BELLEVUE, WASH., Dec. 14, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Verizon is taking the lead for overall mobile performance in Chicago according to the newest report from RootMetrics®, the standard for independent mobile performance testing. The 2nd Half 2015 Chicago Metro RootScore Report revealed Verizon as the Overall Performance winner, an award the carrier previously shared with AT&T in May. The carrier also won outright in Network Reliability, Network Speed and Data Performance, while sharing awards in the Call and Text Performance categories and recording some of the fastest speeds in the Chicago metro area.
While Verizon swept the rankings, the other carriers improved their speeds and received excellent scores across the board. In fact, all four carriers scored above a 92 (out of 100) in every category tested by RootMetrics, an IHS (NYSE: IHS) company. Meanwhile, Sprint significantly increased its median download speed and T-Mobile nearly doubled its median upload speed.
"In Chicago, Verizon is leading the rankings with outright and shared wins across the board," said Julie Dey, RootMetrics vice president. "However, with all four carriers scoring above 97.0 in the Overall Performance, Network Reliability, Call and Text Performance categories, mobile users can expect excellent service throughout the Chicago metro area."
This is the tenth time RootMetrics has tested the mobile networks in Chicago and issued its findings for the metro area. RootScore Reports provide a scientific, independent, consumer-focused assessment of mobile network performance.
The final RootMetrics Overall Performance RootScore rankings for Chicago:
1 – Verizon (98.7)
2 – AT&T (98.3)
3 – Sprint (97.9)
4 – T-Mobile (97.1)
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 quality 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.
When it came to Network Reliability in Chicago, Verizon claimed the top spot outright; however the competition is stiff, with all four carriers earning outstanding scores above 98.8. Verizon also came in first place for Network Speed, an award previously held by AT&T in May's testing.
Network Reliability rankings:
1 – Verizon (99.8)
2 – Sprint (99.5)
2 – AT&T (99.5)
4 – T-Mobile (98.8)
Network Speed rankings:
1 – Verizon (95.5)
2 – AT&T (94.9)
3 – Sprint (92.6)
3 – T-Mobile (92.5)
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.
For the third consecutive test period, Data Performance resulted in an outright win by Verizon. The carrier also recorded the fastest median download and upload speeds at 25.2 Mbps and 22.3 Mbps, respectively. At those speeds users could expect to download a song or upload a photo in about two seconds. Additionally, Sprint increased its median download speed from 13.1 Mbps to 22.0 Mbps, while T-Mobile almost doubled its median upload speed from 10.9 Mbps to 19.3 Mbps.
Data Performance rankings:
1 – Verizon (98.2)
2 – AT&T (98.0)
3 – T-Mobile (97.0)
3 – Sprint (96.8)
Call and Text Performance
Verizon and Sprint shared the top spot in the Call Performance category, an award previously shared by Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile in May. Text Performance resulted in a three-way tie between Sprint, Verizon and AT&T.
Call Performance rankings:
1 – Verizon (99.5)
1 – Sprint (99.2)
3 – AT&T (98.7)
4 – T-Mobile (97.2)
Text Performance rankings:
1 – Sprint (98.7)
1 – Verizon (98.4)
1 – AT&T (98.3)
4 – T-Mobile (97.6)
Comprehensive Testing
To evaluate the mobile experience in Chicago, RootMetrics performed 82,687 call, data and text tests across all hours of the day and night from Nov. 13 through Nov. 19. Using smartphones purchased off the shelf at carrier stores, tests were conducted indoors at 137 locations, outdoors and while driving 4,174 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 the nation, 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 150 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 about 8,800 people in 32 countries around the world.