Verizon Sweeps Mobile Performance Awards in Los Angeles While AT&T Hot on Heels, RootMetrics Says

New data reveals three-way ties in network reliability and call performance categories


Bellevue, WA, June 01, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to RootMetrics®, the independent source for real-world mobile performance comparison, Verizon sweeps the RootScore Awards in Los Angeles for the fourth consecutive testing period. However, the competition is red hot with AT&T and T-Mobile each tying for three awards this testing period. Furthermore, the new 1st Half 2017 Los Angeles Metro RootScore Report shows three-way ties in both the network reliability and call performance categories. 

When it comes to data performance in the metro area, T-Mobile makes notable improvements, boosting its median download speed from 9.8 Mbps to 13.6 Mbps this testing period. Verizon ultimately wins the Data Performance RootScore Award outright for the seventh consecutive testing period. The carrier records the fastest median download speed at 22.9 Mbps, meaning downloading a high-definition TV show would generally take less than four minutes. Verizon also posts the fastest median upload speed at 16.5 Mbps, meaning subscribers can upload a photo to social media in about two seconds.

“The Los Angeles mobile performance race hotter than the LA summer right now,” said Annette Hamilton, RootMetrics director. “Increasingly close races in the network reliability, call performance, and text performance categories suggest the four major mobile carriers are continuing to invest in their networks and turning up the heat across all aspects of mobile performance in the City of Angels.”

This is the twelfth time RootMetrics has tested the mobile networks in Los Angeles 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 perform well in network reliability, but AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon ultimately share the RootScore Award. Meanwhile, Verizon claims the Network Speed RootScore Award outright for the seventh time in a row.

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. Verizon claims the Data Performance RootScore Award for the seventh consecutive testing period, posting impressive median upload and download speeds of 22.9 Mbps and 16.5 Mbps, respectively. This means Verizon subscribers can download a high-definition TV show in less than four minutes and upload a photo to social media in about 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. T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon tie for the Call Performance RootScore Award, while the text performance category results in a four-way tie.


Comprehensive Testing

To evaluate the mobile experience in Los Angeles, RootMetrics conducted tests across all hours of the day and night from April 29 through May 5. Using smartphones purchased off the shelf at carrier stores, tests were conducted indoors at 183 locations and while driving 4,456 miles. For details about RootMetrics testing, see the methodology section of the RootMetrics website.

About RootMetrics®

RootMetrics®, an IHS Markit company, is an independent mobile analytics firm that measures mobile network performance and offers insights into the consumer mobile experience. RootMetrics provides data on mobile network performance to help the networks improve and give consumers an end-to-end look at mobile performance. 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. © 2017 RootMetrics. All rights reserved. 


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