BELLEVUE, Wash., March 4, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- RootMetrics®, the standard for independent mobile performance information, today released a new report recognizing Verizon as the top-performing mobile carrier in Seattle for the third consecutive report. The RootMetrics 1st Half 2015 RootScore Report for Seattle highlighted Verizon's continued success in the area, ranking first in overall performance, network reliability, network speed, data performance, and call performance.
With more than 335 million mobile subscriber connections in the U.S. , mobile network performance insights and comparisons are critical elements to a good consumer experience. RootScore Reports® provide an independent and consumer-focused assessment of mobile network performance in the 125 largest metro areas across the US, the 50 busiest US airports, as well as at state and national levels.
The final RootMetrics Overall Performance RootScore rankings for Seattle:
1 – Verizon (98.7)
2 (tie) – AT &T (97.8)
2 (tie) – T-Mobile (97.7)
4 – Sprint (95.4)
The overall performance category includes results across data, call, and text testing; the top-performing network is awarded the Overall RootScore Award. A good Overall RootScore means strong overall performance and a good consumer experience.
Network Reliability and Speed
RootMetrics measures network reliability and speed utilizing two distinct indexes to offer the most comprehensive look at the consumer mobile experience in Seattle. The Network Reliability Index is a combination of results from data, call, and text tests, while the Network Speed Index examines data and text results. For the 1st Half 2015 Seattle report, Verizon topped the rankings for network reliability, breaking a three-way tie from the previous report between Sprint, Verizon, and AT &T. Verizon also ranked first for network speed, earning the top spot on the speed index for the second consecutive report. Looking at the network reliability and speed indices in conjunction with Overall RootScores offers the most comprehensive look at the consumer mobile experience in Seattle.
Reliability Index rankings:
1 – Verizon (99.8)
2 – AT &T (99.4)
3 – T-Mobile (98.9)
4 – Sprint (98.3)
Speed Index rankings:
1 – Verizon (94.3)
2 – T-Mobile (93.7)
3 – AT &T (91.8)
4 – Sprint (85.0)
Data Performance: Verizon wins third consecutive Data RootScore Award in Seattle
Data Performance RootScores factor in each network's reliability and speed when downloading and uploading data, performing email tasks, and downloading files that approximate loading typical webpages or apps. Verizon maintained the top spot for data performance in Seattle for the third consecutive report. T-Mobile, AT &T, and Sprint, respectively, followed Verizon in the data category.
The latest report also showed significant advancements in download speeds for multiple carriers. This included the success of Sprint's recently launched Spark network in Seattle, which helped increase the carrier's median download speed from 5.9 Mbps to 10.5 Mbps. Likewise, AT &T's median download speed increased from 8.3 Mbps to 12.9 Mbps. T-Mobile and Verizon, meanwhile, recorded the fastest median download speeds at 28.8 Mbps and 27.8 Mbps, respectively.
Data Performance rankings:
1 – Verizon (98.1)
2 – T-Mobile (97.4)
3 – AT &T (96.3)
4 – Sprint (92.7)
"Results from our most recent visit to Seattle confirm that all four carriers are continuing to emphasize the importance of providing their customers a reliable mobile experience," said Bill Moore, RootMetrics CEO. "Verizon ranked first on our network reliability index, but with scores above 98 for all four carriers, reliability was strong across the board. Our testing also showed fast data speeds, with Sprint and AT &T both recording significantly faster download speeds compared to the speeds we found during our testing in August 2014. Verizon and T-Mobile continued to excel, with each network recording median download speeds above 27.0 Mbps. The good news for consumers in Seattle is that there are multiple options for choosing a carrier that's both reliable and fast."
Continuing Success in Call and Text Performance
Examining other key functions of the consumer mobile experience in Seattle, Verizon and AT &T tied for the top rank in call performance, while AT &T won the Text RootScore Award. Regardless of carrier, with Call and Text RootScores in the high-nineties across the board, making calls or texting should be a positive experience for mobile users in Seattle.
To evaluate the mobile experience in Seattle, RootMetrics performed 52,694 call, data, and text tests across all hours of the day and night from over a full week (2/5/15 – 2/11/15). Using smartphones purchased off-the-shelf at carrier stores, tests were conducted indoors (at 73 locations), outdoors, and while driving (covering 2,282 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 metropolitan markets, nations, states, and airports, 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.