Latest IHS Markit Report Shows Verizon Pull Ahead

BELLEVUE, Wash., May 1, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to RootMetrics ®, an IHS Markit (Nasdaq: INFO ) company, Verizon leads the way in Dallas, earning awards outright in five of the six tested categories, and tying for the award in the text performance category. The latest 1st Half 2017 Dallas Metro Rootscore Report, reveals Verizon continued success, earning outright or tying for the award in all six tested categories for the third consecutive reporting period. Notably, this is the first time Verizon has won the Network Reliability RootScore Award outright since RootMetrics began testing in this category. Looking at data performance in Dallas, Verizon builds on its continued excellence in the category, claiming the Data Performance RootScore Award outright for the second consecutive time. Verizon clocks the fastest median download speed at 21.9 Mbps, meaning Verizon customers can download a song in about two-and-a-half seconds. T-Mobile records the fastest median upload speed at 21.7, meaning T-Mobile customers could upload a photo in about two seconds. "As our latest round of testing shows, consumers in Dallas have a lot to be excited about when it comes to their mobile network," said Annette Hamilton, RootMetrics Director. "Close races in data performance and call performance, plus fast download speeds across the board, suggest that mobile consumers in Dallas have some excellent carrier options depending on how they use their mobile phones the most." This is the thirteenth time RootMetrics has tested the mobile networks in Dallas and issued findings for the metro area. RootScore Reports provide a scientific, independent, consumer-focused assessment of mobile network performance.   Mobile Performance You Can Depend on   Reliability and speed are crucial to a consistently good mobile experience. RootMetrics indicates performance in these key areas with its network reliability category, a combination of results from data, call, and text tests; and its network speed category, which examines results across testing of data transfers, downloading email, and web/app tasks. Verizon wins the Network Reliability RootScore Award, breaking a three-way tie from the previous testing period. The carrier also claims the Network Speed RootScore Award outright for the second consecutive testing period.   Data Performance   The Data Performance category reflects how well networks perform in downloading and uploading data, performing email tasks, and downloading files that approximate loading typical webpages or apps.   Verizon earns an outright win in the data performance category, marking the second consecutive time the carrier has won the award outright. T-Mobile and Verizon record the fastest median download speeds at 20.8 Mbps and 21.9 Mbps, respectively, meaning subscribers of both carriers in Dallas can download a high-definition TV show in less than four minutes. T-Mobile's median download speed improved from 15.1 Mbps to 20.8 Mbps since the previous round of testing. Meanwhile, at T-Mobile's median upload speed of 21.7 Mbps, uploading a picture to social media would typically take less than two seconds. Call and Text Performance   Call and text capabilities are fundamental to a strong mobile experience. Call performance testing is based on how reliably each network can place and maintain calls, while text performance measures how reliably and quickly consumers can send and receive text messages. Verizon takes the top spot outright in the call performance category, marking its first outright win in the category since 2012 in Dallas. Meanwhile, all four carriers share the Text Performance RootScore Award for the third straight time.   Comprehensive Testing To evaluate the mobile experience in Dallas, RootMetrics conducted tests across all hours of the day and night from March 22 through March 30. Using smartphones purchased off the shelf at carrier stores, tests were conducted indoors at 210 locations and while driving 4,828 miles. For details about RootMetrics testing, see the methodology section of the RootMetrics website. About IHS Markit IHS Markit (Nasdaq: INFO ) is a world leader in critical information, analytics and solutions for the major industries and markets that drive economies worldwide. The company delivers next-generation information, analytics and solutions to customers in business, finance and government, improving their operational efficiency and providing deep insights that lead to well-informed, confident decisions. IHS Markit has more than 50,000 key business and government customers, including 85 percent of the Fortune Global 500 and the world's leading financial institutions. Headquartered in London, IHS Markit is committed to sustainable, profitable growth. IHS Markit is a registered trademark of IHS Markit Ltd. All other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners © 2017 IHS Markit Ltd. All rights reserved. ###

Lori Niquette for RootMetrics 617-779-1800