AT&T's network outruns Verizon, Sprint during Super Bowl traffic, study finds

According to detailed research from Nexgen Wireless, AT&T Mobility's (NYSE:T) network provided the fastest upload and download speeds, and the lowest latency rates, during this weekend's Super Bowl XLVIII. Nexgen, an independent, third-party telecommunications software and engineering services vendor, tested the 3G voice and LTE data quality of AT&T, Verizon Wireless (NYSE:VZ) and Sprint (NYSE:S) at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., during the Seattle Seahawks' trouncing of the Denver Broncos. The company found that AT&T surpassed Verizon and Sprint in terms of data connections, but that Sprint rose above its competitors in voice call success rates.

However, Verizon's network appears to have carried more than twice the load of AT&T, according to separate figures released by the two carriers. AT&T said its network at the venue carried a total of  624 GB, while Verizon said in-stadium data usage on its network was 1.9 terabytes. To be clear: The carriers each provided their own traffic totals, so it's difficult to make direct comparisons. Nonetheless, it appears Verizon carried more traffic at a slower speed than AT&T at the MetLife Stadium.

For a complete look at voice and data traffic at this year's Super Bowl, check out our Special Report.