Broadband Reports
For Immediate Release
Written by: Steven Thompson
Independent speed testing and analysis
Oct. 20, 2009, Ford, WA. | Not a day goes by when consumers aren't subjected to the endless barrage of advertisements from the Wireless Industry. America's Fastest 3G Network or, The Nation's Largest 3G Network. It all sounds so promising as a viable High-Speed Internet solution for those who constantly battle the last mile headaches of living in rural America.
Verizon Wireless, the “Nation's Largest 3G Network”
On September 20, 2009, we placed an order with Verizon Wireless for their broadband Internet service. By September 24 the USB hardware (Novatel UM-175) and software (VZAccess) arrived. The software quickly installed on our Windows XP notebook. The USB device was then attached and activated in a matter of minutes. Our service vehicle was equipped with a dual band Wilson cellular amplifier and external antenna that can connect directly to a cell phone or USB AirCard (tethered). This additional hardware would enable us to test performance regardless of the distance from us to the nearest Verizon cell tower.
Our initial test was from Ford, WA. We used the 1.5 MB file at www.testmy.net for all download testing and the 1.0 MB file for all upload testing. In addition, we used two flash based speed tests, speakeasy and netaccess located at http://www.dslreports.com/speedtest?flash=1, the VZW test results were horrible, never exceeding 500 Kbps downstream or upstream.
Using the same equipment and speed test engines, we were only able to obtain the level of performance published at Verizon's own website from two cell towers, one located near Seven Bay's and the other near Mead, WA. In both instances, download speeds were in excess of 1024 Kbps with upstream speeds better than 600 Kbps.
Additional testing was performed from Springdale, Davenport, Colville, North Spokane, WA., Coeur d'Alene, ID., Missoula and West Yellowstone, MT. With the exception of North Spokane, none of these tests were any better than the tests performed at Ford (500 Kbps or worse downstream).
The North Spokane tests were done at the Hillside Cafe on North Nevada with downstream speeds coming in at a whopping 760 Kbps. Of all locations, one would think that we'd see a real fast connection pushing 2.0 Mbps downstream but it never happened during any of our testing within the second largest city in Washington state. A Broadband EV-DO Rev.A (3G) connection was established but the 3G speed simply wasn't there.
EV-DO Rev.A is 3G but at multiple locations spanning three northwest states our downstream speed was 2G at best. A 3G connection delivering 2G speed. The nations largest 2G Network would be a more accurate statement from this specific region.
Our overall letter grade for Verizon Wireless broadband in the greater Inland Northwest is a “C-”. Latency was never worse than 300ms and speeds didn't differ much depending on the overall distance from the cell tower. If you had signal you'd connect without any problems. The biggest problem associated with performance seemed to be the total lack of available downstream bandwidth feeding the majority of Verizon's cell towers. With the exception of Seven Bay's, Mead and North Spokane, all other test sites delivered faster upstream speeds than downstream.
Needless to say a “C-” grade wasn't good enough for us to keep or offer this service to our consumers. Verizon Wireless provides a 30 day window to test this product without being obligated to marry it for the next 24 months at $59.99 per month.
Update November 30, 2009 | Major issues with Verizon Wireless billing.
Well, this 30-day trial hasn't been a very simple process. On multiple occasions I've received telephone calls from Verizon Wireless attempting to fix multiple charges on my closed VZW accounts. During this time-consuming process, customer service doesn't appear to have access to key Verizon documents that would aid in the credit due back to the customers account. The consumer is receiving return delivery confirmation from VZW's facility in Missouri but the billing department has no record that the equipment was returned.
SCAM Rip-off Alert: Another major thorn with VZW is the fact that Verizon Wireless starts billing these broadband accounts on the day the account is created. Can you believe this non-sense? You're buying a service called Broadband Internet and Verizon Wireless starts billing you before they've even shipped you the hardware? Your billing shouldn't start until you're receiving the very service VZW is billing you for.
Our next carrier to test is Sprint. We're hoping to find a quality product that lives up to its hype. A similar report on our testing results will be made available and posted here in the coming month.
For Immediate Release
Written by: Steven Thompson
Nov. 21, 2009, Ford, WA. | Sprint, the Now Network
Testing began on October 23, 2009. Unlike Verizon Wireless, When our Sprint (Sierra Wireless USB) AirCard indicated a EVDO Rev-A connection speed tests were fast. The slowest test was at SR-291 and Charles Rd. in the 9-Mile, WA. area. While on the move in our service truck, download speed was 927 Kbps and upload speed was 318 Kbps. Our next test was near Whitworth College on North Division, downstream speed was 1074 Kbps and upstream was 283 Kbps. Latency held at 144 ms..
