has published a report that compares the 4G data speeds of both smartphones and laptop modems. As we’ve said in the past, we realize that you’re an AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, or Verizon Wireless customer because that particular carrier provides the services you want, need, and/or like in your area at a price you can afford. Nonetheless, hit the jump to see who was declared the winner!
PC World conducted tests in 13 U.S. cities including Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Denver, New Orleans, New York, Orlando, Phoenix, Portland, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, and Seattle during the first six weeks of 2011. The site performed 177,000 timed tests in 260 different testing locations — including both suburban and urban environments. If PC World and its testing partner, Novarum, were unable to find a 3G signal, the firms used the 3G network of a roaming partner.
The test results found the following speed averages for its laptop modem tests:
- AT&T: average download speed 2.48Mbps, average upload speed 1.05Mbps
- Sprint: average download speed 2.15Mbps, average upload speed 0.61Mbps
- T-Mobile: average download speed 2.83Mbps, average upload speed 0.85Mbps
- Verizon Wireless: average download speed 6.44Mbps, average upload speed 5.00Mbps.
In that case, Verizon Wireless — and LTE — was the clear winner. But the smartphone 4G tests painted a different picture:
- AT&T: average download speed 1.45Mbps, average upload speed 0.97Mbps
- Sprint: average download speed 1.50Mbps, average upload speed 0.56Mbps
- T-Mobile: average download speed 2.28 Mbps, average upload speed 0.95 Mbps
- Verizon Wireless: average download speed 1.01 Mbps, average upload speed 0.67 Mbps.
In the smartphone tests, T-Mobile came out on top with the fastest downlink data-speeds available. If you’re interested to know how the laptop modems and smartphones performed in a market near you, head over to PC World for an in-depth look at its test results.
