less: 4%

Data Speeds

Verizon's average download/upload speeds: 259k/138k AT&T: 359k/94k Sprint: 236k/72k T-Mobile: 167k/106k

Connectivity

Chance of data connection failure:

Verizon: 2% AT&T: 2% Sprint: 11% T-Mobile: 4%

DALLAS

Network Technology: 3G vs 2.5G

Verizon: 97% runs 3G infrastructure AT&T: 99% Sprint: 98% T-Mobile: 96%

Signal Strength

Verizon: Percentage of network operating at:

75% of full strength or better: 16% of network mapped 50 - 75%: 39% 25 - 50%: 41% 25% or less: 4%

AT&T:

75% or better: 54% 50 - 75%: 17% 25 - 50%: 27% 25% or less: 2%

Sprint:

75% or better: 61% 50 - 75%: 30% 25 - 50%: 7% 25% or less: 2%

T-Mobile:

75% or better: 44% 50 - 75%: 18% 25 - 50%: 35% 25% or less: 3%

Data Speeds

Verizon's average download/upload speeds: 208k/121k AT&T: 428k/97k Sprint: 204k/69k T-Mobile: 266k/161k

Connectivity

Chance of data connection failure:

Verizon: 2% AT&T: 1% Sprint: 11% T-Mobile: 4%

LOS ANGELES/ORANGE COUNTY

Network Technology: 3G vs 2.5G

Verizon: 97% runs 3G infrastructure AT&T: 99.99 % Sprint: 89% T-Mobile: 93%

Signal Strength

Verizon: Percentage of network operating at:

75% of full strength or better: 21% of network mapped 50 - 75%: 36% 25 - 50%: 33% 25% or less: 10%

AT&T:

75% or better: 33% 50 - 75%: 18% 25 - 50%: 42% 25% or less: 7%

Sprint:

75% or better: 66% 50 - 75%: 26% 25 - 50%: 5% 25% or less: 3%

T-Mobile:

75% or better: 42% 50 - 75%: 20% 25 - 50%: 35% 25% or less: 3%

Data Speeds

Verizon's average download/upload speeds: 241k/115k AT&T: 350k/93k Sprint: 207k/67k T-Mobile: 188k/119k

Connectivity

Chance of data connection failure:

Verizon: 3% AT&T: 2% Sprint: 12% T-Mobile: 4%

NEW YORK CITY

Network Technology: 3G vs 2.5G

Verizon: 97% runs 3G infrastructure AT&T: 99% Sprint: 98% T-Mobile: 96%

Signal Strength

Verizon: Percentage of network operating at:

75% of full strength or better: 37% of network mapped 50 - 75%: 38% 25 - 50%: 21% 25% or less: 4%

AT&T:

75% or better: 71% 50 - 75%: 16% 25 - 50%: 12% 25% or less: 1%

Sprint:

75% or better: 83% 50 - 75%: 12% 25 - 50%: 4% 25% or less: 1%

T-Mobile:

75% or better: 62% 50 - 75%: 17% 25 - 50%: 20% 25% or less: 1%

Data Speeds

Verizon's average download/upload speeds: 201k/103k AT&T: 246k/131k Sprint: 176k/59k T-Mobile: 198k/119k

Connectivity

Chance of data connection failure:

Verizon: 2% AT&T: 1% Sprint: 12% T-Mobile: 5%

SEATTLE/TACOMA

Network Technology: 3G vs 2.5G

Verizon: 94% runs 3G infrastructure AT&T: 98% Sprint: 93% T-Mobile: 65%

Signal Strength

Verizon: Percentage of network operating at:

75% of full strength or better: 22% of network mapped 50 - 75%: 33% 25 - 50%: 31% 25% or less: 14%

AT&T:

75% or better: 46% 50 - 75%: 19% 25 - 50%: 31% 25% or less: 4%

Sprint:

75% or better: 60% 50 - 75%: 30% 25 - 50%: 7% 25% or less: 3%

T-Mobile:

75% or better: 42% 50 - 75%: 20% 25 - 50%: 33% 25% or less: 5%

Data Speeds

Verizon's average download/upload speeds: 195k/103k AT&T: 350k/126k Sprint: 205k/68k T-Mobile: 251k/148k

Connectivity

Chance of data connection failure:

Verizon: 3% AT&T: 3% Sprint: 15% T-Mobile: 3%

SAN FRANCISCO BAY REGION

Network Technology: 3G vs 2.5G

Verizon: 96% runs 3G infrastructure AT&T: 93% Sprint: 91% T-Mobile: 68%

Signal Strength

Verizon: Percentage of network operating at:

75% of full strength or better: 30% of network mapped 50 - 75%: 32% 25 - 50%: 31% 25% or less: 6%

AT&T:

75% or better: 33% 50 - 75%: 18% 25 - 50%: 40% 25% or less: 9%

Sprint:

75% or better: 68% 50 - 75%: 23% 25 - 50%: 5% 25% or less: 3%

T-Mobile:

75% or better: 38% 50 - 75%: 18% 25 - 50%: 39% 25% or less: 5%

Data Speeds

Verizon's average download/upload speeds: 259k/138k AT&T: 359k/94k Sprint: 236k/72k T-Mobile: 167k/106k

Connectivity

Chance of data connection failure:

Verizon: 2% AT&T: 2% Sprint: 11% T-Mobile: 4%

WASHINGTON, DC

Network Technology: 3G vs 2.5G

Verizon: 97% runs 3G infrastructure AT&T: 99% Sprint: 91% T-Mobile: 82%

Signal Strength

Verizon: Percentage of network operating at:

75% of full strength or better: 17% of network mapped 50 - 75%: 30% 25 - 50%: 39% 25% or less: 14%

AT&T:

75% or better: 46% 50 - 75%: 17% 25 - 50%: 32% 25% or less: 5%

Sprint:

75% or better: 63% 50 - 75%: 26% 25 - 50%: 7% 25% or less: 3%

T-Mobile:

75% or better: 35% 50 - 75%: 19% 25 - 50%: 41% 25% or less: 5%

Data Speeds

Verizon's average download/upload speeds: 204k/119k AT&T: 308k/135k Sprint: 192k/60k T-Mobile: 201k/116k

Connectivity

Chance of data connection failure:

Verizon: 2% AT&T: 2% Sprint: 12% T-Mobile: 2%