RootMetrics Report: Verizon and AT&T Tied as Top-Performing Mobile Networks in Atlanta
BELLEVUE, Wash. (PRWEB) May 27, 2014 -- Verizon and AT&T now share recognition as the top-performing mobile networks in Atlanta. This marks a change from the last testing period in August 2013, when AT&T won that award outright. 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 and AT&T tied in the Overall performance category, which includes results across data, call, and text testing. A good Overall RootScore means strong overall coverage and a good consumer experience.
The final Overall Performance RootScore rankings for Atlanta:
1 – Verizon (97.8)
1 – AT&T (97.5)
3 – T-Mobile (96.8)
4 – Sprint (89.2)
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 Overall RootScores offers the most comprehensive look at a typical mobile experience in Atlanta.
AT&T garnered the highest rank in network reliability in Atlanta, while Verizon was top in the network speed category.
Reliability Index rankings:
1 – AT&T (99.4)
2 – Verizon (99.0)
3 – T-Mobile (98.0)
4 – Sprint (95.3)
Speed Index rankings:
1 – Verizon (93.7)
2 – T-Mobile (93.5)
3 – AT&T (90.7)
4 – Sprint (67.6)
Verizon’s lightning-fast speeds notable
Verizon’s, T-Mobile’s, and Sprint’s Data RootScores have improved since August testing. Verizon’s lightning-fast median download and upload speeds of 25.9 Mbps and 13.4 Mbps were the fastest Verizon has recorded in 2014 to date. T-Mobile’s Data RootScore of 97.4 was a notable improvement compared to August testing, while AT&T’s score of 96.3 marked another strong showing in the data category for AT&T.
"We’re seeing high marks across all categories in Atlanta,” said Bill Moore, RootMetrics CEO. “The strong download and upload speeds are great news for consumers there, too.”
Median download and upload speeds by network
Verizon: 25.9 Mbps download/13.4 Mbps upload
T-Mobile: 18.2 Mbps download/9.6 Mbps upload
AT&T: 13.8 Mbps download/12.5 Mbps upload
Sprint: 2.6 Mbps download/1.4 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 seconds 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.
Making the call
Making calls in Atlanta should be a smooth experience on any of the four networks. While AT&T and Verizon tied for best in the category with scores of 98.8 and 98.1, T-Mobile and Sprint were not far behind, with scores of 96.3 and 94.7, respectively.
Text me
In Atlanta, AT&T won the Text RootScore Award. But text service was strong across the board with Text RootScores above 95 for all four networks.
More than 101,000 tests in Atlanta
To evaluate the mobile experience in Atlanta, RootMetrics conducted, 101,871 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 February 6 to 15, 2014. 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 139 locations) and outdoors during drive tests (covering 4,570 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 Atlanta. For details about the results, see the methodology section of the RootMetrics website.
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 network 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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