The Super Bowl is not only the pinnacle of the American Football season, but it is also the show case event for every wireless carrier.

Every year, the carriers set aside tens of millions of dollars to improve their wireless networks for the big game. The newest and best gets installed so that attendees and regular citizens alike get a superior experience. One of the challenges that mobile operators have to overcome in order to provide faster speeds is how to best utilize the spectrum they have.

The spectrum portfolio of each carrier ranges from low band 600 MHz and 700 MHz through 2.5 and 3.5 GHz mid band all the way to high band millimeter wave at 39 GHz. How carriers utilize disparate spectrum bands with different propagation and capacity characteristics often is an important factor in the speed and capacity available to consumers.

One of the tools that is often employed to increase speed by leveraging network resources is carrier aggregation (CA). CA allows for an increase in speed by bonding slivers of spectrum together into a single channel. “Wider” channels often translate to faster speeds: the maximum amount of spectrum that LTE can have in a channel is 20 MHz and 5G is 100 MHz.

Global Wireless Solutions (GWS) conducted network testing during the 2021 Super Bowl in Tampa and provided some additional insights that typically don’t get mentioned with other tests. GWS found that AT&T used 8 channel CA using 800 MHz of its high band 39 MHz spectrum, Verizon used 6 channel CA using 600 MHz in high band 28 GHz, and T-Mobile 4 channel CA using 400 MHz in 39 GHz plus 80 MHz in the mid band 2.5 GHz.

The availability using the 28 and 39 GHz band was almost the same for every carrier at 73% to 77%, which isn’t surprising considering the relatively small area covered. T-Mobile’s 2.5 GHz coverage added another 20% of coverage. Considering more spectrum means more speed, it comes as no surprise that AT&T was the fastest with peak speeds of 1.7 Gbps, Verizon with 1.5 Gbps and T-Mobile with 1.1 Gbps.

The GWS tests show that it is not only important to have a lot of spectrum. It is even more important to have the tools to use it. Not only does the network have to be ready for it, but also the device needs components that can manage the complexity of transmitting and receiving on banded CA channels.

Most flagship devices are using the Qualcomm Snapdragon X55 modem. Devices using this modem, like the Samsung Note 20 that the GWS engineers used for the tests, can utilize 8 channel CA in the mmWave band (> 6 GHz) with 2×2 MIMO and 200 MHz 4×4 MIMO below 6 GHz with 7×20 MHz channel CA for LTE. This means that when T-Mobile uses all its on average 130 MHz 2.5 GHz spectrum, current flagship devices will be ready. When Verizon and T-Mobile are ready to follow AT&T’s lead with 8 channel CA, the devices will also be able to support that.

The Qualcomm X60 modem that’s in newer devices like the Samsung Galaxy S21 can aggregate spectrum below and above 6 GHz. This allows them to combine the better coverage characteristics of sub-6 GHz spectrum with the massive spectrum bands and therefore speeds that are available above 6 GHz. The X60 modem also works with the upcoming C-Band networks that will probably become available in 2022. Future devices will include Qualcomm’s X65 modem, which combines CA technology with 3GPP Release 16 specifications for unlicensed spectrum to reach peak speeds of up to 10Gbps assuming that network and spectrum resources are available.

In the end, consumers win when mobile operators bring all their assets to bear utilizing the latest technologies. AT&T used greater carrier aggregation technology compared to the other operators and provided the fastest speeds taking advantage of the technical possibilities provided by the device and component manufacturers.

The United States has now allocated more spectrum in total to 5G than any other country. With the CBRS, C-Band and 3.45-3.55 GHz auctions we are closing the mid-band gap. We need every ecosphere provider to push the boundaries of 5G further to realize the visions of 5G that have been promised to the consumer.

Roger Entner is the founder and analyst at Recon Analytics. He received an honorary doctor of science degree from Heriot-Watt University. Recon Analytics specializes in fact-based research and the analysis of disparate data sources to provide unprecedented insights into the world of telecommunications. Follow Roger on Twitter @rogerentner and catch him on The Week with Roger podcast.

“Industry Voices” are opinion columns written by outside contributors—often industry experts or analysts—who are invited to the conversation by Fierce staff. They do not represent the opinions of Fierce.

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The average 5G throughputs on game day reached as high as 1,261 Mbps (A&T), more than three times the 337 Mbps speed for SuperBowl LIV. Other carriers were slower, but still improved from the previous year, with Verizon at 432 Mbps (compared to 200 Mbps for Super Bowl LIV) and T-Mobile at 388 Mbps (vs. 31 Mbps a year ago).

During the game, all three carriers exceeded 1 Gbps at times, though the average speeds (except for AT&T) were lower. AT&T’s highest speed was 1.71 Gbps; Verizon maxed out at 1.51 Gbps, while T-Mobile’s top speed was 1.09 Gbps. Verizon’s 924 Mbps was the fastest speed at the previous Super Bowl.

