BELLEVUE, Wash., Dec. 15, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In a new report released today, AT &T earned distinction as the top-performing overall mobile network in Dallas. This marks the sixth consecutive time that AT &T has either won or shared the RootMetrics Overall RootScore Award in Dallas. In fact, AT &T won or shared awards across all six RootMetrics test categories. Moreover, AT &T's download and upload speeds both improved considerably since the previous round of testing in March 2014. That's according to independent mobile analytics firm RootMetrics ®, which measures mobile performance of the four major 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 RootMetrics Overall Performance RootScore rankings for Dallas:
1 – AT &T (98.3)
2 – Verizon (97.8)
3 – T-Mobile (96.1)
3 – Sprint (95.6)
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 usage. 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 mobile performance in Dallas .
Verizon and AT &T tied for the #1 position in network reliability in Dallas for the third consecutive time, with scores of 99.5 and 99.4, respectively. Meanwhile, AT &T surpassed Verizon in this round of testing to rank first on the Network Speed Index. In March, Verizon ranked first for network speed.
Reliability Index rankings :
1 – Verizon (99.5)
1 – AT &T (99.4)
3 – Sprint (98.1)
3 – T-Mobile (97.9)
Speed Index rankings :
1 – AT &T (94.2)
2 – Verizon (91.8)
3 – T-Mobile (90.5)
4 – Sprint (87.2)
"In our ninth visit to Dallas, we're seeing strong results across the board for network reliability," said Bill Moore, RootMetrics CEO. "Verizon and AT &T both ranked first on our network reliability index, but Sprint and T-Mobile are closing the gap. The competition is heating up in other areas as well, with all four networks scoring above 95 in the overall performance category. This level of competition is great news, as consumers in Dallas have multiple options for choosing a network that's right for their individual needs."
Data Performance: AT &T wins Data RootScore Award in Dallas
Data Performance RootScores factor in each network's reliability and speed when downloading and uploading data, performing email tasks, and downloading files that approximate using typical webpages or apps. AT &T won the RootScore Award for data performance in Dallas, with a score of 97.9. AT &T recorded the fastest median download speed at 20.7 Mbps, while T-Mobile recorded the fastest median upload speed at 14.5 Mbps.
Since previous testing in March, AT &T's median download speed increased from 12.1 Mbps to 20.7 Mbps. In that same time, AT &T's median upload speed increased from 9.6 Mbps to 13.5 Mbps. Meanwhile, Sprint's median download speed increased from 2.6 Mbps to 10.5 Mbps, and Sprint's median upload speed increased from 0.9 Mbps to 5.7 Mbps. T-Mobile's median upload speed increased from 7.4 Mbps to 14.5 Mbps. Also noteworthy since the last testing period, Verizon deployed its Advanced Wireless Spectrum (AWS) in the area.
Median download and upload speeds by network
AT &T: 20.73 Mbps download/13.54 upload
T-Mobile: 13.81 Mbps download/14.52 upload
Verizon: 13.63 Mbps download/6.92 upload
Sprint: 10.52 Mbps download/5.70 upload
Data speeds impact 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 Dallas should be a positive experience on any of the four networks. Verizon and AT &T shared the RootScore Award for call performance, each with scores of approximately 98.8. Sprint and T-Mobile, meanwhile, weren't far behind, sharing the third-place ranking with scores of 96.9 (Sprint), 96.3 (T-Mobile).
Text me
AT &T and Sprint shared the RootScore Award for text performance, with scores of 97.4 and 97.2, respectively. This marks the first time that Sprint has won or shared the Text RootScore Award in Dallas. With Text RootScores of 96 or higher for all four networks, texting in Dallas should be a smooth experience.
Nearly 75,000 tests in Dallas
To evaluate the mobile experience in Dallas, RootMetrics conducted 74,045 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 November 16 through November 22, 2014. The tests were conducted using the RootMetrics RootScout app running on Android-based, consumer smartphones purchased off-the-shelf from carrier stores. Tests were performed indoors (at 98 locations), outdoors, and during drive tests (covering 3,321 miles). For details about RootMetrics testing, 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 Dallas.
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 Curator PR for RootMetrics (206) 683-0552
