Verizon and AT&T Tie for Lead in Overall Mobile Performance Rankings in Atlanta

BELLEVUE, Wash., Oct. 12, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The latest report from RootMetrics®, the global standard for independent mobile performance information, reveals a close race for the Overall Performance RootScore Award in Atlanta. According to the 2nd Half 2016 Atlanta Metro RootScore Report, Verizon and AT&T share this RootScore Award for the second time in a row, while T-Mobile and Sprint are close behind.

Meanwhile, there is a tight competition across much of the remaining mobile performance rankings in this new report from RootMetrics, an IHS Markit (Nasdaq: INFO) company. AT&T, Sprint, and Verizon share the award for Network Reliability, while all of the carriers are tied for the award in Text Performance.
 
"Atlanta is a hub for strong mobile network performance and our latest testing shows the carriers are continuing to provide a top notch experience," said Annette Hamilton, RootMetrics director. "With growing competition between the carriers and close races in both Network Reliability and Overall Performance categories, mobile consumers in Atlanta are enjoying some of the best mobile performance in the nation."
 
This is the twelfth time RootMetrics has tested the mobile networks in Atlanta 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 Atlanta:
1 – Verizon (97.5)
1 – AT&T (97.3)
3 – T-Mobile (96.7)
3 – Sprint (96.5)
 
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.

In Network Reliability, AT&T, Sprint, and Verizon share the top spot, with T-Mobile less than one point behind. Meanwhile, Verizon takes the Network Speed RootScore Award outright for the second consecutive testing period.
 
Network Reliability RootScore rankings:
1 – AT&T (98.7)
1 – Sprint (98.7)
1 – Verizon (98.5)
4 – T-Mobile (98.0)
 
Network Speed RootScore rankings:
1 – Verizon (95.6)
2 – T-Mobile (94.0)
3 – AT&T (93.5)
4 – Sprint (89.1)
 
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.
 
For the second consecutive testing period, Verizon is the outright winner in the Data Performance category. The carrier also recorded the fastest median download and upload speeds at 37.7 Mbps and 19.8 Mbps, respectively, meaning that it would generally take about four seconds to upload a video on the network in Atlanta.
 
Data Performance RootScore rankings:
1 – Verizon (98.2)
2 – T-Mobile (97.5)
3 – AT&T (97.3)
4 – Sprint (95.0)
 
Call and Text Performance
Sprint takes first place outright in the Call Performance category for the second time in a row, while the other carriers trail closely. Meanwhile, all four carriers share the Text Performance RootScore Award.
 
Call Performance RootScore rankings:
1 – Sprint (98.3)
2 – AT&T (97.1)
2 – Verizon (96.5)
4 – T-Mobile (95.3)
 
Text Performance RootScore rankings:
1 – Sprint (99.4)
1 – T-Mobile (99.2)
1 – AT&T (99.1)
1 – Verizon (98.7)
 
Comprehensive Testing
To evaluate the mobile experience in Atlanta, RootMetrics conducted tests across all hours of the day and night from July 29 through August 5. Using smartphones purchased off the shelf at carrier stores, tests were conducted indoors at 147 locations and while driving 6,134 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 Markit
IHS Markit (Nasdaq: INFO) is a world leader in critical information, analytics and solutions for the major industries and markets that drive economies worldwide. The company delivers next-generation information, analytics and solutions to customers in business, finance and government, improving their operational efficiency and providing deep insights that lead to well-informed, confident decisions. IHS Markit has more than 50,000 key business and government customers, including 85 percent of the Fortune Global 500 and the world's leading financial institutions. Headquartered in London, IHS Markit is committed to sustainable, profitable growth.

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