Other Global Wireless findings:

• Blended 46/5G Throughputs: AT&T was again the fastest at 975 Mbps, while Verizon achieved 425 Mbps, and T-Mobile hit 385 Mbps.
• Cell coverage: All but one of AT&T’s 67 cells had 5G, Verizon had 5G on 63 of 81 cells, while T-Mobile had 5G on 40 of 41 cells.

“Our network performance testing clearly showed that 5G’s capabilities have dramatically improved since last year’s Super Bowl,” said Paul Carter, Global Wireless Solutions CEO, in a prepared statement about the Super Bowl 5G speeds.

“This improved 5G service is a testament to the continued investments made by each operator. As they harden and upgrade the network infrastructure, 5G will offer more tangible benefits to consumers across the country.”

The findings of network performance at the most recent Super Bowl were far different from findings from another recent report, however, that said the average speed for 5G across the country is much slower — at 50 Mbps.

The post Super Bowl 5G Speeds See Big Jump Over 2020 appeared first on GWS.

On Sunday, Super Bowl LV kicked off with a smaller crowd in attendance than in past years due to the coronavirus pandemic. As we previously reported, a number of tech companies were using 5G, augmented reality, and more to enhance the experience for fans in attendance and those tuning in at home. The confetti has since settled after Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers hoisted the Vince Lombardi Trophy, but the data related to stadium 5G, food delivery, mobility, and more are starting to roll in.

“Our network performance testing clearly showed that 5G’s capabilities have dramatically improved since last year’s Super Bowl,” said Paul Carter, CEO of Global Wireless Solutions. “This improved 5G service is a testament to the continued investments made by each operator. As they harden­­­­ and upgrade the network infrastructure, 5G will offer more tangible benefits to consumers across the country.”

Super Bowl data usage and delivery stats

Many fans opted out of traditional Super Bowl parties and transitioned to virtual variants for the occasion. Compared to the Sunday evening before the Super Bowl (Jan. 31), Verizon customers were less mobile, “moving around 5.2% less,” according to a Verizon representative. Food delivery also saw a Super Bowl spike with “data traffic to food delivery sites” increasing 68.9% compared to the previous Sunday, according to Verizon.

During the Super Bowl, data usage per AT&T customer was 2.7 times higher compared to the previous Super Bowl, according to AT&T. The company also detailed data usage by the quarter as well as halftime, illustrating a clearer picture of fan engagement throughout the game. During the game, data usage peaked at 1,250 GBs in the second quarter with a low of 835 GBs during halftime, according to AT&T.

5G at Raymond James Stadium

The post Super Bowl LV: 5G, food delivery, and mobility data by the numbers appeared first on GWS.

Global Wireless Solutions (GWS) has released its latest analysis of how the major US networks handled the Super Bowl.

Network test specialists were on-site with Samsung Note 20 5G devices on AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon. Tests were conducted throughout the day’s festivities, including during the Gameday Fan Plaza before the game.

GWS notes that all the operators were ready for the big day and their investments in coverage and technology in and around the stadium meant that “5G throughputs were fast, reliable, and available to fans.”

All the providers achieved faster average throughputs, maximum 5G throughputs, and overall “blended” 4G/5G throughputs compared to last year’s testing.

AT&T’s network would be awarded the rings again this year with a blistering average 5G download throughput of 1,261Mbps. Verizon took second place with less than half AT&T’s result but a still relatively impressive average of 432 Mbps. T-Mobile fell in third with 388Mbps.

For comparison, during last year’s Super Bowl, AT&T’s 5G average was 337 Mbps, Verizon 200 Mbps, and T-Mobile just 31 Mbps. While it still took third place overall, T-Mobile should at least be recognised for making the biggest improvement.

Dr Paul Carter, CEO of Global Wireless Solutions, said:

“Our network performance testing clearly showed that 5G’s capabilities have dramatically improved since last year’s Super Bowl.

This improved 5G service is a testament to the continued investments made by each operator. As they harden­­­­ and upgrade the network infrastructure, 5G will offer more tangible benefits to consumers across the country.”

GWS’ specialists were able to find 67 AT&T cells they were able to find 5G on, 63 for Verizon, and 40 for T-Mobile.

When factoring in instances when a 5G signal could not be acquired and reverted to 4G, the following throughputs were achieved: AT&T 975 Mbps, Verizon 425 Mbps, and T-Mobile 385 Mbps.

Oh, and the stadium’s WiFi network? 76 Mbps.

The post GWS: AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile achieved 1Gbps+ 5G speeds at Super Bowl LV appeared first on GWS.

Now that the big game is over, network stats are coming out and testing results from Global Wireless Solutions (GWS) show that AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon each exceeded 1 Gbps for peak 5G speeds. And all three performed well above 5G results from 2020. Tests used a Samsung Note 20 5G device and were conducted at the Gameday Fan Plaza ahead of kickoff, and inside the stadium before, during and after the game.

