Introduction
When it comes to picking the right cellular provider for your IoT devices, you want to make sure you choose the best. In this comparison article, we will take an unbiased look at Verizon and AT&T, the two largest cellular providers in the US, to see which one truly reigns supreme in the world of IoT.
Coverage
One of the most important factors when it comes to choosing a cellular provider is coverage. You need to make sure that your IoT devices can connect to the network wherever they are located.
According to OpenSignal's recent report on the state of Mobile Networks in the USA, Verizon has the best network coverage beating AT&T in almost all categories, including 4G coverage and download speed. Verizon covers 70% of the US with reliable 4G service compared to AT&T's 68%.
Verdict: Verizon wins the coverage category.
Pricing
Price is another crucial factor when it comes to choosing a cellular provider for your IoT devices.
Verizon's plans are generally more expensive than AT&T's. For example, a data plan with 8GB of data costs $70/month with Verizon while with AT&T it costs $50/month. However, Verizon's plans allow more devices to connect to the network than AT&T's plans.
AT&T does offer some cheaper plans, but their data caps are smaller than Verizon's.
Verdict: It's a tie. Both providers have their pros and cons when it comes to pricing.
Reliability
When it comes to the reliability of a cellular network, both Verizon and AT&T are known for their consistent connection.
According to a survey by PCMag, both Verizon and AT&T scored high for their network reliability. However, Verizon won overall, scoring an 88 out of 100, while AT&T scored an 87.
Verdict: Although it's a close call, Verizon wins this category.
Customer Service
Another important factor to consider is customer support. You want to make sure that you can easily get help when you need it.
Verizon has been consistently ranked higher for customer service in JD Power's annual reports. According to their 2020 US Wireless Customer Care Full-Service Performance Study, Verizon came in first place, while AT&T came in second place.
Verdict: Verizon wins the customer service category.
Conclusion
Both Verizon and AT&T have their strengths and weaknesses when it comes to providing service for IoT devices. Verizon wins the coverage, reliability, and customer service categories while AT&T wins the pricing category. Ultimately, the decision on which provider to choose depends on your specific needs and priorities.