AT&T, T-Mobile wrangling over who has largest 4g network

[corrupt81]

T-Mobile USA currently claims it owns "America's Largest 4G Network" based on coverage of 215 million people with HSPA+ network technology. However, AT&T Mobility (NYSE:T) recently updated its own figures and now claims its "4G" network (which spans both HSPA+ and LTE technology) covers nearly 250 million people.

AT&T in February began advertising its 4G network as the nation's largest, but didn't provide specific coverage figures. Now, though, it appears AT&T has firmly taken the lead in terms of network size.

So will T-Mobile give up its position as owner of "America's Largest 4G Network?"

"T-Mobile currently operates America's Largest 4G Network, reaching well over 215 million people in 225 markets, which we believe makes us the largest," T-Mobile said in a statement to FierceWireless. "It's important to note that having enhanced backhaul in place is necessary to deliver a 4G experience. AT&T is touting the reach of their network, but we don't believe they have sufficient backhaul to justify the assertion that they are larger. We believe T-Mobile reaches more Americans with a 4G experience."

An AT&T spokesman disagreed.

"The facts are we have the nation's largest 4G network covering nearly 250 million people with LTE and HSPA+ with enhanced backhaul," AT&T's Steven Schwadron told FierceWireless.

And what of Verizon Wireless (NYSE:VZ)? The carrier claims to own the nation's "largest 4G LTE network." Verizon spokesman Thomas Pica said "we cover 2/3 of the U.S. population and more than 200 million POPs [with LTE]. If you check the census site, it will say there are about 314 million in the U.S. at this time." Verizon has promised to cover 260 million people with LTE by the end of this year.

http://www.fiercewireless.com/story/...ork/2012-04-18

Seems both AT&T and Verizon have T-Mobile beat, and are expanding 4G coverage much faster than T-Mobile. (Of course they have the cash to do so as they keep adding customers.)

Last road trip I made from Fort Lauderdale FL to Kinder LA the majority of my trip T-Mobile was on 2G. Very few places had 4G.

[GSMinCT]

That's pathetic. AT&T has a lot more HSPA+EB than T-Mobile does. There's no disputing that. The AT&T/Verizon thing is funny, but both are right, as only Verizon specifies "LTE".

[newyork4me]

That's pathetic. AT&T has a lot more HSPA+EB than T-Mobile does. There's no disputing that. The AT&T/Verizon thing is funny, but both are right, as only Verizon specifies "LTE".

What's funny is T-Mobile is going to have to drop that claim shortly as VZW will pass them up with LTE too. VZW covering 2/3 of 314 mil = ~210 million. With T-Mobile at ~215 and VZW expanding at the rate they are, a few more months and they'll arguably in 3rd. Unless T-Mobile tries to claim that LTE isn't "a 4G experience"

Amusingly, AT&T needs to watch out for that title too. At 250, AT&T needs to get going or else VZW is going to pass them up too on their way to 260mil by years end.

[terryjohnson16]

when will be able to send direct videos via mms? will lte fix that restraint?

mms wont work for videos considered too large. hspa is capable but blocked.

Sent from my SGH-T989 using HowardForums

[Danny4G]

What's funny is T-Mobile is going to have to drop that claim shortly as VZW will pass them up with LTE too. VZW covering 2/3 of 314 mil = ~210 million. With T-Mobile at ~215 and VZW expanding at the rate they are, a few more months and they'll arguably in 3rd. Unless T-Mobile tries to claim that LTE isn't "a 4G experience"

Amusingly, AT&T needs to watch out for that title too. At 250, AT&T needs to get going or else VZW is going to pass them up too on their way to 260mil by years end.

Has AT&T clarified what % of their network is HSPA+ 14.4, 21 or "other," yet? T-Mobile is arguing that AT&T is not being truthful about providing the necessary backhaul to support "4G," speeds to 250 million POPS.

Regardless all carriers (I mean ALL) spin facts to suit their marketing needs. Everyone wins by technicalities.

I remember the arguments in the early 00's. Verizon claimed to have the largest network. Sprint claimed to have the "largest all digital all PCS network built from the ground up," network... Alltel claimed to have the largest network too (based upon geographical coverage). Fanboys of each carrier claimed they were part of the biggest baddest network.

