BELLEVUE, Wash., Nov. 3, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The latest report from RootMetrics®, the global standard for independent mobile performance information, shows material changes in the network rankings in Philadelphia. The latest 2nd Half 2016 Philadelphia Metro RootScore Report reveals AT &T and Verizon now share the Overall Performance award, breaking T-Mobile's five-time shared winning-streak in the category. Sprint is also making improvements in Philadelphia, joining Verizon and AT &T at the top of the Network Reliability rankings, as well as earning an outright win in Call Performance, which the carrier previously shared with Verizon and AT &T. Furthermore, AT &T, T-Mobile, and Verizon all show download speed improvements in the city.
While there are interesting shifts across much of these rankings from RootMetrics, an IHS Markit (Nasdaq: INFO) company, some carriers are continuing to hold their ground in key categories. T-Mobile remains on top outright in Network Speed for the sixth consecutive time. T-Mobile also holds onto the top ranking for Data Performance. Meanwhile, AT &T, T-Mobile, and Verizon tie for the top spot in Text Performance for the second time in a row.
"We are seeing important shifts in our mobile performance ranking in Philadelphia," said Annette Hamilton, RootMetrics director. "Verizon replaced T-Mobile, joining AT &T in a tie for first place in Overall Performance and Sprint is now tied for first in Network Reliability. And with three of the four networks recording faster median download speeds, it appears the carriers are making key improvements to the benefit of mobile users in the Philadelphia metro area."
This is the eleventh time RootMetrics has tested the mobile networks in Philadelphia and issued findings for the metro area. RootScore Reports provide a scientific, independent, consumer-focused assessment of mobile network performance.
The RootMetrics Overall Performance RootScore rankings for Philadelphia:
1 – AT &T (97.5)
1 – Verizon (97.3)
3 – T-Mobile (96.6)
4 – Sprint (95.1)
RootScores are on a scale of 0 to 100. A good Overall RootScore means strong all-around performance and a good consumer experience.
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.
Sprint, Verizon, and AT &T share the award for Network Reliability, while T-Mobile falls only about one point short. Meanwhile, T-Mobile earns the Network Speed RootScore Award outright for the sixth consecutive testing period.
Network Reliability RootScore rankings:
1 – Sprint (98.8)
1 – Verizon (98.7)
1 – AT &T (98.7)
4 – T-Mobile (97.6)
Network Speed RootScore rankings:
1 – T-Mobile (95.7)
2 – AT &T (94.4)
3 – Verizon (93.6)
4 – Sprint (82.2)
Data Performance
Data Performance RootScores reflect 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 an outright win in Data Performance for the fourth consecutive testing period in Philadelphia. Furthermore, T-Mobile recorded the fastest median download and upload speeds at 29.0 Mbps and 19.3 Mbps, respectively, meaning it would only take about three minutes to download a high-definition TV show on the network.
Data Performance RootScore rankings:
1 – T-Mobile (98.2)
2 – AT &T (97.4)
3 – Verizon (97.2)
4 – Sprint (92.0)
Call and Text Performance
After previously sharing the Call Performance award with AT &T and Verizon, Sprint now takes the top spot outright in this category for the first time in Philadelphia. Meanwhile, AT &T, T-Mobile, and Verizon share first place in the Text Performance category, with Sprint trailing by less than one point.
Call Performance RootScore rankings:
1 – Sprint (99.0)
2 – AT &T (97.4)
2 – Verizon (97.2)
4 – T-Mobile (94.1)
Text Performance RootScore rankings:
1 – AT &T (99.5)
1 – T-Mobile (99.3)
1 – Verizon (99.3)
4 – Sprint (98.4)
Comprehensive Testing
To evaluate the mobile experience in Philadelphia, RootMetrics conducted tests across all hours of the day and night from September 8 through September 14. Using smartphones purchased off the shelf at carrier stores, tests were conducted indoors at 96 locations and while driving 3,896 miles. For details about RootMetrics testing, see the methodology section of the RootMetrics website.
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 and companies make more informed mobile decisions. RootMetrics offers its RootScore® Report series for nations, states, metro areas, airports, campuses, venues, and transit stations, 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 smartphones most often.
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 © 2016 IHS Markit Ltd. All rights reserved.