Bellevue, Wash., Dec. 14, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A new report from RootMetrics®, the independent source for real-world mobile performance comparison, reveals shifts in the mobile landscape in Kansas City. According to the latest 2nd Half 2017 Kansas City Metro RootScore Report, Verizon and AT&T sweep the mobile performance awards, after both networks only shared one award during the previous round of testing. While T-Mobile swept the awards in the last report, the carrier now shares the top spot in two of six testing categories. Notably, all four carriers earn excellent RootScores of 99.0 and above in the network reliability category.
When it comes to data performance in the Kansas City metro area, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon record the fastest median download speeds ranging between 33.2 Mbps and 37.0 Mbps, allowing subscribers of any of these networks to download a high-definition television show in about two minutes. Verizon records the fastest median upload speed at 22.5 Mbps, which means subscribers can upload a picture to social media in two seconds. Notably, AT&T and Verizon both make big improvements to their median download and upload speeds, while Sprint increases its median download speed by 10 points from last half to a fast 29.1 Mbps.
“Our latest RootScore Report for Kansas City reveals changes and improvements that suggest new investments in the area’s mobile networks,” said Annette Hamilton, RootMetrics director. “Verizon and AT&T picked up a number of awards, sweeping the mobile performance awards in the new report. Meanwhile, T-Mobile continued to demonstrate strength in the network speed and data performance categories, Sprint improved its median download speed, and all the carriers delivered strong reliability – making consumers in Kansas City the real winners.”
This is the fourteenth time RootMetrics has tested the mobile networks in Kansas City and issued findings for 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. Verizon and AT&T take the top spot in network reliability, while Sprint and T-Mobile fall less than one point behind. Meanwhile, Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile share the Network Speed RootScore Award.
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. Verizon and AT&T share the Data Performance RootScore Award, which T-Mobile previously won outright. Notably, several of the carriers make measurable data improvements this testing period, with AT&T’s median download speed increasing from 25.0 Mbps to 33.3 Mbps, Sprint’s median download speed increasing from 19.0 Mbps to 29.1 Mbps, and Verizon’s median upload speed increasing from 11.9 Mbps to 22.5 Mbps.
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. Verizon and AT&T tie for the top spot in call performance, while all four carriers share the Text Performance RootScore Award for the fifth time in a row.
Comprehensive Testing
To evaluate the mobile experience in Kansas City, RootMetrics conducted tests across all hours of the day and night from November 11 through November 19. Using smartphones purchased off the shelf at carrier stores, tests were conducted indoors at 61 locations and while driving 1,283 miles. For details about RootMetrics testing, see the methodology section of the RootMetrics website.
About RootMetrics®
RootMetrics®, an IHS Markit company, is an independent mobile analytics firm that measures mobile network performance and offers insights into the consumer mobile experience. RootMetrics provides data on mobile network performance to help the networks improve and give consumers an end-to-end look at mobile performance. 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.
© 2017 RootMetrics. All rights reserved.
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