RootMetrics Report: Three Way Tie for Top-Performing Mobile Network in San Jose

BELLEVUE, Wash., April 22, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- RootMetrics®, the standard for independent mobile performance measurement, today released a new report recognizing T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT &T as the top-performing mobile carriers in San Jose. The RootMetrics 1st Half 2015 RootScore® Report for San Jose marks the eighth time RootMetrics has tested the area and the second consecutive time the three carriers have shared the RootScore Award for overall performance. The three carriers earned the repeat honor based on strong results in network reliability and speed, as well as data and call performance. T-Mobile, however, distinguished itself as the only carrier to win an award outright, taking the top awards for both network speed and text 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 San Jose were:

1 – T-Mobile (97.7)
1 – Verizon (97.6)
1 – AT &T (97.4)
4 – Sprint (95.8)

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 San Jose. 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 San Jose report, AT &T, T-Mobile, and Verizon shared the top ranking for network reliability.

When it comes to network speed, T-Mobile distinguished itself from the competition by ranking first on the RootMetrics Network Speed Index, edging ahead of AT &T, Sprint, and T-Mobile. AT &T and T-Mobile shared the distinction in the previous 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 San Jose.

Reliability Index rankings:

1 – AT &T (98.9)
1 – T-Mobile (98.8)
1 – Verizon (98.8)
4 – Sprint (97.4)

Speed Index rankings:

1 – T-Mobile (94.7)
2 – Verizon (93.9)
3 – AT &T (92.2)
3 – Sprint (92.0)

Data Performance: Verizon and T-Mobile Lead the Pack

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 and T-Mobile shared the top spot for data performance in this report, while recording the fastest median download speeds of 19.0 Mbps and 18.3 Mbps, respectively. T-Mobile recorded the fastest median upload speed at 18.9 Mbps.

Data Performance rankings:

1 – Verizon (97.8)
1 – T-Mobile (97.7)
3 – Sprint (96.4)
3 – AT &T (96.3)

"While there was a three-way tie for the overall performance award in our latest report, T-Mobile shined by winning or sharing awards in all six test categories." said Bill Moore, RootMetrics CEO. "Our results showed close competition in all categories in San Jose, though network reliability and speed results were particularly impressive. This combination of strong reliability and speed across the board is great news for consumers in the San Jose area."

Call and Text Performance

Examining other key functions of the consumer mobile experience in San Jose, AT &T, T-Mobile, and Verizon also shared the top rank in call performance. But, when it comes to texting, T-Mobile won the Text RootScore Award outright.

Conducting over 19,000 tests in San Jose

To evaluate the mobile experience in San Jose, RootMetrics performed 19,037 call, data, and text tests across all hours of the day and night over five days (4/2/15 – 4/7/15). Using smartphones purchased off-the-shelf at carrier stores, tests were conducted indoors (at 22 locations), outdoors, and while driving (covering 757 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.