Verizon Takes Charge in Tampa, Earning High Marks in RootMetrics Mobile Performance Awards

BELLEVUE, Wash., Dec. 13, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- A new report from RootMetrics by IHS Markit, the gold standard for mobile performance benchmarking, reveals Verizon shines when it comes to consumer mobile experience in Tampa. In the latest 2nd Half 2018 Tampa Metro RootScore Report, Verizon wins outright awards in overall performance, network reliability, data performance and call performance. Meanwhile, T-Mobile heats up the competition in the network speed category, earning the award outright for the second consecutive report.

Looking at data performance in the metro area, AT&T and T-Mobile record the fastest median download speeds at 29.8 Mbps and 28.9 Mbps, respectively, allowing subscribers to download a high-definition TV show in about three minutes. Meanwhile, T-Mobile and Verizon record the fastest median upload speeds at 13.3 Mbps and 12.8 Mbps, respectively, allowing a subscriber to upload a picture to social media in about three seconds.

"The mobile performance race in Tampa is getting more intense, with multiple award wins for Verizon and T-Mobile," said Doug King, director of business development at RootMetrics. "While Verizon reigns in the majority of categories, T-Mobile is making traction in the network speed and text performance categories. Regardless, it's clear that Tampa natives are in good hands with the mobile networks improving to fit the needs of all smartphone users, no matter how they use their devices most."

This is the fifteenth time RootMetrics has tested the mobile networks in Tampa and issued findings for the metro area. RootScore Reports provide a scientific, independent, consumer-focused assessment of mobile network performance.

Mobile Performance You Can Depend on

In the network reliability category, Verizon wins the award outright for the fifth report in a row. However, T-Mobile takes the Network Speed RootScore Award outright for the second consecutive report. Reliability and speed are crucial to a consistently good mobile experience. RootMetrics' network reliability category is a combination of results from data, call and text tests, while the network speed category examines results across testing of data transfers, downloading email and web/app tasks.

Data Performance

Verizon takes the Data Performance RootScore Award outright in this testing period, which was previously held solely by T-Mobile. AT&T and T-Mobile record the fastest median download speeds at 29.8 Mbps and 28.9 Mbps, respectively, allowing subscribers to download a high-definition TV show in about three minutes. Meanwhile, T-Mobile and Verizon record the fastest median upload speeds at 13.3 Mbps and 12.8 Mbps, respectively, allowing a subscriber to upload a picture to social media in about three seconds. The data performance category reflects how well networks perform in downloading and uploading data, performing email tasks and downloading files that approximate loading typical webpages or apps.

Call and Text Performance

Verizon earns the award for call performance for the third consecutive report, while T-Mobile and AT&T share the Text Performance RootScore Award. Call performance testing is based on how reliably each network can place and maintain calls, while text performance measures how reliably and quickly consumers can send and receive text messages.

Comprehensive Testing

To evaluate the mobile experience in Tampa, RootMetrics conducted tests across all hours of the day and night from November 13 through November 19. Using smartphones purchased off the shelf at carrier stores, tests were conducted indoors at 117 locations and while driving 2,236 miles. For details about RootMetrics testing, see the methodology section of the RootMetrics website.

About RootMetrics
RootMetrics by IHS Markit is mobile analytics that measure mobile network performance and offers insights into the consumer mobile experience. RootMetrics provides data on mobile network performance to help the networks improve and give consumers an end-to-end look at mobile performance. To ensure that RootMetrics reflects real-world mobile usage, testing is conducted based on where, when and how consumers use their smartphones most often.

IHS Markit and RootMetrics are registered trademarks of IHS Markit Ltd. and/or its affiliates. All other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners © 2018 IHS Markit Ltd. All rights reserved.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Stephanie Epstein for RootMetrics
[email protected]
+1-617-779-1800

SOURCE RootMetrics