AT&T 4G LTE vs. Verizon 4G LTE: What you should know?

The challenge

4G LTE (Long Term Evolution) is a high-speed data technology through the wireless networks. The fourth generation Internet connectivity is based on the network technologies like GSM/EDGE and UMTS/HSPA. In the U.S., top wireless carriers Verizon and AT&T utilize 4G LTE to avail lightning data speed for its customers. Another U.S. carrier that provides 4G LTE is MetroPCS, which has a small customer base as compared to AT&T and Verizon – the top two cellular service providers in number of customers in the country.

AT&T 4G LTE vs. Verizon 4G LTE

Verizon kicked off its 4G LTE service in December 2010. The carrier is now to expand its 4G LTE footprint to over 170 markets by the end of 2011. AT&T, of course, the lone threat to Verizon, has just launched its 4G LTE services in the middle of this year. The company that has to travel quite a long to challenge Verizon is planning to expand its 4G network up to 15 cities by the end of the year. However, many analysts are of stern belief that AT&T’s 4G network is performing better than Verizon’s because it is based on the so-called HSPA+ network technology.

Here is a profound comparison of 4G LTE services from AT&T and Verizon. Both the carriers have many smartphones and tablets compatible with 4G LTE technology. So users might be extremely interested to see which of AT&T or Verizon’s 4G LTE service is better. Go through the article to get a clear picture of the 4G LTE services from the neck and neck competing favorite cellular service providers of America.

Comparison attributes

Speed and performance

AT&T assures 28.8Mbps for its 4G LTE. According to a PCMag testing, the AT&T broadband network has shown an average of 24Mbps download speed, and it peaked up to 42.85Mbps during the test. Meanwhile, Verizon’s 4G LTE offers average speed of 9Mbps down and 5Mbps up. According to BTIG research analyst, Walter Piecyk who tested the speed of Verizon 4G LTE in comparison to Sprint WiMAX, Verizon’s network speed peaked up to 19Mpbs during his test. Verizon’s official claim on its LTE speed is in between 5Mpbs and 12Mpbs, which is 10 times better than the company’s 3G network.

Winner: AT&T is the winner over Verizon here. AT&T may have better speed, because there are fewer 4G LTE costumers on AT&T as compared to Verizon Wireless.

Network coverage

Verizon, after the official launch of its 4G LTE in December 2010, has expanded its 4G coverage to more than 100 markets. The carrier is now pledged to reach its 4G coverage to more than 170 cities by the fall. However, AT&T is far away in expanding its 4G LTE footprint. The carrier is just to enlarge it up to 15 cities by the year-end.

Winner: Verizon Wireless is certainly the winner in network coverage.

Device support

Recently many 4G LTE compatible smartphones and tablets have been unveiled. Technology makers launch 4G products to provide high-speed Internet connectivity for their customers. On Verizon, you have many high-end devices that include six smartphones, Motorola Droid Bionic, Samsung Stratosphere, LG Revolution, Samsung Droid Charge, HTC Thunderbolt, and Pantech Breakout, and two tablets Motorola Xoom and Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1.

AT&T, at the same time, has only three smartphones, BlackBerry Torch 9810, LG Thrill 4G and Motorola Atrix 4G, and one tablet HTC Jetstream. The dearth of 4G devices on AT&T is only because of the fact that the carrier’s network is not accessible in many parts of the land.

Winner: Verizon 4G LTE shines over AT&T quite convincingly.

Data plans

Thanks to its huge customer base, Verizon can offer more attractive data plans for its customers. The carrier has exciting data plans for night web surfing and unlimited surfing for various products. In the meantime, AT&T has kept up its 3G and HSPA+ plans for 4G LTE also. You have to pay $50 for 5GB for a month on AT&T.

Winner: Verizon 4G LTE is the winner. It has more attractive data plans than AT&T’s.

4G sticks and hotspots

Both the carriers have released USB dongles for 4G connection and Wi-Fi hotspot facilities to tether more devices with the high speed Internet. Wi-Fi hotspot feature is there on many smartphones and tablets. The companies also sell 4G USB sticks manufactured by third party hardware makers like LG, ZTE and others.

Winner: No winner, both the carriers provide USB sticks for 4G connectivity.

Verdict

Verizon and AT&T are in a tough battle when it comes to 4G LTE service. Verizon is walking much ahead of its rival in this regard. AT&T is still struggling to reach to a level where it can raise challenge to Verizon. For the delay to launch 4G LTE service, AT&T has enough reasons. The company’s Chief Technology Officer John Donovan on the company’s official blog says that AT&T is far behind in launching 4G LTE, because the company waited to finish all required network upgrades for the advanced network. Mr. Donovan criticizes Verizon for jumping into 4G LTE frenzy without making enough preparations.

Whatever it is, the 4G LTE war between AT&T and Verizon is to become more vigorous in coming years. As per sources, AT&T is about to take over T-Mobile, a growing provider of 4G services in a couple of years. Indeed, it will largely help AT&T expand its 4G network over Verizon. Needless to mention Verizon is facing challenge from the possible AT&T and T-Mobile merger. However, as of today, Verizon is the best service provider of 4G LTE in the U.S. with a pick of incredible products.