PC Magazine's latest wireless speed test shows that Verizon Wireless continues to take top honors when it comes to the fastest US network. But the survey also shows that T-Mobile is close on Verizon's heels, with Sprint making some notable progress in its quest to shore up a lagging US network. According to PC Magazine, Verizon Wireless had the fastest speeds in more cities and rural areas than any other carrier, with T-Mobile taking second place. Sprint actually edged out AT&T in national tests to take third.
"The real drama in these tests has been watching T-Mobile and Sprint come back from their doldrums a few years ago," states the magazine. "T-Mobile is either first or second in most cities now, a change that really took effect last year."
Sprint has been the butt of jokes as the company endlessly promises the network users really wants is just around the corner. But despite some continued financial woes, the study found Sprint has made some dramatic improvements across the 30 cities measured in the 42 page report.
"Sprint won three cities this year, and while it's still in fourth place nationwide, it placed third or second in many cities," states the report. "Factor in how cheap Sprint's service plans are right now, and it becomes a carrier worth considering again."
All of that said, being the best of a bad bunch doesn't make you
automatically good. A
study earlier this year found that the United States was actually 55th in terms of global LTE speeds, meaning all US providers, Verizon included, still have a lot of work to do as these companies begin looking toward fifth generation wireless on the horizon.