AT&T, Verizon Continue Wireless Network Wars

Like two prize fighters trading blows, AT&T and Verizon Wireless continue to push each other publicly over whose network is better.

Verizon has recently announced it will make the 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) network live by the end of the year. It has already released commercials promoting the network and is planning a roll out in 38 major metropolitan areas. Nearly on cue, AT&T has responded with a news release saying it has the nation's fastest broadband network according to a third party test done by industry testing firm Global Wireless Solutions Inc.

The data from Global Wireless Solutions, which is a highly respected outside firm, was tested from around the country and has found we are 20 percent faster than the next fastest broadband network and 60 percent faster than our largest competitor. You can do the math on who that is, AT&T Spokesperson Mark Siegel said. We're the fastest in the nation, period.

As an example of the speed favoring AT&T, the company said an 80-megabyte video file would download about two minutes faster on average on its network compared to the next highest competitor. The same video would take five minutes longer on Verizon's network.

According to Siegel, GWS tested the data speeds of each network on nearly 950,000 road miles in more than 400 U.S. markets representing about 88 percent of the U.S. population. Quite simply, it was not an isolated test, he affirmed. GWS could not be reached for comment.

He said the test even compared to AT&T's 3G network to WiMax 4G from Sprint. The results were similarly in favor of AT&T. With these results in hand, AT&T doesn't seem to be concerned with Verizon's soon-to-be launched 4G network.

During a press conference introducing Verizon Wireless' 4G network, chief executive officer Lowell McAdams said the 4G network would be significantly faster than the company's current network as well as all wireless providers' current or promised 3G network speeds.

Meanwhile, AT&T said it will continue to invest in its network. For 2010, the company said it will invest between $18 billion and $19 billion in wireless and wireline networks, including a $2 billion increase in wireless-related network investment over 2009 levels.

Representatives from Verizon Wireless did not return inquiries for further comment.