T-Mobile improved significantly versus last year, but AT&T delivered the fastest peak and average 5G throughput at the 2021 NFL championship.

Peak 5G speeds, per GWS, at Super Bowl LV versus Super Bowl LIV:

AT&T: 1.71 Gbps in 2021 vs 878 Mbps in 2020
Verizon: 1.51 Gbps vs 924 Mbps
T-Mobile: 1.09 Gbps vs 175 Mbps

AT&T also managed average 5G throughputs above the 1 Gbps threshold, according to GWS, hitting 1.26 Gbps. Verizon’s 5G average stood at 432 Mbps, and T-Mobile at 388 Mbps.

Blended 4G/5G speeds where 5G devices revert to 4G connections still showed AT&T in the lead at 975 Mbps, with Verizon at 425 Mbps and T-Mobile at 385 Mbps. That compares to the stadium’s Wi-Fi network that delivered 76 Mbps.

The carriers each have high-band millimeter wave spectrum deployed for 5G in at least some parts of Tampa and the Raymond James Stadium. Verizon invested $80 million in the Tampa Bay area ahead of the Super Bowl, while AT&T invested $75 million including FirstNet upgrades. T-Mobile had a mix of low, mid and high-band spectrum for 5G. Network enhancements will stick around even though the NFL championship wrapped up.

GWS reported high levels of carrier aggregation (CA), particularly for 5G, which helps boost capacity for sustained high-speeds. AT&T aggregated up to 8 channels – or 800 MHz of spectrum in the 39 GHz band for 5G – nearly three-quarters (74%) of the time.  Verizon’s network utilized up to 6 channel CA – 600 MHz of spectrum in the 28 GHz band – 77% of the time.

T-Mobile touted deployment of its full “layer cake” 5G at the stadium, including 600 MHz, 2.5 GHz, and mmWave 39 GHz. Still, T-Mobile had fewer 5G aggregation channels, with up to 4 channel CA – 400 MHz of 39 GHz band spectrum – 73% of the time. According to GWS, T-Mobile also saw 5G 20% of the time using 80-megahertz at 2.5 GHz.

As for coverage, GWS found 5G on the most cell sites from AT&T (66 out of 67 distinct cell sites). Verizon had 81 cell sites, 63 of which delivered a 5G signal. At 41, T-Mobile had about half of the cell sites as Verizon, but a full 40 showed 5G.

There’s still the question of how many subscribers actually connected to 5G at the game. Fierce reached out to carriers and will update with any new information.

Operators themselves put out stats following the NFL championship.

According to Verizon, more than half (56%) of attendees were Verizon customers. Although fan attendance was limited this year because of the pandemic, the Raymond James Stadium was expected to be filled to around 30% capacity with 22,000 people. Using speed data from Umlaut, Verizon reported median speeds of 817 Mbps, which a spokesperson said incorporated all users – 4G and 5G – attending the event. Verizon saw speeds of multiple Gbps regularly throughout the event, the spokesperson added.

AT&T said fans used 2.7-times the amount of data per customer than the 2020 Super Bowl. Overall AT&T customers consumed 10.7 TB of data in and around the stadium on game day versus 10.2 TB at the Super Bowl in Miami. Verizon, meanwhile, said subscribers used 7 TB of data – equal to streaming more than 2,000 full-length feature movies or posting 7.3 million Instagram photos. The carrier saw a 28% bump in mobility in Tampa on February 7 compared to the same time on the Sunday before.

Nationwide, T-Mobile reported 40% more traffic for this year’s face-off between the Kansas City Chiefs and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, with 5G device users consuming 25% more data than other customers.

The post AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon all exceed 1 Gbps 5G at Super Bowl LV – GWS appeared first on GWS.

DULLES, VA — Global Wireless Solutions, Inc. (GWS) released the results of its network performance testing from Super Bowl LV in Tampa and found that 5G performance has dramatically improved in the year since Super Bowl LIV.  AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile’s 5G networks all achieved faster average throughputs, maximum 5G throughputs and overall “blended” 4G/5G throughputs when compared to last year’s testing.

While thousands of fans were in and around Raymond James Stadium attending events and cheering for their favorite team, GWS’ network testing specialists were also on site measuring 5G performance. GWS network tests were conducted using the Samsung Note 20 5G devices for AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon. In addition, the free in-stadium WiFi service was also tested.

In order to assess the fans’ mobile experience, performance data was collected throughout the entire day of festivities. More specifically, testing was conducted at the Gameday Fan Plaza before the game while fans were enjoying pre-game festivities. Later, inside the stadium, network testing specialists collected test samples at multiple locations throughout the stadium concourses and seating areas. 5G network performance inside the stadium was measured prior to the start of the game, during, and after (including post-game activities).

GWS test results show that the operators were ready for the big game. They invested in coverage and technology in and around the stadium and, as a result, 5G throughputs were fast, reliable, and available to fans. Each operator was ready for the rush of videos, pictures, and social media posts attendees wanted to share about their game day experience.

