T-Mobile 3G wireless Data Coverage in Youngstown Ohio

Few days ago I upgraded my mobile phone to Android OS based unlocked Google Nexus One mobile phone.

Once the initial euphoria subsided I realized that I will not get 3G wireless data speed in my office and in my apartment, the two places I need it the most. These two places the network data speed is closer to a slower Edge network speed and the data speed ranges from 100kbps - 245kbps. Inside office building it is slightly better and it ranges from 250kbps -500kpbs, depending upon time and network connection.

Outside the buildings, on the major roads like Glenwood Ave, Market Street and Belmont
Avenue it is patchy. Sometimes it is full 3G and sometimes it falls back to G/Edge coverage. The speed ranges from 300kbps -1.3Mbs. What is interesting is that coverage could change within few feet as it occurs behind my apartment complex where within few feet the coverage can change from G/Edge to 3G.

Most of these test were done using Mobile Speed Test.com

http://www.mobilespeedtest.com

Some of the images showing the data transfer rate using Google Nexus one phone on T-mobile network are shown below


I found a wireless speed test app on the Android market. The test is same as the test available the web site http://speedtest.net/

I collected the data at three locations and the results are shown in the table below:



The last two column show the download and upload speed for the T-mobile wireless network

Also some of the results in picture form are shown below










The data speeds vary widely based upon the locations.

The first location of the data collection is shown in the map below

Click on the image for enlarged view


The second location of the data collection is shown in the map below:

Click on the image for enlarged view


The third location of the data collection is shown in the map below:

Click on the image for enlarged view


Although T-mobile wireless data coverage map shows a 3G data speed but these map show that that is not the case. Even where the phone indicator shows a 3G speed the data rates are considerably slower. It however dramatically increses in the southern part of the town most notably in the Boardman area.

The promised data rates for wireless 3G data network according to Wikipedia article are

Data rates

ITU has not provided a clear definition of the data rate users can expect from 3G equipment or providers. Thus users sold 3G service may not be able to point to a standard and say that the rates it specifies are not being met. While stating in commentary that "it is expected that IMT-2000 will provide higher transmission rates: a minimum data rate of 2 Mbit/s for stationary or walking users, and 384 kbit/s in a moving vehicle, the ITU does not actually clearly specify minimum or average rates or what modes of the interfaces qualify as 3G, so various rates are sold as 3G intended to meet customers expectations of broadband data.

What becomes obvious is that it is difficult to get full strength network connection using wireless data connections. Some fault can be placed on the wireless network providers but mostly it is the limits of the technology at this time.

However, for some one like me it is a big improvement over the old GPRS wireless connection that I had for the last eight years. It delivered data at 14.4kbps. Hopefully with the introduction of 4G the field will become more competitive and we may get better wirelss data internet connectivity.

kbps: kilo bits per second Mbps: Mega bits per second