Is the Verizon Data Network seeing the "iPhone" errr Droid effect?

[johnner1999]

I switched from AT&T / iPhone --- since I had only edge in my town.

25 days ago i'd get between 950-1350mb with my moto droid. BUT for the last week it has been getting slower and slower; where tonight i'm maxing out at 190mb

Do you think the droids are crushing the backhauls on big red?

[nicknrm]

Definitely not.

Your issue is either a device issue or a complicated network issue...but it is NOT related to a large number of people having devices like the Droid.

The Verizon Wireless can handle 5 times the amount network capacity as AT&T.

[gerio]

NIck, I'm a new Verizon customer and I'm happy as a clam with the service. Yes, I'm an AT&T convert. Should have done it a long time ago.

However, I'm concerned with your claim that Verizon can handle 5 times the traffic that AT&T can. Is there documentation or facts and figures that support this claim? And I don't mean those utterly **bleep** ads going back and forth on TV. I would absolutely dread the news that the iPhone was coming to Verizon (which i do NOT believe will hapen any time soon for several reasons, the least being that AT&T had lost the exclusivity contract).

Seeing this info for myself would go a long way toward making me stop my "No iPhone for Verizon" campaign...

Geri O

[techspert]

Where are you located?  I do remember awhile back reading that AT&T's biggest issue is that they used T1 connections to handle the data load on a lot of their towers.  This can't support too much traffic.  At least in the northeast, Verizon's FIOS project gives them unbelievable bandwidth to their towers in the population centers.  Not sure how much, if any, fiber AT&T runs to their towers.

[johnner1999]

In CT / Litchfield county - I assume any T1 lines would need to come from AT&T? since this is a Blue state...

[fezzik]

I really think that with competing companies this big when they get in ad wars this big it should be a joint effort.  One ad agency all planned mutually beneficial crushing of each other.  The end effect is ridiculous polarization but it is fun really. 

I was just thinking it would be a fun campaign for them to do a red and blue state thing.  Anyway.

[ivorycruncher]

Wow, cell towers fed with T1s?  No wonder they're having so many issues.  For those who don't know, a T1 line has a maximum bandwidth rating of a whopping 1.5 Mbps.  Most home DSL/cable internet connections are in the 4-10 Mbps range these days.  For voice calls, a T1 could handle quite a bit, but when you start talking internet data, it will be maxed in no time flat.  I doubt there's any way AT&T could deliver 3G data services over towers that are fed by T1 lines.  They should let T1s go the way of the floppy drive, and upgrade to T3 lines, which have a max bandwidth rating of 54 Mbps, if I remember correctly.  Or better yet, fiber optic lines, which is apparently what Verizon's using.

[johnner1999]

Now when I had my 3Gs iPhone i was using about 450-700MB per month (not including wi-fi which I used since AT&T sucked IMHO. With my droid last month (1st full cycle) I was shocked how much data I consumed!!!!! 3.28GB yes that is gig! as a long time Apple user I do miss the iPhone! BUT I don't know if I would ever leave the Droid! Its great to be able to watch full video podcasts and audio podcasts via the verizon network. meaning I don't have to be at home or on wi-fi to download new ones. YouTube vidoes in HQ look DVD like on the droid!

So in short - I dont think Verizon has had a phone that could use the network HARD till the droid. 

Well thats all

John