Sprint 3G Data Service Speeds Top AT&T and Verizon in Download Performance Test
Gizmodo, a leading technology blog, provides big wins for Sprint in "Definitive Coast-to-Coast 3G Data Test" of national carrier 3G data services
OVERLAND PARK, Kan.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 18, 2008--Gizmodo, a well-respected technology blog with more than 80 million page views a month in traffic, just announced that consistent testing of Sprint's 3G network in eight cities selected by the blog showed Sprint (NYSE: S) unequivocally beating both AT&T and Verizon in download performance speeds.
Gizmodo (www.gizmodo.com) put the three leading U.S. carriers to the test to determine which provides the best 3G wireless data service. T-Mobile was not included in the testing because they did not yet have the coverage required nor do they offer the 3G USB mobile broadband cards used in this testing, according to Gizmodo.
"On download performance Sprint wins overall, beating AT&T five cities to three, and beating Verizon in four cities," said Wilson Rothman, Gizmodo Features Editor. "Proving that Sprint is a serious contender in almost any location... they should be taken seriously as a 3G and 4G data service provider."
"Gizmodo's findings further demonstrate that 3G networks are not all the same," said Kathy Walker, chief information and network officer for Sprint. "Sprint operates America's largest, most dependable 3G network*. We offer high-performing networks, worry-free pricing plans, advanced devices - including the Sprint 3G/4G USB Modem U300 - giving customers more of what they want now. Our 3G network and data services are relied on by people who want to access the mobile Web, as well as their e-mail and various social networking sites, wirelessly and on the go."
The process for Gizmodo's test involved passing three mobile broadband cards - one each from AT&T, Sprint and Verizon - between testers in eight cities: Austin, Boston, New York, Portland, Raleigh-Durham, San Francisco and the Bay Area, Chicago and Seattle. Testers chose up to five locations in each city, including suburban locations, where they tested network connectivity by running a series of five bandwidth tests with each device. Testers then followed the bandwidth tests up with an auxiliary battery of repeated pageload and file download tests in order to verify the earlier bandwidth readings.
"This may not be a clean-room lab study, but we kept firm to our methods and the results speak to that," wrote Rothman. "There's a reason this may be the most information anyone has gathered, independently, on the subject."
Sprint Mobile Broadband is perfect for road warriors. Customers using handheld devices and connection cards can enjoy broadband speed when downloading large files, accessing high-speed data applications and location-based services. Those with select 3G-capable phones can browse the Web, access e-mail, share pictures, use navigation tools, wirelessly download music, listen to commercial-free radio and watch live TV and full-length movies.
Sprint's Sierra Wireless Compass 597 was selected by Gizmodo for the testing process. As the nation's smallest USB modem for mobile broadband networks, the Sierra Wireless Compass 597 USB modem is about the size of a pack of gum. It features automatic installation of Sprint SmartViewSM software and one-touch activation on the Sprint Mobile Broadband Network for both Mac and PC users, making it quick and easy to get up and running.
Sprint offers one of the largest mobile broadband device portfolios, including PCMCIA cards, Express Cards, USB devices and mobile broadband routers as well as phones, laptops and other devices with built-in mobile broadband capability. For more information on coverage, plans and devices, visit www.sprint.com/mobilebroadband.
Since 2006, Sprint has invested more than $15 billion in capital largely to enhance its networks. Across the country, thousands of cities received the benefit of this major investment.
Current and prospective customers can view coverage maps using the Sprint Coverage Tool, which is available at www.sprint.com/coverage and at self-service touch-screen kiosks at many Sprint retail stores. By entering an address or ZIP code, customers can check the availability of wireless coverage, recently added cell sites and the network signal strength on the Nextel National Network, Nationwide Sprint Network or Sprint Mobile Broadband Network.
About Sprint Nextel
Sprint Nextel offers a comprehensive range of wireless and wireline communications services bringing the freedom of mobility to consumers, businesses and government users. Sprint Nextel is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying innovative technologies, including two wireless networks serving nearly 51 million customers at the end of the third quarter 2008; industry-leading mobile data services; instant national and international push-to-talk capabilities; and a global Tier 1 Internet backbone. For more information, visit www.sprint.com.
