3 main providers, but who's faster?
I know the tests have already been done, and we know that XT wins on the speed front, but I thought I’d do one last comparison of all 3 from the same spot.
Now we have to remember that 2degrees is running on Edge and not 3G, so you can say that the comparison is unfair, but I am not comparing 3G speeds here, I am comparing the providers speeds in general.
At the end of the day, if you are going to choose a provider you need to know what speed you are going to get, and at the moment the speed on 2degrees is EDGE, and it’s only right to compare them to the speeds on XT or Vodafone (for this purpose).
The three tests were done in the square in Christchurch. I stood in the same spot and ran each test, switching the iPhone off/on between SIM swaps. Some users have made comments that better speeds can be achieved on Vodafone by disabling and then re-enabling 3G, but we don’t think consumers should have to go out of their way to learn about and jump through hoops to get around network issues, therefore we haven’t done that in our test. These tests are out-of-the-box speed results that every consumer can expect to experience. Turning off/on between SIM swaps resets the 3G anyway.
It just shows how varied the results can be, looking around the web there are so many different results, some better, some worse. But one thing is clear from all the results…If you want the fastest data speeds on your iPhone then XT is your best option. in second place is Vodafone and in last place is 2degrees. Obviously there are a lot of other factors that will affect your decision, but for me speed is a biggie.
If you want to share your own speed tests, please go ahead and post in the comments with links to your results if you can.
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A C&P from another thread on this subject:
I have been advised by a Vodafone technician (well respected) that the final version of 3.1 PLUS some Network tweeks should improve speeds for the iPhone.
Furthermore – it’s VERY important to note that doing one test in one location is hardly a reflection of Network performance & until the obvious issues with the chipset on the iPhone when utilising 2100Mhz UMTS are fixed – then the Speed comparisons are irrelevent IMHO.
It’s an unusual problem & has existed since the original iPhone 3G was released.
Last of all – XT Speeds are naturally going to be better – as there are roughly 75% less 3G customers on their Network when compared to Vodafone’s 3G customers.
(Johnny11 has made 14 comments)
Just as a comparison – I have undertaken EXTENSIVE (not one of two, which is common on these forums & Geekzone) testing of the Vodafone Mobile Network with my Nokia 6121c.
I urge you to look at these as proof that the iPhone has an obvious issue with 2100Mhz UMTS Frequency utilisation & is not an accurate reflection of what is capable on the Vodafone Network.
Check out the Speed Test Results here:
http://forum.vodafone.co.nz/index.php?showtopic=2814
Please also bare in mind that the MAX Speed on my phone is 3.6Mbit.
(Johnny11 has made 14 comments)
Extra note related to above post – the Nokia 6121c supports both 2100/900Mhz UMTS frequencies used on the Vodafone Network.
(Johnny11 has made 14 comments)
Is it that the iPhone has trouble with 2100Mhz or is it that Vodafone is throttling the iPhone connection to their network?
(moviemichael has made 50 comments)
Why the hell would Vodafone restrict the most popular model phone on their network?
This would have to be the most unsubtantiated/outlandish post I have ever read!
(Johnny11 has made 14 comments)
Johnny11 – exactly how is this article unsubtantiated or outlandish… we are not passing comment or rubbishing any network – all we have done is perform three speedtests and publish the results. We are not interested in how fast other mobile phones go on any network – this is an iPhone website. As a caution – please treat others with respect. Moviemichael asked a perfectly valid question in response to your earlier comments. Refer to the FAQs section for our site etiquette policy please.
(Steve has made 322 comments)
My previous comments were directed at moviemichael, not this post specifically.
I fully understand that your website is iPhone centric – but I also have a valid opinion on the issue of poor performance with the iPhone on the Vodafone Network & my suggestions (which are supported by Vodafone staff) have not been mentioned by any other person.
I’m trying to shed some light on this subject, from a different angle.
Cheers
(Johnny11 has made 14 comments)
Johnny11 I’ve done “extensive” testing at 6 locations around Dunedin, comprising a number of landmarks you might find yourself in typically in the city. Hopefully these should be up soon and compare XT and Vodafone 3G head-to-head on the iPhone 3G at each of these sites around Dunedin.
(ahmad has made 73 comments)
LOL@Vodafone, 2degrees only 100kbps slower on EDGE than your 3G network
Shape up or ship out!
(Plamsaglows has made 7 comments)
In Napier 2 days ago I got on VF 1.74 Mbps my highest ever reading.
In Hamilton I have noted an improvement recently and expect hopefully another improvement end of this week. Plus more with firmware 3.1
(psychrn has made 108 comments)
That’s great news Ahmad – but as I have mentioned, until the final version of 3.1 is released & Vodafone have undertaken the network tweek, any results on the Vodafone Network should be taken with a grain of salt.
Speed Tests that I have done, with my Nokia 6121c show that the issue is related to some frequency utilisation problem on the 2100Mhz UMTS frequency, when using the iPhone 3G or 3G S.
The tests I done in Hamilton were also repated in the exact same location by a friend “Psychrn” who used both the iPhone 3G & 3G S & on average his Speed Test result ranged from 116-350kB/s & a one off random result of 1.4Mbit, my phone typically bet his phone from between 10-15 times faster, which I think is a highly valid point.
(Johnny11 has made 14 comments)
Johnny11 you have gotten completely the wrong end of the stick about these speed tests.
The tests show what is happening at that point in time ON THE IPHONE!
What speed your phone gets has nothing to do with this, we are comparing the speed from the same location, from the same device at the point in time that it was done. NOT IN THE FUTURE!
If we took your way of thinking, we would be forever unable to compare anything as everything would have a newer, better, faster version coming out soon. You can’t keep saying that when 3.1 final is released and when Vodafone sort out the network the results will be better, well I am sure they will be but until then these are the results you get.
In the future when Voda sort out their network and when 3.1 final is released then we will do another test to compare. And when we do that it will be at that point in time and any result won’t have a story about what is going to happen in the future.
Edited By Dan – I won’t be spoken to in this way. Comments on this thread are locked. Johnny11 if you want continue to be part of the community you will respect others and not speak to the owners or anyone else on the site with the tone you used.
To all others…This post is regarding the speed of the iPhone 3G/3GS on the three networks at the time we did the test, in the location we did the test. We understand that other devices may get different speeds but that is not what this is about.
End.
(Johnny11 has made 14 comments)