Verizon Regains Title as Fastest US Wireless Service

Verizon Communications recaptured the wireless speed crown it lost to AT&T a year earlier, after adding capacity to relieve network congestion that lowered service quality in major cities like New York.

Verizon was the fastest national service in the first half of the year and retained its No. 1 spot in overall quality, reliability, calling and data service, according to a study by RootMetrics. Verizon’s network was second only in text messaging, behind AT&T. Verizon, which operates the largest wireless service in the US, has expanded capacity using AWS airwaves, making for a speedier service. The upgrade, which was part of Verizon’s 2013 capital spending plans, reflects a strategy of competing on quality rather than price and flexibility like smaller peers. While T-Mobile, the fourth-largest U.S. wireless provider, finished last or second-to-last in all the categories measured by RootMetrics, the carrier overtook AT&T to place second-fastest behind Verizon in city locations.