Someone out there has a lot more patience than I do. A Computerworld editor took his laptop out and about in Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York and collected 500 data points with a ThinkPad X300 and wireless data cards from AT&T, Sprint, and Verizon. AT&T's HSDPA network proved the fastest.Fastest doesn't always mean best, though. Computerworld's methodology was about as scientific as you can ask for. I won't go over the nitty-gritty details, you can read the entire article here. One thing to keep in mind here is that AT&T uses GSM-based HSDPA technology, while Sprint and Verizon use the same EV-DO Rev. A technology from Qualcomm.

The results are this: AT&T scored average download speeds of 755 Kbps and top data speeds of 1.6 Mbps; Sprint netted download speeds of 494 Kbps and a top download speed of 1.2 Mbps; and Verizon rated 592 Kbps for average downloads and peaked at 1.3 Mbps.

Computerworld also tested how much the laptop cards drained battery life, how long initial set-up took, and how long it took to connect to the networks in question.

There's no doubt that the download speeds are important and improve the overall browsing experience. For me, upload speeds matter more than download speeds. When I need to post a photo or video to a Web site to enhance a news story, I need as much uploading current as possible. On the upload side of the equation, the results show AT&T with 484 Kbps, Sprint with 294 Kbps, and Verizon Wireless with 232 Kbps.

For the record, my laptop card runs on the Verizon Network.

With these results, you would expect me to be happiest with service from AT&T. There's one important factor keeping me from AT&T's HSDPA network: Coverage. There's simply no 3G signal from AT&T in the area of New Jersey where I live and work. I have to travel two towns (about five miles) to the east to find 3G signal from AT&T. This is despite the fact that I live about one mile from the county's largest shopping center, where no less than four AT&T retail shops are located.

In all my travels around the United States to major metropolitan areas, I have yet to find a lack of 3G signal from Verizon. In fact, it is often more reliable than Wi-Fi. If/when AT&T ever gets around to blanketing my area of New Jersey with its 3G signal, I might consider switching. For now, though, coverage reigns over speed.