Key Findings:

• Average 5G Throughputs: During game day, AT&T had the highest average 5G download throughput at 1,261 Mbps, with Verizon at 432 Mbps and T-Mobile at 388 Mbps. These lightning-fast speeds for all operators were dramatically improved compared to last year’s 5G performance at Super Bowl LIV (AT&T averaged 337 Mbps, Verizon 200 Mbps and T-Mobile 31 Mbps).
• Maximum 5G Throughputs Achieved: History wasn’t only made on the field yesterday, as 5G throughputs of all three nationwide network operators exceeded 1Gbps, perhaps a first at any major sporting event; AT&T was able to achieve 1.71 Gbps, Verizon 1.51 Gbps and T-Mobile 1.09 Gbps. Again, 2021’s maximum throughputs were greatly improved when compared to 2020’s which were 878 Mbps for AT&T, 924 Mbps for Verizon and 175 Mbps for T-Mobile.
• Overall “Blended” 4G/5G Throughputs: When looking at 4G/5G blended network speeds (i.e., factoring in the instances when 5G resources are not available and the networks revert to 4G), operators had the following throughputs: AT&T 975 Mbps, Verizon 425 Mbps, and T-Mobile 385 Mbps, versus 76 Mbps for the stadium’s WiFi network (in 2020, AT&T and Verizon averaged 150 Mbps while T-Mobile averaged 56 Mbps).
• Cell Coverage: While taking measurements, GWS’ network testing specialists found 67 distinct AT&T cells of which they were able to find 5G on 66; for Verizon there were 81 cells found with 63 showing 5G; and for T-Mobile there were 41 cells found with 40 showing 5G.
• Technology Impact: In addition to deploying numerous cell sites, operators utilized high levels of carrier aggregation (CA) enabling them to create sizeable amounts of bandwidth (available capacity that helps sustain high throughputs). In particular for 5G, GWS saw a maximum of 8 channel CA (or 800 MHz of 5G spectrum in the 39GHz band) on AT&T’s network 74% of the time while testing; on Verizon’s network a maximum of 6 channel CA (or 600 MHz of 5G spectrum in the 28 GHz band) was seen 77% of the time; and on T-Mobile a maximum of 4 channel CA (or 400 MHz of 5G spectrum in the 39 GHz band) was seen 73% of the time (T-Mobile was also seeing 5G a further 20% of the time using 80 MHz at 2.5GHz).

“Our network performance testing clearly showed that 5G’s capabilities have dramatically improved since last year’s Super Bowl,” said Dr. Paul Carter, CEO of Global Wireless Solutions. “This improved 5G service is a testament to the continued investments made by each operator. As they harden­­­­ and upgrade the network infrastructure, 5G will offer more tangible benefits to consumers across the country.”

Methodology:

GWS conducted competitive benchmark testing across the major operators (AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon) throughout Super Bowl LV on Sunday, February 7^th, 2021 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. Collection was conducted utilizing SwissQual QualiPoc on Samsung Note 20 5G devices.

GWS testing specialists conducted collection at the Gameday Fan Plaza outside the stadium as well as throughout the concourse areas and seating inside the stadium.

About Global Wireless Solutions, Inc.:

Founded in 1996 and headquartered in Dulles, Virginia, Global Wireless Solutions has set the industry standard for network benchmarking, analysis and testing. Its proprietary OneScore network ranking combines high-level network testing data with real-world network usage scenarios to make the results of testing relatable and easy to understand. Working with some of the world’s largest wireless network providers, GWS offers high-quality network engineering and consumer behavior analysis through a suite of benchmarking products, services and OneMeasure diagnostic apps that include drive, venue and in-building testing. At last count, GWS has driven 13 million data collection miles for its customers. For more information, visit gwsolutions.com and follow us on Twitter at @gwsolutionsinc.

Media Contact

Global Wireless Solutions, Inc.

[email protected]

703-661-7000

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Global Wireless Solutions had its network testing specialists on-hand at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida, using Samsung Galaxy S10 5G devices to test the 5G networks of AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon. GSW conducted tests at the GameDay Fan plaza where pre-game festivities were held, as well as inside the stadium in a variety of locations in the concourses and seating areas.

“GWS test results show that although mobile operators came prepared to show off their 5G networks, not all were successful in providing the hyped throughputs that have been boasted,” the benchmarking company concluded.

AT&T had the highest average 5G download speed over the testing period, at 337 Mbps, while Verizon provided the maximum observed 5G throughput, at 924 Mbps. Comparatively, Verizon’s average 5G download speed was 200 Mbps and the maximum 5G throughput that GWS saw on AT&T’s 5G network was 878 Mbps. T-Mobile US had an average 5G download speed of just 31 Mbps, with a maximum throughput of 175 Mbps.

Meanwhile, Sprint’s 5G network was “tested for but not found during any tests,” GWS found. Sprint’s 4G network averaged 29 Mbps in the downlink.

