BELLEVUE, Wash., Dec. 16, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- When it comes to mobile performance in Philadelphia, Verizon and T-Mobile tied for Overall Performance according to the latest testing from RootMetrics®, the standard for independent mobile performance testing. In the 2nd Half 2015 Philadelphia Metro RootScore Report, the two carriers took the Overall RootScore award for the fourth consecutive time, while T-Mobile won first place outright in both Network Speed and Data Performance.
In the meantime, the other carriers weren't far behind. Overall Performance, Network Reliability and Text Performance all resulted in a tight race, with fewer than two points separating first and last place. Furthermore, Sprint and AT&T shared the top spot with Verizon in Network Reliability and Call Performance, while AT&T shared first with T-Mobile in Text Performance.
"While Verizon and T-Mobile topped our Overall Performance rankings in Philadelphia, other carriers are not far behind," said Julie Dey, RootMetrics vice president. "With such close results in both Overall Performance and Network Reliability, mobile users in the Philadelphia metro area are likely to enjoy strong, reliable mobile network performance."
This is the ninth time RootMetrics has tested the mobile networks in Philadelphia and issued its findings for the metro area. RootScore Reports provide a scientific, independent, consumer-focused assessment of mobile network performance.
The final RootMetrics Overall Performance RootScore rankings for Philadelphia:
1 – Verizon (97.4)
1 – T-Mobile (97.3)
3 – AT&T (96.7)
4 – Sprint (95.6)
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 quality 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.
Network Reliability revealed the carriers are neck and neck, ultimately resulting in a three-way tie between Verizon, Sprint, and AT&T, while T-Mobile fell only about one point behind. When it came to Network Speed, on the other hand, T-Mobile topped the rankings for the fourth time in a row.
Network Reliability rankings:
1 – Verizon (99.3)
1 – Sprint (99.1)
1 – AT&T (98.9)
4 – T-Mobile (98.2)
Network Speed rankings:
1 – T-Mobile (95.8)
2 – Verizon (90.8)
3 – AT&T (89.2)
4 – Sprint (83.5)
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.
For the second consecutive testing period in Philadelphia, T-Mobile claimed first place outright in Data Performance, while also recording the fastest median download and upload speeds at 24.1 Mbps and 20.6 Mbps, respectively.
Data Performance rankings:
1 – T-Mobile (98.2)
2 – Verizon (95.9)
3 – AT&T (95.2)
4 – Sprint (92.8)
Call and Text Performance
Verizon, Sprint, and AT&T shared the top spot in the Call Performance category, while T-Mobile came in fourth. Text Performance resulted in a tie between AT&T and T-Mobile for the second consecutive test period in Philadelphia.
Call Performance rankings:
1 – Verizon (99.3)
1 – Sprint (99.1)
1 – AT&T (98.5)
4 – T-Mobile (95.9)
Text Performance rankings:
1 – AT&T (99.0)
1 – T-Mobile (98.9)
3 – Verizon (98.0)
4 – Sprint (97.7)
Comprehensive Testing
To evaluate the mobile experience in Philadelphia, RootMetrics performed 59,055 call, data and text tests across all hours of the day and night from Nov. 3 through Nov. 10. Using smartphones purchased off the shelf at carrier stores, tests were conducted indoors at 105 locations, outdoors and while driving 3,063 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 the nation, 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
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