* Largest based on square miles (inclusive of roaming). Dependability based on independent, third-party drive tests for 3G data connection success, session reliability and signal strength for the top 50 most populous markets, March to Sept. 2008.
OVERLAND PARK, Kan.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 18, 2008--Gizmodo, a well-respected technology blog with more than 80 million page views a month in traffic, just announced that consistent testing of Sprint's 3G network in eight cities selected by the blog showed Sprint (NYSE: S) unequivocally beating both AT&T and Verizon in download performance speeds.
Gizmodo (www.gizmodo.com) put the three leading U.S. carriers to the test to determine which provides the best 3G wireless data service. T-Mobile was not included in the testing because they did not yet have the coverage required nor do they offer the 3G USB mobile broadband cards used in this testing, according to Gizmodo.
"On download performance Sprint wins overall, beating AT&T five cities to three, and beating Verizon in four cities," said Wilson Rothman, Gizmodo Features Editor. "Proving that Sprint is a serious contender in almost any location... they should be taken seriously as a 3G and 4G data service provider."
"Gizmodo's findings further demonstrate that 3G networks are not all the same," said Kathy Walker, chief information and network officer for Sprint. "Sprint operates America's largest, most dependable 3G network*. We offer high-performing networks, worry-free pricing plans, advanced devices - including the Sprint 3G/4G USB Modem U300 - giving customers more of what they want now. Our 3G network and data services are relied on by people who want to access the mobile Web, as well as their e-mail and various social networking sites, wirelessly and on the go."
The process for Gizmodo's test involved passing three mobile broadband cards - one each from AT&T, Sprint and Verizon - between testers in eight cities: Austin, Boston, New York, Portland, Raleigh-Durham, San Francisco and the Bay Area, Chicago and Seattle. Testers chose up to five locations in each city, including suburban locations, where they tested network connectivity by running a series of five bandwidth tests with each device. Testers then followed the bandwidth tests up with an auxiliary battery of repeated pageload and file download tests in order to verify the earlier bandwidth readings.
"This may not be a clean-room lab study, but we kept firm to our methods and the results speak to that," wrote Rothman. "There's a reason this may be the most information anyone has gathered, independently, on the subject."
Sprint Mobile Broadband is perfect for road warriors. Customers using handheld devices and connection cards can enjoy broadband speed when downloading large files, accessing high-speed data applications and location-based services. Those with select 3G-capable phones can browse the Web, access e-mail, share pictures, use navigation tools, wirelessly download music, listen to commercial-free radio and watch live TV and full-length movies.
Sprint's Sierra Wireless Compass 597 was selected by Gizmodo for the testing process. As the nation's smallest USB modem for mobile broadband networks, the Sierra Wireless Compass 597 USB modem is about the size of a pack of gum. It features automatic installation of Sprint SmartViewSM software and one-touch activation on the Sprint Mobile Broadband Network for both Mac and PC users, making it quick and easy to get up and running.
Sprint offers one of the largest mobile broadband device portfolios, including PCMCIA cards, Express Cards, USB devices and mobile broadband routers as well as phones, laptops and other devices with built-in mobile broadband capability. For more information on coverage, plans and devices, visit www.sprint.com/mobilebroadband.
Since 2006, Sprint has invested more than $15 billion in capital largely to enhance its networks. Across the country, thousands of cities received the benefit of this major investment.
Current and prospective customers can view coverage maps using the Sprint Coverage Tool, which is available at www.sprint.com/coverage and at self-service touch-screen kiosks at many Sprint retail stores. By entering an address or ZIP code, customers can check the availability of wireless coverage, recently added cell sites and the network signal strength on the Nextel National Network, Nationwide Sprint Network or Sprint Mobile Broadband Network.
About Sprint Nextel
Sprint Nextel offers a comprehensive range of wireless and wireline communications services bringing the freedom of mobility to consumers, businesses and government users. Sprint Nextel is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying innovative technologies, including two wireless networks serving nearly 51 million customers at the end of the third quarter 2008; industry-leading mobile data services; instant national and international push-to-talk capabilities; and a global Tier 1 Internet backbone. For more information, visit www.sprint.com.
* Largest based on square miles (inclusive of roaming). Dependability based on independent, third-party drive tests for 3G data connection success, session reliability and signal strength for the top 50 most populous markets, March to Sept. 2008.
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