IHS Markit Report Reveals Big Mobile Performance Improvements in Boston

BELLEVUE, WASH., April 10, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to RootMetrics®, an IHS Markit (Nasdaq: INFO) company, mobile carriers are racing to meet the increasing needs of today's mobile consumers in Boston. The latest 1st Half 2017 Boston Metro RootScore Report reveals particularly tight races in Network Reliability and Data Performance, with both categories resulting in three-way ties between AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon.

Notably, Verizon's tie for the Data Performance award marks the network's first shared or outright win in the category since 2012. Digging deeper into this latest report from RootMetrics, the independent source for real-world mobile performance comparison, some carriers are making big strides when it comes to data speeds. Specifically, AT&T improved its median download speed from 20.4 Mbps to 28.4 Mbps and T-Mobile saw its median download speed jump from 21.3 Mbps to 35.1 Mbps since the last round of testing. To put that in context, at 35.1 Mbps it takes less than two seconds to download a song.

"This latest round of testing in Boston suggests that all four carriers are committed to making improvements in major metro areas," said Annette Hamilton, RootMetrics director. "With the advances we are seeing in the Data Performance and Network Reliability categories, consumers are realizing the returns on investments being made by the major carriers in Boston."

This is the thirteenth time RootMetrics has tested the mobile networks in Boston and issued findings for the metro area. RootScore Reports provide a scientific, independent, consumer-focused assessment of mobile network performance.

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.

All four carriers post impressive scores of 98.2 and above in the Network Reliability category this testing period, though AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon ultimately share the award. Meanwhile, Verizon ties with T-Mobile for the top spot in Network Speed, marking the first time Verizon has won or shared this award in Boston.

Data Performance

The Data Performance category reflects how well networks perform in downloading and uploading data, performing email tasks, and downloading files that approximate loading typical webpages or apps.

There is a three-way tie for the Data Performance award, with Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile sharing the top spot. T-Mobile records the fastest median download and upload speeds in Boston at 35.1 Mbps and 16.7 Mbps, respectively, meaning consumers in Boston can download a song in less than two seconds.

Call and Text Performance

Call and text capabilities are fundamental to a strong mobile experience. Call Performance testing is based on how reliably each network can place and maintain calls, while Text Performance measures how reliably and quickly consumers can send and receive text messages.

Sprint earns the Call Performance award outright, marking its first outright win in the category since RootMetrics began testing in Boston. Additionally, all four carriers share the Text Performance RootScore Award.

Comprehensive Testing

To evaluate the mobile experience in Boston, RootMetrics conducted tests across all hours of the day and night from March 3 through March 11. Using smartphones purchased off the shelf at carrier stores, tests were conducted indoors at 204 locations and while driving 4,690 miles. For details about RootMetrics testing, see the methodology section of the RootMetrics website.

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 © 2017 IHS Markit Ltd. All rights reserved.