Verizon Sweeps Mobile Performance Awards in San Francisco for Third Consecutive Testing Period

BELLEVUE, Wash., Oct. 31, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The newest report from RootMetrics®, the global standard for independent mobile performance information, shows Verizon leading the rankings in San Francisco, sweeping the mobile performance awards for the third time in a row. However, the 2nd Half 2016 San Francisco Metro RootScore Report also reveals significant gains from AT&T. After sharing only one award during the last round of testing, AT&T is now tied for the top spot in four of the six categories tested. This includes a shared win between Verizon and AT&T for Overall Performance.

Meanwhile, the other carriers are making improvements of their own. Sprint shared the top spot in Call Performance with AT&T and Verizon, while all four carriers shared the Text RootScore Award. Furthermore, T-Mobile recorded the fastest median upload speed in San Francisco, according to this new report from RootMetrics, an IHS Markit (Nasdaq:INFO) company.
 
"Though Verizon seems to have a hold on our mobile performance rankings in San Francisco, the other carriers are making significant improvements and the competition is heating up," said Annette Hamilton, RootMetrics director. "In our last round of testing, Verizon earned outright wins in five of six categories – this time around, the carrier only took two outright wins. Ultimately, mobile users in San Francisco will be benefiting from the increasingly close race between the networks."
 
This is the eleventh time RootMetrics has tested the mobile networks in San Francisco 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 San Francisco:
1 – Verizon (97.0)
1 – AT&T (96.4)
3 – T-Mobile (94.3)
3 – Sprint (92.7)
 
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 evaulates 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.

After earning an outright award in Network Reliability during the last round of testing, Verizon now shares the top spot with AT&T, while the remaining carriers fall about two points behind the leaders. Meanwhile, Verizon takes an outright win in the Network Speed category for the third consecutive testing period.
 
Network Reliability RootScore rankings:
1 – Verizon (98.2)
1 – AT&T (97.8)
3 – Sprint (96.7)
4 – T-Mobile (95.8)
 
Network Speed RootScore rankings:
1 – Verizon (94.7)
2 – AT&T (93.8)
3 – T-Mobile (92.6)
4 – Sprint (79.7)
 
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.
 
Verizon takes the top spot outright in Data Performance for the second consecutive time in San Francisco. AT&T and Verizon recorded the fastest median download speeds at 23.4 Mbps and 25.2 Mbps, respectively, while T-Mobile recorded the fastest median upload speed at 14.8 Mbps. On T-Mobile's network in San Francisco, it would take about three seconds to upload a picture to social media.
 
Data Performance RootScore rankings:
1 – Verizon (97.7)
2 – AT&T (97.2)
3 – T-Mobile (96.7)
4 – Sprint (90.3)
 
Call and Text Performance
Verizon, Sprint, and AT&T share the top spot in Call Performance, which is an award Verizon previously held outright. Meanwhile, Text Performance testing resulted in a four-way tie between the carriers.
 
Call Performance RootScore rankings:
1 – Verizon (95.9)
1 – Sprint (95.5)
1 – AT&T (95.1)
4 – T-Mobile (90.4)
 
Text Performance RootScore rankings:
1 – AT&T (98.5)
1 – Verizon (98.2)
1 – T-Mobile (98.2)
1 – Sprint (98.1)
 
Comprehensive Testing
To evaluate the mobile experience in San Francisco, RootMetrics conducted tests across all hours of the day and night from September 8 through September 15. Using smartphones purchased off the shelf at carrier stores, tests were conducted indoors at 30 locations and while driving 1,185 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, 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 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.

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