New RootMetrics® Mobile Performance Report for Boston: Verizon Sweeps Awards for Third Consecutive Report

BELLEVUE, Wash., Oct. 4, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- A new report from RootMetrics by IHS Markit, the gold standard for mobile performance benchmarking, reveals that Verizon continues to make consumer mobile experience a priority in Boston, sweeping the awards for the third consecutive report. According to the latest 2nd Half 2018 Boston Metro RootScore® Report, Verizon takes outright awards in three out of six mobile performance categories, including overall performance, network reliability, and call performance. Meanwhile, T-Mobile makes strides in the Boston metro area, tying with Verizon for awards in network speed and data performance.

Looking at data performance in Boston, T-Mobile records the fastest median download and upload speeds in the metro area, recording at 38.5 Mbps and 14.8 Mbps, respectively. Sprint also makes big improvements, increasing its median download speed from 14.2 Mbps to 21.1 Mbps.

"Verizon continues its reign in Boston, winning or sharing every award in the metro area for the third time in a row," said Doug King, director of business development at RootMetrics. "However, T-Mobile makes solid improvements across network speed and data performance categories, heating up the competition for Verizon. It's clear that the mobile carriers are dedicated to ensuring that Bostonians get the most out of their mobile experience."

This is the sixteenth time RootMetrics has tested the mobile networks in Boston 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 takes the Network Reliability RootScore Award outright for the third consecutive report. Meanwhile, T-Mobile and Verizon share the award for network speed, which was previously held outright by Verizon.

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 and T-Mobile share the Data Performance RootScore Award for the second consecutive report. T-Mobile records the fastest median download speed at 38.5 Mbps, allowing a user to download a high-definition television show in about two minutes. The carrier also records the fastest median upload speed at 14.8 Mbps, allowing a subscriber to upload a picture to social media in about 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 wins the Call Performance RootScore Award outright for the third consecutive report. Meanwhile, T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon share the award for text performance for the third report in a row.

Comprehensive Testing

To evaluate the mobile experience in Boston, RootMetrics conducted tests across all hours of the day and night from August 23 through August 30. Using smartphones purchased off the shelf at carrier stores, tests were conducted indoors at 174 locations and while driving 3,425 miles. For details about RootMetrics testing, see the methodology section of the RootMetrics website.

About RootMetrics®

RootMetrics®, by IHS Markit, is mobile analytics 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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