James Temple, Chronicle Columnist

Verizon Wireless blows away other major carriers in data speeds across the Bay Area, according to an independent report set for release next week.

The RootMetrics survey provides further evidence that the carrier's LTE network trounces rival technology. It's also additional proof that the industry's marketing claims are often so much puffery.

The study, conducted at the end of last month by the Seattle research firm, found that Verizon's average download rates were 3 1/2 times faster than AT&T and T-Mobile, and six times faster than Sprint.

"The average speed of Verizon is on par with the maximum speed of everyone else," said Bill Moore, chief executive of RootMetrics. "LTE right now is far and away the quickest technology."

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