GWS said that it observed 5G millimeter-wave beamforming used by AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile US, with an average of 8-9 beams per cell, and that the average 5G bandwidth on all three of those networks was 100 megahertz.

Read more of the details from GWS’ test results here. You can also compare them to crowd-sourced Ookla Speedtest data from the big game, which found an average mean download speed for Verizon 5G of nearly 650 Mbps and insufficient speedtest data to draw conclusions about AT&T’s 5G network—but found average speeds for Sprint 5G of about 225 Mbps.

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Dulles, VA – Feb 5, 2020:  Today Global Wireless Solutions, Inc. (GWS) is announcing the results of its advanced network testing at the Super Bowl in Miami. The tests measured the performances of AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon’s 5G networks during one of the most well attended sporting events in the country.

GWS deployed network testing specialists in Miami for Sunday’s big game, Super Bowl LIV at the Hard Rock Stadium where over 62,000 fans cheered on their respective teams.  GWS network tests were conducted using the Samsung Galaxy S10 5G devices for AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon.

Collection was conducted throughout the entire day of festivities to capture the full mobile experience available to fans. In particular, GWS network testing specialists conducted testing at the GameDay Fan plaza before entering the stadium, where fans had a chance to pre-game while enjoying food and drinks, different interactive stations, as well as events and performances that took place ahead of the game. Once inside the stadium, network testing specialists collected test samples in a variety of locations including multiple concourse and seating areas across the stadium, enabling GWS to fully measure how well the 5G networks performed.

GWS test results show that although mobile operators came prepared to show off their 5G networks, not all were successful in providing the hyped throughputs that have been boasted.

Key Findings:

• AT&T had the highest average 5G download throughput at 337 Mbps, with Verizon at 200 Mbps and T-Mobile at 31 Mbps.
• Over the entire game day, maximum 5G throughput offered by AT&T was 878 Mbps vs. 924 Mbps for Verizon; T-Mobile offered a max 5G throughput of 175 Mbps.
• Taking into account that when 5G resources are not available, the networks revert to 4G; as a result the following blended 4G/5G network speeds were observed: AT&T and Verizon averaged 150 Mbps while T-Mobile averaged 56 Mbps and Sprint (4G network only) averaged 29 Mbps.
• AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon all showed average 5G bandwidth of 100MHz.
• 5G mm-wave beamforming was observed on AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon with an average 8-9 beams per cell.
• Sprint’s 5G network, announced as live in the days leading up to the Super Bowl, was tested for but not found during any tests.

Methodology:

GWS conducted competitive benchmark testing across the Tier 1 operators (AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon) throughout Super Bowl LIV on Sunday, February 2^nd at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida. Collection was conducted utilizing SwissQual QualiPoc on Samsung Galaxy S10 5G devices.

GWS testing specialists conducted collection at the Gameday Fan Plaza outside the stadium as well as throughout the concourse areas and seating inside the stadium.

About Global Wireless Solutions, Inc:

Global Wireless Solutions, Inc. defines the industry standard for network benchmarking, analysis and testing. Working with some of the world’s largest wireless network providers, GWS offers standardized, high-quality network data and engineering analysis through a suite of benchmarking products, services, and OneMeasure diagnostic apps that includes drive, venue, and in-building testing. Founded in 1996, GWS is headquartered in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. At last count, GWS has driven more than 12.5 million data collection miles for its customers. For more information, visit www.gwsolutions.com and follow us on Twitter at @gwsolutionsinc.

Media Contact:

Global Wireless Solutions, Inc.

[email protected]

703-661-7000

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Dulles VA — Oct 29, 2019: Fans who attended the 2019 World Series at Nationals Park this past weekend might have noticed significant differences in video upload speeds, data streaming, social media updates and overall network reliability depending on which wireless network they used. With overcapacity crowds in attendance, the stress on the networks was considerable.

Today Global Wireless Solutions (GWS) released results on how AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon performed for fans attending the World Series at Nats Park when it comes to voice, data, coverage and reliability. The results: AT&T outperformed the competition – delivering a fan experience superior to the other three carriers.

Key Findings:

• Based on a score of 0-100, AT&T earned a GWS OneScore ranking of 90, followed by T-Mobile at 83, Sprint at 77 and Verizon at 53. Among other voice and data highlights, AT&T experienced download throughputs of 93 Mb/s, which was 40% faster than the next best operator (Sprint).
• Unlike other benchmarking rankings, GWS Best Network OneScore takes into account voice, packet data, coverage and reliability metrics, and combines them into a single score that highlights the overall performance of each network.
• Last month Global Wireless Solutions (GWS) released the findings of the most comprehensive study into U.S. wireless network performance to date.

