Data speeds in East Valley Phoenix Area

[daryllafferty]

I tested my new Nexus 4 in several locations in Mesa, Tempe, Gilbert and Chandler, compared side-by-side with my Thunderbolt on Verizon LTE.

Speedtest showed faster download speeds for T-Mobile in 6 of 8 locations, with the fastest download of 23 MB/S. Average T-Mobile speed was 12 MB/S, average Verizon 8 MB/S.

However, upload was slower than my Verizon phone in all 8 locations, with average T-Mobile upload of 2 MB/S and Verizon of about 5.

This wasn't an exhaustive test, and I suspect that there are more dead areas for T-Mobile than Verizon, but I didn't find any.

When my Thunderbolt was new almost two years ago, I saw much higher download speeds -- around 20 MB/S. The Thunderbolt was Verizon's first LTE phone, so at that time the network was not congested. Congestion probably explains the slower speeds I see now.

 

[BCM]

That is good to know! Thanks for the report!

 

[yfan]

Phoenix isn't the only area where HSPA+ 42 is beating LTE. T-Mobile's network is zippy and fast, even if it lacks in coverage a little. But the upcoming updates in 2013 should make T-Mobile much more competitive.

 

[daryllafferty]

This wasn't an exhaustive test, and I suspect that there are more dead areas for T-Mobile than Verizon, but I didn't find any.

As an amendment to this, I took a trip up highway 87 towards Payson yesterday. The T-Mobile signal dropped out sooner than Verizon, and was absent much of the way, even for voice. Verizon wasn't perfect but definitely better.

I think this is going to be the general rule. In metropolitan areas T-Mobile is going to be competitive with Verizon, but Verizon is going to have better coverage in rural areas and on highways between cities.

 

[LoyalServant]

But the upcoming updates in 2013 should make T-Mobile much more competitive.

I wish that was true.
T-Mobile has no intention of upgrading the EDGE network.
Neville ray said in his presentation the other week that they will only upgrade 1/3 of their footprint to LTE by year end of 2013.

There have been several editorials critical of their policy towards highways - which they do not upgrade and rural areas which almost certainly will stay at GPRS or EDGE.

They will only upgrade a BTS when they are forced because the vendors don't support the old GSM gear that SunComm or PowerTel installed over a decade ago.

It's been said that they have spent the money they got from the Crown Castle and AT&T already...
"Network modernization" to T-Mobile pretty much means the top markets.
If your 30 miles outside of a downtown area that means your on EDGE.

I wish it was different.. but they are putting all their eggs in the integrated antennas they are installing and hoping that those make up the difference since there is no more feedline between the BTS and the antenna.
They claim they are getting 30% improvements per sector with them and subtracting 100+ feet of feedline... I can see it.

I just don't see it happening... and I have been told it's not going to happen because the bean counters cannot justify the return on the upgrades.

I really think that T-Mobile can do it but they are cash strapped and they are only really focusing on the top 50 markets or turning up areas they have roaming agreements.

I am not holding my breath for them to upgrade my market even if it is in the top 100. They have yet to refarm this area or even start to do it so I know we will not be getting LTE.

 

[ArmageddonX]

Does anyone know how the Nexus 4 performs in West Phoenix in the Peoria area? Just South of Arrowhead Mall. I am considering switching to T-Mobile and getting a Nexus 4 but I want to make sure I get HSPA+

Thank you so much.

~ ArmyX