• by Mark Walsh  @markfwal, February 3, 2011

Verizon Wireless' announcement last month that it was getting the iPhone after months -- no, years -- of avid speculation and anticipation was a breakthrough; the nation's largest carrier coming together with the iconic Apple device. But with pre-orders for the Verizon iPhone starting today, the jury is still out on whether the operator can really deliver on its promise of connecting calls more reliably than AT&T.

With early expert reviews in, the answer to that question is a resounding "yes." But the Verizon-AT&T comparison for the iPhone turns out to be something of a split decision. While Verizon outshone its rival when it came to voice calls, AT&T consistently beat Verizon in data speed. Based on "scores of speed tests," The Wall Street Journal's Walt Mossberg estimated AT&T's network was on average 46% faster at download rates and 24% faster at uploading.

Engadget also found AT&T 's network to be much faster in tests. And if Verizon weren't slow enough, the carrier has adopted a new policy allowing it to start throttling the data connection of its heaviest users. On the voice, side, however, Verizon was the clear choice, with fewer dropped calls and far more reliable connections. "Most impressively, the Verizon iPhone effortlessly made calls in the Cellphone Signal Torture Chamber of Doom: my house," quipped New York Times tech guru David Pogue.

So, each carrier lived up to its billing. Verizon has long promoted itself in advertising as "America's Most Reliable Network," while AT&T has touted having "the nation's fastest network." At least in how the country's two biggest carriers essentially represent themselves to the world, there's truth in advertising.

The initial reviews also suggest the combination of Verizon and the iPhone won't be a knockout blow for AT&T's version of the device. AT&T users who switch to Verizon may be grateful to finally have consistent voice service, but may have to live with much slower Web browsing and video streaming.

Then there are all the other factors to consider, like not being able to talk on Verizon's CDMA network while you're online, or use the Verizon network as widely outside the U.S. as AT&T's GSM network. But Verizon will allow iPhone users to turn the device into a personal hotspot, which AT&T doesn't. The phone itself is the same from both carriers, so it will come down to the battle of features, plans and pricing. The battle of who has the best iPhone is just beginning.