A new report from RootMetrics
by IHS Markit, the gold standard for mobile performance benchmarking,
reveals Verizon claims the top spot across categories in Philadelphia.
In the latest 1st
Half 2019 Philadelphia Metro RootScore Report, Verizon takes
outright awards in overall performance, network reliability, network
speed and data performance.
When it comes to data performance in the metro area, AT&T recorded the
fastest median download speed at 57.9 Mbps, which is an increase from
the 43.1 Mbps the carrier recorded in the second half of 2018.
Meanwhile, T-Mobile recorded the fastest median upload speed at 18.5
Mbps, allowing a subscriber to upload a picture to social media in about
two seconds.
“The mobile performance race in Philadelphia is getting more intense,
with the carriers continuing to make improvements in data performance,”
said Doug King, director of business development at RootMetrics. “With
AT&T, Sprint and Verizon all making big median download speed
improvements and T-Mobile recording the fastest median upload speed in
the metro area, it’s clear the carriers are investing in their networks
to align with Philadelphians’ growing mobile data demands.”
This is the 16th time RootMetrics has tested the mobile networks in
Philadelphia 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 earned the Network Reliability RootScore Award outright, which
the carrier previously held in a tie with AT&T. Verizon also holds the
outright award for network speed, which AT&T and T-Mobile previously
shared. 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 and web/app
tasks.
Data Performance
Verizon took the Data Performance RootScore Award outright in this
testing period, which T-Mobile previously held outright. However,
T-Mobile recorded the fastest median upload speed at 18.5 Mbps, while
AT&T recorded the fastest median download speed at 57.9 Mbps. Notably,
during RootMetrics’ outdoor walking tests in the dense urban core of
Philadelphia, AT&T recorded the fastest median download speed at 63.2
Mbps and T-Mobile recorded the fastest median upload speed at 18.7 Mbps.
The data performance category reflects how well networks perform in
downloading and uploading data, and downloading files that approximate
loading typical webpages or apps.
Call and Text Performance
Verizon and AT&T share the award for call performance for the second
consecutive report, while T-Mobile, AT&T and Verizon 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 Philadelphia, RootMetrics conducted
tests across all hours of the day and night from February 19 through
March 1. Using smartphones purchased off the shelf at carrier stores,
tests were conducted indoors at 180 locations and while driving 3,877
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.
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