Speed tests show Verizon's LTE faster than Sprint's WiMAX

Who has the fastest 4G service between Verizon and Sprint? On Friday, BTIG analyst Walter Piecyk announced the results of 1,000 speed tests conducted between a Verizon HTC ThunderBolt and a Sprint EVO 4G. According to the results, Big Red's LTE service is faster and more consistent than the WiMAX offering from the nation's third largest carrier.

The tests were done using the mobile Hotspot functions on both phones and those conducting the test were given an Apple iPad 2 and a Toshiba laptop to use on each of the two networks. The tests also were divided by location, such as "inside a building" or "near a window".  The bottom line figures showed that on average, Verizon's LTE network had speeds of 9Mbps down and 5Mbps up. Sprint's WiMAX network averaged about 1Mbps both down and up.

According to Piecyk, Verizon peaked at 19Mbps down and 10Mbps up. In addition, the analyst claims that Big Red's network is the more reliable between the two, and offers more coverage than Sprint's 4G service. With talk that Sprint might switch to an LTE network of its own, a report like this could carry plenty of weight in the carrier's boardroom.

source: BGR