BELLEVUE, Wash., Dec. 16, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In a new report released today, Verizon earned distinction as the top-performing overall mobile network in Miami for the second consecutive time. In fact, Verizon won or shared awards across five out of six RootMetrics test categories. Since the previous round of RootMetrics testing in Miami, conducted in March 2014, Verizon deployed its Advanced Wireless Spectrum (AWS) in the area. Subsequently, Verizon's median download speed increased from 12.8 Mbps to 19.3 Mbps, and Verizon's median upload speed increased from 8.6 Mbps to 10.9 Mbps. 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; the top-performing network(s) 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 Miami:
- Verizon (98.5)
- AT &T (97.6)
- T-Mobile (96.4)
- Sprint (90.5)
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 Miami.
Verizon and AT &T tied for the #1 position in network reliability in Miami for the second consecutive time, scoring 99.7 and 99.2, respectively. Verizon also ranked highest on the Network Speed Index for the second consecutive time.
Reliability Index rankings:
- Verizon (99.7)
- AT &T (99.2)
- T-Mobile (98.2)
- Sprint (94.6)
Speed Index rankings:
- Verizon (94.2)
- AT &T (92.1)
- T-Mobile (90.6)
- Sprint (72.6)
"In Miami, we observed strong results from all four carriers in terms of both overall performance and network reliability," said Bill Moore, RootMetrics CEO. "While Verizon won or shared the top rank in five of the six categories we measured, the competition in Miami is heating up. This is great news, as consumers in Miami have multiple options for choosing a network that's right for their individual needs."
Data Performance: Verizon again wins Data RootScore Award in Miami
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. For the second consecutive time in Miami, Verizon won the RootScore Award for data performance, scoring 98.1. Verizon recorded the fastest median download speed at 19.3 Mbps, while T-Mobile recorded the fastest median upload speed at 12.3 Mbps.
Since previous testing in March, AT &T's median download speed increased from 8.0 Mbps to 12.6 Mbps. Meanwhile, Sprint's rate of download and upload speed tests recorded on LTE increased by more than 35 percent since March. Sprint's median download speed increased from 1.2 Mbps to 4.6 Mbps. T-Mobile's median download speed increased from 9.8 Mbps to 12.9 Mbps, and T-Mobile's median upload speed increased from 6.3 Mbps to 12.3 Mbps.
Median download and upload speeds by network
Verizon: 19.26 Mbps download/10.94 upload
T-Mobile: 12.90 Mbps download/12.31 upload
AT &T: 12.64 Mbps download/7.97 upload
Sprint: 4.60 Mbps download/2.34 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 Miami should be a positive experience on any of the four networks. Verizon and AT &T shared the RootScore Award for call performance for the third consecutive time, scoring 99.4 and 98.5, respectively. Sprint and T-Mobile, meanwhile, weren't far behind. Sprint ranked third with a score of 97.9, and T-Mobile ranked fourth with a score of 97.0.
Text me
AT &T won its third consecutive RootScore Award for text performance, scoring 97.3. With Text RootScores of 96 or higher for all four networks, texting in Miami should be a smooth experience.
More than 50,000 tests in Miami
To evaluate the mobile experience in Miami, RootMetrics conducted 52,498 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 November 16 through November 22, 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 73 locations), outdoors, and during drive tests (covering 2,936 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 Miami.
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.