BELLEVUE, Wash., Nov. 19, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- After performing more than 127,000 data, call, and text tests, Verizon and T-Mobile finished in a dead heat for the title of top-performing overall mobile network in New York City and the Tri-State Area for the second consecutive time. Since the previous RootMetrics testing, each of the four major carriers showed faster data speeds compared to results found in May. 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 New York City and the Tri-State Area:
1 – Verizon (97.1)
1 – T-Mobile (97.1)
3 – AT &T (95.9)
4 – Sprint (87.5)
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 a typical experience in New York City and the surrounding Tri-State Area.
Verizon edged past T-Mobile and AT &T to take the #1 position in network reliability with a score of 99.2. T-Mobile earned the top spot in network speed, scoring 92.8. During previous testing in May, T-Mobile shared this honor with Verizon, while AT &T ranked first for network reliability.
Reliability Index rankings:
1 – Verizon (99.2)
2 – T-Mobile (98.4)
2 – AT &T (98.3)
4 – Sprint (92.0)
Speed Index rankings:
1 – T-Mobile (92.8)
2 – Verizon (89.0)
3 – AT &T (87.5)
4 – Sprint (76.1)
"In our seventh visit to New York City, we're seeing even higher network reliability scores compared to the last time we tested in May 2014," said Bill Moore, RootMetrics CEO. "While Verizon edged past the other networks to earn distinction as the most reliable network in the area, the competition remains tight, with AT &T, T-Mobile, and Sprint all close behind Big Red."
Data Performance: Verizon Delivers Fastest Data Download Speed in New York City
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 won its seventh consecutive RootScore Award for data performance in New York City, with a score of 97.3, edging past T-Mobile's 96.9. Verizon recorded the fastest median download speed at 20.9 Mbps, and T-Mobile recorded the fastest median upload speed at 15.4 Mbps. Since previous testing in May, AT &T's median download speed increased from 7.6 to 9.8 Mbps. Sprint's median download speed increased from 1.6 to 6.5 Mbps, and Sprint's median upload speed increased from 0.9 to 3.0 Mbps. T-Mobile's median upload speed improved from 12.2 to 15.4 Mbps. Verizon's median download speed increased from 17.6 to 20.9 Mbps, and Verizon's median upload speed increased from 6.1 to 9.5 Mbps.
Median download and upload speeds by network
Verizon: 20.88 Mbps download/9.53 upload
T-Mobile: 15.66 Mbps download/15.36 upload
AT &T: 9.79 Mbps download/5.18 upload
Sprint: 6.49 Mbps download/2.99 Mbps 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 New York City and the Tri-State Area should be a positive experience on any of the four networks. Verizon won its second consecutive RootScore Award for call performance, with a score of 98.5. T-Mobile and AT &T shared the #2 spot, with scores of 97.4 and 97.3, respectively, and Sprint ranked fourth, with a score of 87.5.
Text me
T-Mobile won its third consecutive RootScore Award for text performance, with a score of 96.5. With Text RootScores above 90 for all four networks, texting in New York should be a smooth experience.
More than 127,000 tests in New York City and the Tri-state Area
To evaluate the mobile experience in New York City, RootMetrics conducted 127,095 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 11 through October 17, 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 156 locations), outdoors, and during drive tests (covering 5,486 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 Philadelphia.
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.