Rogers LTE Hands-On: First Impressions in Vancouver
Archive note. This story reflects what was known when it was first covered. Prices, availability and carrier offers are historical. For the current picture, start with the topic guides.
The test setup
Rogers supplied the HTC Raider, which made the test possible. The writer travelled from Surrey, listed under “Coming Soon” on the Rogers LTE coverage map, into Vancouver. The phone switched to LTE around Burnaby and stayed shaky until downtown. A Galaxy S II on Rogers HSPA+ was used for side by side comparisons with the Speedtest app.
Speed
LTE was nearly three times faster than the Galaxy S II on HSPA+. In some cases it beat the writer’s home Wi-Fi. The full speed was only reachable outdoors. Indoors, LTE performed like the existing HSPA+ network, though less steadily.
Reliability
- Signal jumped between 1 and 4 bars inside a shopping centre in central Vancouver.
- Outdoors, reception moved between 2 and 4 bars, and it fell to 1 or 2 inside buildings.
- The LTE connection dropped completely three times, which would have meant three dropped calls.
- The Galaxy S II fell back from HSPA+ to EDGE but kept a steady connection.
- In the underground SkyTrain area, LTE kept dropping and reconnecting, while HSPA+ held a weak but continuous link.
Verdict and caveats
LTE was very fast, but the writer said it was not yet worth switching for, and hoped coverage growth would fix the gaps. The test covered about three hours between the waterfront and Granville Street, and other people’s results could differ.
Frequently asked questions
How much faster was LTE?
Nearly three times faster than HSPA+ in side by side tests.
Did the connection stay stable?
No, it dropped out three times during the test.
Are these results current?
No. They describe the early network, and coverage has since changed.