To really see Verizon shine, we compared its data network with the two other national 3G competitors: AT&T and Sprint. We're leaving T-Mobile, MetroPCS, and Cricket out of the equation for the time being; all three are building out 3G networks, but none has yet reached national status, although T-Mobile says it will have a nationwide network by the end of 2009.

Verizon and Sprint use the same CDMA EV-DO Rev A system on the 850- and 1,900-MHz bands. Both data networks, therefore, theoretically have equal maximum speeds of 3.1 megabits per second (Mbps) for downloads and 1.8 Mbps for uploads. But in the real world, subscribers generally get much slower speeds because of their distance from towers, limited backhaul, or network congestion.

On our most recent tests of the latest generation of Verizon EV-DO modems, which are based on Qualcomm's QCP 6085 chipset, the Novatel Ovation MC760—our speed demon Editors' Choice—averaged download speeds of about 1.1 Mbps (peaking at 2.1 Mbps); uploads averaged around 470 Kbps (peaking at 800 Kbps). Also bear in mind that smartphones generally get somewhat slower speeds than modems on the same network.

As we tested 3G modems, we've noticed slightly slower speeds on Verizon's network than on Sprint's; Sprint's Novatel Ovation U760, for example, was quicker than Verizon's best, averaging 1.2 Mbps for downloads. But Verizon's network is both larger and more consistent; I'd chalk up Verizon's slightly slower speeds to the fact that Verizon's network is more crowded.

Verizon's 3G coverage area is already far superior to that of the other national carriers. Once Verizon integrates Alltel's network later this year, it will be in a class by itself. AT&T does a solid job of covering metro areas, but Verizon's map paints entire states in 3G colors. The carrier's domination of the Northeast is well known, but Verizon is also extremely strong in the Mountain states and California. It's weak (for now) in Kansas, Nebraska, west Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi; not coincidentally, Alltel has strong 3G coverage in those areas, so the upcoming integration will plug those holes.

Slavish devotion to network quality wins Verizon awards on our own Service & Reliability Survey (S&R) and the independent J.D. Power and Associates customer satisfaction surveys. Verizon won the Readers' Choice in our 2008 S&R rankings, with the highest scores on coverage and call quality. In J.D. Power's 2008 survey, Verizon scored tops on call quality in each of six U.S. regions, along with top scores on customer care, retail satisfaction, and general customer satisfaction.

There is one coverage weakness, however: international roaming. Verizon phones and data cards roam to about 50 countries, including Canada, Mexico, most of the Caribbean, parts of Latin America, China, India, Israel, the Philippines, and New Zealand. Only a few Verizon devices can access networks in Europe. While Verizon is slightly ahead of Sprint's thin roaming list, AT&T's 215-country international roaming is much more globally compatible.

Verizon also has the smallest lineup of 3G modems of the major carriers: two USB modems, a PC Card, a router, and a netbook (at the time of this writing). In terms of smartphones, most of the options run on either Windows Mobile or the BlackBerry OS, with the BlackBerry Storm being the current flagship device.

Not a leader when it comes to on-device applications, Verizon tends to restrict its phones to using only the applications that it approves. Most of Verizon's feature phones don't have full Web browsers, and its e-mail programs are relatively clunky. Even smartphones, which are typically restriction-free, have been locked down in some areas in the past. One bright spot is Verizon's excellent music service, V Cast, which syncs with Rhapsody on PCs.

Verizon's 3G service plan prices and usage caps are on a par with those of the other major carriers. For modems, $59.99 per month gets you 5GB of data with a $50-per-gigabyte overage charge; for $39.99 per month, you can get 250MB of data with a $100-per-gigabyte overage charge. Adding international roaming to your 5GB plan bumps it up to $129.99 per month with 100MB of international data, or $219.99 with 200MB. Data for smartphones costs $30 for personal use, $45 to connect to enterprise servers, or $64.99 for a global plan. International overage costs between $5 and $20 per megabyte, depending on your location and plan.

The carrier plans to follow up its 3G network with 4G sometime next year. Verizon execs have said that the carrier's next move is to an LTE (Long Term Evolution) network with real-life speeds of 8 to 12 Mbps. According to the company, a new LTE network will debut in 20 or 30 cities in the second half of 2010, with the network build-out completed by 2013 or 2014. Users will need to buy new devices to use LTE, as it isn't compatible with Verizon's existing CDMA system.

If you need wireless data in the U.S., Verizon Wireless is the best choice. It has the most comprehensive 3G network, and it wins awards every year for coverage, consistency, and call quality. Verizon's rates aren't the lowest, and the company may not carry the latest, flashiest devices, but when Verizon says "It's the network," it's not just boasting. This network has no equal.

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