RootMetrics Report: Verizon Named Top-performing Network in Denver for Fifth Consecutive Time
Bellevue, WA (PRWEB) December 04, 2013 -- Verizon was named as the top-performing carrier in Denver for the fifth consecutive time, but T-Mobile’s recent launch of LTE service has significantly boosted the carrier’s data speeds. In fact, T-Mobile delivered the fastest average upload and download speeds in the Mile High City. 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.
Verizon had the strongest overall results in Denver with 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 Denver:
1 – Verizon (96.0)
2 – AT&T (93.5)
3 – T-Mobile (92.9)
4 – Sprint (76.0)
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 Denver.
Verizon ranked highest in network reliability, and T-Mobile had the highest rank in network speed.
Reliability Index rankings:
1 – Verizon (97.9)
2 – AT&T (94.4)
3 – T-Mobile (91.8)
4 – Sprint (76.2)
Speed Index rankings:
1 – T-Mobile (92.4)
2 – AT&T (90.4)
3 – Verizon (89.0)
4 – Sprint (62.2)
"Verizon has consistently delivered a strong performance in Denver, but T-Mobile is shaking things up with an impressive increase in data speeds thanks to its recent LTE rollout,” said Bill Moore, RootMetrics CEO. “The choices for consumers are getting better in Denver, and that’s good news.”
AT&T and T-Mobile Gain Data Speed in Denver
While Verizon earned the top spot in the data category, T-Mobile registered dramatically improved data speeds since the last round of testing in March 2013. T-Mobile’s average download speed jumped from 7.7 Mbps to 16.0 Mbps, and its average upload speed more than tripled, from 2.1 Mbps to 7.2 Mbps. Likewise, AT&T’s average download speed rose from 12.2 Mbps to 14.8 Mbps, and its average upload speed increased from 4.8 Mbps to 6.6 Mbps.
Average download and upload speeds by carrier
T-Mobile: 16.0 Mbps download/7.2 Mbps upload
AT&T: 14.8 Mbps download/6.6 Mbps upload
Verizon: 13.5 Mbps download/6.9 Mbps upload
Sprint: 2.1 Mbps download/0.6 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. AT&T had the fastest time in Denver, at 2.8 seconds, with Verizon and T-Mobile immediately behind at 2.9 seconds and 3.0 seconds, respectively. However, residents using Sprint in Denver might have to wait a bit longer than those on other networks for emails to download, with the carrier recording an average of 7.8 seconds.
Making the call
Making calls on any of the four networks in Denver should be a smooth experience, but Verizon and T-Mobile shared the RootScore Award in the category. Both carriers had stellar, statistically comparable call failure rates below 0.6% on average. Approximately 1 in 300 calls would fail (drop or block) at this rate.
Text me
Denver 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.
Over 23,000 tests in Denver
To evaluate the mobile experience in the Denver area, RootMetrics conducted 23,236 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 26 – November 2, 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 32 locations) and outdoors during drive tests (covering 1,067 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 Denver. 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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