New IHS Markit Report Shows Close Mobile Performance Race in Washington, D.C.

BELLEVUE, Wash., April 17, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to RootMetrics®, an IHS Markit (Nasdaq:INFO) company, the race to provide the best mobile experience in Washington, D.C. is tightening, with four out of six network performance categories resulting in ties. T-Mobile and AT&T make impressive strides in the latest 1st Half 2017 Washington, D.C. Metro RootScore Report, with each carrier winning or sharing three awards, after previously only sharing the Text Performance award during the last round of testing.

Furthermore, this latest report from RootMetrics, the independent source for real-world mobile performance comparison, reveals a close race in the Data Performance category, with T-Mobile and Verizon sharing the award. The testing shows T-Mobile recording the fastest speeds in all of Washington, D.C., improving its median download speed from 21.4 Mbps to 28.3 Mbps this testing period.

"Our latest testing shows that all four major carriers are working to provide a reliable and fast mobile connection for their customers in Washington, D.C.," said Annette Hamilton, RootMetrics director. "With improvements from AT&T, T-Mobile, and Sprint and consistently outstanding performance from Verizon, mobile consumers across the metro area are reaping rewards from carrier investments."
 
This is the twelfth time RootMetrics has tested the mobile networks in Washington, D.C. and issued findings in the metro area. RootScore Reports provide a scientific, independent, consumer-focused assessment of mobile network performance.

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.
 
All four carriers earn excellent scores of 97.9 and above in Network Reliability, though Verizon and AT&T ultimately share the award. Notably, this marks the first time since the first half of 2014 that AT&T has won or shared the award. Meanwhile, T-Mobile claims the Network Speed award outright.

Data Performance
 
The Data Performance category reflects how well networks perform in downloading and uploading data, performing email tasks, and downloading files that approximate loading typical webpages or apps.
 
T-Mobile and Verizon share the top spot in Data Performance, which is an award Verizon previously won outright. T-Mobile records the fastest median download and upload speeds at 28.3 Mbps and 17.9 Mbps, respectively. On T-Mobile's network, subscribers can expect to download a song or upload a picture in about two seconds.

Call and Text Performance
 
Call and text capabilities are fundamental to a strong mobile experience. Call Performance testing is based on how reliably each network can place and maintain calls, while Text Performance measures how reliably and quickly consumers can send and receive text messages.
 
Sprint, Verizon, and AT&T share the Call Performance award, which Verizon held on its own during the last round of testing. Meanwhile, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon tie for the top spot in the Text Performance category for the second consecutive testing period.

Comprehensive Testing

To evaluate the mobile experience in Washington, D.C., RootMetrics conducted tests across all hours of the day and night from March 3 through March 11. Using smartphones purchased off the shelf at carrier stores, tests were conducted indoors at 131 locations and while driving 2,115 miles. For details about RootMetrics testing, see the methodology section of the RootMetrics website.

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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