Google's muni Wi-Fi network in Mountain View, Calif., topped the list, followed by Toronto's One Zone network. A new report compiled by wireless services consulting and analysis firm Novarum ranks Wi-Fi, WiMax and third generation (3G) cellular networks in 16 North American cities, based on performance, service availability, ease of use and overall value. The report includes ratings of wireless networks in Tempe, Ariz., Portland, Ore., Rochelle, Ill., Philadelphia, Pa., Mountain View, Calif., Madison, Wis., St. Cloud, Fla., and Toronto, among other locales. Novarum’s data was collected between June 2006 and June 2007.What follows are lists of the top 10 wireless broadband networks overall, as well as the top five networks based on performanceTop Ten Wireless Broadband Services Mountain View, Calif.; Google (tested with high power [HP] Wi-Fi client) Toronto; One Zone HP Mountain View, Calif.; Google Ruckus Wireless Mountain View, Calif.; Google 802.11n Ext Philadelphia, Pa.; Feather 802.11n St. Cloud, Fla.; CyberSpot (tied with Toronto) Toronto; One Zone (tied with St. Cloud) Philadelphia, Pa.; Feather HP Rochelle, Ill.; Rochelle Municipal Utilities (RMU) HP Mountain View, Calif.; VerizonTop Five Wireless Broadband Services Based on Performance Toronto; One Zone HP (tied with Rochelle Ill.; Rochelle Municipal Utilities [RMU] HP) Rochelle, Ill.; RMU HP (tied with Toronto; One Zone HP) Rochelle, Ill.; RMU 802.11n Toronto; One Zone Mountain View, Calif.; Google HPAdditional notable findings include: Metro Wi-Fi networks took all of the top ten performance ratings; metro Wi-Fi delivers twice the performance of 3G cellular data services, on average Fifteen cellular services had 100 percent availability in Novarum’s tests Verizon’s service in Mountain View, Calif. is the best overall cellular data service Toronto’s One Zone network is the best overall Wi-Fi service “True” 3G cellular service had only 60 percent service availability in the cities tested Use of the new wireless IEEE 802.11n standard drastically improves overall metro Wi-Fi network performance St. Cloud, Fla.’s network is the only metro Wi-Fi service that delivered 100 percent service availability in testsInformation on the Novarum Wireless Broadband Review can be found on the company’s website, and reports on Wi-Fi and 3G cellular networks in individual cities are also available for purchase. Related content brandpost Sponsored by Palo Alto Networks Operational technology systems require a robust Zero Trust strategy in 2024 Zero Trust provides a foundation for creating a stronger security posture in 2024. By Navneet Singh, vice president of marketing, network security, Palo Alto Networks Dec 05, 2023 6 mins Security brandpost Sponsored by AWS in collaboration with IBM How digital twin technology is changing complex industrial processes forever As the use cases for digital twins proliferate, it is becoming clear that data-driven enterprises with a track record of innovation stand the best chance of success. By Laura McEwan Dec 05, 2023 4 mins Digital Transformation brandpost Sponsored by AWS in collaboration with IBM Why modernising applications needs to be a ‘must’ for businesses seeking growth Around one-third of enterprises are spending heavily on application modernisation and aiming for cloud native status. The implications for corporate culture, structure and priorities will be profound. By Laura McEwan Dec 05, 2023 5 mins Digital Transformation opinion 11 ways to reduce your IT costs now Reorienting IT’s budget toward future opportunities is a big reason why CIOs should review their IT portfolios with an eye toward curbing unnecessary spending and realizing maximum value from every IT investment. By Stephanie Overby Dec 05, 2023 11 mins Budget Cloud Management IT Governance Podcasts Videos Resources Events SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER From our editors straight to your inbox Get started by entering your email address below. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe