Fastest Best LTE Network in Los Angeles(LA): Verizon vs AT&T, Sprint & MetroPCS

Benchmark speed test on my smartphone, please tell me what is the fastest LTE of all?  This is a hard question to answer because speed tests have shown disparaging results across networks and the answer is "It depends what, where, how and when."

A recent report from OpenSignal showed that across the country AT&T LTE speeds averaged the fastest followed by Verizon, Sprint and MetroPCS. However, our test in Los Angeles county showed a rip roaring 35Mbps,almost three times the national average of the United States for Verizon Wireless.

ROOT Metrics, reported in their February Los Angeles RootScore Report that Verizon Wireless exceeded all competitors in a combined performance, followed by AT&T, T-Mobile(67), Metro PCS (54) and Sprint (51). The report did not show how much LTE was used per network, but only average speeds which were considerably lower for Sprint where the total LTE network is not deployed.

Congested networks during rush hours, lunch times or prime time can slow down speeds.  Location farther away from the towers will also slow down speeds.

Wireless spectrum is a finite resource, and LTE uses spectrum more efficiently than other technologies, creating more space to carry data traffic and services and to deliver a better network experience.

After the latest Root Metric reports, we decided to try out their speed tests and our speeds were much faster than averages reported, once again (see video below).

We are not able to test Sprint 4G LTE in the area because it is not completely deployed, in Los Angeles. We don't have any test phones from MetroPCS, although there is decent LTE coverage in Los Angeles.  It could be that we are closer to a Verizon tower for outstanding Verizon data speeds as much a 41Mbps using Root Metrics' tools while the highest download speed to AT&T was 18Mbps which beat the OpenSignal results.

OpenSignal Results vs Root Metrics vs WiMo News Tests: AT&T vs Verizon Wireless 4G LTE Speeds:

• AT&T average download speeds of 13 Mbps Open Signal vs 18.6 Root Metrics. Our average was about the same or even better than 13Mbps with full signal strength for Open Signal and about 14Mbps for Root Metrics.
• Verizon Wireless average LTE download speeds at 10 Mbps from Open Signal vs Root Metrics 14.3 Mbps average.  Our test were way higher with downloads a fast as 35 Mbps using Open Signal and 37Mbps using Root Metrics.
• Sprint's LTE average download speeds according to Open Signal  7.7 Mbps while Root Metrics showed 10.3 Mbps nationally.
• MetroPCS  Open Signal average download speeds 1.2 Mbps while local average of both in Los Angeles for both EVDO and LTE was 2.1. (see chart) Note one of readers reported that she had LTE speeds on MetroPCS as high as 6Mbps.

Here are some factors that could be considered.  Because Los Angeles is a major metro, there may be many more towers in close proximity.  We could also be very close to a cell tower or in area where there's not a lot of competition. Speed test are averages if you are in an average area you are fine. however, if at all possible before you buy, it would be nice to try out your network speeds is you download a lot of data intensive apps or use video often.

You will notice in the side by side video of Verizon LTE vs AT&T LTE.  Verizon speeds along at almost three times faster.