Americas Carrier Mobile Broadband Network Performance.


August 1, 2011
160 Pages - SKU: CCEQ6490057
License type:
Table of Contents Related Reports
Carriers are using mobile broadband as their weapon of choice in the fight against the commoditization of voice and falling ARPU. It is therefore imperative that carriers have networks which can consistently and reliably deliver good data performance to their customers.

This study is based on the data speed and latency measurements collected for 72 wireless carriers operating within 20 countries in North, South and Central America using a smartphone app. This approach has facilitated the collection of millions of individual test readings from hundreds of thousands of users who have conducted tests for virtually every mobile carrier in virtually every country in the world. Using these readings, ARCchart has been able to estimate averages for download speed, upload speed, latency and overall network quality, along with a measure of smartphone penetration.

This report shows there is wide variation in the network performance between carriers and there is a genuine risk that carriers which develop a reputation for inferior performance will suffer high churn and an overall loss of subscribers.


Additional Information

Topics of coverage include:

Research methodology
The importance of mobile broadband to carriers
Theoretical versus real-world data speeds
Analysis and comparison of the performance of country data networks
Analysis and comparison of the performance of carriers' data networks
Carrier network technology profiles
The factors influencing a carrier’s 3G data speed
Measuring the ‘quality’ of a network
The problem of unreliable networks
iPhone, Android and iPad carrier market share
Country smartphone and tablet penetration
Android OEM market share
Companies and organisations mentioned, discussed or reviewed include:
Claro Argentina
Movistar Argentina
Telecom Personal Argentina
Entel Bolivia
Nuavatel Bolivia
Tigo Bolivia
Claro Brazil
Oi Brazil
TIM Brazil
Vivo Brazil
Bell Canada
Fido Canada
Mobilicity Canada
MTS Canada
Rogers Canada
Sasktel Canada
Telus Canada
Videotron Canada
WIND Mobile Canada
Claro Chile
Entel Chile
Movistar Chile
Comcel Colombia
Movistar Colombia
Tigo Colombia
ICE Costa Rica
Alegro Ecuador
Claro Ecuador
Movistar Ecuador
Claro El Salvador
Digicel El Salvador
Movistar El Salvador
Tigo El Salvador
Claro Guatemala
Movistar Guatemala
Tigo Guatemala
Claro Honduras
Digicel Honduras
Tigo Honduras
Iusacell Mexico
Iusacell CDMA Mexico
Movistar Mexico
Telcel Mexico
Claro Nicaragua
Movistar Nicaragua
Cable & Wireless Panama
Claro Panama
Digicel Panama
Movistar Panama
Claro Paraguay
Personal Paraguay
Tigo Paraguay
Claro Peru
Movistar Peru
Nextel Peru
AT&T Puerto Rico
Claro Puerto Rico
Sprint Puerto Rico
T-Mobile Puerto Rico
Ancel Uruguay
Claro Uruguay
Movistar Uruguay
AT&T US
Cricket US
MetroPCS US
Sprint US
T-Mobile US
US Cellular US
Verizon US
Digitel Venezuela
Movilnet Venezuela
Movistar Venezuela

Answers and opinions are provided with respect to the following essential questions:

How does LTE throughput compare with HSPA+?
Which carriers are big supporters of Android devices?
Why should carriers be concerned about their network’s data performance?
What is the average data speed observed in each country?
How do the mobile broadband performance of CDMA and GSM networks compare?
Which country has the best performing networks?
How does HSPA+ impact data throughput?
What is the average download, upload and latency supported by each carriers’ networks?
Which are the carriers with the region's best performing broadband network?
Where is iPad penetration highest?
Which carriers are still reliant on GPRS and EDGE infrastructure?
What are the applications and services driving demand for mobile broadband?
A. METHODOLOGY
A.1 Data Source - the App
Motivation for Using the App
Location
Data Collection Period and Sample Size
A.2 Limitations of the App
Network Reliability
The Limitation
Handset Performance Variation
The Limitation
The Solution
Handsets versus Dongles and Connected Devices
A.3 The Results
A.4 Availability of the Raw Data
B. INTRODUCTION
B.1 Real World Network Limitations
Factors Affecting Network Performance
Cell Density
Distance
Loading
Backhaul
Environment
Spectrum
Latency
Real World Handset Limitations
B.2 Report Overview
The Average Performance
Determining Mobile Broadband Quality
Measuring Network Quality from the Test Data
Determining Network Reliability
C. COUNTRY ANALYSIS
C.1 Download Performance
C.2 Mobile Broadband Network Quality
C.3 Device Penetration
Measuring Penetration
iPhone Penetration
Android Penetration
iPhone versus Android Penetration
Overall Smartphone Penetration
iPad Penetration
D. CARRIER ANALYSIS
D.1 Overall Carrier Performance Ranking
The Verizon Exception
D.2 Charts and Diagrams Explained
Network Performance
Data Speed Chart
Summary Table
Network Profiling
Download Distribution Profile
Cellular Technology Profile
Device Market Share
D.3 Argentina
Country View
Smartphones and Tablets
Android OEM Market Share
Carrier Analysis
Network Profile
Device Analysis
Carrier Smartphone and iPad Market Share
D.4 Bolivia
Country View
Smartphones and Tablets
Android OEM Market Share
Carrier Analysis
Network Profile
Device Analysis
Carrier Smartphone and iPad Market Share
D.5 Brazil
Country View
Smartphones and Tablets
Android OEM Market Share
Carrier Analysis
Network Profile
Device Analysis
Carrier Smartphone and iPad Market Share
D.6 Canada
Country View
Smartphones and Tablets
Android OEM Market Share
Carrier Analysis
Network Profile
Device Analysis
Carrier Smartphone and iPad Market Share
D.7 Chile
Country View
Smartphones and Tablets
Android OEM Market Share
Carrier Analysis
Network Profile
Device Analysis
Carrier Smartphone and iPad Market Share
D.8 Colombia
Country View
Smartphones and Tablets
Android OEM Market Share
Carrier Analysis
Network Profile
Device Analysis
Carrier Smartphone and iPad Market Share
D.9 Costa Rica
Country View
Smartphones and Tablets
Android OEM Market Share
Carrier Analysis
Network Profile
D.10 Ecuador
Country View
Smartphones and Tablets
Android OEM Market Share
Carrier Analysis
Network Profile
Device Analysis
Carrier Smartphone and iPad Market Share
D.11 El Salvador
Country View
Smartphones and Tablets
Android OEM Market Share
Carrier Analysis
Network Profile
Device Analysis
Carrier Smartphone and iPad Market Share
D.12 Guatemala
Country View
Smartphones and Tablets
Android OEM Market Share
Carrier Analysis
Network Profile
Device Analysis
Carrier Smartphone and iPad Market Share
D.13 Honduras
Country View
Smartphones and Tablets
Android OEM Market Share
Carrier Analysis
Network Profile
Device Analysis
Carrier Smartphone and iPad Market Share
D.14 Mexico
Country View
Smartphones and Tablets
Android OEM Market Share
Carrier Analysis
Network Profile
Device Analysis
Carrier Smartphone and iPad Market Share
D.15 Nicaragua
Country View
Smartphones and Tablets
Android OEM Market Share
Carrier Analysis
Network Profile
Device Analysis
Carrier Smartphone and iPad Market Share
D.16 Panama
Country View
Smartphones and Tablets
Android OEM Market Share
Carrier Analysis
Network Profile
Device Analysis
Carrier Smartphone and iPad Market Share
D.17 Paraguay
Country View
Smartphones and Tablets
Android OEM Market Share
Carrier Analysis
Network Profile
Device Analysis
Carrier Smartphone and iPad Market Share
D.18 Peru
Country View
Smartphones and Tablets
Android OEM Market Share
Carrier Analysis
Network Profile
Device Analysis
Carrier Smartphone and iPad Market Share
D.19 Puerto Rico
