Advanced Frequency Engineering Releases Results of Initial Study of Availability and Performance of Sprint 4G LTE Network and Comparison with AT&T and Verizon in Selected Markets

RIVERVIEW, Fla., Oct. 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- In anticipation of the recent launch of the iPhone 5, Apple's first 4G LTE iPhone, Advanced Frequency Engineering (AFE), a consulting firm whose principal has decades of experience in RF engineering and wireless technology, performed its first in a series of studies of the availability and performance of the 4G LTE services offered by Sprint Nextel in comparison with those provided by Verizon Wireless and AT&T Wireless. The analysis focused on selected markets where all three of these carriers have launched 4G LTE -- Dallas/Fort Worth, Kansas City and Atlanta. AFE is offering its detailed findings and methodologies in a comprehensive report which is available for sale to interested parties and industry participants.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121002/LA85743-INFO)

The results of site surveys and 4G LTE availability tests show that while Verizon and AT&T had ubiquitous LTE availability in the test markets, Sprint LTE service was not present or not accessible in 75-90% of Sprint's advertised LTE coverage area in the cities tested at time of testing.

For each market studied, the report provides a comparison between Sprint and the two other carriers with respect to:

• observed 4G LTE market coverage available to subscribers,
• performance of typical user activities: web surfing, Skype calls, streaming video, checking email and uploading and downloading files,
• measurements of ping-test latency, download and upload speeds.

Observed coverage at the dates indicated in the cities tested was as follows:

Page 10 of the report (see image) shows the Dallas area having very spotty LTE deployment coverage compared to the company's availability map.

AFE's work was carried out from mid-August to early September 2012. The work involved almost 1,000 miles of drive testing, and extensive testing at fixed locations. AFE used Samsung Galaxy S IIl 4G LTE handsets to characterize the LTE coverage of the three wireless carriers and other specialized drive-test and spectrum analyzer equipment. AFE plans to repeat the analysis in future months to assess carrier 4G LTE deployment progress.

Disclaimer
AFE warrants that this site survey and analysis were prepared using the methods that are referenced and described within the report. We consider the data and findings to be reliable. AFE disclaims all other warranties, either express or implied, including, but not limited to, implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose.

Contact:
Mr. Dana Dulabone
Advanced Frequency Engineering (AFE)
Tel: (813) 495-0038
Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Advanced Frequency Engineering