Cheapest way to test Verizon's data speeds?

[boomhower]

I am thinking of making the change to Verizon from Sprint and want to test out the data speeds in the areas I frequent. I picked up an OG Droid for cheap and need access to VZW's network to test those speeds out. What's the cheapest way to do it? I really don't want to have to pay $50+ if I can get away from it. This isn't something permanent, just enough to run a dozen or so speed tests. I don't need any minutes. If I could just get ten or twenty megs would probably do it. Verizon prepaid, page plus, something else?

 

[PhoKingGuy]

download the speed test app from the market.

 

[boomhower]

download the speed test app from the market.

Reworded it to make more sense. I need cheap temp access to the network.

 

[thescreensavers]

^ find wifi someplace, or download the APK of the speedtest app, Put it on your memory card and install from your phone

 

[boomhower]

^ find wifi someplace, or download the APK of the speedtest app, Put it on your memory card and install from your phone

I know how to get the app installed. I need access to the network to test the speed of the network. The app isn't going to do me any good without access. The phone is rooted if that helps at all but I don't see how it would.

 

[TheStu]

I know how to get the app installed. I need access to the network to test the speed of the network. The app isn't going to do me any good without access. The phone is rooted if that helps at all but I don't see how it would.

You don't know anyone in these areas with a Verizon smartphone?

 

[s44]

PagePlus

 

[boomhower]

You don't know anyone in these areas with a Verizon smartphone?

In only one of the two cities. I've got coworkers that do where I work but don't anyone with a Verizon smartphone in the city where I live.

 

[vshah]

get a phone and return it? don't they have a 14 day cancellation policy or something?

 

[Pliablemoose]

Stop in at a Verizon store and use one of the CSR's phones...

You can activate your Droid on Page Plus for a month and see how it goes as well, you should get the full speed on PP, and there's just enough data to try it out...

 

[ponyo]

get a phone and return it? don't they have a 14 day cancellation policy or something?

This. You're going to find Verizon has the slowest speed out of the big 4. Of course LTE will reverse that.

 

[boomhower]

This. You're going to find Verizon has the slowest speed out of the big 4. Of course LTE will reverse that.

Nice blanket statement. With my co-worker in the couple places we have tried they have either been the same or VZW faster, by around 25%. It depends on the area. AT&T gets crap but they work great in some areas. If you have t-Mobile high speed they are the ticket but their coverage is limited. It just depends on where you live.

 

[sswingle]

The demo smartphones are frequently activated working phones in the stores. Just go in, install the speed test app if it is not already and test away.

 

[jersiq]

you can get a guesstimate if you have an app or testmode on the phone that shows Ec/Io and SiNR.

This will give you a rough idea of what to expect your DRC to be. The closer to zero your Ec/Io is, the better quality of the signal. The higher the number your SiNR, the more favorable your RF conditions are.

Combine the two to get somewhat of an idea of the total RF conditions in the area. This will be the basis for your DRC. The better your RF environment, the higher your DRC.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evolution-Data_Optimized#TIA-856_Rev._0_forward_link_channel_structure

However, this is just the air interface. This will not take into account the current load and backhaul on the serving sites.