IHS MARKIT Bellevue, WA, Sept. 14, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to a new report from RootMetrics®, the independent source for real-world mobile performance comparison, Verizon sweeps the RootScore Awards in San Francisco, including three outright wins. Specifically, the latest 2nd Half 2017 San Francisco Metro RootScore Report reveals Verizon earns outright awards in network reliability and call performance categories for the first time since the first half of 2016. Meanwhile, Verizon and AT&T share the data performance award in a tight race while T-Mobile gains ground after improving its median download speed by 7 Mbps.
When it comes to data speeds in San Francisco, AT&T records the fastest median download speed at 29.3 Mbps, allowing subscribers to download a high-definition TV show in less than three minutes. Notably, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon all record the fastest median upload speeds ranging from 11.6 Mbps to 13.7 Mbps, meaning uploading a photo to social media would take less than three seconds on any of the networks.
“The race to provide an excellent mobile experience for the tech-savvy consumers of the City by the Bay is hotter than ever,” said Annette Hamilton, RootMetrics director. “Verizon swept the awards and our latest testing reveals close races in network reliability and data performance, meaning consumers throughout the San Francisco metro area have excellent options depending on their mobile needs.”
This is the thirteenth 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.
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. Although there is a tight race in the network reliability category, Verizon ultimately takes the RootScore Award outright. Meanwhile, Verizon and AT&T share the Network Speed RootScore Award.
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 and AT&T share the top spot in the data performance category, which is an award Verizon had previously won outright for three consecutive testing periods. Notably, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon record the fastest median upload speeds.
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. Verizon wins the Call Performance RootScore Award outright, while the text performance category results in a four-way tie for the third consecutive time.
Comprehensive Testing
To evaluate the mobile experience in San Francisco, RootMetrics conducted tests across all hours of the day and night from August 3 through August 11. Using smartphones purchased off the shelf at carrier stores, tests were conducted indoors at 62 locations and while driving 1,223 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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Lori Niquette RootMetrics 617-779-1800 rootmetrics@shiftcomm.com