Methodology:

During the fourth game of the 2019 MLB World Series in Nationals Park (Washington, D.C.) on October 26, GWS network testing specialists collected voice and data samples throughout the ballpark. SwissQual QualiPoc on Samsung Galaxy S10 collection devices were used to measure the performance of the Tier 1 mobile networks. Just over 2,200 samples were collected and compiled into a single OneScore, resulting in a combined overall operator experience measured on a scale from 0-100.

About Global Wireless Solutions, Inc.: 

Founded in 1996 and headquartered in Dulles, Virginia, Global Wireless Solutions has set the industry standard for network benchmarking, analysis and testing. Its proprietary OneScore network ranking combines high-level network testing data with real-world network usage scenarios to make the results of testing relatable and easy to understand. Working with some of the world’s largest wireless network providers, GWS offers high-quality network data and engineering analysis through a suite of benchmarking products, services and OneMeasure diagnostic apps that include drive, venue and in-building testing. At last count, GWS has driven 12.5 million data collection miles for its customers. For more information, visit gwsolutions.com and follow us on Twitter at @gwsolutionsinc.

Media Contact:

Global Wireless Solutions, Inc.

[email protected]

703-661-7000

The post Which Wireless Carrier Hit a Home Run at Nats Park During the World Series? appeared first on GWS.

Yet again all four networks were able to successfully complete all voice calls (all of the AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon calls were VoLTE). Sprint still exhibited the weakest audio quality throughout the North and South Halls.  The West Hall saw the best voice service across all networks.

GWS transferred 12 GB of data while completing 2,300 tasks on Day 2 during the nearly three hour test of the conference halls.  AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile were able to successfully complete all tasks tested on their networks.  Verizon experienced six task failures:  three throughout the West Hall, two in South Hall near the Exhibitor Service Desk, and one in North Hall near the Rohde & Schwarz booth.

With the flood of traffic continuing on Wednesday, AT&T was able to retain its top speed position with average download throughputs remaining constant at 62 Mbps.  For those of you in West Hall, AT&T boosted you to an average 82 Mbps (with fully half of all download tasks above 90 Mbps).  Sprint improved ever so slightly to 50 Mbps, T-Mobile stayed at 48 Mbps, and Verizon was fixed at 39 Mbps.  On the upload, AT&T again accelerated past the others on all fronts:  Less than 1 second for a 2 MB selfie upload on Facebook and only 1.5 seconds for 4 MB video upload.  That same video upload would take 2.4 seconds on Verizon, nearly 6 seconds on T-Mobile, and over 8 seconds on Sprint.  AT&T provided the fastest latencies of around 45 msec, Sprint maintained its 55 msec from the prior day, while T-Mobile degraded from 55 to 75 msec.  Verizon was still lagging far behind at 123 msec.

We put the numbers through GWS’s OneScore algorithm, which weighs and combines all of the various voice and data KPI results and provides a single score on a scale from 0 to 10 (with 10 being the best).  Day 2 OneScore rankings for overall network performance, highest to lowest, were as follows:  AT&T (9.70), T-Mobile (9.53), Verizon (9.51), and Sprint (9.14).

Check back tomorrow to get a final breakdown of mobile performance over the course of the MWCA conference.

The post AT&T Comes Out On Top Day 2 of Network Performance Testing at MWCA appeared first on GWS.

In order to get the most reliable results possible, GWS testing specialists are methodically walking the aisles as they test every corner of the exhibition halls this week, decked out in GWS monogrammed polos and toting a Rohde & Schwarz’s SwissQual Freerider backpack.  (Psst: Feel free to give them some booth candy as they walk past – they need the energy.)  They are gathering voice and data information simultaneously on the four major wireless carriers: AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon.  On Tuesday, the team tested the newly-loaded networks as show attendees arrived on the first day of the show.  Today, the test specialists will be returning again to test the halls, common spaces, meeting rooms, and walkways between the halls as the strain on each network inevitably increases.

During the Show testing, all voice calls were successful on all major networks.  AT&T and Verizon delivered the best voice quality, while Sprint delivered weaker downlink audio throughout the North Hall.  T-Mobile and Verizon had the fastest call connection times.

Data tests showed that AT&T used its LTE-CA network 75 percent of the time to deliver the fastest average download throughput of 61 Mbps, coupled with an average upload throughput of 28 Mbps.  Next fastest, T-Mobile pushed data to the test devices at a download speed of 48 Mbps with 11 Mbps upload speeds.  Sprint relied entirely on its 2500-band TD-LTE network to provide a total of 40 MHz bandwidth to the UE 80 percent of the time, but still fell into third with a 48 Mbps download and 6 Mbps upload.  Surprisingly, Verizon was on LTE-CA 90 percent of the time and was the only network that delivered 2CA for a total 40 MHz bandwidth, but clocked in behind the others at a still-impressive 40 Mbps download and 16 Mbps upload.  AT&T provided the fastest latencies of around 41 msec, Sprint and T-Mobile were both at 55 msec, while Verizon was sluggish at 125 msec.

