4 ms·

Anecdotally, I've been incredibly disappointed in LTE speeds for NYC lately. It's almost a joke how slow LTE is. Browsing the web feels like using ancient DSL.

Anecdotally, I've been incredibly disappointed in LTE speeds for NYC lately. It's almost a joke how slow LTE is. Browsing the web feels like using ancient DSL. There's definitely a material difference between providers. I'm on Verizon now, but T-Mobile and AT&T were both much better when I had them (and I'll be switching back as soon as I can).

vdnkh 10y ago
Last Friday I couldn't even get a page to load on my iPhone with "full bars" on Verizon. Where does all the money go towards? Not fios, that's for sure (Verizon defaulted on a deal with the city to roll out fiber to all households[0]). [0]http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2016/09/nyc-threatens-to-sue-verizon-over-fios-shortfalls/ http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2016/09/nyc-threatens-to-...
- morgante 10y ago
  Since joining Verizon I've realized that bars are more or less meaningless. There are many times when I can't even make a phone call with "full bars." Sadly, I've also been very disappointed with FiOS speeds lately.
  - lightedman 10y ago
    Verizon's claims are pure BS. When I did some work for a company called CrunchButton, I figured out (using my fiance's phone) that Verizon had towers that weren't connected to anything. They were just there to provide you with 'full signal' (your phone never connected to these towers) so they could claim coverage in that area. You couldn't make a phone call from that area on the Verizon network. Meanwhile, my T-Mobile phone showed three bars and worked flawlessly. Don't trust Verizon. They're a sham company.
  - ryao 10y ago
    Would you elaborate?
- jacquesc 10y ago
  Verizon seems to think it's a better investment to spend money on ads saying their network is good, than actually spending money on making the network good.
davidf18 10y ago
I've been on Verizon 4 years currently with iPhone7+ using iPhone the entire 4 years living and working in Manhattan. With the carrier aggregation now turned on I can get as much as 100 DL / 5 UL. They own the most LTE spectrum. Verizon does have the best network NYC.
- Eric_WVGG 10y ago
  I completely disagree. I'm a Verizon user, my working partner is on T-mobile, and I regularly benchmark out of curiosity. It's not even close, in any neighborhood.
  - davidf18 10y ago
    Since I demonstrated 100 Bit/sec DL, I assume you friend exceeds that on T-mobile? Have you tested signal quality in large buildings in Manhattan? I can say I get signals in these buildings when iPhone owners using say, AT&T get no signal. I suspect that much of the difference you see might have something to do with your handset. This report demonstrates that Verizon has the best network. http://cellularinsights.com/state-of-lte-advanced/ http://cellularinsights.com/state-of-lte-advanced/
    - joecool1029 10y ago
      Lol, that report was written by a T-Mobile employee: https://www.reddit.com/user/milan03 https://www.reddit.com/user/milan03 . All it stated was Verizon has been active on densifying their network and is purchasing 4x4 equipment. Verizon does own the most spectrum in NYC, but they have not been leading on LTE-Advanced feature rollout. T-Mobile already had that equipment deployed for over a year in some markets. They also are the only ones running 256QAM DL 64QAM across their entire LTE footprint (though you'd need a phone supporting it) increasing the spectral efficiency 15-20%. If you can tolerate the boasting typical of a press release this is the CTO of T-Mobile discussing what they have already rolled out: https://newsroom.t-mobile.com/news-and-blogs/lte-advanced.htm https://newsroom.t-mobile.com/news-and-blogs/lte-advanced.ht...

vdnkh 10y ago

Last Friday I couldn't even get a page to load on my iPhone with "full bars" on Verizon. Where does all the money go towards? Not fios, that's for sure (Verizon defaulted on a deal with the city to roll out fiber to all households[0]). [0]http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2016/09/nyc-threatens-to-sue-verizon-over-fios-shortfalls/ http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2016/09/nyc-threatens-to-...

morgante 10y ago
Since joining Verizon I've realized that bars are more or less meaningless. There are many times when I can't even make a phone call with "full bars." Sadly, I've also been very disappointed with FiOS speeds lately.
- lightedman 10y ago
  Verizon's claims are pure BS. When I did some work for a company called CrunchButton, I figured out (using my fiance's phone) that Verizon had towers that weren't connected to anything. They were just there to provide you with 'full signal' (your phone never connected to these towers) so they could claim coverage in that area. You couldn't make a phone call from that area on the Verizon network. Meanwhile, my T-Mobile phone showed three bars and worked flawlessly. Don't trust Verizon. They're a sham company.
- ryao 10y ago
  Would you elaborate?
jacquesc 10y ago
Verizon seems to think it's a better investment to spend money on ads saying their network is good, than actually spending money on making the network good.

davidf18 10y ago

I've been on Verizon 4 years currently with iPhone7+ using iPhone the entire 4 years living and working in Manhattan. With the carrier aggregation now turned on I can get as much as 100 DL / 5 UL. They own the most LTE spectrum. Verizon does have the best network NYC.

Eric_WVGG 10y ago
I completely disagree. I'm a Verizon user, my working partner is on T-mobile, and I regularly benchmark out of curiosity. It's not even close, in any neighborhood.
- davidf18 10y ago
  Since I demonstrated 100 Bit/sec DL, I assume you friend exceeds that on T-mobile? Have you tested signal quality in large buildings in Manhattan? I can say I get signals in these buildings when iPhone owners using say, AT&T get no signal. I suspect that much of the difference you see might have something to do with your handset. This report demonstrates that Verizon has the best network. http://cellularinsights.com/state-of-lte-advanced/ http://cellularinsights.com/state-of-lte-advanced/
  - joecool1029 10y ago
    Lol, that report was written by a T-Mobile employee: https://www.reddit.com/user/milan03 https://www.reddit.com/user/milan03 . All it stated was Verizon has been active on densifying their network and is purchasing 4x4 equipment. Verizon does own the most spectrum in NYC, but they have not been leading on LTE-Advanced feature rollout. T-Mobile already had that equipment deployed for over a year in some markets. They also are the only ones running 256QAM DL 64QAM across their entire LTE footprint (though you'd need a phone supporting it) increasing the spectral efficiency 15-20%. If you can tolerate the boasting typical of a press release this is the CTO of T-Mobile discussing what they have already rolled out: https://newsroom.t-mobile.com/news-and-blogs/lte-advanced.htm https://newsroom.t-mobile.com/news-and-blogs/lte-advanced.ht...