RootMetrics Report: T-Mobile, Verizon Share Recognition as Best Overall Carriers in Chicago
Bellevue, Wash. (PRWEB) June 16, 2014 -- T-Mobile and Verizon now share the honor of being named the top-performing mobile networks in Chicago. And for the first time, T-Mobile has earned a share of the RootMetrics Overall RootScore Award in Chicago. T-Mobile’s impressive data speeds also contributed to its top ranks for data performance and network speed. 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.
The overall performance category includes results across data, call, and text testing; the top-performing network(s) is awarded the Overall RootScore Award. A good Overall RootScore means strong overall coverage and a good consumer experience.
The final Overall Performance RootScore rankings for Chicago:
1 – T-Mobile (98.3)
1 – Verizon (98.3)
3 – AT&T (97.3)
4 – Sprint (93.3)
Network Reliability and Speed
RootMetrics measures network reliability and speed to give consumers a clear and holistic view of each network’s performance in these key areas of mobile performance. 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 Chicago.
Verizon and AT&T ranked highest in network reliability, while T-Mobile won the top rank in network speed.
Reliability Index rankings:
1 – Verizon (99.7)
1 – AT&T (99.7)
3 – T-Mobile (99.4)
4 – Sprint (97.0)
Speed Index rankings:
1 – T-Mobile (94.5)
2 – Verizon (92.8)
3 – AT&T (88.7)
4 – Sprint (81.3)
"In Chicago, the story we’re seeing unfold is the critical importance of reliability,” said Bill Moore, RootMetrics CEO. “We found impressive data speeds in Chicago, but speed is meaningless if you can’t connect to your network. Verizon and AT&T scored highest on our reliability index, but all four major networks had strong reliability scores, which is great news for consumers.”
T-Mobile delivers best data performance in The Windy City
Data RootScores factor in each network’s reliability and speed when downloading and uploading data, performing email tasks, and handling files that represent elements of a webpage. T-Mobile edged out Verizon to win the Data RootScore Award in Chicago, and T-Mobile and Verizon each delivered the fastest median download speed at 18.9 Mbps. AT&T recorded the fastest median upload speed at 12.0 Mbps, though T-Mobile and Verizon weren’t far behind with speeds of 11.5 Mbps and 10.1 Mbps, respectively.
Median download and upload speeds by network
T-Mobile: 18.9 Mbps download/11.5 Mbps upload
Verizon: 18.9 Mbps download/10.1 Mbps upload
AT&T: 10.7 Mbps download/12.0 Mbps upload
Sprint: 7.4 Mbps download/3.7 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 Chicago should be a smooth experience on any of the four networks. Verizon and AT&T led the pack and shared the Call RootScore Award with scores of 99.5 and 99.3, respectively. T-Mobile ranked third with a score of 98.9, and Sprint ranked fourth at 94.7.
Text me
AT&T and T-Mobile tied for the Text RootScore Award with scores of 97.2 and 97.0, respectively, but with Text RootScores of 96 or above for all four networks, text performance was strong across the board.
More than 100,000 tests in Chicago
To evaluate the mobile experience in Chicago, RootMetrics conducted 102,003 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 April 18 - 25, 2014. The tests were conducted using the RootMetrics RootScout app running on Android-based smartphones purchased off-the-shelf from carrier stores. Tests were conducted indoors (at 124 locations) and outdoors during drive tests (covering 4,371 miles). For details about the results, see the methodology section of the RootMetrics website. Mobile performance varies depending on where people live, work, or otherwise spend time. Because a variety of factors can influence performance, examples that list what data speeds mean while performing various mobile activities are a general look at data speeds for illustrative purposes and aren’t specific to Chicago.
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. The company offers its RootScore® Report series for the nation, metropolitan markets, and airports, 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 devices most often.
###
Ann Marie Ricard, Rootmetrics, +1 (206) 683-0552, [email protected]
Share this article