BELLEVUE, Wash., April 21, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- RootMetrics®, the standard for independent mobile performance information, today released a new report recognizing Verizon as the top-performing mobile carrier in Tampa for the third consecutive report. The RootMetrics 1st Half 2015 Tampa RootScore® Report highlighted Verizon's continued success in the area, ranking first in overall performance, network reliability, network speed, data performance, and call performance.
With more than 335 million mobile subscriber connections in the U.S., 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 Tampa:
1 – Verizon (98.8)
2 (tie) – T-Mobile (97.3)
2 (tie) – AT &T (97.1)
4 – Sprint (96.1)
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 Tampa. 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 Tampa RootScore® Report, Verizon topped the rankings for network reliability, breaking a tie with AT &T in the previous report. Verizon also ranked first for network speed, earning the top spot on the speed index for the third consecutive report. Looking at the network reliability and speed indices in conjunction with Overall RootScores offers the most comprehensive look at the consumer mobile experience in Tampa.
Reliability Index rankings:
1 – Verizon (99.8)
2 – AT &T (99.2)
2 – T-Mobile (98.7)
4 – Sprint (98.5)
Speed Index rankings:
1 – Verizon (95.0)
2 – T-Mobile (91.6)
3 – AT &T (89.9)
4 – Sprint (88.2)
Data Performance: Blazing speeds help Verizon win third consecutive Data RootScore Award in Tampa
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. Verizon maintained the top spot for data performance in Tampa for the third consecutive report. Verizon provided the fastest median download and upload speeds in Tampa, recording impressive speeds of 34.5 Mbps and 20.0 Mbps, respectively.
The lastest report showed faster speeds for Sprint compared to testing in November 2014, as Sprint's median download speed increased from 8.0 Mbs to 10.8 Mbps, and its median upload speed increased from 3.5 Mbps to 4.7 Mbps. Notably, AT &T saw a decrease in speeds since the previous report, as AT &T's median download speed dropped from 12.6 Mbps to 9.6 Mbps, and its median upload speed fell from 9.6 to 7.2 Mbps.
Data Performance rankings:
1 – Verizon (98.3)
2 – T-Mobile (96.2)
3 – AT &T (95.3)
4 – Sprint (94.3)
"While Verizon remains on top in most categories, results from our most recent visit to Tampa show that all four carriers are providing their customers a highly reliable mobile experience," said Bill Moore, RootMetrics CEO. "Verizon ranked first on our network reliability index, but with scores above 98 for all four carriers, reliability was strong across the board. While Verizon's median speeds are impressive, we also saw gains in the market from Sprint and T-Mobile. In the end, all four carriers are providing strong reliability and speed in the Tampa market."
Continuing Success in Call and Text Performance
Examining other key functions of the consumer mobile experience in Tampa, Verizon and T-Mobile tied for the top rank in call performance, with Verizon not recording any blocked calls during testing. AT &T and Sprint shared the Text RootScore® Award. Regardless of carrier, with Call and Text RootScores in the high-nineties across the board, making calls or texting should be a positive experience for mobile users in Tampa.
To evaluate the mobile experience in Tampa, RootMetrics performed 52,222 call, data, and text tests across all hours of the day and night from over a full week (3/23/15 – 3/29/15). Using smartphones purchased off-the-shelf at carrier stores, tests were conducted indoors (at 77 locations), outdoors, and while driving (covering 2,011 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.