Country View
Smartphones and Tablets
Android OEM Market Share
Carrier Analysis
Network Profile
Device Analysis
Carrier Smartphone and iPad Market Share
D.20 Uruguay
Country View
Smartphones and Tablets
Android OEM Market Share
Carrier Analysis
Network Profile
Device Analysis
Carrier Smartphone and iPad Market Share
D.21 USA
Country View
Smartphones and Tablets
Android OEM Market Share
Carrier Analysis
Network Profile
Device Analysis
Carrier Smartphone and iPad Market Share
D.22 Venezuela
Country View
Smartphones and Tablets
Android OEM Market Share
Carrier Analysis
Network Profile
Device Analysis
Carrier Smartphone and iPad Market Share
E. DISCUSSION & FINDINGS
E.1 Network Technologies in Play
CDMA versus GSM
Status of HSDPA and HSPA+
LTE Performance
Extent of Verizon LTE Deployment
E.2 Reliance on 2G Still Prevalent
E.3 Android Challenging iPhone
E.4 Smartphone Penetration
E.5 Android OEM Carrier Affiliation and Market Share
Carrier Affiliations
Regional Market Share
List of Figures
Figure 1 - Mobile broadband network quality ratings by country
Figure 2 - iPhone and Android penetration by country
Figure 3 - Smartphone penetration by country
Figure 4 - iPad penetration by country
Figure 5 - Example download distribution profile diagram
Figure 6 - Example cellular technology profile diagram
Figure 7 - Relative proportions of iPhone, iPad and Android devices in Argentina
Figure 8 - Market shares for Android OEMs in Argentina
Figure 9 - Average download and upload performance for Argentinean carriers
Figure 10 - Download distribution profiles for Argentinean carriers
Figure 11 - Cellular technology network profile for Argentinean carriers
Figure 12 - Argentinean carrier market share estimate for iPhone, iPad and Android devices
Figure 13 - Relative proportions of iPhone, iPad and Android devices in Bolivia
Figure 14 - Market shares for Android OEMs in Bolivia
Figure 15 - Average download and upload performance for Bolivian carriers
Figure 16 - Download distribution profiles for Bolivian carriers
Figure 17 - Cellular technology network profile for Bolivian carriers
Figure 18 - Bolivian carrier market share estimate for iPhone, iPad and Android devices
Figure 19 - Relative proportions of iPhone, iPad and Android devices in Brazil
Figure 20 - Market shares for Android OEMs in Brazil
Figure 21 - Average download and upload performance for Brazilian carriers
Figure 22 - Download distribution profiles for Brazilian carriers
Figure 23 - Cellular technology network distribution for Brazilian carriers
Figure 24 - Brazilian carrier market share estimate for iPhone, iPad and Android devices
Figure 25 - Relative proportions of iPhone, iPad and Android devices in Canada
Figure 26 - Market shares for Android OEMs in Canada
Figure 27 - Average download and upload performance for Canadian carriers
Figure 28 - Download distribution profiles for Canadian carriers
Figure 29 - Cellular technology network profile for Canadian carriers
Figure 30 - Canadian carrier market share estimate for iPhone, iPad and Android devices
Figure 31 - Relative proportions of iPhone, iPad and Android devices in Chile
Figure 32 - Market shares for Android OEMs in Chile
Figure 33 - Average download and upload performance for Chilean carriers
Figure 34 - Download distribution profiles for Chilean carriers
Figure 35 - Cellular technology network distribution for Chilean carriers
Figure 36 - Chilean carrier market share estimate for iPhone, iPad and Android devices
Figure 37 - Relative proportions of iPhone, iPad and Android devices in Colombia
Figure 38 - Market shares for Android OEMs in Colombia
Figure 39 - Average download and upload performance for Colombian carriers
Figure 40 - Download distribution profiles for Colombian carriers
Figure 41 - Cellular technology network distribution for Colombian carriers
Figure 42 - Colombian carrier market share estimate for iPhone, iPad and Android devices
Figure 43 - Relative proportions of iPhone, iPad and Android devices in Costa Rica
Figure 44 - Market shares for Android OEMs in Costa Rica
Figure 45 - Average download and upload performance for Costa Rican carriers
Figure 46 - Download distribution profiles for Costa Rican carriers
Figure 47 - Cellular technology network distribution for Costa Rican carriers
Figure 48 - Relative proportions of iPhone, iPad and Android devices in Ecuador
Figure 49 - Market shares for Android OEMs in Ecuador
Figure 50 - Average download and upload performance for Ecuadorian carriers
