As it stands right now, T-Mobile has the fastest 3G network out there.
Not because there are less people on it, it's because they built it out and were smart about it.
All of my cell phone are unlocked. I can USB/Wireless tether on them all.
A key test that I do to measure true 3G performance, other than going to dslreports.com and doing a test, is seeing how well World of Warcraft performs over the tethered network.
Both tests were done with full 3G signal strength.
AT&T Tests (Android and WM):
USB Tethered
-World of Warcraft launches and logs in, however, the Lag is horrible and hard to navigate the game.
Wireless Tether:
- Worse than the USB tether.
T-Mobile:
USB Tether:
-World of Warcraft lunches and logs in, I am able to navigate and even in high population areas, the lag is not unbearable. Dungeon fights are not too laggy, but noticeable.
Wireless Tether:
-Same as above, however, huge fights in Dungeons can be a bit too laggy.
Between Android and WM, there really was not that much of a diff. The Android had a little bit better ping times, but not enough to justify jumping ship.
If that is not enough to tell you how much better it is, take a look at this:
Those of you with an Android phone on T-Mobile will be pleased to know that your 3G connection is slightly quicker as of yesterday, thanks to T-Mobile's completion of the 7.2 Mbps upgrade. HSPA 7.2 is network technology that allows for quicker data connections (up to 7.2Mbps) in every area that has 3G coverage, and while AT&T's been setting up the network for some time now, T-Mobile beat them to the punch, flipping the switch on HSPA yesterday morning.
If you think that's impressive, just wait until T-Mobile completes the HSPA+ upgrade they've been working on. HSPA+ is currently the fastest 3G data network speed currently possible, at a whopping 21Mbps. It was tested in Philadelphia earlier this year, and according to T-Mobile, HSPA+ will be launched sometime this year.
Source:
http://www.androidguys.com/2010/01/06/t-mobile-completes-hspa-7-2-network-upgrade/Oh, and add to the fact that with ANY T-Mobile Android device, you get FREE unlimited access to ALL T-mobile Wi-fi HotSpots.
