can peope that had both verison and at&t ipad2, specially in L.A , or anywhere else, say which one has better reception/download speed

AT&T!

Sent from my iPad 2 using iPF.

We have both where I work.

We haven't really tested them for download speed, but Verizon will always give better coverage/reception etc. than ATT.

Anybody who has had both an ATT and a Verizon version of the iPhone can readily verify that.

Another issue to consider is whether you're ever going to use the iPad in another country. More-or-less Verizon, who use CDMA technology, only works in the US and in a very limited number of other countries. AT&T use GSM, which works everywhere except Japan.

Tim

We have been with VZ since Feb and I must admit that the service is great and the speed is good. We live in a large area and I heard horror stories of AT&T service and lack of the customer care.

There was a recent test done in major cities and overall, AT&T beats the pants off Verizon.
Google for it.
Will see if I can find it.

I thought Consumer Reports had exactly the opposite test results? Will dig up the latest test issue. OP, you know that whichever one you choose will result in a system blackout for a 500 mile radius, right?

Here is the article I was referring to.
AT&T Roars Back in PCWorld

Did you really just post an article written in Feb. 2010? Are those tests even remotely relevant well over a year later?

Verizon has a superior voice network and ATT has a superior data network. Since the iPad isn't a phone there is only one choice. There is a reason that the Verizon 3G versions of the iPad2 are more readily available at apple stores.