Although the Show was in a different location last year, the fastest networks at this year’s MWCA Show have data speeds 75 percent faster than at the Sands in Las Vegas last year (61 Mbps versus 35 Mbps), and the slowest networks are four times faster (40 Mbps versus 9 Mbps).  Overall, a much improved wireless experience.

Stay tuned for an inside look into what the mobile performance is like throughout the course of this week at MWC Americas.

The post Mobile Network Testing at MWCA Day 1: Which Carrier Performed Best? appeared first on GWS.

Earlier in the season at Nationals Park, we watched the Washington Nationals play a night game against the Seattle Mariners. While at the Park, our specialists conducted tests at various locations before, during and after the game to accurately replicate a fan’s experience. This included walking around the concourse levels to different concession stands and seating areas. After the game, they hurried to the metro station just as a Nationals fan might have done on game night (testing along the way).

By the end of the night, the Washington Nationals had won the game while our network testing wrapped up with some interesting results. For example, when measuring potential capacity download throughputs, we were surprised to find that during the game the in-stadium WiFi network provided faster data speeds than all four major carriers. The WiFi network was capable of delivering an average speed of 32 Mbps, while AT&T, the fastest cellular network, averaged 25 Mbps. Major League Baseball’s $300 million program to upgrade Wifi networks in all their ballparks has clearly paid off!

However, it’s not all about having the fastest connectivity because if it’s unreliable, then the customer won’t be reaping the benefits. As such, all four cellular networks we tested were nearly 100% reliable, while WiFi was several percentage points behind.

We also saw some variance with Internet speeds on cellular networks. Verizon slowed noticeably as the game went on with download speeds (for tests similar to watching a short video clip) dropping from 2.8 Mbps before the game to 1.6Mbps during the game. Meanwhile Sprint started out the slowest and gradually improved; during pregame activities it took 36 seconds longer to upload a video on Instagram on Sprint’s network than the in-stadium WiFi network (which was the quickest at 4 seconds).

In addition to data, we tested voice calls and, for the most part, the results were good. AT&T, Sprint and Verizon had 100% reliability throughout the night with AT&T and Verizon using VoLTE the entire time. T-Mobile, also using VoLTE, wasn’t far behind but they did experience 1 in 12 calls failing before the game started.

So what does all this mean? Consumers want reliable, reasonably fast connectivity wherever they are — at home, out and about, or at an event. Fans don’t want to wait long to add or view online content when they’re at the ballpark watching the game and enjoying a night out. Measuring data and voice performance at events like this is critical for operators if they want to understand how well their network is operating and what can be done to further improve or optimize performance. And conducting these tests in a way that emulates a true consumer experience is just as important. After all, the night should be remembered by who won the game rather than how long it took to post a selfie.

The post What did our Nationals Park wireless test tell us about connectivity? appeared first on GWS.

The post GWS: Network testing shows AT&T ‘most reliable’ during Pope’s Philly visit appeared first on GWS.

DULLES, VA – OCTOBER 2, 2015 Global Wireless Solutions, Inc. (GWS), a leading independent network benchmarking firm, today reveals how well-prepared the mobile networks were for the crowds attending the Papal visit in Philadelphia. GWS’ Android Speed App was used to evaluate the mobile network performance of AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile over the course of Pope Francis’ two-day tour of Philadelphia, PA, and analysis concludes that AT&T was the most reliable. The other networks fared well but overall AT&T had the best performance.

Paul Carter, CEO of GWS commented, “It’s critical that operators are prepared for major events like this and ensure that mobile networks are robust enough to support the influx of customers looking to do everything from uploading selfies to downloading schedules. The Pope’s visit was a great test for the network operators to see if their preparations were sufficient or if there were key areas they needed to improve on. The results of the tests showed that particularly in the case of AT&T, the preparations in Philadelphia paid off and customers on its network experienced the fastest download speeds, as well as a strong LTE signal throughout the parade route specifically.”
Key findings from the network testing which benchmarked AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile include:

• AT&T had the highest reliability compared to T-Mobile and Verizon, with more than a 99 percent task reliability when testing photo upload and download speeds, webpage download speeds, and latency
• AT&T had the lowest latency when compared to T-Mobile and Verizon at just 97 milliseconds, 22 percent faster than the next best carrier
• AT&T had the highest browser throughputs during the parade specifically, 68 percent higher than the next best carrier
• AT&T had the highest download throughputs during the parade specifically, 17 percent higher than the next best carrier
• T-Mobile had the highest upload throughputs during the parade specifically, 28 percent higher than the next best carrier
• AT&T claimed the strongest LTE signal for the events

Methodology

More than 4,000 task tests were conducted in order to evaluate network performance of Tier 1 carriers (AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon) over the course of the two-day parade for Pope Francis on September 26-27, 2015. The tests were conducted using the GWS Android Speed App running on Samsung Galaxy S5 smartphones.

About Global Wireless Solutions, Inc.