We made a point to test Sprint broadband speeds at two identical locations where we'd already tested Verizon. At US-2 and Mt. Spokane Road near Mead, Sprint tested at 1.3 Mbps downstream and 504 Kbps upstream. At the Hillside Cafe on North Nevada, 1072 Kbps down and 410 Kbps up with latency at 135 ms.. Later in the day we rolled into Airway Heights and tested from the parking lot in front of Yokes. Back to back downstream tests using the 1.5 MB file from testmy.net resulted in 1.3, 1.1 and 1.5 Mbps. Using a 1.0 MB file, upstream speeds were 600+ Kbps.
On November 3, we headed south a few miles past Colfax, WA. At SR-195 and Prune Orchard Rd., Sprint tested at 989 Kbps downstream and 512 Kbps upstream. Further north at SR-195 and Barnes Cutoff our downstream speed was 1109 Kbps and upstream was 406 Kbps while rolling at 60 mph using our 20db gain Wilson Electronics mobile truck amplifier. We decided to go a bit west and stopped at the Carl's Jr. in Cheney, WA. Downstream was 1006 Kbps and upstream was 424 Kbps.
Our final testing was on US-2 headed west. With our notebook booted up and powered by a small power inverter we monitored our connection as we traveled through Lincoln and Grant county. Unfortunately, we never saw EVDO Rev-A (3G) service until we rolled into Douglas, WA. Downstream speed was 1035 Kbps and upstream was 570 Kbps as we pulled into Waterville, WA. As we could of guessed, we lost 3G signal heading down the Orondo hill where we then headed south on US-97 to Wenatchee. I was a bit surprised that as we arrived in Wenatchee we hadn't regained 3G service. We turned west on US-2, crossed the Columbia river and proceeded up the Monitor, WA. Hill. As we crested the hill EVDO Rev-A service was back. Several tests were performed from the room we stayed at in Cashmere, WA. Our downstream speeds never dropped below 1.0 Mbps (1024 Kbps) and upstream speeds were 435 Kbps or better.
This completed our testing of Sprint broadband service on the “Now Network.” We're going to grade Sprint with a solid “B”. Yes, Sprint doesn't have 3G service in several communities we traveled through but, where we did receive a 3G connection, Sprint out-performed Verizon Wireless with much faster downstream speeds.
Pricing and most terms appear to be the same with all 3G carriers. $59.99 per month, 24 month term, 5GB usage per month with a 30 day trial period.
As with Verizon Wireless, Sprint broadband signal was to weak at our home office in Ford, WA. The Aircard was returned without a problem and we now have a brand new Sierra wireless USB device from AT&T. Results from AT&T testing should show up here on or about Christmas time so check back then.
For Immediate Release
Written by: Steven Thompson
January 22, 2010 | AT&T, The Nations Fastest 3G Network
Our testing of AT&T had problems right from the start. At first we thought we simply weren't getting strong enough signal from the nearest tower. A few days later I had reason to drive into Spokane where signal and speeds could finally be tested. Same problem, I couldn't connect so I decided to drop by the AT&T store with aircard and notebook in hand. As it turned out, the initial aircard would only communicate with a USB 2.0 port. My notebook is a few years old and only had USB 1.0 capability. The store exchanged the aircard with another model and we tested connectivity from the store. Presto, we're connecting with really fast speeds. I thanked the store manager and off I went.
Over the next two weeks during the 30 day trial period I didn't have service calls that would take me out of the area so our testing was limited to Spokane and Stevens County. Here's our findings.
Loon Lake, 197 Kbps down x 95 Kbps up. Clayton, 2.0 Mbps down x 327 Kbps up. Deer Park, 2.2 Mbps down x 327 Kbps up. Riverside, 810 Kbps down x 466 Kbps up. Chattaroy, 1427 Kbps down x 444 Kbps up. Mead, 2.1 Mbps down x 467 Kbps up. North Division Y, 1498 Kbps down x 462 up. All of these test used the www.testmy.net speed tool with the download file of 1.5 MB and the 1.0 MB upload file.
This limited testing revealed that AT&T had the fastest downstream speeds of any of the three providers we tested. However, both Verizon Wireless and Sprint had faster upstream speeds at or near 600 Kbps.
Our letter grade for AT&T 3G Broadband service ties that of Sprint, a solid 'B'. AT&T's customer service at their corporate store (North Division) matched that of Sprint (North Sullivan), excellent.
As with the other two providers, even with amplification, I was unable to receive a signal from my home and the product was returned within the 30 day trial period.
As for marketing hype. Both Sprint and AT&T live up to their 3G corporate advertising, Verizon Wireless didn't...
I'll enjoy having a testing opportunity sometime in the future for Clear Wire. Currently, the nearest Clear Wire service is in Lewiston Idaho and Yakima Washington.
Steven Thompson
Airwerx
P.O. Box 127
Ford, WA. 99013-0127
Telephone: (509) 258-8958
Airwerx provides nationwide sales, installation, service and systems support. In addition, we sell and install wireless routers and outdoor wireless equipment (802.11) to feed buildings and RV parks. We currently serve clients from the great Cascades to the wheat fields of central Montana.
Call (877) 247-9379
Serving The Entire Pacific & Inland Northwest!