RootMetrics Report: Verizon and T-Mobile Remain Top Mobile Networks in Philadelphia

BELLEVUE, Wash., April 13, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- RootMetrics®, the standard for independent mobile performance measurement, today released a new report recognizing Verizon and T-Mobile as the top-performing mobile carriers in Philadelphia. The RootMetrics 1st Half 2015 RootScore® Report for Philadelphia marks the 8th time RootMetrics has tested the area and the third consecutive time Verizon and T-Mobile have shared the award for overall performance. The carriers earned the honor based on top marks in network reliability, network speed, data performance, and call performance. They were closely followed by AT &T, while Sprint ranked fourth for overall 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 Philadelphia were:

1 – Verizon (98.0)
1 – T-Mobile (97.8)
3 – AT &T (97.2)
4 – Sprint (95.9)

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.

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 greater Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia report, Verizon topped the rankings for network reliability for the second consecutive report, while T-Mobile topped the rankings for network speed for the second 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 Philadelphia.

Reliability Index rankings:

1 – Verizon (99.6)
2 – AT &T (99.3)
2 – T-Mobile (99.0)
2 – Sprint (98.9)

Speed Index rankings:

1 – T-Mobile (94.3)
2 – Verizon (91.5)
3 – AT &T (89.4)
4 – Sprint (85.3)

Data Performance: T-Mobile Takes the Lead

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. For the first time in Philadelphia, T-Mobile earned top spot outright for data performance, recording the fastest median download and upload speeds at 25.4 Mbps and 21.1 Mbps, respectively.

Data Performance rankings:

1 – T-Mobile (97.7)
2 – Verizon (96.5)
3 – AT &T (94.7)
4 – Sprint (93.3)

"Our recent testing in Philadelphia highlights the carriers' continued focus on providing their customers a reliable mobile experience," said Bill Moore, RootMetrics CEO. "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 Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia, Verizon and AT &T shared the top rank in call performance. Verizon was the only carrier that did not record any blocked calls during testing. When it comes to texting, performance was strong across the board, with AT &T and T-Mobile sharing the Text RootScore Award.

Conducting over 75,000 tests in Philadelphia

To evaluate the mobile experience in Philadelphia, RootMetrics performed 75,556 call, data, and text tests across all hours of the day and night over nine days (3/13/15 – 3/21/15). Using smartphones purchased off-the-shelf at carrier stores, tests were conducted indoors (at 100 locations), outdoors, and while driving (covering 3,896 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.