OpenSignal is a firm that specializes in mapping mobile coverage, and it has released its latest report regarding the quality and connection speed of the respective networks of the biggest wireless carriers in the United States. In terms of the overall quality of network, T-Mobile was the winner. On top of that, T-Mobile (third biggest mobile operator in the US in terms of customer base) also managed to beat Verizon Wireless, AT&T, and Sprint in categories such as the quickest download speed on 3G and 4G networks, the shortest 3G latency (which measures the response time between the network and the user’s mobile device), and overall wireless performance.
Wireless carriers who came out on top in specific categories include Verizon Wireless for best network availability on 4G networks (averaging 4G availability 85.9 percent of the time), and then Sprint for shortest latency in 4G. Despite being considered the number two biggest wireless carrier in the US second only to Verizon Wireless, AT&T walked away with no title in any category.
Reports like the one released by OpenSignal are one way for mobile users in America to determine which of the Big Four wireless carriers in the country are performing well in certain aspects of their mobile services. Of course, many factors influence consumers in picking which wireless carrier to avail of a mobile plan -- cost, geography, availability of devices all play a part. But network quality and connection speed are significant indicators of how good a mobile operator is, regardless of its popularity or public perception.
If anything else, OpenSignal’s latest report should serve once again as a catalyst for bragging rights and arguments. John Legere, the outspoken chief executive officer of T-Mobile, expressed his approval of the report, and took the opportunity to proclaim how T-Mobile is now becoming a force to be reckoned with in wireless.
Verizon never even made explicit mention of OpenSignal’s report, preferring instead to highlight that its 4G LTE network is the highest quality available, boasting at least 1 million square miles more coverage than its network rivals. Sprint had a different approach, remarking that this year, all carriers can boast top quality networks, with the gap in quality between operators becoming narrower than ever. AT&T has remained mum on the topic for now.
OpenSignal’s report this month follows the one it published back in February early this year. In that report, T-Mobile was found to have the fastest network speed. In terms of the fastest 4G connection speeds, T-Mobile had shared that honor with Verizon Wireless, according to the February report.
