BELLEVUE, Wash., Nov. 17, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- After performing more than 25,000 data, call, and text tests in the Mile High City, Verizon and T-Mobile remain locked in a tie for the title of top-performing overall mobile network in Denver for the second consecutive time. RootMetrics previously visited Denver in May 2014. The two carriers also shared the #1 rank for network reliability and data performance. AT &T joined Verizon and T-Mobile for the top rank in call performance. 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 Denver:
1 – Verizon (96.6)
1 – T-Mobile (96.1)
3 – AT &T (93.9)
4 – Sprint (92.3)
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 a typical experience in Denver.
Verizon and T-Mobile also share the #1 position in network reliability with scores of 99.2 and 98.3, respectively. During previous testing in May, AT &T joined Verizon and T-Mobile in a three-way tie for first in network reliability. T-Mobile ranked highest in the network speed index for the third consecutive time.
Reliability Index rankings:
1 – Verizon (99.2)
1 – T-Mobile (98.3)
2 – AT &T (98.0)
4 – Sprint (96.4)
Speed Index rankings:
1 – T-Mobile (88.7)
2 – Verizon (86.8)
3 – AT &T (79.2)
4 – Sprint (79.0)
"We're seeing strong scores for network reliability across all four carriers in Denver," said Bill Moore, RootMetrics CEO. "With Verizon and T-Mobile neck-and-neck for distinction as most reliable network in the area, and AT &T and Sprint close behind, the competition is tight and that's great news for mobile consumers."
Data Performance: Verizon and T-Mobile Deliver Fastest Data Download Speed in Denver
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. Verizon and T-Mobile shared the RootScore Award for data performance in Denver, with scores of 95.3 and 94.9, respectively. The two carriers also recorded the fastest median download speed at 10.32 and 10.52 Mbps, respectively. T-Mobile recorded the fastest median upload speed at 7.69 Mbps.
Since previous testing in May, Sprint officially launched LTE in the area. Subsequently, Sprint's median download speed increased from 0.83 to 6.78 Mbps, and Sprint's median upload speed increased from 0.71 Mbps to 4.41 Mbps. By contrast, and despite occupying the top ranking for data performance, T-Mobile's median download speed decreased from 17.06 to 10.53 Mbps since May. And T-Mobile's median upload speed decreased from 10.54 to 7.69 Mbps in that same time.
Median download and upload speeds by network
T-Mobile: 10.53 Mbps download/7.69 upload
Verizon: 10.32 Mbps download/5.42 upload
AT &T: 7.36 Mbps download/3.64 upload
Sprint: 6.78 Mbps download/4.41 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 Denver should be a positive experience on any of the four networks. Verizon, AT &T and T-Mobile shared the RootScore Award for call performance for the third consecutive time. Their scores were 98.6 (Verizon), 97.3 (AT &T) and 97.3 (T-Mobile). Sprint ranked fourth, with a score of 93.9.
Text me
T-Mobile won its second consecutive RootScore Award for text performance, with a score of 96.6. With Text RootScores above 93 for all four networks, texting in Denver should be a smooth experience.
More than 25,000 tests in Denver
To evaluate the mobile experience in Denver, RootMetrics conducted 25,492 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 October 21 through October 27, 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 35 locations), outdoors, and during drive tests (covering 1,099 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 Denver.
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.