5G Network Performance Compared: Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T

Adam Doud from ZDNet conducted a 5G road trip test comparing Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T. He used three Google Pixel 10 Pro smartphones, each equipped with eSIM cards from the three carriers, to measure network performance over a 13-hour trip from Chicago to Nashville.

The testing involved nPerf, an app that recorded connectivity data over 120,000 data points, measuring speed and signal strength across central Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, and Tennessee. The results indicated that all three carriers provided decent to excellent speeds, with T-Mobile achieving a remarkable 96.2 percent coverage rate, outperforming Verizon and AT&T.

Verizon registered a peak speed of just under 4GBps in Louisville, Kentucky. The findings also highlighted the importance of network architecture, noting that T-Mobile was the only carrier utilizing non-standalone 5G connections effectively.

Overall, each carrier demonstrated reliable coverage along interstates, which are typically congested areas, suggesting that network infrastructure is being built appropriately. The tests revealed that consumers can expect a strong signal for connectivity even outside urban centers, emphasizing the progress of 5G networks in the U.S.