Is Verizon’s network better, or is it simply untested?

Verizon's network is better than AT&T's for two fundamental reasons:

- It operates mostly on the 850MHz band whereas AT&T operates on both 850Mhz and 1900Mhz band. Lower frequencies penetrate buildings better than higher frequencies. Lower frequencies also have less interference with other electrical devices.

- Verizon uses CDMA technology which intrinsically makes more efficient use of the wireless spectrum than the GSM technology that AT&T uses.

Consequently, AT&T needs to expend more resources on constructing cell towers to achieve the same level of coverage as Verizon.

Verizon's network is larger.

I have an BlackBerry with AT&T and a Verizon Mifi that provides 3G internet to my laptop. When traveling, the BlackBerry is pretty much useless here in Texas because there seems to be a lot of holes in their network--but I can drive from Austin to Dallas connected to the web with the Verizon mifi the whole way.

The other concern I have for Verizon is the lack of EV-DO Rev B handsets. Do they offer _any_ Rev B capable devices yet? I'm having trouble finding any on their website. The spec sheet for the Moto Droid handset also does not include Rev B support. Have they abandoned it for LTE? Either way it seems AT&T might have a future advantage with millions of 7.2Mbit HSDPA iPhone 3GS units ready for network upgrades while Verizon is stuck with EV-DO Rev 0 & A for the foreseeable future.

I just got a BlackBerry on Verizon and so far the reception has been very poor. Yesterday I was on Caltrain and wasn't able to use data at all and when I got a voice call the sound was horrible. I ended up pulling the battery and that seemed to help so maybe it's the BlackBerry and not the network but so far I'm unimpressed. BTW I work in Santa Clara and live in the city.