BELLEVUE, Wash., June 22, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- After four consecutive outright wins in Tampa, Verizon now shares the Overall Performance RootScore Award with T-Mobile according to a new report from RootMetrics®, the standard for independent mobile performance information. In fact, the 1st Half 2016 Tampa Metro RootScore Report marks the first time T-Mobile has ever won this award, outright or shared, in the metro area. Notably, T-Mobile showed improvements across RootMetrics' rankings. After not winning any awards during the last round of testing, T-Mobile now shares the top spot in five of the six categories tested.
Meanwhile, Verizon continued its excellent performance in Tampa, sweeping the awards for the second consecutive testing period – including an outright win in Data Performance. The latest report from RootMetrics, an IHS (NYSE: IHS) company, also revealed each carrier made their way to the top, with a four-way tie in Network Reliability and three-way ties in both Call and Text Performance categories.
"Our latest testing in Tampa revealed some nice improvements for consumers in the metro area," said Julie Dey, RootMetrics vice president. "While Verizon continues to top our mobile performance rankings, T-Mobile is making strides, going from earning no awards in the second half of 2015 to now coming out on top in five categories. AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon all tied for Network Reliability while Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon tied in Call Performance – all adding up to great news for mobile consumers in Tampa."
This is the tenth time RootMetrics has tested the mobile networks in Tampa 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 Tampa:
1 – Verizon (98.3)
1 – T-Mobile (97.9)
3 – AT&T (96.7)
4 – Sprint (95.8)
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.
All four networks shared the RootScore Award for Network Reliability, after a previously three-way tie between AT&T, Sprint, and Verizon. In Network Speed, Verizon and T-Mobile shared the top spot, an award previously held by solely Verizon.
Network Reliability RootScore rankings:
1 – Verizon (99.5)
1 – Sprint (99.3)
1 – T-Mobile (99.0)
1 – AT&T (98.9)
Network Speed RootScore rankings:
1 – Verizon (94.8)
1 – T-Mobile (94.6)
3 – AT&T (89.9)
4 – Sprint (83.6)
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.
Verizon took first place outright in Data Performance for the fifth time in a row, while also recording the fastest median download speed at 28.0 Mbps. Meanwhile, T-Mobile was not far behind in the rankings and recorded the fastest median upload speed at 21.8 Mbps, meaning uploading a picture on the network would only take about two seconds.
Data Performance RootScore rankings:
1 – Verizon (97.9)
2 – T-Mobile (97.6)
3 – AT&T (95.8)
4 – Sprint (93.0)
Call and Text Performance
T-Mobile also joined the top spot in the Call Performance category with Sprint and Verizon. Notably, Sprint did not record any blocked calls during testing. In Text Performance, T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon shared first place.
Call Performance RootScore rankings:
1 – Sprint (99.3)
1 – Verizon (98.9)
1 – T-Mobile (98.2)
4 – AT&T (97.6)
Text Performance RootScore rankings:
1 – T-Mobile (99.6)
1 – AT&T (99.4)
1 – Verizon (98.8)
4 – Sprint (98.5)
Comprehensive Testing
To evaluate the mobile experience in Tampa, RootMetrics performed 43,764 call, data, and text tests across all hours of the day and night from May 11 through May 18. Using smartphones purchased off the shelf at carrier stores, tests were conducted indoors at 66 locations and while driving 3,469 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.