BELLEVUE, Wash., Aug. 26, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- When it comes to mobile network performance in Quebec City, Videotron took the crown in a tight race. That's according to the latest study from RootMetrics®, recently acquired by IHS Inc. and the standard for independent mobile network performance information.
Although Videotron prevailed, the other three national carriers also scored highly in overall mobile performance, which is great news for consumers. According to RootMetrics' RootScore® Report for Quebec City, all the national networks offered a strong combination of reliability and speed.
RootScore Reports provide a scientific, independent and consumer-focused assessment of mobile network performance. The new Quebec City report is part of RootMetrics' expanded mobile testing across Canada and follows results from Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver released earlier this summer. With the Canadian mobile landscape undergoing major changes, RootMetrics is releasing RootScore Reports for the eight largest metro areas in Canada this year, up from three reports in 2014. Those metro results will also be included in a national report based on the most comprehensive measurement of mobile network performance ever conducted in Canada.
The final RootMetrics Overall Performance RootScore rankings for Quebec City:
1 – Videotron (99.5)
2 – Bell (98.3)
2 – Telus (98.0)
2 – Rogers (97.2)
Bell, Telus, and Rogers have statistically comparable Overall Performance RootScores and all tied for second place. RootScores are on a scale of 0 to 100 and a good Overall RootScore means strong all-around performance and a good consumer experience.
"The results from our first-ever rankings of mobile performance in Quebec City show that all four carriers offer a speedy and reliable mobile experience," said Julie Dey, RootMetrics vice president. "Although Videotron took first outright or tied for the top spot in every category, there were no clear losers in Quebec City. This is great news for mobile users."
Mobile Performance You Can Rely On
Reliability and speed are crucial to a quality mobile experience. RootMetrics indicates performance in these key areas with its Network Reliability Index, a combination of results from data, call and text tests, and its Network Speed Index, which examines data and text results. In this first Quebec City RootScore Report, Videotron took first place outright in network reliability and shared first place with Rogers in network speed.
Reliability Index rankings:
1 – Videotron (99.9)
2 – Bell (99.5)
2 – Telus (99.2)
4 – Rogers (97.5)
Speed Index rankings:
1 – Rogers (98.6)
1 – Videotron (98.2)
3 – Bell (94.6)
3 – Telus (94.5)
Data Performance: Tight Gap Between Top and Bottom Speeds
Data Performance RootScores reflect how well networks perform in downloading and uploading data, performing email tasks, and downloading files that approximate loading typical webpages or apps. Rogers and Videotron shared the top spot in this category. However, all four carriers scored above 97 out of 100 and were within two points of each other.
Rogers recorded the fastest median download speed of 37.6 Mbps, while Rogers and Videotron offered statistically similar fastest upload speeds of 29.0 Mbps and 28.5 Mbps, respectively.
Data Performance rankings:
1 – Rogers (99.4)
1 – Videotron (99.2)
3 – Bell (97.8)
3 – Telus (97.6)
Call and Text Performance: High Scores All Around in Quebec City
All carriers scored well in the call and text categories, indicating great performance all around. Videotron took first place outright in call performance with a score of 100.0. Meanwhile, in the text performance category, all four carriers shared the top spot, with excellent scores of 99.0 and above.
Call Performance rankings:
1 – Videotron (100.0)
2 – Bell (98.9)
2 – Telus (98.3)
4 – Rogers (93.9)
Text Performance rankings:
1 – Bell (99.6)
1 – Telus (99.5)
1 – Rogers (99.3)
1 – Videotron (99.1)
Comprehensive Testing
To evaluate the mobile experience in Quebec City, RootMetrics performed 18,692 call, data and text tests across all hours of the day and night from July 14 through July 19. Using smartphones purchased off the shelf at carrier stores, tests were conducted indoors at 27 locations, outdoors and while driving about 1,663 km, or 1,033 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, campuses, transit stations, and 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.
About IHS
IHS (NYSE: IHS) is the leading source of insight, analytics and expertise in critical areas that shape today's business landscape. Businesses and governments in more than 150 countries around the globe rely on the comprehensive content, expert independent analysis, and flexible delivery methods of IHS to make high-impact decisions and develop strategies with speed and confidence. IHS has been in business since 1959 and became a publicly traded company on the New York Stock Exchange in 2005. Headquartered in Englewood, Colorado, USA, IHS is committed to sustainable, profitable growth and employs about 8,800 people in 32 countries around the world.