RootMetrics® Ranks Verizon Wireless Top In Overall Performance For The Detroit Area

DETROIT, April 14, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- RootMetrics, an independent mobile analytics firm based in Seattle, released its Detroit RootScore^® report, and for the fifth consecutive time, Verizon Wireless received the highest award for overall network performance. The announcement follows Verizon's confirmation that it had recently invested $100 million in network enhancements in key parts of the city.

"Verizon Wireless is committed to providing our customers—who are relying on us 24/7 to stay in touch with friends and family, and maintain active, connected personal and work lifestyles—with the strongest, fastest and most reliable service," said Verizon Wireless Region President Lauren Love-Wright. "Earning top RootMetrics scores for the fifth consecutive time is a testament to our commitment and solidifies our position as the gold standard in wireless technology."

Each RootScore is calculated from a combination of tests that are weighted to reflect the impact a consumer would experience. Scores were based on RootMetrics testing performed between March 13 and March 19, 2015, where the company ranked the four major U.S. wireless providers in six network performance categories: Overall, Reliability, Speed, Data, Call and Text.

RootMetrics drove 2,190 miles across the Detroit area, as well as tested many indoor locations. The company said its study was designed to portray a typical consumer mobile network performance experience.

Of the 150 new "small cell" sites recently added in Michigan, nearly 100 of them are focused on Detroit. Verizon recently completed network enhancement projects on Belle Isle, the Detroit Riverfront, the area surrounding Joe Louis Arena, the Rosa Parks Transit Center, the New Center area, and Campus Martius Park.

Small cells are part of Verizon Wireless' strategy to stay ahead of the growing demand for mobile data. With demand increasing, staying ahead by boosting capacity is vital. A small cell consists of a radio, antenna, power and a fiber connection. It can range about 1,000 feet and is 4G LTE-enabled, allowing more consumers to do things like stream video or share photos on social media during big city events.

In mid-2014, Verizon Wireless rolled out its latest XLTE network technology in Detroit. XLTE utilizes Verizon's AWS (Advanced Wireless Services) spectrum to double 4G LTE network capacity. Greater capacity means more customers at once can send photos, download videos, surf the Internet and more at peak speeds on their smartphones, tablets and other devices.

While XLTE network enhancements are invisible to the customer, the mobile experience is not. XLTE-ready devices automatically access both 700 MHz spectrum and the AWS spectrum in XLTE cities, such as Detroit. XLTE adds capacity in neighborhoods or areas where demand is high, especially during busy periods like rush hour, lunch times in crowded areas or during events when mobile data use is the highest.

For more information, visit the Verizon Wireless News Center and follow Trevor Thomason Twitter at @VZWTrevor.  For the full report, visit www.rootmetrics.com.

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless operates the nation's largest and most reliable 4G LTE network.  As the largest wireless company in the U.S., Verizon Wireless serves 108.2 million retail customers, including 102.1 million retail postpaid customers.  Verizon Wireless is wholly owned by Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ).  For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com.  For the latest news and updates about Verizon Wireless, visit our News Center at http://www.verizonwireless.com/news or follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/VZWNews. 

Rankings based on RootMetrics Detroit (March 2015) RootScore Report for mobile performance as tested on best available plans and devices on four mobile networks across all available network types. Your experiences may vary. The RootMetrics award is not an endorsement of Verizon.Visit www.rootmetrics.com for more details.

SOURCE Verizon Wireless

Related Links

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