For a while there T-Mobile USA could hold claim to having the largest all digital all GSM network in the US built over PCS airwaves.

[newyork4me]

when will be able to send direct videos via mms? will lte fix that restraint?

mms wont work for videos considered too large. hspa is capable but blocked.

Sent from my SGH-T989 using HowardForums

Isn't that phone specific? As in, if the phone compresses it enough it is fine and will work? This is how it has always been on the iPhone on AT&T (the last time I send a video through MMS).

LTE likely won't change this because it still will need to meet the MMS standards to be delivered to other phones.

[newyork4me]

Has AT&T clarified what % of their network is HSPA+ 14.4, 21 or "other," yet? T-Mobile is arguing that AT&T is not being truthful about providing the necessary backhaul to support "4G," speeds to 250 million POPS.

Regardless all carriers (I mean ALL) spin facts to suit their marketing needs. Everyone wins by technicalities.

I don't know they have ever given a specific percentage, other than "almost 100% of the HSPA network is HSPA+". If that's true, their 3G/4G network tech reaches like 280 million POPs, so claiming 250 million POPs could very well be HSPA+ with EB.

[Danny4G]

That's pathetic. AT&T has a lot more HSPA+EB than T-Mobile does. There's no disputing that.

That's pathetic. AT&T has a lot more HSPA+EB than T-Mobile does. There's no disputing that. The AT&T/Verizon thing is funny, but both are right, as only Verizon specifies "LTE".

You and GSMinCT start comments the same way. Hmmm?? Multiple usernames or twins?

[Shining Light]

You and GSMinCT start comments the same way. Hmmm?? Multiple usernames or twins?

haha how funny is this, caught red handed, hes so hated that he knows he gonna get banned soon, hes all prepare for it lol

[Androided]

tmobile USA doesn't have a inch 4g network.....

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-T989

[GSMinCT]

For a while there T-Mobile USA could hold claim to having the largest all digital all GSM network in the US built over PCS airwaves.

HA! They're probably going to get that one back as AT&T re-farms to HSPA+, but no one cares now.

You and GSMinCT start comments the same way. Hmmm?? Multiple usernames or twins?

I seriously have no clue who that other poster is. Really.

haha how funny is this, caught red handed, hes so hated that he knows he gonna get banned soon, hes all prepare for it lol

Have the admins check the IP's, I can guarantee you they are different.

[Scottish Skyedance]

Wirelessly posted (HTC Nexus One: Mozilla/5.0 (Macintosh; U; Intel Mac OS X 10_5_7; en-us) AppleWebKit/530.17 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/4.0 Safari/530.17 Skyfire/2.0)

I'd say whatever "G" is no longer revelant as it is more likely used as marking gimmick. EDGE, UMTS, HSPA, LTE are much more revelant. In addition, other than to increase node's internet capacity, speed more than 4Mbps is no more different than 40Mbps even on a single laptop. Latency, on the other hand, is also important for page's rendering speed.

[GSMinCT]

Wirelessly posted (HTC Nexus One: Mozilla/5.0 (Macintosh; U; Intel Mac OS X 10_5_7; en-us) AppleWebKit/530.17 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/4.0 Safari/530.17 Skyfire/2.0)

I'd say whatever "G" is no longer revelant as it is more likely used as marking gimmick. EDGE, UMTS, HSPA, LTE are much more revelant. In addition, other than to increase node's internet capacity, speed more than 4Mbps is no more different than 40Mbps even on a single laptop. Latency, on the other hand, is also important for page's rendering speed.

True. But network quality and deployment matters even more. Poorly deployed LTE won't keep up with well deployed HSPA+, although the newer technologies with more bandwidth and new spectrum do make things easier.

[ilvla2]

All of this "biggest, best, most amazing" network talk doesn't do YOU any good UNLESS it applies to where YOU live, work and travel, DO NOT be fooled by the hype. In my area, T-Mobile is still 2G, while AT&T, VZ and USCC are all 3G and Faux G and working on 4G.

[johnhere]

Area makes a big difference. Right now generally speaking Near me Verizon lte is fastest with tmobile not too far behind. Then att followed by sprint but in other areas things are different.