Figure 51 - Download distribution profiles for Ecuadorian carriers
Figure 52 - Cellular technology network distribution for Ecuadorian carriers
Figure 53 - Ecuador carrier market share estimate for iPhone, iPad and Android devices
Figure 54 - Relative proportions of iPhone, iPad and Android devices in El Salvador
Figure 55 - Market shares for Android OEMs in El Salvador
Figure 56 - Average download and upload performance for El Salvadorian carriers
Figure 57 - Download distribution profiles for El Salvadorian carriers
Figure 58 - Cellular technology network distribution for El Salvadorian carriers
Figure 59 - El Salvadorian carrier market share estimate for iPhone, iPad and Android devices
Figure 60 - Relative proportions of iPhone, iPad and Android devices in Guatemala
Figure 61 - Market shares for Android OEMs in Guatemala
Figure 62 - Average download and upload performance for Guatemalan carriers
Figure 63 - Download distribution profiles for Guatemalan carriers
Figure 64 - Cellular technology network distribution for Guatemalan carriers
Figure 65 - Guatemala carrier market share estimate for iPhone, iPad and Android devices
Figure 66 - Relative proportions of iPhone, iPad and Android devices in Honduras
Figure 67 - Market shares for Android OEMs in Honduras
Figure 68 - Average download and upload performance for Honduran carriers
Figure 69 - Download distribution profiles for Honduran carriers
Figure 70 - Cellular technology network distribution for Honduran carriers
Figure 71 - Honduran carrier market share estimate for iPhone, iPad and Android devices
Figure 72 - Relative proportions of iPhone, iPad and Android devices in Mexico
Figure 73 - Market shares for Android OEMs in Mexico
Figure 74 - Average download and upload performance for Mexican carriers
Figure 75 - Download distribution profiles for Mexican carriers
Figure 76 - Cellular technology network distribution for Mexican carriers
Figure 77 - Mexican carrier market share estimate for iPhone, iPad and Android devices
Figure 78 - Relative proportions of iPhone, iPad and Android devices in Nicaragua
Figure 79 - Market shares for Android OEMs in Nicaragua
Figure 80 - Average download and upload performance for Nicaraguan carriers
Figure 81 - Download distribution profiles for Nicaraguan carriers
Figure 82 - Cellular technology network distribution for Nicaraguan carriers
Figure 83 - Nicaraguan carrier market share estimate for iPhone, iPad and Android devices
Figure 84 - Relative proportions of iPhone, iPad and Android devices in Panama
Figure 85 - Market shares for Android OEMs in Panama
Figure 86 - Average download and upload performance for Panamanian carriers
Figure 87 - Download distribution profiles for Panamanian carriers
Figure 88 - Cellular technology network distribution for Panamanian carriers
Figure 89 - Panamanian carrier market share estimate for iPhone, iPad and Android devices
Figure 90 - Relative proportions of iPhone, iPad and Android devices in Paraguay
Figure 91 - Market shares for Android OEMs in Paraguay
Figure 92 - Average download and upload performance for Paraguayan carriers
Figure 93 - Download distribution profiles for Paraguayan carriers
Figure 94 - Cellular technology network distribution for Paraguayan carriers
Figure 95 - Paraguayan carrier market share estimate for iPhone, iPad and Android devices
Figure 96 - Relative proportions of iPhone, iPad and Android devices in Peru
Figure 97 - Market shares for Android OEMs in Peru
Figure 98 - Average download and upload performance for Peruvian carriers
Figure 99 - Download distribution profiles for Peruvian carriers
Figure 100 - Cellular technology network distribution for Peruvian carriers
Figure 101 - Peruvian carrier market share estimate for iPhone, iPad and Android devices
Figure 102 - Relative proportions of iPhone, iPad and Android devices in Puerto Rico
Figure 103 - Market shares for Android OEMs in Puerto Rico
Figure 104 - Average download and upload performance for Puerto Rican carriers
Figure 105 - Download distribution profiles for Puerto Rican carriers
Figure 106 - Cellular technology network distribution for Puerto Rican carriers
Figure 107 - Puerto Rican carrier market share estimate for iPhone, iPad and Android devices . 104
Figure 108 - Relative proportions of iPhone, iPad and Android devices in Uruguay
Figure 109 - Market shares for Android OEMs in Uruguay
Figure 110 - Average download and upload performance for Uruguayan carriers
Figure 111 - Download distribution profiles for Uruguayan carriers
