Testing the AT&T EDGE Data Network Today

At the suggestion of Doug in DC, who posted a comment today in defense of AT&T’s EDGE data network, I tested the data speed of AT&T’s EDGE network, using the iNetwork Test for iPhones that Doug had suggested. My tests were conducted in northern Virginia, between Arlington and Fairfax, just outside Washington, D.C.

Sitting within sight of the large cell phone tower at Lee Highway and North George Mason Drive in Arlington, I ran the test three times – 14.2kbps, 31.3kbps and 15.7kbps. Wow, smoke signals are faster! In West Falls Church, I got my fastest reading of 131.4kbps. In Fairfax County, the test readings varied between 34kbps and 61kbps.

In all, I ran the test approximately 20 times with nothing over 131.4kbps. The average, however, was about 30 percent of that or around 40 to 43kbps. So, yes, I suppose I overstated when I wrote, “The EDGE data stream runs at about 80k or at dial-up speeds, even though iPhone users pay a premium for the service.” In northern Virginia, EDGE is slower than that. It’s a heck of a lot worse than I thought!

Beyond that, it’s interesting to evaluate the fervency of some commenters who overlook the very clear point of my postings to dispute irrelevant minutia, such as defending the EDGE network with passion, using corporate PR talking points as, “The lifetime ‘average’ speed for users that have used that test site via EDGE is 207kbps.”

Here’s a reality: AT&T’s EDGE data network in America is indefensibly aged, outdated and antiquated.

By the way … thanks, Doug. I will continue testing EDGE and report back here.

Couple of updates on EDGE’s awful data speeds in the Washington, D.C. area today:

• Tests at 13.724KBPS at 4:12 p.m.
  
• Tests at 30.256kbps at 6:43 p.m. (akin to 1994 dialup speed)

I think it’s pretty clear that AT&T’s EDGE data network is nothing to brag about.

Filed Under: ATT • iPhone

Tags: ATT EDGE • iPhone • iPhone 3G