BELLEVUE, Wash., April 20, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- RootMetrics®, the standard for independent mobile performance measurement, today released a new report recognizing AT &T as the top-performing mobile carrier in Dallas. The RootMetrics 1st Half 2015 RootScore® Report for Dallas marks the tenth time RootMetrics has tested the area and the seventh consecutive time AT &T has won or shared the RootScore Award for overall performance. AT &T earned the honor based on top marks in network reliability and speed, as well as data and call performance.
With more than 335 million mobile subscriber connections in the U.S.[1], mobile network performance insights and comparisons are critical elements to a positive consumer experience. RootScore® Reports provide an independent and consumer-focused assessment of mobile network performance in the 125 largest metro areas across the US, the 50 busiest US airports, as well as at state and national levels.
The final RootMetrics Overall Performance RootScore rankings for Dallas were:
1 – AT &T (98.5)
2 – Verizon (97.7)
3 – Sprint (96.8)
3 – T-Mobile (96.3)
The overall performance category includes results across data, call, and text testing; the top-performing network is awarded the Overall RootScore Award. A good Overall RootScore means strong overall performance and a good consumer experience.
Network Reliability and Speed
RootMetrics measures network reliability and speed utilizing two distinct indexes to offer the most comprehensive look at the consumer mobile experience in the Dallas. The Network Reliability Index is a combination of results from data, call, and text tests, while the Network Speed Index examines data and text results. For the 1st Half 2015 Dallas report, AT &T topped the rankings for network reliability.
AT &T also ranked first for network speed, for the second consecutive report. T-Mobile and Verizon tied for second, while Sprint trailed in fourth place. Looking at the network reliability and speed indices in conjunction with Overall RootScores offers the most comprehensive look at the consumer mobile experience in Dallas.
Reliability Index rankings:
1 – AT &T (99.7)
2 – Sprint (99.2)
2 – Verizon (99.1)
4 – T-Mobile (97.7)
Speed Index rankings:
1 – AT &T (94.2)
2 – T-Mobile (92.6)
2 – Verizon (92.5)
4 – Sprint (88.8)
Data Performance: AT &T Holds the Lead
Data Performance RootScores factor in each network's reliability and speed when downloading and uploading data, performing email tasks, and downloading files that approximate loading typical webpages or apps. AT &T earned the top spot in data performance in this report, despite T-Mobile recording the fastest median download and upload speeds of 21.0 Mbps and 21.8 Mbps, respectively.
Data Performance rankings:
1 – AT &T (97.7)
2 – Verizon (97.3)
3 – T-Mobile (96.9)
4 – Sprint (94.7)
"In the latest Dallas report, AT &T edged ahead of the competition, winning five out of six awards outright, after previously sharing three awards with other carriers," said Bill Moore, RootMetrics CEO. "Our testing also showed strong network reliability results from all carriers, along with impressive data speeds from multiple networks. In this respect, consumers in Dallas have multiple options for choosing a carrier that's both reliable and fast."
Call and Text Performance
Examining other key functions of the consumer mobile experience in Dallas, AT &T also held the top rank in call performance. When it comes to texting, Sprint won the Text RootScore Award, edging past AT &T in the only category that AT &T did not win.
Conducting over 78,500 tests in Dallas
To evaluate the mobile experience in Dallas, RootMetrics performed 78,575 call, data, and text tests across all hours of the day and night over five days (3/23/15 – 3/29/15). Using smartphones purchased off-the-shelf at carrier stores, tests were conducted indoors (at 102 locations), outdoors, and while driving (covering 3,916 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, and airports, 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.
[1] http://www.ctia.org/your-wireless-life/how-wireless-works/annual-wireless-industry-survey