The Best U.S. Cities for Cellular Connectivity

On 4G networks, you will be happy to learn that Americans are downloading at the 9 to 10 megabits per second (mbps), on average, promised by mobile network operators. RootMetrics set out to determine which cities have the best cellular connectivity based on the 3G and 4G network coverage of the top five carriers. The Seattle-based company applied its speed test app to 75 urban areas. The app, allowing individuals to test carrier performance, can be downloaded from Apple’s App Store or Android’s Google Play.

The following results were printed by Lightreading.com. Table 1 and Table 2 average the 4G download speeds of the top nationwide carriers and top four carriers, respectively.

Table 1: Five Fastest Cities (All Carriers)

Source: RootMetrics

Table 2: Five Fastest Cities (Top 4 Carriers) 

Source: RootMetrics

Comparing 4G Technology

As cellphone makers roll out their new LTE models, one of the most interesting findings of the speed test is the comparison of the competing 4G technologies being offered by carriers. AT&T and Verizon have the fastest LTE networks, and wider radio channels. Smaller operators Leap Wireless International Inc., MetroPCS and Sprint Nextel also have LTE networks. T-Mobile USA is  introducing LTE in 2013.

HSPA+, an enhanced 3G technology using High-Speed Packet Access-Plus (HSPA+), is holding its own on speed. The HSPA+ networks of T-Mobile and AT&T perform well against the networks of Leap Wireless and MetroPCS, which have less spectrum and thus smaller channels. 

Verizon and AT&T have the greatest LTE coverage at 419 and 77 live markets, respectively. Sprint, recently acquired by Japan’s Softbank, has deployed LTE in 32 markets. If Softbank brings its blazing 18 mbps LTE speeds to the U.S. market, the results of this survey are certain to change. The smaller operators MetroPCS and Leap have 13 and 2 markets, respectively.

Following is the methodology used by RootAccess for the speed test, as outlined by LightReading.com.

The Methodology

ŸRootMetrics visited a number of markets twice in 2012. For the five fastest and five slowest markets for each carrier, they did not average both visits, but rather considered each distinctly. Dates are provided to indicate when in the year a fast or slow test speed was recorded.

ŸTo determine the overall fastest and slowest cities, the company took each carrier's average speed in a given market and averaged all of them. This measurement does not necessarily say anything about an individual carrier. Carrier A could still be very fast in a "slow" market because all other carriers are slow.

ŸThe testers have provided two types of maps: one that includes all six carriers tested, and one that includes only results for AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon. The latter is offered to screen out exceptionally slow speeds from Leap or MetroPCS.

ŸRemember that this data incorporates both 3G and 4G carrier networks that offer a wide variety of speeds. (CL) Link