T-Mobile and Verizon Win Washington, D.C. Overall Mobile Performance Award

BELLEVUE, Wash., June 2, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In the latest report from RootMetrics®, the standard for independent mobile performance information, T-Mobile and Verizon are back at the top in the Overall Performance category in Washington, D.C. After four consecutive shared wins, Verizon took first place outright in this category during the last round of testing; however in the latest RootMetrics' 1st Half 2016 Washington, D.C. Metro RootScore Report, the two networks are neck-and-neck for first place.

Furthermore, T-Mobile and Verizon are separately leading the rest of the categories in this new report from RootMetrics, an IHS (NYSE:IHS) company. T-Mobile earned the top spot outright in both Network Speed and Data Performance categories, while Verizon took first in Network Reliability. Meanwhile, Verizon shared the RootScore Award in Call Performance with Sprint, while AT&T and T-Mobile shared first in Text Performance.
 
"Our latest rankings in Washington, D.C. reveal a tight race between Overall Performance frontrunners T-Mobile and Verizon," said Julie Dey, RootMetrics vice president. "Both of these carriers made their way to the top in at least half of our mobile performance categories, suggesting a close competition when it comes to improving network performance for mobile consumers in Washington, D.C."
 
This is the tenth time RootMetrics has tested the mobile networks in Washington, D.C. and issued findings for the metro area. RootScore Reports provide a scientific, independent, consumer-focused assessment of mobile network performance.
 
The RootMetrics Overall Performance RootScore rankings for Washington, D.C.:
1 – T-Mobile (97.1)
1 – Verizon (97.0)
3 – AT&T (96.0)
4 – Sprint (93.6)
 
RootScores are on a scale of 0 to 100. A good Overall RootScore means strong all-around performance and a good consumer experience.
 
Mobile Performance You Can Depend on

Reliability and speed are crucial to a consistently good mobile experience. RootMetrics indicates performance in these key areas with its Network Reliability category, a combination of results from data, call, and text tests; and its Network Speed category, which examines results across testing of data transfers, downloading email, and web/app tasks.

While all four networks earned excellent scores of 97.9 and above in Network Reliability, Verizon ultimately earned first place outright in this category. Meanwhile, T-Mobile took the top spot for Network Speed for the sixth consecutive testing period.
 
Network Reliability RootScore rankings:
1 – Verizon (99.5)
2 – Sprint (98.9)
2 – T-Mobile (98.5)
4 – AT&T (97.9)
 
Network Speed RootScore rankings:
1 – T-Mobile (93.0)
2 – AT&T (90.7)
3 – Verizon (88.7)
4 – Sprint (75.2)
 
Data Performance

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.
 
T-Mobile won the Data Performance RootScore Award for the fourth time in a row in Washington, D.C., while also recording the fastest median upload speed at 15.0 Mbps. This means it would take less than three seconds to upload a picture on the network. Meanwhile, both AT&T and T-Mobile recorded the fastest median download speeds at 15.4 Mbps and 15.1 Mbps, respectively; at those speeds it would take about four seconds to download a song.
 
Data Performance RootScore rankings:
1 – T-Mobile (96.9)
2 – AT&T (95.6)
2 – Verizon (95.3)
4 – Sprint (89.3)
 
Call and Text Performance

In the Call Performance category, Sprint and Verizon shared the top spot for the second consecutive testing period. Meanwhile, AT&T and T-Mobile shared first place in Text Performance, an award AT&T previously held on its own.

Call Performance RootScore rankings:
1 – Sprint (99.0)
1 – Verizon (99.0)
3 – T-Mobile (97.0)
3 – AT&T (96.2)
 
Text Performance RootScore rankings:
1 – AT&T (99.5)
1 – T-Mobile (99.3)
3 – Verizon (98.3)
3 – Sprint (97.8)
 
Comprehensive Testing

To evaluate the mobile experience in Washington, D.C., RootMetrics performed 40,770 call, data, and text tests across all hours of the day and night from May 1 through May 7. Using smartphones purchased off the shelf at carrier stores, tests were conducted indoors at 65 locations and while driving 2,267 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 and companies make more informed mobile decisions. RootMetrics offers its RootScore® Report series for nations, states, metro areas, airports, campuses, venues, and transit stations, 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 140 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 nearly 9,000 people in 33 countries around the world.