T-Mobile Jumps to Top of Network Performance Rankings in Minneapolis

BELLEVUE, Wash., July 6, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- RootMetrics®, the standard for independent mobile performance information, is out with its latest report for Minneapolis, which revealed some big changes in the network performance rankings. After winning just one award during the last round of testing, T-Mobile is now in first place – outright or in a tie – across all six categories in the 1st Half 2016 Minneapolis Metro RootScore Report. T-Mobile joined Verizon in first place for Overall Performance, while taking outright wins in Network Speed and Data Performance categories, both of which Verizon previously held on its own.

While T-Mobile rose to the top spot in Minneapolis, the other carriers also had important wins, according to this latest report from RootMetrics, an IHS (NYSE:IHS) company. Network Reliability resulted in a four-way tie between all the networks, which is an award Verizon previously won outright. The four carriers also shared the Call Performance RootScore Award, while T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon shared the top spot in the Text Performance category.
 
"T-Mobile made waves in our latest rankings in the Minneapolis metro area, going from one shared award during the last round of testing, to first place across all six categories this time around," said Julie Dey, RootMetrics vice president. "The other networks made gains as well, with very close scores in two key aspects of mobile performance – reliability and call. The results suggest that the carriers are working to provide a better mobile experience, which is great news for consumers in Minneapolis."
 
This is the tenth time RootMetrics has tested the mobile networks in Minneapolis 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 Minneapolis:
1 – T-Mobile (98.6)
1 – Verizon (98.3)
3 – Sprint (97.1)
4 – AT&T (94.7)
 
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.

The four carriers shared first place in the Network Reliability category with excellent scores above 99.0. In Network Speed, T-Mobile earned the top spot outright, knocking Verizon to a close second place.
 
Network Reliability RootScore rankings:
1 – T-Mobile (99.5)
1 – Verizon (99.5)
1 – Sprint (99.4)
1 – AT&T (99.2)
 
Network Speed RootScore rankings:
1 – T-Mobile (96.0)
2 – Verizon (94.3)
3 – Sprint (89.4)
4 – AT&T (78.7)
 
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.
 
When it came to Data Performance, T-Mobile rose to the top spot, breaking Verizon's two-time outright winning streak. Both T-Mobile and Verizon recorded the fastest median download speeds at 23.5 Mbps and 25.0 Mbps, respectively, meaning it would only take about three seconds to download a song on the networks. Meanwhile, T-Mobile recorded the fastest median upload speed at 23.4 Mbps.
 
Data Performance RootScore rankings:
1 – T-Mobile (98.4)
2 – Verizon (97.6)
3 – Sprint (95.5)
4 – AT&T (90.8)
 
Call and Text Performance
In the Call Performance category, the four carriers shared the top spot, with none of the networks recording any blocked calls. T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon shared first place in Text Performance, which is an award that previously resulted in a four-way tie.

Call Performance RootScore rankings:
1 – AT&T (99.6)
1 – Sprint (99.2)
1 – Verizon (99.0)
1 – T-Mobile (98.9)
 
Text Performance RootScore rankings:
1 – T-Mobile (99.6)
1 – AT&T (99.4)
1 – Verizon (99.3)
4 – Sprint (98.5)
 
Comprehensive Testing
To evaluate the mobile experience in Minneapolis, RootMetrics performed 40,630 call, data, and text tests across all hours of the day and night from June 2 through June 8. Using smartphones purchased off the shelf at carrier stores, tests were conducted indoors at 68 locations and while driving 2,707 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.