RootMetrics Report: AT&T and Verizon Both Named Top-Performing Network in Phoenix
Bellevue, Wash. (PRWEB) December 03, 2013 -- AT&T and Verizon tied as the top-performing carriers in Phoenix, but T-Mobile’s LTE service delivered the fastest data speeds in the market. That’s according to independent mobile analytics firm RootMetrics®, which measures mobile performance of the four national carriers with tests designed to replicate real-world consumer behavior.
AT&T and Verizon had the strongest overall results in Phoenix and shared the top spot in the combined performance category, which includes results across data, call, and text testing. A good Combined RootScore means good overall coverage and a good consumer experience.
The final combined performance RootScore rankings for Phoenix:
1 – AT&T (96.1)
1 – Verizon (95.6)
3 – T-Mobile (94.2)
4 – Sprint (78.8)
RootMetrics offers two indices within RootScore Reports that give consumers a clear view of each network’s performance in the key areas of network reliability and speed. The Reliability Index is based on a combination of results from data, call, and text tests, while the Speed Index includes data and text results. Looking at the network reliability and speed indices in conjunction with Combined RootScores offers the most comprehensive look at a typical mobile experience in Phoenix.
Verizon ranked highest in network reliability, and T-Mobile had the highest rank in network speed.
Reliability Index rankings:
1 – Verizon (98.5)
2 – AT&T (97.3)
3 – T-Mobile (93.5)
4 – Sprint (81.6)
Speed Index rankings:
1 – T-Mobile (95.3)
2 – AT&T (90.8)
3 – Verizon (84.7)
4 – Sprint (59.0)
"T-Mobile's LTE rollout — with the capability to deliver super-fast data speeds —is starting to shake up the competitive landscape in the wireless industry, and we’re seeing evidence of that in Phoenix,” said Bill Moore, RootMetrics CEO. “Consumers are getting better options to choose from, and that’s good news.”
Fast Data Speeds in Phoenix
T-Mobile maintained the top data speeds in Phoenix since previous testing in June 2013, slightly increasing download speed from 16.4 Mbps to 17.2 Mbps.
Likewise, AT&T’s average download speed rose from 14.1 Mbps to 15.4 Mbps since June.
Average download and upload speeds by carrier
T-Mobile: 17.2 Mbps download/8.1 Mbps upload
AT&T: 15.4 Mbps download/6.7 Mbps upload
Verizon: 11.1 Mbps download/5.6 Mbps upload
Sprint: 1.4 Mbps download/0.9 Mbps upload
Data speeds affect how quickly consumers can perform various tasks online. For example, in an ideal situation, uploading medium-sized pictures (1 MB) to Facebook or other online albums typically takes 25 to 45 seconds on average at speeds below 3.0 Mbps. At speeds above 6.0 Mbps, uploading a similar picture generally takes less than 1 second.
You’ve got mail — how long does it take to get it?
RootMetrics measured the average time it took each carrier to download a set of 10 emails. T-Mobile had the fastest time in Phoenix, at 2.4 seconds, with AT&T immediately behind at 2.9 seconds. Verizon clocked a speed of 3.3 seconds. However, residents using Sprint in Phoenix might have to wait a bit longer than those on other networks for emails to download, with the carrier recording an average time of more than 8.0 seconds.
Making the call
Making calls on any of the four networks in Phoenix should be a smooth experience, but Verizon and AT&T shared the RootScore Award in the category. Both carriers had stellar, statistically comparable call failure rates below 0.3% on average. Approximately 1 in 300 calls would fail (drop or block) at this rate.
Text me
Phoenix has plenty of fast and reliable options for texting. With near-perfect send failure rates, AT&T and Verizon had the strongest text results and both won the category. All four carriers delivered texts in less than 10 seconds at least 96% of the time.
More than 48,000 tests in Phoenix
To evaluate the mobile experience in the Phoenix area, RootMetrics conducted 48,133 call, data, and text tests on the networks of AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon during all hours of the day and night from October 24 – November 1, 2013. The tests were conducted using the RootMetrics RootScout app running on Android-based, off-the-shelf consumer smartphones purchased from carrier stores. Tests were conducted both indoors (at 81 locations) and outdoors during drive tests (covering 2,078 miles). Mobile performance varies depending on where people live, work, or otherwise spend time. Because a variety of factors can influence performance, examples that show what data speeds mean while performing various mobile activities are a general look at data speeds for illustrative purposes and aren’t specific to Phoenix. For details about the results, see the methodology section of the online report.
About RootMetrics™
RootMetrics®, based in Bellevue, WA, is an independent mobile analytics firm that offers insights into the consumer mobile experience. With its downloadable CoverageMap app for Android or iOS, RootScore Reports for 125 U.S. markets, and an online CoverageMap, RootMetrics provides data on carrier performance to the public to help people make more informed mobile decisions. To ensure that RootMetrics testing reflects real-world mobile usage, testing is conducted based on where, when, and how consumers use their devices most often.
Ann Marie Ricard, Rootmetrics, +1 (206) 683-0552, [email protected]
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