BELLEVUE, Wash. (June 6, 2017) – According to RootMetrics ®, the independent source for real-world mobile performance comparison, Verizon sweeps the RootScore Awards in Chicago for the fourth straight time while other carriers are hot on its heels. T-Mobile makes big improvements, tying for three awards this testing period after sharing only one during the last round of testing. Meanwhile, Sprint ties for three awards for the second testing period in a row. The latest 1st Half 2017 Chicago Metro RootScore Report shows three-way ties in both the network reliability and call performance categories.

When it comes to data performance in the metro area, T-Mobile makes strong improvements, boosting its median download speed from 12.6 Mbps to 20.3 Mbps. Verizon ultimately wins the Data Performance RootScore Award outright for the sixth consecutive testing period. The carrier records the fastest median download speed at 31.5 Mbps, meaning subscribers can download a high-definition TV show in less than three minutes. Verizon also posts the fastest median upload speed at 22.4 Mbps, meaning uploading a photo to social media would take less than two seconds.

“Our latest testing shows the mobile performance race is blazing hot in Chicago, giving consumers a lot to be excited about,” said Annette Hamilton, RootMetrics director. “Impressive improvements in data performance and consistently strong network reliability mean consumers in the Windy City have some outstanding options depending on how and where they use their mobile devices most.”

This is the thirteenth time RootMetrics has tested the mobile networks in Chicago 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

Reliability and speed are crucial to a consistently good 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. All four major carriers perform well in network reliability, but Verizon, T-Mobile, and Sprint ultimately share the RootScore Award. Meanwhile, Verizon claims the Network Speed RootScore Award outright for the fourth time in a row.

Data Performance

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. Verizon claims the Data Performance RootScore Award for the sixth consecutive testing period, with the fastest median download and upload speeds of 31.5 Mbps and 22.4 Mbps, respectively. This means Verizon subscribers can download a high-definition TV show in less than three minutes and upload a photo to social media in less than two seconds.

Call and Text Performance

Call and text capabilities are fundamental to a strong mobile experience. 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. Verizon, Sprint, and T-Mobile tie for the Call Performance RootScore Award, while the text performance category results in a four-way tie for the third consecutive time.

Comprehensive Testing

To evaluate the mobile experience in Chicago, RootMetrics conducted tests across all hours of the day and night from April 29 through May 7. Using smartphones purchased off the shelf at carrier stores, tests were conducted indoors at 246 locations and while driving 5,457 miles. For details about RootMetrics testing, see the methodology section of the RootMetrics website.

About RootMetrics®

RootMetrics®, an IHS Markit company, is an independent mobile analytics firm 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 testing reflects real-world mobile usage, testing is conducted based on where, when and how consumers use their smartphones most often.

© 2017 RootMetrics. All rights reserved.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Lori Niquette for RootMetrics

rootmetrics@shiftcomm.com

617-779-1800