Latest RootMetrics® Report Shows Verizon Heating Up the Mobile Performance Competition with T-Mobile in Minneapolis

BELLEVUE, Wash., Sept. 20, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- A new report from RootMetrics by IHS Markit, the gold standard for mobile performance benchmarking, reveals Verizon is catching up to T-Mobile in Minneapolis, with both carriers sharing the award for overall mobile performance. According to the latest 2nd Half 2018 Minneapolis Metro RootScore® Report, Verizon earns the outright award for network reliability, while T-Mobile earns outright awards in network speed and data performance, each for the fourth consecutive report.

Looking at data performance in the metro area, T-Mobile records the fastest median download and upload speeds at 46.6 Mbps and 20.8 Mbps, respectively. On T-Mobile's network, subscribers can expect to download a high-definition television show in about two minutes and upload a picture to social media in about two seconds. Notably, Sprint saw a big jump in its median download speed from RootMetrics' last report, increasing from 24.1 Mbps to 39.3 Mbps.

"T-Mobile and Verizon are in a heated competition for top mobile performance in Minneapolis," said Doug King, director of business development at RootMetrics. "While Verizon dominates in network reliability, T-Mobile continues to outpace the competition in network speed and data performance categories. As the carriers identify new ways to improve their networks in Minneapolis, consumers in the metro area can expect to be supported, no matter how they use their mobile devices."

This is the fifteenth time RootMetrics has tested the mobile networks in Minneapolis 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. While all four carriers earn high scores of 98.9 or higher in the network reliability category, Verizon takes the outright win after previously sharing the award with T-Mobile. Meanwhile, T-Mobile earns an outright award in network speed for the fourth 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. T-Mobile takes the Data Performance RootScore Award outright for the fourth consecutive testing period. The carrier also records the fastest median download and upload speeds in Minneapolis at 46.6 Mbps and 20.8 Mbps, respectively. Meanwhile, Sprint makes significant strides in data speed, increasing its median download speed from 24.1 Mbps to 39.3 Mbps.

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 and Sprint share the award for call performance, which was previously held in a three-way tie by Verizon, T-Mobile, and Sprint. Meanwhile, Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T share the Text Performance RootScore Award, which was previously held by all four carriers.

Comprehensive Testing

To evaluate the mobile experience in Minneapolis, RootMetrics conducted tests across all hours of the day and night from July 25 through July 30. Using smartphones purchased off the shelf at carrier stores, tests were conducted indoors at 118 locations and while driving 2,281 miles. For details about RootMetrics testing, see the methodology section of the RootMetrics website.

About RootMetrics®

RootMetrics®, an IHS Markit company, is an independent mobile analytics firm that measures mobile network performance and offers insights into the consumer mobile experience. RootMetrics provides data on mobile network performance to help the networks improve and give consumers an end-to-end look at mobile performance. To ensure that RootMetrics testing reflects real-world mobile usage, testing is conducted based on where, when and how consumers use their smartphones most often.

© 2018 RootMetrics. All rights reserved.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Lori Niquette for RootMetrics
[email protected]
617-779-1800

SOURCE RootMetrics

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