BELLEVUE, Wash., June 30, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — For the third consecutive test period, Verizon is the Overall Performance award winner in Phoenix, according to the latest testing from RootMetrics®, the standard for independent mobile performance information. In the 1st Half 2016 Phoenix Metro RootScore Report, Verizon also took first-place wins in four of the remaining five categories, including outright awards in both Network Speed and Data Performance.
While Verizon continued its top-notch performance in the Phoenix metro area, each of the other networks made key gains, as well. All four of the carriers earned excellent scores in Network Reliability, which ultimately led to a shared win between AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile. The last testing period saw Verizon take that award outright. Meanwhile, this latest report from RootMetrics, an IHS (NYSE:IHS) company, revealed AT&T, Sprint, and Verizon shared the RootScore Award in the Call Performance category.
“The mobile performance race in Phoenix remains highly competitive,” said Julie Dey, RootMetrics vice president. “While Verizon held onto the top spot in every category but Text Performance, the other carriers are making some key gains in important categories – ultimately leading to three-way ties in both Network Reliability and Call Performance. Consumers have some good mobile choices depending on how they use their mobile phones the most.”
This is the tenth time RootMetrics has tested the mobile networks in Phoenix and issued findings for the metro area. RootScore Reports provide a scientific, independent, consumer-focused assessment of mobile network performance.
The RootMetrics Overall Performance RootScore rankings for Phoenix:
1 – Verizon (97.2)
2 – AT&T (96.5)
2 – T-Mobile (96.4)
4 – Sprint (93.3)
RootScores are on a scale of 0 to 100. A good Overall RootScore means strong all-around performance and a good consumer experience.
Mobile Performance You Can Depend on
Reliability and speed are crucial to a consistently good mobile experience. RootMetrics indicates performance in these key areas with its Network Reliability category, a combination of results from data, call, and text tests; and its Network Speed category, which examines results across testing of data transfers, downloading email, and web/app tasks.
After previously winning the Network Reliability RootScore Award outright, Verizon now shares the top spot with AT&T and T-Mobile, while Sprint fell only about one point behind. Meanwhile, Verizon took first place outright in Network Speed for the third time in a row.
Network Reliability RootScore rankings:
1 – AT&T (99.2)
1 – Verizon (99.0)
1 – T-Mobile (98.7)
4 – Sprint (97.6)
Network Speed RootScore rankings:
1 – Verizon (92.1)
2 – T-Mobile (89.8)
3 – AT&T (86.9)
4 – Sprint (78.1)
Data Performance
Data Performance RootScores reflect how well networks perform in downloading and uploading data, performing email tasks, and downloading files that approximate loading typical webpages or apps.
Verizon took the top spot outright in Data Performance for the third consecutive test period, while also recording the fastest median download speed at 15.9 Mbps. Meanwhile T-Mobile recorded the fastest median upload speed at 15.9 Mbps, meaning it would only take about two seconds to upload a picture on the network.
Data Performance RootScore rankings:
1 – Verizon (96.7)
2 – T-Mobile (95.8)
3 – AT&T (94.3)
4 – Sprint (89.5)
Call and Text Performance
AT&T, Sprint, and Verizon shared first place in Call Performance, an award AT&T and Verizon held during the last round of testing. In Text Performance, AT&T earned first place outright for the second time in a row in Phoenix, while the other networks trailed by less than two points.
Call Performance RootScore rankings:
1 – AT&T (99.1)
1 – Sprint (97.9)
1 – Verizon (97.8)
4 – T-Mobile (97.0)
Text Performance RootScore rankings:
1 – AT&T (99.6)
2 – Verizon (98.4)
2 – T-Mobile (98.3)
2 – Sprint (97.7)
Comprehensive Testing
To evaluate the mobile experience in Phoenix, RootMetrics performed 41,141 call, data, and text tests across all hours of the day and night from June 2 through June 8. Using smartphones purchased off the shelf at carrier stores, tests were conducted indoors at 66 locations and while driving 3,037 miles. For details about RootMetrics testing, see the methodology section of the RootMetrics website.
About RootMetrics®
RootMetrics® is an independent mobile analytics firm that offers insights into the consumer mobile experience. RootMetrics provides data on mobile network performance to help people and companies make more informed mobile decisions. RootMetrics offers its RootScore® Report series for nations, states, metro areas, airports, campuses, venues, and transit stations, as well as its downloadable CoverageMap app. To ensure that RootMetrics testing reflects real-world mobile usage, testing is conducted based on where, when and how consumers use their smartphones most often.
About IHS
IHS (NYSE:IHS) is the leading source of insight, analytics and expertise in critical areas that shape today’s business landscape. Businesses and governments in more than 140 countries around the globe rely on the comprehensive content, expert independent analysis and flexible delivery methods of IHS to make high-impact decisions and develop strategies with speed and confidence. IHS has been in business since 1959 and became a publicly traded company on the New York Stock Exchange in 2005. Headquartered in Englewood, Colorado, USA, IHS is committed to sustainable, profitable growth and employs nearly 9,000 people in 33 countries around the world.
CONTACT: Lori Niquette for RootMetrics
rootmetrics@shiftcomm.com
617-779-1800
Source: Telecom