Global Wireless Solutions, Inc. defines the industry standard for network benchmarking, analysis and testing. Working with some of the world’s largest wireless network providers, GWS offers standardized, high-quality network data and engineering analysis to its customers through a suite of benchmarking products, services and diagnostic apps that includes drive, venue, and in-building testing.

Firmly rooted in a deep understanding of network engineering, GWS provides best-in-class, turnkey solutions to help customers better understand overall network performance as today’s wireless networks grow and evolve.

Founded in 1996, GWS is headquartered in Dulles, VA. At last count, GWS has driven more than 9 million data collection miles for its customers. For more information, visitwww.gwsolutions.com and follow us on Twitter at @gwsolutionsinc.

Media Contact:

Global Wireless Solutions, Inc.

[email protected]

703-661-7000

The post Global Wireless Solutions Reveals AT&Ts Mobile Network Performance Came Out On Top During Pope Francis’ Philadelphia Visit appeared first on GWS.

The post Study: Fenway Park Cell Service Isn’t So Bad appeared first on GWS.

DULLES, VA – JULY 27, 2015 – Baseball season is in full swing, the popcorn and hotdogs are flowing free, and we’re just passed the All Star Break. Fans are gathering in masses to the nation’s baseball stadiums, with Fenway Park rounding out the top five most attended in the nation. Global Wireless Solutions, Inc. (GWS), a leading and independent network benchmarking firm, conducted tests at the highly trafficked Fenway Park to determine what kind of mobile performance fans can expect during their visit, and today announced that the park received a strong overall result, with attendees able to upload selfies in as little as four seconds during a game.

Overall Network Performance at Fenway Park

A recent study showed that 44 percent of US mobile phone users planned to go to a live sporting event just this past year, with baseball, football and basketball being the most popular. To ensure fans can expect the best performance from their carrier of choice at these events, GWS tested network performance across the four major carriers-AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon-in June during a Boston Red Sox home game against the Oakland Athletics.

The results showed that regardless of whether park attendees wanted to snap a game day selfie or download “Sweet Caroline” to celebrate a big win, they would have a positive experience accessing the stadium’s overall network. Those wishing to show off their game day selfies at the stadium were able to upload their photos in just four seconds on average, throughout the entirety of the game. During the game when the crowd was likely to be active on their mobile data networks, tasks in general showed some signs of slowing down. Although, upload speeds remained fairly consistent for fans looking to post photos and upload videos from the stadium. Attendees looking to download game day songs or videos experienced speeds of 11 and 15 seconds on average, respectively, several seconds slower than before or after the game.

Paul Carter, CEO of GWS, commented:“Looking at the data, it’s clear that the networks at Fenway Park have taken the location seriously and worked diligently to ensure that consumers can enjoy a seamless experience at the stadium. Mobile phones have become an extension of ourselves, and with that comes the expectation that we should be able to do everything quickly and easily from our devices – from accessing tickets to uploading photos to checking in via social media at sporting events. Because of this expectation, we wanted to see if the networks were strong enough to make it past the Green Monster and provide robust service to thousands of sports fans – and turns out, based on our testing, consumers can expect a near pain-free experience across the four major carriers.”

Individual Carriers Were All Winners

Once broken down, the four major carriers performed well in establishing strong networks to connect Fenway Park’s patrons, with AT&T showing the highest mean throughputs for the 4MB file upload tasks both before and after the game. Verizon, on the other hand netted the highest mean throughputs for download tasks.

Pre-game Performance

All figures presented in Mbps

During game Performance

All figures presented in Mbps

Post-game Performance

All figures presented in Mbps

Methodology

GWS conducted this series of tests in order to evaluate network performance at Fenway Park. The tests were conducted using Rohde & Schwarz’s SwissQual QualiPoc Freerider. The Freerider-a portable benchmarking system-was equipped with Samsung Galaxy S5 smartphones. The Freerider was operated by a trained GWS engineer who conducted the assessment tests and obtained upload and download speeds from the packet data networks of Tier 1 carriers (AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon). Testing was conducted on June 7, 2015.

About Global Wireless Solutions, Inc.

Global Wireless Solutions, Inc. defines the industry standard for network benchmarking, analysis and testing. Working with some of the world’s largest wireless network providers, GWS offers standardized, high-quality network data and engineering analysis to its customers through a suite of benchmarking products and services, including drive, venue, and in-building testing.

Firmly rooted in a deep understanding of network engineering, GWS provides best-in-class, turnkey solutions to help customers better understand overall network performance as today’s wireless networks grow and evolve.

Founded in 1996, GWS is headquartered in Dulles, VA. At last count, GWS has driven more than 9 million data collection miles for its customers. For more information, visit www.gwsolutions.com and follow us on Twitter at @gwsolutionsinc.

Media Contact:

Global Wireless Solutions, Inc.

[email protected]

703-661-7000

The post Take Me To The Ball Game: Global Wireless Solutions Tests Fenway Park’s Mobile Network Performance appeared first on GWS.

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