RootMetrics Report: AT&T Pulls Even with Verizon in Chicago for Top-Performing Network

BELLEVUE, Wash., June 1, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- RootMetrics®, the standard for independent mobile performance information, today released a new report recognizing Verizon and AT &T as the top-performing mobile carriers in Chicago. The RootMetrics 1st Half 2015 Chicago RootScore® Report highlights AT &T's improvement in the Windy City, as it pulled even with Verizon, which won the overall award outright in the previous round of testing. Both carriers' showed continued success in the area, sharing the top spot in three categories and also each ranking first outright in one additional category. Overall, it remains a tight race in Chicago as Sprint and T-Mobile both registered high scores for overall performance, despite ranking third and fourth respectively.

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 and major event venues across the country, as well as at state and national levels.

The final RootMetrics Overall Performance RootScore rankings for Chicago:

1 – Verizon (98.7)
1 – AT &T (98.7)
3 – Sprint (97.8)
4 – T-Mobile (97.2)

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 Chicago. 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 Chicago RootScore® Report, it was a tie for network reliability, as Verizon and AT &T topped the index. Verizon ranked first outright in the previous round of testing. AT &T secured its lone outright first place ranking in Chicago on the speed index, passing Verizon, which again had ranked first outright in the prior test period. Looking at the network reliability and speed indices in conjunction with Overall RootScores offers the most comprehensive look at the consumer mobile experience in Chicago.

Reliability Index rankings:

1 – Verizon (99.8)
1 – AT &T (99.7)
3 – T-Mobile (99.3)
3 – Sprint (99.1)

Speed Index rankings:

1 – AT &T (95.1)
2 – Verizon (94.9)
3 – Sprint (93.7)
4 – T-Mobile (89.6)

Data Performance: Verizon Remains Steady in 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. When it comes to data performance, Verizon maintained its lead over the competition, winning the Data RootScore Award for the second consecutive test period. Verizon recorded the fastest median download and upload speeds in Chicago at 27.4 Mbps and 16.5 Mbps, respectively. This was another category where AT &T showed improvement, as the carrier recorded a median download speed of 20.9 Mbps, up from 15.2 Mbps since testing in September.

Data Performance rankings:

1 – Verizon (98.2)
2 – AT &T (98.1)
3 – Sprint (97.0)
4 – T-Mobile (94.7)

"Our recent testing in Chicago shows that the carriers are providing their customers a reliable experience," said Bill Moore, RootMetrics CEO. "Verizon and AT &T tied for the highest rank on our network reliability index and with scores above 99 for all four networks, reliability in Chicago was outstanding. We also found strong data speeds, but speed doesn't mean much if you can't reliably connect to your network. In that respect, consumers in the Chicago area have multiple options for choosing a carrier with both reliability and speed."

Call and Text Performance

Examining other key functions of the consumer mobile experience in Chicago, Verizon, AT &T and T-Mobile tied for the top rank in call performance. Notably, since the last round of testing, AT &T and T-Mobile both improved their block call rates to 0.1%, down from 0.7% and 0.8% respectively. Sprint won the Text RootScore Award outright, after sharing this award with AT &T and T-Mobile in September.

To evaluate the mobile experience in Chicago, RootMetrics performed 103,399 call, data, and text tests across all hours of the day and night (5/6/15 – 5/12/15). Using smartphones purchased off-the-shelf at carrier stores, tests were conducted indoors (at 127 locations), outdoors, and while driving (covering 4,343 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.