Figure 112 - Cellular technology network distribution for Uruguayan carriers
Figure 113 - Uruguayan carrier market share estimate for iPhone, iPad and Android devices
Figure 114 - US Census Bureau designated regions
Figure 115 - Relative proportions of iPhone, iPad and Android devices in US Northeast
Figure 116 - Relative proportions of iPhone, iPad and Android devices in US Midwest
Figure 117 - Relative proportions of iPhone, iPad and Android devices in US South
Figure 118 - Relative proportions of iPhone, iPad and Android devices in US West
Figure 119 - Market shares for Android OEMs in US Northeast
Figure 120 - Market shares for Android OEMs in US Midwest
Figure 121 - Market shares for Android OEMs in US South
Figure 122 - Market shares for Android OEMs in US West
Figure 123 - Average download and upload performance for US Northeast carriers
Figure 124 - Average download and upload performance for US Midwest carriers
Figure 125 - Average download and upload performance for US South carriers
Figure 126 - Average download and upload performance for US West carriers
Figure 127 - Download distribution profiles for US Northeast carriers
Figure 128 - Download distribution profiles for US Midwest carriers
Figure 129 - Download distribution profiles for US South carriers
Figure 130 - Download distribution profiles for US West carriers
Figure 131 - Cellular technology network distribution for US Northeast carriers
Figure 132 - Cellular technology network distribution for US Midwest carriers
Figure 133 - Cellular technology network distribution for US South carriers
Figure 134 - Cellular technology network distribution for US West carriers
Figure 135 - US Northeast carrier market share estimate for iPhone, iPad and Android devices 123
Figure 136 - US Midwest carrier market share estimate for iPhone, iPad and Android devices .. 124
Figure 137 - US South carrier market share estimate for iPhone, iPad and Android devices
Figure 138 - US West carrier market share estimate for iPhone, iPad and Android devices
Figure 139 - Relative proportions of iPhone, iPad and Android devices in Venezuela
Figure 140 - Market shares for Android OEMs in Venezuela
Figure 141 - Average download and upload performance for Venezuelan carriers
Figure 142 - Download distribution profiles for Venezuelan carriers
Figure 143 - Cellular technology network distribution for Venezuelan carriers
Figure 144 - Venezuelan carrier market share estimate for iPhone, iPad and Android devices
Figure 145 - Android and iPhone device market share for Americas region
Figure 146 - Android OEM market share for Americas region
List of Tables
Table 1 - List of countries covered in this research
Table 2 - HSDPA and HSUPA support by the four iPhone models
Table 3 - Download performance league table by country
Table 4 - Carrier league table, ranked by overall performance rating
Table 5 - Summary of network performance for Argentinean carriers
Table 6 - Summary of network performance for Bolivian carriers
Table 7 - Summary of network performance for Brazilian carriers
Table 8 - Summary of network performance for Canadian carriers
Table 9 - Summary of network performance for Chilean carriers
Table 10 - Summary of network performance for Colombian carriers
Table 11 - Summary of network performance for Costa Rican carriers
Table 12 - Summary of network performance for Ecuadorian carriers
Table 13 - Summary of network performance for El Salvadorian carriers
Table 14 - Summary of network performance for Guatemalan carriers
Table 15 - Summary of network performance for Honduran carriers
Table 16 - Summary of network performance for Mexican carriers
Table 17 - Summary of network performance for Nicaraguan carriers
Table 18 - Summary of network performance for Panamanian carriers
Table 19 - Summary of network performance for Paraguayan carriers
Table 20 - Summary of network performance for Peruvian carriers
Table 21 - Summary of network performance for Puerto Rican carriers
Table 22 - Summary of network performance for Uruguayan carriers
Table 23 - Summary of network performance for US Northeast carriers
Table 24 - Summary of network performance for US Midwest carriers
Table 25 - Summary of network performance for US South carriers
Table 26 - Summary of network performance for US West carriers
Table 27 - Summary of network performance for Venezuelan carriers
Table 28 - Carriers with HIGH or GOOD network quality ratings
Table 29 - Carrier affiliations with Android OEMs

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