document: 1,000 Tests Prove Sprint 's 4G Network Is a Joke Compared to Verizon 's Sprint may have been the first US carrier to deploy a 4G network , but it looks like it may be paying the price for being an early adopter of WiMax 4G technology . According to a series of 1,000 speed tests conducted by BTIG Research in New York City over the past few weeks , Sprint 's 4G network gets download speeds of around 1 megabit per second on average -- far slower than even 3G networks on rival carriers . In comparison , Verizon 's 4G network -- which runs on competing LTE technology -- achieved download speeds nearly 10 times as fast on average . The test reveals Sprint 's deep dark secret about its 4G network : it 's simply not that fast . That 's mainly due to the company putting its weight behind WiMax technology years before it could see the potential of LTE . Now with faster LTE networks being deployed by Verizon and AT&T , Sprint 's going to have a hard time convincing consumers that they should pay extra for its slower 4G speeds . BTIG tested the networks by using the wireless hotspot functionality on Sprint 's flagship Evo 4G phone and Verizon 's recently launched HTC Thunderbolt . The research firm tracked the speeds of both an iPad 2 and a Toshiba laptop connected to the hotspots . Indoors , Verizon 's network averaged download speeds of 8.3 Mbps and upload speeds of 4.47 Mbps . Sprint 's , on the other hand , clocked in at 1.19 Mbps down and .39 Mbps up . You can see the full speed results at the chart below . BTIG also pointed out that Verizon 's network was more reliable , and the Thunderbolt achieved better battery life than the Evo . It should be noted that BTIG 's Sprint 4G speeds seem slower than other speed tests , where Sprint normally achieves download speeds of around 2 Mbps to 3 Mbps . But even that seems difficult to call 4G -- both AT&T and T-Mobile 's 3G networks can hit those speeds without issue . And when you compare Sprint 's 4G speeds to Verizon 's ridiculously fast LTE , it definitely seems like Sprint 4G customers are getting shortchanged . Via Boy Genius Report Calling all mobile executives : This April 25-26 , VentureBeat is hosting its inaugural VentureBeat Mobile Summit , where we 'll debate the five key business and policy challenges facing the mobile industry today . Participants will develop concrete , actionable solutions that will shape the future of the mobile industry . The invitation-only event , located at the scenic and relaxing Cavallo Point Resort in Sausalito , Calif. , is limited to 180 mobile executives , investors and policymakers . We 've pretty much finalized the invite list , but have a few spots left . Request an invitation . Tags : 3G , 4G , Evo 4G , LTE , Thunderbolt , WiMax Companies : sprint , Verizon , Verizon Wireless Copyright 2011 VentureBeat . All Rights Reserved . VentureBeat is an independent technology blog . Read More '' ''
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