BELLEVUE, Wash., April 14, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- RootMetrics®, the standard for independent mobile performance measurement, today released a new report recognizing Verizon as the top-performing mobile carrier in Detroit. The RootMetrics 1st Half 2015 RootScore® Report for Detroit marks the eighth time RootMetrics has tested the area and the fifth consecutive time Verizon was awarded the RootScore Award for overall performance. Verizon earned the honor based on top marks in network reliability and speed, as well as data 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 positive 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 Detroit were:
1 – Verizon (99.0)
2 – T- Mobile (97.6)
3 – AT &T (96.0)
4 – Sprint (92.4)
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 the greater Detroit area. 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 Detroit report, Verizon topped the rankings for network reliability for the second consecutive report.
Verizon also ranked first for network speed, edging past T-Mobile who had earned the top spot in the previous report. AT &T and Sprint lagged behind in third and fourth place, respectively. Looking at the network reliability and speed indices in conjunction with Overall RootScores offers the most comprehensive look at the consumer mobile experience in Detroit.
Reliability Index rankings:
1 – Verizon (99.8)
2 – AT &T (98.8)
2 – T-Mobile (98.6)
4 – Sprint (96.7)
Speed Index rankings:
1 – Verizon (95.5)
2 – T-Mobile (94.9)
3 – AT &T (85.3)
4 – Sprint (78.0)
Data Performance: Verizon Holds the Lead
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 edged past T-Mobile for the top spot in data performance in this report, recording incredibly fast median download and upload speeds of 33.3 Mbps and 25.6 Mbps, respectively.
Data Performance rankings:
1 – Verizon (98.6)
2 – T-Mobile (98.1)
3 – AT &T (92.0)
4 – Sprint (88.2)
"While Verizon still leads the pack in terms of overall performance in Detroit, we're seeing strong results across the board for network reliability, call, and text performance," said Bill Moore, RootMetrics CEO. "Network speed performances were also impressive from multiple networks, particularly Verizon and T-Mobile. This combination of strong reliability and speed is great news for consumers in Detroit's rapidly growing market, as they have multiple options for choosing a network that meets their particular mobile needs."
Call and Text Performance
Examining other key functions of the consumer mobile experience in Detroit, Verizon and AT &T shared the top rank in call performance. Verizon was the only carrier that did not record any blocked calls during testing. When it comes to texting, AT &T and Sprint shared the Text RootScore Award.
Conducting over 50,000 tests in Detroit
To evaluate the mobile experience in Detroit, RootMetrics performed 50,643 call, data, and text tests across all hours of the day and night over five days (3/13/15 – 3/19/15). Using smartphones purchased off-the-shelf at carrier stores, tests were conducted indoors (at 70 locations), outdoors, and while driving (covering 2,190 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.