Verizon Breaks AT&T's Winning Streak in Dallas, Takes Overall Mobile Performance Award

BELLEVUE, Wash., Oct. 13, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to the latest testing from RootMetrics®, the global standard for independent mobile performance information, Verizon is taking the lead when it comes to overall mobile performance in Dallas. After sharing the top spot with AT&T for two consecutive testing periods, Verizon now earns an outright award in Overall Performance, breaking AT&T's nine-time winning streak. The 2nd Half 2016 Dallas Metro RootScore Report also reveals Verizon takes outright awards in both Network Speed and Data Performance categories, both of which the carrier shared with AT&T for the two previous testing periods. Furthermore, this marks the second consecutive time Verizon sweeps the mobile performance awards in Dallas.

While Verizon remains on top in the rankings, the other carriers are making strides of their own according to this latest report from RootMetrics, an IHS Markit (Nasdaq: INFO) company. Notably, both Network Reliability and Call Performance categories resulted in three-way ties from AT&T, Sprint, and Verizon. Meanwhile, all four carriers shared the Text Performance RootScore Award for the second time in a row.
 
"The competition for best mobile performance is heating up in Dallas," said Annette Hamilton, RootMetrics director. "Verizon continues to lead the rankings in this metro area, and we are seeing three or four-way ties in half of the mobile performance categories. Furthermore, a close race in both Overall and Data Performance show that mobile consumers are the real winners in Dallas."
 
This is the twelfth time RootMetrics has tested the mobile networks in Dallas 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 Dallas:
1 – Verizon (98.3)
2 – Sprint (97.1)
2 – AT&T (97.1)
4 – T-Mobile (94.1)
 
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.

Verizon, AT&T, and Sprint share the Network Reliability RootScore Award in Dallas. Meanwhile, Verizon takes the top spot outright in Network Speed, which the carrier previously shared with AT&T for two consecutive testing periods.
 
Network Reliability RootScore rankings:
1 – Verizon (99.6)
1 – AT&T (99.3)
1 – Sprint (99.3)
4 – T-Mobile (96.2)
 
Network Speed RootScore rankings:
1 – Verizon (94.4)
2 – T-Mobile (90.4)
2 – AT&T (89.8)
2 – Sprint (89.6)
 
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.
 
In the Data Performance category, Verizon takes first place outright, while also recording the fastest median download speed at 24.9 Mbps. Meanwhile, T-Mobile recorded the fastest median upload speed at 19.1 Mbps, meaning it would only take about two seconds to post a picture to social media on the network in Dallas.
 
Data Performance RootScore rankings:
1 – Verizon (97.7)
2 – T-Mobile (96.0)
2 – AT&T (95.8)
4 – Sprint (95.4)
 
Call and Text Performance
For the second time in a row, Sprint, Verizon, and AT&T share the award for Call Performance. Meanwhile, all four carriers tie in the Text Performance category for the second consecutive testing period.
 
Call Performance RootScore rankings:
1 – Sprint (99.2)
1 – Verizon (99.0)
1 – AT&T (98.6)
4 – T-Mobile (90.8)
 
Text Performance RootScore rankings:
1 – T-Mobile (99.4)
1 – Sprint (99.3)
1 – Verizon (99.3)
1 – AT&T (98.9)
 
Comprehensive Testing
To evaluate the mobile experience in Dallas, RootMetrics conducted tests across all hours of the day and night from August 18 through August 24. Using smartphones purchased off the shelf at carrier stores, tests were conducted indoors at 102 locations and while driving 4,808 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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