Magazine study: AT&T 4G the fastest

Update at 4/18/12, 9:15 a.m.: Verizon Wireless is disputing the claims in PC World's study, saying in a statement their 4G service has received high marks for quality.

"The vast majority of highly regarded third-party studies and tests consistently place Verizon Wireless 4GLTE network and data services at the head of the pack in terms of speed, quality and reliability," says Verizon in their statement.

The carrier says its 4G service will expand to over 400 markets by the end of the year. "By next year, our 4G LTE network will cover virtually the entire U.S., rendering the overstated 4G vs. 3G coverage discussion moot."

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A study from tech magazine PC World says wireless carrier AT&T boasts the fastest 4G service.

According to their findings, based on tests in 13 cities, AT&T boasted the fastest downloads, with 9.12 megabits per second (Mbps). Verizon finished second (7.35 Mbps) followed by T-Mobile (5.53 Mbps) and Sprint (2.81 Mbps).

Verizon edged out AT&T in 4G upload speeds, with 5.86 Mbps.

As for 3G service, T-Mobile dominated all wireless networks in both upload and download speeds. The biggest loser in both 3G and 4G was Sprint, according to the study. The company finished dead last across all categories.

During February and March, the magazine measured upload and download speeds in 13 U.S. cities: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, New Orleans, New York, San Jose, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington, D.C.

Carriers sent the magazine 3G and 4G devices that "they thought would perform best on their data networks," says Mark Sullivan, senior editor of PC World, in his report.

The study focused on a combination of 10 indoor and outdoor locations in each city, but it did not provide tests in suburbs or rural areas.