Press release

Verizon is Better in the Beltway, IHS Markit Says

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Sponsored by Businesswire

A new report from RootMetrics
by IHS Markit, the standard for mobile performance benchmarking, reveals
Verizon continues to lead network performance in Washington, D.C., but
AT&T recorded notable improvements in both network speed and data
reliability. In the latest 1st
Half 2019 Washington, D.C. Metro RootScore Report
, Verizon earns
awards in every tested category – taking outright wins in overall
performance, network reliability and data performance categories, and
shared awards for network speed, call and text performance.

Mobile performance plays a critical role in the nation’s capital, where
a fast and reliable connection is needed whether at work or on the go.
RootMetrics tests included drivetime on the Beltway, within indoor
locations and during walking in the dense urban core. Results show
generally strong performances from all carriers, with AT&T delivering a
significant jump in median download speed.

“Verizon continues to deliver great performance in Washington, D.C.,
earning at least a share of all mobile performance awards for the third
consecutive report,” said Francis Sideco, vice president, technology at
IHS Markit. “However, the data speeds recorded during this round of
testing, especially from AT&T, show that competition is heating up.
Mobile users in the nation’s capital can lean on a strong mobile
network, allowing them to talk, text and post on their smartphones with
ease.”

This is the 17th time RootMetrics has tested the mobile networks in
Washington, D.C. and issued findings for the metro area. RootScore
Reports provide a scientific, independent and consumer-focused
assessment of mobile network performance.

Mobile Performance You Can Depend On

Verizon earns the Network Reliability RootScore Award outright for the
fourth report in a row. However, the carrier shares the Network Speed
RootScore Award with AT&T, after holding the award outright in the first
and second halves of 2018. Reliability and speed are crucial to a
consistently good mobile experience. The 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 and web/app tasks.

Data Performance

Delivering the best combination of speed plus reliability, Verizon holds
the Data Performance RootScore Award outright for the fourth consecutive
report. While AT&T and T-Mobile trailed Verizon slightly in data
reliability testing, they did offer notable performances during speed
testing. Indeed, AT&T recorded the fastest median download speed at 57.6
Mbps and T-Mobile recorded the fastest median upload speed at 19.7 Mbps.
Notably, during outdoor walking tests in the dense urban core of
Washington, D.C., AT&T recorded the fastest median download speed at
67.4 Mbps and T-Mobile recorded the fastest median upload speed at 33.3
Mbps. Looking at more than speed alone, the data performance category
reflects how well networks deliver a combination of speed and
reliability in downloading and uploading data, and downloading files
that approximate loading typical webpages or apps.

Call and Text Performance

Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile share the award for call performance, which
was previously held outright by Verizon. Additionally all four carriers
share the Text Performance RootScore Award for the second report in a
row. 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 Washington, D.C., RootMetrics
conducted tests across all hours of the day and night from March 8
through March 19. Using smartphones purchased off the shelf at carrier
stores, tests were conducted indoors at 125 locations and while driving
2,489 miles. For details about RootMetrics testing, see the methodology
section
of the RootMetrics website.

About RootMetrics®

RootMetrics® by IHS Markit is mobile analytics that measures 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 results reflect
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 © 2019 IHS Markit Ltd. All rights
reserved.