BELLEVUE, Wash., March 10, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- RootMetrics®, the standard for independent mobile performance measurement, today released a new report recognizing T-Mobile and Verizon as the top-performing mobile carriers in Washington, D.C. The RootMetrics 1st Half 2015 RootScore Report® for Washington, D.C., also highlights T-Mobile's continued success in the city, as the carrier also won outright or tied for first in network reliability, network speed, data performance, call performance, and text performance.
With more than 335 million mobile subscriber connections in the U.S., mobile network performance insights and comparisons are critical elements to a positive consumer experience. RootScore® Reports provide an independent and consumer-focused assessment of mobile network performance in the 125 largest metro areas across the US, the 50 busiest US airports, as well as at state and national levels.
The final RootMetrics Overall Performance RootScore rankings for Washington, D.C., were:
1 – T-Mobile (98.4)
1 – Verizon (98.0)
3 – AT &T (96.0)
4 – Sprint (94.9)
The overall performance category includes results across data, call, and text testing; the top-performing network is awarded the Overall RootScore Award. A good Overall RootScore means strong overall performance and a good consumer experience. This marks the fourth consecutive time T-Mobile and Verizon have shared the Overall RootScore Award in the nation's capital.
Network Reliability and Speed
RootMetrics measures network reliability and speed utilizing two distinct indexes to offer the most comprehensive look at the consumer mobile experience in the Washington, D.C., area. The Network Reliability Index is a combination of results from data, call, and text tests, while the Network Speed Index examines data and text results. For the 1st Half 2015 Washington D.C., report, T-Mobile and Verizon topped the rankings for network reliability. This marks the first time T-Mobile has ranked first in network reliability in Washington, D.C.
T-Mobile also ranked first for network speed, earning the top spot on the speed index for the fourth consecutive report. Looking at the network reliability and speed indices in conjunction with Overall RootScores offers the most comprehensive look at the consumer mobile experience in Washington, D.C.
Reliability Index rankings:
1 – T-Mobile (99.5)
1 – Verizon (99.4)
3 – AT &T (99.0)
4 – Sprint (98.7)
Speed Index rankings:
1 – T-Mobile (94.7)
2 – Verizon (92.8)
3 – AT &T (85.0)
4 – Sprint (81.8)
Data Performance: T-Mobile and Verizon in Close Race
Data Performance RootScores factor in each network's reliability and speed when downloading and uploading data, performing email tasks, and downloading files that approximate loading typical webpages or apps. While T-Mobile maintained the top spot for data performance in Washington, D.C., for the second consecutive time, Verizon was not far behind. In fact, Verizon recorded the fastest median download speed at 15.6 Mbps, compared to T-Mobile's 13.9 Mbps. T-Mobile's median upload speed of 16.0 Mbps, however, was much faster than the 8.6 Mbps recorded by Verizon.
Data Performance rankings:
1 – T-Mobile (97.6)
2 – Verizon (97.4)
3 – AT &T (92.4)
4 – Sprint (91.6)
"Our recent testing in the nation's capital highlights the carriers' continued focus on providing their customers a reliable mobile experience," said Bill Moore, RootMetrics CEO. "T-Mobile and Verizon ranked first on our network reliability index, but with scores above 98 for all four networks, reliability was outstanding across the board. We also found impressive data speeds from multiple networks, particularly T-Mobile and Verizon. In this respect, consumers in Washington, D.C., have multiple options for choosing a carrier that's both reliable and fast."
Call and Text Performance
Examining other key functions of the consumer mobile experience in Washington, D.C., AT &T, T-Mobile, and Verizon tied for the top rank in call performance. Notably, AT &T's rate of blocked calls improved from 0.9% to 0.1% since the last round of testing, while Sprint's rate of dropped calls improved from 1.2% to 0.4%. When it comes to texting, T-Mobile won its second consecutive Text RootScore Award. Regardless of carrier, with Call and Text RootScores in the high-nineties across the board, making calls or texting should be a positive experience for mobile users in Washington, D.C.
More than 47,000 Tests in the Nation's Capital
To evaluate the mobile experience in Washington, D.C., RootMetrics performed 47,576 call, data, and text tests across all hours of the day and night from over a full week (2/5/15 – 2/12/15). Using smartphones purchased off-the-shelf at carrier stores, tests were conducted indoors (at 63 locations), outdoors, and while driving (covering 1,888 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 make more informed mobile decisions. RootMetrics offers its RootScore® Report series for metropolitan markets, nations, states, and airports, 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.