BELLEVUE, Wash., Nov. 25, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- After performing nearly 20,000 data, call, and text tests, Verizon earned distinction as the top-performing overall mobile network outright in New Orleans for the first time since April 2013. During the previous RootMetrics visit to New Orleans in June 2014, Verizon shared this award with AT &T. 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 Orleans:
1 – Verizon (98.2)
2 – AT &T (96.9)
3 – Sprint (91.1)
3 – T-Mobile (90.4)
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 Orleans.
Verizon and AT &T tied for the #1 position in network reliability with scores of 99.6 and 98.9, respectively. During previous testing in June, AT &T ranked highest in network reliability. Verizon ranked highest on the Network Speed Index for the second consecutive time.
Reliability Index rankings:
1 – Verizon (99.6)
1 – AT &T (98.9)
3 – Sprint (97.6)
4 – T-Mobile (95.0)
Speed Index rankings:
1 – Verizon (93.2)
2 – AT &T (90.4)
3 – T-Mobile (75.5)
4 – Sprint (66.9)
"One highlight from this visit to New Orleans was the impressive results we've observed for network reliability," said Bill Moore, RootMetrics CEO. "All four carriers have scores above 95. With Verizon and AT &T neck-and-neck for the distinction as most reliable network in the area, and Sprint and T-Mobile closing the gap, consumers on all networks win. This is great news for consumers in New Orleans."
Data Performance: Verizon wins second consecutive Data RootScore Award in New Orleans
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 second consecutive RootScore Award for data performance in New Orleans, with a score of 97.7. Big Red recorded the fastest median download speed at 14.0 Mbps, while AT &T recorded the fastest median upload speed at 10.8 Mbps.
Since previous testing in June, Sprint's percentage of download and upload tests on LTE increased from approximately 44 percent to approximately 90 percent in this round of testing.
Median download and upload speeds by network
Verizon: 13.96 Mbps download/7.22 upload
AT &T: 10.81 Mbps download/9.99 upload
T-Mobile: 4.02 Mbps download/4.21 upload
Sprint: 2.03 Mbps download/1.50 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 Orleans should be a positive experience on any of the four networks. Verizon, Sprint, and AT &T shared the RootScore Award for call performance. Their scores were 99.2 (Verizon), 98.2 (Sprint), and 97.6 (AT &T). T-Mobile ranked fourth, with a score of 92.6.
Text me
AT &T won its fourth consecutive RootScore Award for text performance, with a score of 97.1. With Text RootScores of 96 or higher for all four networks, texting in New Orleans should be a smooth experience.
Nearly 20,000 tests in New Orleans
To evaluate the mobile experience in New Orleans, RootMetrics conducted 19,952 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 31 through November 5, 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 23 locations), outdoors, and during drive tests (covering 847 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 New Orleans.
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.