BELLEVUE, WA, WASH., Jan. 5, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In a new report released today, T-Mobile earned distinction as the top-performing mobile network in Las Vegas, winning the RootMetrics Overall RootScore Award outright in Las Vegas for the first time. In fact, T-Mobile won or shared awards across all six RootMetrics test 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 Las Vegas:
1 – T-Mobile (98.4)
2 – Verizon (97.7)
3 – AT &T (95.6)
4 – Sprint (94.3)
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 Las Vegas.
Verizon and T-Mobile tied for the #1 position in network reliability in Las Vegas. In February, it was a three-way tie for the highest rank for reliability, between Verizon, AT &T, and T-Mobile. T-Mobile ranked first on the Network Speed Index. T-Mobile had previously shared this distinction with AT &T.
Reliability Index rankings:
1 – Verizon (99.6)
1 – T-Mobile (99.4)
3 – AT &T (98.4)
4 – Sprint (96.8)
Speed Index rankings:
1 – T-Mobile (95.1)
2 – Verizon (90.2)
3 – Sprint (86.4)
3 – AT &T (85.7)
“While T-Mobile won or shared awards in all six of our test categories, the competition in Las Vegas remains fierce,” said Bill Moore, RootMetrics CEO. "We observed strong results from all four networks for both overall performance and network reliability. This is great news for consumers in Las Vegas, as they have multiple options for choosing a network that’s right for their individual needs.”
Data Performance: T-Mobile edges out the competition to win Data RootScore Award in Las Vegas
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. In this latest report, T-Mobile won the Data RootScore Award for the very first time in Las Vegas, scoring a 98.3. During the previous two RootMetrics testing periods, AT &T and Verizon shared this award. T-Mobile recorded the fastest median download and upload speeds at 17.4 Mbps and 22.2 Mbps, respectively.
Since previous testing in February, AT &T’s median download speed decreased from 10.3 Mbps to 8.2 Mbps. Meanwhile, Sprint officially launched LTE in the area, and its median download speed increased from 2.6 Mbps to 10.2 Mbps.
Median download and upload speeds by network
T-Mobile: 17.41 Mbps download/22.23 upload
Verizon: 11.58 Mbps download/6.54 upload
Sprint: 10.18 Mbps download/4.51 upload
AT &T: 8.24 Mbps download/4.31 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 Las Vegas should be a positive experience on any of the four networks. Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT &T shared the Call RootScore Award for the second consecutive time, scoring 99.6, 98.7, and 97.8, respectively. Sprint ranked fourth with a score of 94.7.
Text me
T-Mobile and AT &T shared the RootScore Award for text performance, scoring 97.5 and 97.0. With Text RootScores of 96 or higher for all four networks, texting in Las Vegas should be a smooth experience.
More than 18,000 tests in Las Vegas
To evaluate the mobile experience in Las Vegas, RootMetrics conducted 18,213 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 7, 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 24 locations), outdoors, and during drive tests (covering 759 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 Las Vegas.
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.
CONTACT:Ann Marie Ricard
Curator PR for RootMetrics
(206) 683-0552