BELLEVUE, Wash., Oct. 6, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- RootMetrics®, the global standard for independent mobile performance information, is out with its latest RootScore Report for Denver revealing interesting changes across the network performance rankings. After a previous three-way tie in the Overall Performance category, Verizon and Sprint are now tied for this award, knocking AT&T to a shared third place win with T-Mobile. Notably, Verizon swept the mobile performance rankings in Denver, sharing only three awards during the last round of testing. In fact, according to the 2nd Half 2016 Denver Metro RootScore Report, Verizon is now the outright award winner in Network Reliability.
Sprint is a close competitor in these latest rankings from RootMetrics, an IHS Markit (Nasdaq: INFO) company. The carrier, which held three awards during the previous testing period, now shares awards in five of the six categories tested.
"Delving into the results from our latest testing in Denver, we're seeing some interesting changes in the rankings," said Annette Hamilton, RootMetrics director. "With Verizon and Sprint jumping up our mobile performance rankings, as well as notable data speed improvements across the carriers, mobile consumers in Denver are benefiting from the continued competition."
This is the eleventh time RootMetrics has tested the mobile networks in Denver 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 Denver:
1 – Verizon (96.6)
1 – Sprint (95.7)
3 – AT&T (92.6)
3 – T-Mobile (91.4)
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.
After a previous tie with AT&T, Verizon now shares the award for Network Reliability on its own, with Sprint falling about one point behind. When it comes to Network Speed, Sprint and Verizon share the top spot.
Network Reliability RootScore rankings:
1 – Verizon (99.4)
2 – Sprint (98.3)
3 – AT&T (95.6)
3 – T-Mobile (94.8)
Network Speed RootScore rankings:
1 – Sprint (87.5)
1 – Verizon (87.2)
3 – AT&T (84.3)
3 – T-Mobile (83.3)
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.
While Sprint previously won the Data RootScore Award outright, the carrier now shares the top spot with Verizon. All four carriers recorded comparable median download speeds between 11.6 Mbps and 15.0 Mbps, while T-Mobile recorded the fastest median upload seed at 6.2 Mbps. Uploading a photo on any of the networks in Denver would generally take between five and seven seconds. Notably, all four of the networks recorded significantly faster median download speeds since the last testing period.
Data Performance RootScore rankings:
1 – Verizon (94.7)
1 – Sprint (94.3)
3 – AT&T (92.5)
3 – T-Mobile (92.5)
Call and Text Performance
Verizon and Sprint share the award for Call Performance in Denver, an award AT&T and Verizon previously shared. When it comes to Text Performance, all four carriers share the RootScore Award.
Call Performance RootScore rankings:
1 – Verizon (98.9)
1 – Sprint (97.3)
3 – AT&T (91.8)
3 – T-Mobile (88.9)
Text Performance RootScore rankings:
1 – T-Mobile (98.9)
1 – Sprint (98.7)
1 – AT&T (98.5)
1 – Verizon (98.4)
Comprehensive Testing
To evaluate the mobile experience in Denver, RootMetrics conducted tests across all hours of the day and night from August 8 through August 15. Using smartphones purchased off the shelf at carrier stores, tests were conducted indoors at 35 locations and while driving 1,485 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 Markit
IHS Markit (Nasdaq: INFO) is a world leader in critical information, analytics and expertise to forge solutions for the major industries and markets that drive economies worldwide. The company delivers next-generation information, analytics and solutions to customers in business, finance and government, improving their operational efficiency and providing deep insights that lead to well-informed, confident decisions. IHS Markit has more than 50,000 key business and government customers, including 85 percent of the Fortune Global 500 and the world's leading financial institutions. Headquartered in London, IHS Markit is committed to sustainable, profitable growth.
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