BELLEVUE, Wash., April 28, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The latest testing from RootMetrics®, the standard for independent mobile performance testing, has Verizon and AT&T as the Overall Performance RootScore Award winners in Dallas. In fact, the 1st Half 2016 Dallas Metro RootScore Report revealed these two carriers shared first place across every category of testing, with two-way ties in Overall Performance, Network Reliability, Network Speed, and Data Performance.
While Verizon and AT&T were in a close race for top honors, the other carriers had standout performances, as well. Sprint recorded the fastest median download speed in Dallas and shared first place with Verizon and AT&T in the Call Performance category. Meanwhile, T-Mobile recorded the fastest median upload speed in Dallas. Furthermore, all four carriers shared the award for Text Performance in the latest report from RootMetrics, an IHS (NYSE: IHS) company.
"Verizon and AT&T swept every award category in our latest testing throughout the Dallas metro area," said Julie Dey, RootMetrics vice president. "While these two carriers led the way throughout our rankings, the results also revealed great overall mobile performance and reliability across the networks. In fact there was less than a point-and-a-half between first and last place in our Network Reliability category, meaning mobile consumers in Dallas can expect reliable performance, no matter which they choose."
This is the twelfth time RootMetrics has tested the mobile networks in Dallas 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 Dallas:
1 – Verizon (97.7)
1 – AT&T (97.6)
3 – Sprint (96.7)
4 – T-Mobile (95.3)
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 consistently good 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.
Verizon and AT&T shared the RootScore Award in both Network Reliability and Network Speed categories. Notably, the Network Reliability rankings were very close in Dallas, with only about one point separating first and last place.
Network Reliability rankings:
1 – Verizon (99.7)
1 – AT&T (99.5)
3 – Sprint (99.1)
4 – T-Mobile (98.5)
Network Speed rankings:
1 – AT&T (91.5)
1 – Verizon (91.2)
3 – Sprint (88.5)
4 – T-Mobile (85.1)
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.
Data Performance resulted in another shared win between AT&T and Verizon, while Sprint and T-Mobile trailed by less than three points. However, Sprint recorded the fastest median download speed at 16.4 Mbps, while T-Mobile recorded the fastest median upload speed at 20.7 Mbps.
Data Performance rankings:
1 – AT&T (96.5)
1 – Verizon (96.5)
3 – Sprint (94.9)
4 – T-Mobile (93.8)
Call and Text Performance
Verizon, AT&T, and Sprint shared top honors in Call Performance, an award previously held by solely AT&T and Sprint during the last round of testing. Text Performance, on the other hand, resulted in a four-way tie between the networks.
Call Performance rankings:
1 – Verizon (99.2)
1 – AT&T (98.9)
1 – Sprint (98.9)
4 – T-Mobile (96.9)
Text Performance rankings:
1 – AT&T (99.3)
1 – Sprint (99.2)
1 – Verizon (98.9)
1 – T-Mobile (98.4)
Comprehensive Testing
To evaluate the mobile experience in Dallas, RootMetrics performed 61,662 call, data, and text tests across all hours of the day and night from April 3 through April 9. Using smartphones purchased off the shelf at carrier stores, tests were conducted indoors at 95 locations and while driving 4,473 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 140 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 nearly 9,000 people in 33 countries around the world.