AT&T, the network it seems everyone loves to hate, has unseated Sprint as the fastest 3G data service in a test by the technology Web site Gizmodo, which also tested Verizon and T-Mobile.

Repeating its test of last year, Gizmodo used laptops in five locations in each of 12 test cities to get an average read on speed.

The surprise result was that AT&T beat the others rather handily. The report is quick to point out that it didn’t test dropped calls or coverage (which is the major complaint against AT&T), and that customer service wasn’t considered in the testing. It was just the ability to deliver 3G data.

But it does also say that while all of the networks had occasional problems, AT&T’s were no better or worse than Verizon’s, which has long enjoyed a reputation as being the most reliable network.

Bear in mind, this wasn’t a scientific test. It was a short-term test in a limited number of spots in a small number of cities — your mileage may (and, probably, will) vary. But it’s certainly food for thought.

source:nytimes