Verizon Mobile Broadband Speed

For the most recent info, check out the 2010 Verizon 3G Speed Review

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The Facts
Verizon mobile broadband speed is similar to DSL and about ten times faster than using dialup.
In our previous review, Verizon Mobile Broadband Speed was and and continues to be advertised as “average download speeds of 600 Kbps – 1.4 Mbps and average upload speeds of 500 Kbps – 800 Kbps”.

Like Sprint, the maximum download speed is 3.1 Mbps while the max upload is 1.8 Mbps. One might ask, why is it that Sprint and Verizon’s speeds are practically identical on paper?
Here’s the simple answer: They use the same underlying technology. While we won’t get into the nitty gritty details on EVDO, the important part to note is that Verizon’s network is fully EVDO Revision A. In other words, their entire network will either give you the highest speed available or you’ll get their NationalAccess speed (think 1xRTT dialup speed).

To put it in context, let’s do two things. First, take a look at this comparison table to see how Verizon Mobile Broadband speed (3G EVDO) matches up against other ways we connect to the net.

Connection Type	Average Download Speed	Maximum Download Speed	Average Upload Speed	Maximum Upload Speed
Dialup	40-50 kbps	1 Mbps*	N/A	N/A
3G (EVDO/HSPA)	600 – 1400 kbps	3.1 Mbps	500 – 800 kbps	1.8 Mbps
DSL	2.971 Mbps	10 Mbps	512 kbps	896 kbps
Cable	2 – 4.8 Mbps	16 Mbps	3 Mbps	1 Mbps
WiFi Hotspots	1 – 3 Mbps	20 Mbps	N/A	N/A

There’s an important thing to note here. While the average speed of DSL looks higher, most people have a DSL speed that’s slower than what’s listed above.

Here’s where the second part comes in.

Below is a tool that you can use to test what your current connection speed is. What most people will find is that their speed (if using broadband) is not terribly far off from the average or maximum of Verizon Mobile Broadband speed.

If you don’t see the tool, you may need to install flash or disable any ad/pop-up blockers you have enabled. How did you do?

If you’re wondering how Verizon Mobile Broadband speed does against the competition, check out Mobile Broadband Buyer’s Guide and skip to lesson 8 on “Who’s Got The Fastest Mobile Broadband”. You’ll see how Verizon does against Sprint, AT&T and T-Mobile.

What about Alltel you ask? Well, since Verizon has acquired Alltel, they’re in the process of merging their networks. While we still have information on Alltel, it will soon become pretty redundant.

The Fine Print

Normal questions that pop up when it comes to Verizon Mobile Broadband speed include:

1. Can I make VoIP calls?
2. Is it fast enough to play games online (what’s the latency like)?
3. How is it for downloading movies and music?

The short answer is that it can do all of these with surprising efficiency. Not only do I use EVDO for all of these but the latency is surprisingly good. If anything, the latency was quite comparable to the cable connection I used to have. Now, I use mobile broadband as my sole connection to the internet (even as I type this page).

How’s that for a testimonial? Then again, don’t just take my word for it. Try it out for yourself by picking a broadband card after checking out Verizon Wireless Coverage for Mobile Broadband.

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