BELLEVUE, Wash., Oct. 20, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — RootMetrics®, the standard for independent mobile network performance information, today released its latest report on mobile performance in the Atlanta metro area. Although Verizon was awarded the top spot for overall mobile performance, consumers across Atlanta are getting one of the best mobile experiences in the country. According to the 2nd Half 2015 Atlanta Metro RootScore Report, each of the carriers either won or shared first place in at least one category of testing. Verizon’s top overall ranking broke a previous tie with AT &T from results in the 1st half of 2015.

Furthermore, T-Mobile made major strides when it came to data and network speed categories, claiming first place outright in both. In previous testing from RootMetrics, an IHS (NYSE: IHS) company, AT &T ranked first in network speed, while Verizon and AT &T shared the award for data performance. Sprint is another carrier making big improvements in the Atlanta metro area, nearly doubling its median download speed since the last round of testing in January.
 
“Verizon came out on top when it came to overall mobile performance in Atlanta, but the other carriers are not far behind,” said Julie Dey, RootMetrics vice president. “This is great news for consumers in the metro area. None of the carriers scored below a 90.0 in any of the categories tested, meaning people living and working in Atlanta can depend on reliable mobile service no matter which carrier they choose.”
 
This is the tenth time RootMetrics has tested the mobile networks in Atlanta and issued a RootScore Report of its findings for the metro area. RootScore Reports provide a scientific, independent, consumer-focused assessment of mobile network performance.
 
The final RootMetrics Overall Performance RootScore rankings for Atlanta:
1 – Verizon (98.6)
2 – AT &T (98.3)
2 – T-Mobile (98.0)
4 – Sprint (97.3)

RootScores are on a scale of 0 to 100. A good Overall RootScore means strong all-around performance and a good consumer experience.
 
Mobile Performance You Can Depend on

Reliability and speed are crucial to a quality mobile experience. RootMetrics indicates performance in these key areas with its Network Reliability category, a combination of results from data, call and text tests, and its Network Speed category, which examines results across testing of data transfers, downloading email and web/app tasks.

Verizon and AT &T shared the Network Reliability RootScore Award, beating out Sprint who had previously shared the top spot with the two winners in the last round of testing. However, all four carriers’ scores ranged within less than one point of each other, depicting excellent reliability across the board. When it came to Network Speed, T-Mobile took first place, an award previously held by AT &T outright.

Reliability Index rankings:

1 – Verizon (99.7)
1 – AT &T (99.4)
3 – Sprint (99.1)
4 – T-Mobile (98.9)
 
Speed Index rankings:

1 – T-Mobile (96.2)
2 – Verizon (95.6)
3 – AT &T (95.2)
4 – Sprint (91.9)
 
Data Performance: T-Mobile Takes First

Data Performance RootScores reflect how well networks perform in downloading and uploading data, performing email tasks, and downloading files that approximate loading typical webpages or apps. For the first time, T-Mobile took first outright in the data performance category. In the previous round of testing, Verizon and AT &T shared this award.
 
However, Verizon recorded the fastest median download and upload speeds in Atlanta at 35.9 Mbps and 27.7 Mbps, respectively.

Data Performance rankings:

1 – T-Mobile (98.3)
2 – Verizon (98.1)
2 – AT &T (98.1)
4 – Sprint (96.5)
 
Call and Text Performance

When it came to call performance in Atlanta, Verizon and AT &T shared first place, with Sprint and T-Mobile close behind. Previously, Verizon shared this award with Sprint for two consecutive testing periods. Text performance, on the other hand, resulted in a four-way tie between all the carriers. Notably, it would take about 2.5 seconds or less to send a text on any of the four networks.

Call Performance rankings:

1 – Verizon (99.4)
1 – AT &T (98.7)
3 – Sprint (98.2)
4 – T-Mobile (97.5)
 
Text Performance rankings:

1 – Sprint (98.9)
1 – Verizon (98.4)
1 – AT &T (98.2)
1 – T-Mobile (97.9)
 
Comprehensive Testing

To evaluate the mobile experience in Atlanta, RootMetrics performed 84,587 call, data and text tests across all hours of the day and night from Sept. 20 through Sept. 26. Using smartphones purchased off the shelf at carrier stores, tests were conducted indoors at 148 locations, outdoors and while driving 4,318 miles. For details about RootMetrics testing, see the methodology section of the RootMetrics website.

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. RootMetrics offers its RootScore® Report series for the nation, states, metro areas, airports, campuses, venues, and transit stations, 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 smartphones most often.

About IHS

IHS (NYSE:IHS) is the leading source of insight, analytics and expertise in critical areas that shape today’s business landscape. Businesses and governments in more than 150 countries around the globe rely on the comprehensive content, expert independent analysis and flexible delivery methods of IHS to make high-impact decisions and develop strategies with speed and confidence. IHS has been in business since 1959 and became a publicly traded company on the New York Stock Exchange in 2005. Headquartered in Englewood, Colorado, USA, IHS is committed to sustainable, profitable growth and employs about 8,800 people in 32 countries around the world.

CONTACT: Mike Kelly for RootMetrics
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         617-779-1800