June is a blockbuster month for smartphones. Incessant buzz has made the Palm Pre and Apple's next-gen iPhone red-hot, but there's one thing that may cool down these super smartphones: their networks.
In the U.S., the Pre is only on Sprint for now, and the iPhone is exclusive to AT&T for the foreseeable future. Trouble is, although both carriers have large nationwide 3G data networks, neither has placed well in two independent nationwide surveys ranking call quality, network quality, and customer service. In all three categories, both Sprint and AT&T are bested by the third national 3G data network: Verizon Wireless. (T-Mobile is still building out its 3G network, and Cricket and MetroPCS, though solid choices, aren't fully national carriers.)
To compare three national 3G networks, we looked closely at their coverage maps, tested network speeds with USB modems, scrutinized product lines and technologies, and gave heavy weight to two surveys conducted in mid-2008: our own Service and Reliability Survey (S&R) and the JD Power and Associates customer satisfaction survey.
Commitment to network quality and hot phones, it seems, don't go hand in hand. If you pick the Pre, you're going for a network with decent nationwide coverage and good speeds on our tests, but abysmal user ratings across the board. In both the JD Power and S&R surveys, Sprint customers gave the carrier low marks for call quality, customer care, and technical support. To its credit, Sprint has said it's working hard to improve customer service, and Sprint modems clocked some of the fastest download and upload times on our tests.
iPhone users' complaints about AT&T are well documented. AT&T's 3G network is spottier than both Sprint's and Verizon's, and the iPhone creates a heavy enough load on the network to create capacity problems from time to time. The company's user ratings in the S&R and JD Power surveys have also been mediocre at best. On the positive side, AT&T's technology is theoretically the best of the bunch—there just doesn't seem to be enough of it installed yet.
Sprint's and AT&T's comparative mediocrity cancel each other out. If you're switching between the two for an iPhone or a Pre, your carrier-related level of frustration may not change much. But if you're switching from Verizon Wireless, you might want to think again.
Verizon's 3G data is our Editors' Choice, but unfortunately for those who want the hottest phones, Verizon seems to care more about its network than about its handsets. On the other hand, Verizon's coverage map puts the other two carriers' to shame, and its user ratings are in the stratosphere.
So you have a choice to make: Do you want a rock-solid network or a super-sexy phone? Check out our recently updated reviews of the major 3G networks before you decide:
National 3G Data Networks:
AT&T Mobility 3G High-Speed Data (HSDPA)
AT&T has a terrific range of handsets running on a very advanced network technology, but its coverage doesn't measure up to Verizon's.
Sprint Wireless High-Speed Data (EV-DO)
Sprint's high-speed network has decent coverage and is fast—when it works. The company has committed to solving its well-known customer service problems.
Verizon Wireless High-Speed Data (EV-DO)
Verizon works hard to build a great network, resulting in the nation's best 3G experience. But the company always seems a little behind the curve when it comes to top smartphones.
AT&T's 3G HSDPA network should be the finest 3G network in the land. AT&T has the best phone selection, the most advanced technology, and the most comprehensive international roaming. But it also has a spotty coverage map and mediocre customer satisfaction ratings, which can make AT&T's network frustrating to use.
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