BELLEVUE, Wash., Dec. 15, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- RootMetrics®, the standard for independent mobile performance testing, released its latest report today, revealing Verizon as the Overall Performance winner in Tampa for the fourth consecutive time. The carrier also won outright for Network Speed and Data Performance, while sharing awards across all other categories tested, according to the RootMetrics 2nd Half 2015 Tampa Metro RootScore Report.
While Verizon may have been come out on top for Overall Performance in Tampa according to RootMetrics, an IHS (NYSE: IHS) company, other carriers are hot on its heels. In fact, AT&T came in a close second place for Overall Performance, scoring one point behind Verizon. The carrier also shared awards for Network Reliability and Text Performance, while making improvements to its speeds during this round of testing. Meanwhile, Sprint tied for first place in Network Reliability, Call Performance and Text Performance.
"Verizon held onto its reign in the Tampa metro area during this round of testing, but the other carriers are close behind," said Julie Dey, RootMetrics vice president. "All four carriers earned scores above 96.0 for Overall Performance, which is excellent news for mobile consumers in Tampa."
This is the ninth time RootMetrics has tested the mobile networks in Tampa. RootScore Reports provide a scientific, independent, consumer-focused assessment of mobile network performance.
The final RootMetrics Overall Performance RootScore rankings for Tampa:
1 – Verizon (98.7)
2 – AT&T (97.7)
3 – Sprint (96.6)
3 – T-Mobile (96.2)
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.
In Tampa there was a three-way tie for Network Reliability between Verizon, Sprint and AT&T. However, all four carriers earned excellent ratings, all scoring above 97.0 during this round of testing. As for Network Speed, Verizon won outright for the fourth consecutive time.
Network Reliability rankings:
1 – Verizon (99.6)
1 – Sprint (99.5)
1 – AT&T (99.1)
4 – T-Mobile (97.4)
Network Speed rankings:
1 – Verizon (96.2)
2 – T-Mobile (94.5)
3 – AT&T (93.8)
4 – Sprint (86.6)
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.
Verizon won the award for Data Performance in Tampa for the fourth consecutive time. The carrier recorded the fastest median download speed at 27.6 Mbps; at that speed you could download a song in about three seconds. T-Mobile recorded the fastest median upload speed at 21.1 Mbps, meaning you could upload a photo in less than two seconds. Notably, AT&T increased its median download speed by seven points, from 9.6 Mbps to 16.6 Mbps and its median upload speed from 7.2 Mbps to 11.5 Mbps.
Data Performance rankings:
1 – Verizon (98.4)
2 – AT&T (97.5)
2 – T-Mobile (97.3)
4 – Sprint (94.3)
Call and Text Performance
Verizon and Sprint shared the Call RootScore Award during this round of testing. To note, Verizon did not record any blocked calls. Text Performance resulted in a three-way tie between Sprint, Verizon and AT&T.
Call Performance rankings:
1 – Sprint (99.5)
1 – Verizon (99.2)
3 – AT&T (97.9)
4 – T-Mobile (94.5)
Text Performance rankings:
1 – Sprint (98.7)
1 – Verizon (98.4)
1 – AT&T (97.9)
4 – T-Mobile (97.3)
Comprehensive Testing
To evaluate the mobile experience in Tampa, RootMetrics performed 40,279 call, data and text tests across all hours of the day and night from Nov. 3 through Nov. 9. Using smartphones purchased off the shelf at carrier stores, tests were conducted indoors at 74 locations, outdoors and while driving 2,157 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.