For the most recent info, see 2011 AT&T 4G Speed Review
<< (Page 3 of 5: 2010 AT&T Wireless Broadband Review) >>
The last time AT&T 3G Speed got reviewed under the microscope, they held their claim to fame as the "fastest 3G network".
On most accounts, they upheld their advertisement of "typical download speeds of 700 Kbps – 1.7 Mbps" and "typical upload speeds of 500 Kbps – 1.2 Mbps".
Since that time, two tests were conducted by Gizmodo (in December 2009 covering 12 cities) and PC World (in March 2010 covering 13 cities) to see who had the fastest mobile broadband.
The tests covered 17 cities. Before we get into the exactly how AT&T did, it might help to make sense of the mobile broadband speed numbers.
How To Make Sense Of The Mobile Broadband Speed
People who get the fastest speeds in the United States average about 3.9 Mbps. If you read the fastest mobile broadband review, average 3G speeds are about 1 – 1.4 Mbps.
While that may seem a lot slower than the cable internet speeds you might be used to, it helps to have a real way to put it in context.
Use this speed test tool to see what speed you have right now. That way, these number will make a lot more sense to you. You’ll see if mobile broadband is half your current speed, about the same or even more.
Find Out Your Current Speed
After finding out your current speed, keep the number in mind so that you can compare it to the other numbers mentioned in this article. It’ll help put things in context.
And now on with the show.
|
Gizmodo.com
|
PCWorld.com
|
|||
|
Average Download Speed |
Average Upload Speed |
Average Download Speed |
Average Upload Speed |
|
 |
1400 kbps
|
850 kbps
|
1410 kbps
|
521 kbps
|
For the full details on how they fared against other providers, reliability testing and 3G speeds in specific cities, check out Who’s Got The Fastest Mobile Broadband?
So What Does This Mean For You?
If 3G speed is your thing, then AT&T mobile broadband is the carrier of choice.
Before you start searching Google for the best broadband card though, remember that mobile broadband speed is only one piece of the 4-part AT&T Wireless Broadband puzzle.
The last thing you need to plug in your shiny new AirCard only to find that you’ve got no signal. Sadly, if 3G speed is AT&T mobile broadband’s secret weapon, then its Achilles heel is surely AT&T 3G Coverage.
Buyer beware…
<<PREVIOUS PAGE | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | NEXT PAGE >>
