AT&T 3G Speed The Fastest According to PC World

Seeing as how I use AT&T daily in Los Angeles and find the 3G service to be spotty and occasionally non-existant, I have a bit of a hard time believing that AT&T’s 3G network speed is actually the fastest. However, based on a recent study conducted by PC World, that seems to be the case.

The study, a collaboration between PC World and wireless analysis firm Novarum, took place from December 2009 to January 2010, and compares the four major U.S. wireless carriers (AT&T, Sprint, Verizon Wireless and T-Mobile) in Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Denver, New Orleans, New York City, Orlando, Phoenix, Portland, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, and Seattle on both mobile phones and laptop data cards

Highlights of the study include:

• AT&T: average download speed 1410 Kbps, average upload speed 773 Kbps

• Sprint: average download speed 795 Kbps, average upload speed 396 Kbps

• T-Mobile: average download speed 868 Kbps, average upload speed 311 Kbps

• Verizon: average download speed 877 Kbps, average upload speed 434 Kbps

• Using notebook computers with a built-in or external 3G card, AT&T had the fastest download speed in 11 of the 13 cities, and the fastest upload speed in all 13 cities.

• For smartphones, AT&T had the fastest download speeds in nine of the 13 cities, and the fastest upload speed in all 13 cities.

• The AT&T-iPhone pairing had the fastest download and upload speeds, although its reliability slightly trailed the T-Mobile-G1 combination, which posted the highest figures.

I know what you’re thinking. These results can’t be real. As someone who’s lived with AT&T for several years and uses an iPhone daily, I have to admit I’m skeptical. Plus, they didn’t try this study in Los Angeles, one of the biggest areas of iPhone use.

However, the numbers are compelling. Maybe its time to give AT&T a break and realize they are trying to make things better? Maybe.

What do you guys think? Is AT&T 3G service good or bad for you?