BELLEVUE, Wash., Dec. 11, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Verizon and T-Mobile led the way when it came to Overall Performance in Kansas City according to latest results from RootMetrics®, the standard for independent mobile performance testing. In the 2nd Half 2015 Kansas City Metro RootScore Report, the two carriers also shared the top spot in Network Speed, as well as being part of a three-way tie in Network Reliability and four-way ties in both Call and Text Performance.
Looking deeper into the results from RootMetrics, an IHS (NYSE:IHS) company, Verizon swept the rankings in Kansas City with shared awards across almost every category tested, as well as an outright win in the Data Performance category. Meanwhile, Sprint and T-Mobile made significant speed gains. Sprint's median download speed increased more than five points, from 15.4 Mbps in June to 20.9 Mbps in this round of testing. T-Mobile nearly doubled its median upload speed and came in a close second place in Data Performance—falling less than half of a point behind Verizon.
"In Kansas City, Verizon and T-Mobile took first place in Overall Performance, while also sharing awards across almost every category of testing," said Julie Dey, RootMetrics vice president. "While these two carriers led the way in the rankings, the others aren't far behind. With Sprint sharing the top spot in Network Reliability and AT&T only about one point behind, mobile users in Kansas City can count on reliabile service across any of the networks."
This is the tenth time RootMetrics has tested the mobile networks in Kansas City and issued 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 Kansas City:
1 – Verizon (98.1)
1 – T-Mobile (97.1)
3 – Sprint (96.6)
4 – AT&T (94.4)
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.
When it came to reliability in the Kansas City metro area, all four carriers provide strong service. Verizon, Sprint and T-Mobile shared the award in this category with AT&T only about one point behind. Network Speed, on the other hand, put Verizon and T-Mobile on top, while AT&T fell more than ten points behind.
Network Reliability rankings:
1 – Verizon (99.2)
1 – Sprint (98.6)
1 – T-Mobile (98.2)
4 – AT&T (97.7)
Network Speed rankings:
1 – T-Mobile (95.0)
1 – Verizon (95.0)
3 – Sprint (91.3)
4 – AT&T (84.2)
Data Performance
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.
Data Performance was the only category resulting in an outright win, which Verizon took for the third consecutive test period. However, Sprint recorded the fastest median download speed in Kansas City at 20.9 Mbps, while T-Mobile recorded the fastest median upload speed at 19.7 Mbps.
Data Performance rankings:
1 – Verizon (97.9)
2 – T-Mobile (97.6)
3 – Sprint (96.3)
4 – AT&T (93.2)
Call and Text Performance
Both Call and Text Performance categories resulted in four-way ties between all carriers.
Call Performance rankings:
1 – Verizon (98.2)
1 – Sprint (96.9)
1 – T-Mobile (96.3)
1 – AT&T (95.4)
Text Performance rankings:
1 – AT&T (98.6)
1 – Sprint (98.0)
1 – Verizon (97.9)
1 – T-Mobile (97.7)
Comprehensive Testing
To evaluate the mobile experience in Kansas City, RootMetrics performed 20,109 call, data and text tests across all hours of the day and night from Nov. 3 through Nov. 10. Using smartphones purchased off the shelf at carrier stores, tests were conducted indoors at 38 locations, outdoors and while driving 1,322 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.