BELLEVUE, Wash., Feb. 3, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to a new report released today, Verizon and AT &T share the honor of winning the RootMetrics RootScore Award for overall mobile performance in Atlanta. During previous testing in July of 2014, Verizon won this award outright. Notably, all of the major networks showed a significant increase in median download speed, and Verizon recorded its fastest median download and upload speeds in any market RootMetrics has tested to date. That's according to independent mobile analytics firm RootMetrics®, which measures mobile performance of the four major national mobile network operators with tests designed to replicate real-world consumer behavior.
The Overall performance category includes results across data, call, and text testing, and the top-performing network is awarded the Overall RootScore Award. A good Overall RootScore means a good consumer experience.
The final RootMetrics Overall Performance RootScore rankings for Atlanta:
1 – Verizon (98.7)
1 – AT &T (98.7)
3 – T-Mobile (98.0)
4 – Sprint (97.5)
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 Atlanta.
In the network reliability category, it was a three-way tie between Verizon, Sprint, and AT &T for the #1 position. During previous testing in July, Verizon and Sprint ranked first for network reliability. AT &T ranked first on the Network Speed Index. T-Mobile and Verizon ranked first in network speed in Atlanta during the July test period.
Reliability Index rankings:
1 – Verizon (99.7)
1 – Sprint (99.6)
1 – AT &T (99.5)
4 – T-Mobile (98.8)
Speed Index rankings:
1 – AT &T (96.0)
2 – T-Mobile (95.5)
2 – Verizon (95.3)
4 – Sprint (89.7)
"There is a great story unfolding in Atlanta related to the networks' increased focus on reliability," said Bill Moore, RootMetrics CEO. "Verizon, Sprint, and T-Mobile shared the top rank on our network reliability index, and T-Mobile wasn't far behind. Also impressive were the strong results across the board on our network speed index. This combination of reliability and speed is great news for consumers in Atlanta. Mobile consumers have multiple choices when it comes to finding a network that can accommodate their specific needs."
Data Performance: Verizon and AT &T share Data RootScore Award in Atlanta
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 recorded the fastest median download and upload speeds at 35.8 Mbps and 29.4 Mbps, respectively. Notably, these were the fastest median download and upload speeds Verizon has recorded in any market RootMetrics has tested to date.
Since previous testing in July, there were several notable changes to the data performance landscape in Atlanta. AT &T's median download speed increased from 15.5 Mbps to 28.3 Mbps since July, and AT &T's median upload speed increased from 12.4 Mbps to 15.6 Mbps. Sprint's median download speed increased from 6.8 Mbps to 10.0 Mbps. T-Mobile's median upload speed increased from 12.8 Mbps to 21.1 Mbps. Verizon's median download speed increased from 31.4 Mbps to 35.8 Mbps, and Verizon's median upload speed increased from 20.7 Mbps to 29.4 Mbps.
Median download and upload speeds by network
Verizon: 35.81 Mbps download/29.36 upload
AT &T: 28.29 Mbps download/15.59 upload
T-Mobile: 25.58 Mbps download/21.10 upload
Sprint: 10.03 Mbps download/5.55 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 Atlanta should be a positive experience on any of the four networks. Sprint and Verizon shared the Call RootScore Award for the second consecutive time, each with scores above 99. AT &T followed with a score of 98.9, and T-Mobile ranked fourth with a score of 98.0.
Text me
Sprint and T-Mobile shared the Text RootScore Award, scoring 99.1 and 98.9, respectively. With Text RootScores of 97 or higher for all four networks, texting in Atlanta should be a smooth experience.
More than 105,000 tests in Atlanta
To evaluate the mobile experience in Atlanta, RootMetrics conducted 105,032 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 January 7 through January 13, 2015. The tests were conducted using the RootMetrics RootScout app running on Android-based, consumer smartphones purchased off-the-shelf from mobile network operator stores. Tests were performed indoors (at 137 locations), outdoors, and during drive tests (covering 4,881 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 Atlanta.
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.