BELLEVUE, Wash., May 20, 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 Phoenix. Verizon's stellar performance in recent testing allowed the carrier to surpass T-Mobile and AT &T, which had shared the Overall RootScore Award in Phoenix for the previous two reports. The RootMetrics 1st Half 2015 Phoenix RootScore® Report highlighted Verizon's success in Phoenix, ranking first outright in overall performance, network reliability, network speed, and data performance, while sharing the top rank in call performance with AT &T.
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, major event venuesacross the country, as well as at state and national levels.
The final RootMetrics Overall Performance RootScore rankings for Phoenix:
1 – Verizon (98.0)
2 – AT &T (96.4)
3 – T-Mobile (94.8)
4 – Sprint (93.5)
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 Phoenix. The Network Reliability Index is based on 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 Phoenix RootScore® Report, Verizon topped the rankings for network reliability with a near perfect score, breaking a tie the carrier recorded with AT &T and T-Mobile in the previous report. Verizon also came out on top on the Network Speed Index, edging ahead of T-Mobile, which ranked first in the previous three reports. Looking at the network reliability and speed indices in conjunction with Overall RootScores offers the most comprehensive look at the consumer mobile experience in Phoenix.
Network Reliability Index rankings:
1 – Verizon (99.7)
2 – AT &T (99.1)
3 – Sprint (98.5)
3 – T-Mobile (97.9)
Network Speed Index rankings:
1 – Verizon (91.6)
2 – AT &T (86.6)
3 – T-Mobile (85.5)
4 – Sprint (75.4)
Data Performance: Verizon Takes 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 earned the top spot for data performance in Phoenix, edging past T-Mobile, which had won the Data RootScore Award for the previous two reports. Verizon recorded the fastest median download speed in Phoenix at 14.1 Mbps, while T-Mobile recorded the fastest median upload speed at 9.4 Mbps.
Data Performance RootScore rankings:
1 – Verizon (96.9)
2 – AT &T (93.3)
3 – T-Mobile (92.8)
4 – Sprint (88.1)
"In our eighth visit to Phoenix, we saw strong reliability results across the board," said Bill Moore, RootMetrics CEO. "Verizon ranked first on our network reliability index, but with scores above 97 for all four networks, reliability was exceptional. We also found strong data, call, and text performances from multiple networks. This is great news, as consumers in the Phoenix area have multiple options when choosing a network that meets their particular mobile needs."
Call and Text Performance
Examining other key functions of the consumer mobile experience in Phoenix, Verizon shared the top rank in call performance with AT &T, while T-Mobile and AT &T shared the Text RootScore® Award for the second consecutive report.
To evaluate the mobile experience in Phoenix, RootMetrics performed 51,583 call, data, and text tests across all hours of the day and night (4/18/15 – 4/24/15). Using smartphones purchased off-the-shelf at carrier stores, tests were conducted indoors (at 67 locations), outdoors, and while driving (covering 2,397 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, airports, and event venues, 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.