BELLEVUE, Wash., Jan. 7, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to a new report released today, AT&T and Verizon shared the RootMetrics RootScore Award for overall mobile performance in Austin for the second consecutive time. In Fact, AT&T won or shared awards across all six RootMetrics test categories, while Verizon did so in five categories. 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 Austin:
1 – AT&T (98.6)
1 – Verizon (98.3)
3 – T-Mobile (97.7)
4 – Sprint (94.4)
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 Austin.
It was a three-way tie between Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile for the #1 position in network reliability. During previous testing in May, AT&T and Verizon both ranked first for network reliability. Additionally, the latest testing showed that AT&T ranked first on the Network Speed Index. In May, AT&T and Verizon shared the top spot for Network Speed.
Reliability Index rankings:
1 – Verizon (99.9)
1 – AT&T (99.8)
1 – T-Mobile (99.3)
4 – Sprint (97.9)
Speed Index rankings:
1 – AT&T (94.2)
2 – Verizon (92.5)
2 – T-Mobile (92.0)
4 – Sprint (82.5)
"It's encouraging to see such strong results across all four carriers in Austin for both overall performance and network reliability. The competition continues to heat up in this market," said Bill Moore, RootMetrics CEO. "This is great news for consumers, as people in Austin have multiple options for choosing a mobile network that can accommodate their specific needs."
Data Performance: AT&T edges out the competition to win Data RootScore Award in Austin
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. AT&T won the Data RootScore Award in Austin, scoring 97.9. AT&T recorded the fastest median download speed at 21.3 Mbps, while T-Mobile recorded the fastest median upload speed at 11.8 Mbps.
Since previous testing in May, there were several positive changes to the data performance landscape in Austin. AT&T's median download speed increased from 10.8 Mbps to 21.3 Mbps. Meanwhile, Sprint's percentage of download and upload tests recorded on LTE increased from approximately 54 percent in May to approximately 94 percent during the latest test period. Sprint's median download speed increased from 2.4 Mbps to 8.5 Mbps, and Sprint's median upload speed increased from 1.0 Mbps to 5.1 Mbps. T-Mobile's median download speed decreased from 17.6 Mbps to 13.4 Mbps.
Median download and upload speeds by network
AT&T: 21.32 Mbps download/10.96 upload
Verizon: 13.87 Mbps download/6.59 upload
T-Mobile: 13.38 Mbps download/11.82 upload
Sprint: 8.51 Mbps download/5.13 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 Austin 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 98. Sprint followed with a score of 96.6. In May, AT&T and Verizon shared this award for the fourth consecutive time.
Text me
AT&T and T-Mobile shared the Text RootScore Award, with statistically indistinguishable scores of 97.4. With Text RootScores of 96 or higher for all four networks, texting in Austin should be a smooth experience.
More than 26,000 tests in Austin
To evaluate the mobile experience in Austin, RootMetrics conducted 26,418 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 10, 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 33 locations), outdoors, and during drive tests (covering 1,266 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 Austin.
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.