BELLEVUE, Wash., Jan. 6, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to a new report released today, AT &T and Verizon shared the RootMetrics RootScore Award for overall mobile performance in Houston for the second consecutive time. 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, and the top-performing network 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 Houston:
1 – AT &T (98.6)
1 – Verizon (98.6)
3 – T-Mobile (97.8)
4 – Sprint (95.9)
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 Houston .
Verizon and AT &T also tied for the #1 position in network reliability in Houston. During previous testing in March, AT &T was the highest-ranking carrier for network reliability. Additionally, the latest testing showed that AT &T ranked first on the Network Speed Index. In March, Verizon held the top spot for Network Speed.
Reliability Index rankings :
1 – Verizon (99.8)
1 – AT &T (99.7)
3 – T-Mobile (99.4)
4 – Sprint (98.9)
Speed Index rankings :
1 – AT &T (94.6)
2 – Verizon (94.0)
3 – T-Mobile (91.6)
4 – Sprint (85.7)
"With all four carriers showing strong scores for both overall performance and network reliability, we're seeing fierce competition in Houston," said Bill Moore, RootMetrics CEO. "Ultimately, this competition is great news for consumers, as people in Houston have multiple options for choosing a network that's right for their individual needs."
Data Performance: Verizon retains its edge to win Data RootScore Award in Houston
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. Verizon won its second consecutive Data RootScore Award in Houston, scoring 98.1. AT &T recorded the fastest median download speed at 20.5 Mbps, and T-Mobile recorded the fastest median upload speed at 15.2 Mbps.
Since previous testing in March, there have been several positive changes to the data landscape in Houston. AT &T's median download speed increased from 11.6 Mbps to 20.5 Mbps, and AT &T's median upload speed increased from 8.9 Mbps to 11.1 Mbps. Sprint's percentage of download and upload tests recorded on LTE increased from approximately 58 percent to 99 percent. In addition, Sprint's median download speed increased from 2.5 Mbps to 9.8 Mbps, and Sprint's median upload speed increased from 0.9 Mbps to 5.6 Mbps. T-Mobile's median upload speed increased from 9.5 Mbps to 15.2 Mbps. Since March, Verizon deployed its Advanced Wireless Services (AWS) spectrum in the Houston area. Subsequently, Verizon's median upload speed increased from 7.6 Mbps to 10.3 Mbps.
Median download and upload speeds by network
AT &T: 20.51 Mbps download/11.05 upload
Verizon: 17.92 Mbps download/10.34 upload
T-Mobile: 13.93 Mbps download/15.21 upload
Sprint: 9.81 Mbps download/5.60 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 Houston should be a positive experience on any of the four networks. Verizon, AT &T, and T-Mobile shared the Call RootScore Award, each with scores above 99. Sprint followed closely with a score of 98.2. In March, AT &T won this award outright.
Text me
Sprint won the Text RootScore Award outright for the first time, with a score of 98.1. With Text RootScores of 96 or higher for all four networks, texting in Houston should be a smooth experience.
More than 78,000 tests in Houston
To evaluate the mobile experience in Houston, RootMetrics conducted 78,730 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 December 3 through December 9, 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 99 locations), outdoors, and during drive tests (covering 3,643 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 Houston.
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
