If you’ve got the need for speed, you’ll probably want to be a customer of one of two particular mobile carriers who top the latest survey of fastest 4G LTE networks in America.
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Verizon, T-Mobile top OpenSignal report
Wireless coverage mapping service OpenSignal collected metrics on 4G availability, video experience, download speed, upload speed and latency data from more than 1 million U.S. devices during the waning months of 2018.
The goal was to determine which carrier runs the fastest 4G network.
The results show Verizon and T-Mobile in a virtual draw for the top spot, according to OpenSignal. Verizon’s average LTE download speed was 20.9 Mbps, while T-Mobile’s was 21.1 Mbps.
But here’s where the two carriers differ: Verizon has an edge when it comes to 4G network availability.
Verizon’s LTE network was available 94.2% of the time, while T-Mobile’s was available 94% of the time. Trailing further behind in network availability were AT&T (88.9%) and Sprint (88.4%).
But the laurels for Verizon don’t stop there. OpenSignal’s research shows Verizon excelled in the Video Experience and Upload Speed categories, too.
The only area where Verizon didn’t win or tie was Latency Experience. In that category, AT&T had the lowest latency among the Big 4 carriers, with data delay speeds of only 57.8 milliseconds.
Paying less money for more network
If you don’t like paying full price AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon, you’ll be happy to know that there are less expensive brands that run on those companies’ networks for price-sensitive customers.
Verizon has Visible, Total Wireless and Xfinity Mobile; T-Mobile has Metro by T-Mobile, Mint Mobile and Republic Wireless; AT&T has Cricket Wireless, h2o Wireless and Unreal Mobile; and Sprint has Boost Mobile, Tello Mobile and Virgin Mobile.
We’ve got links to reviews of many of those discounts services here.
The price point is generally around $25 a month for the same towers and the same service you could pay a lot more for — and they’re all no contract!
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