While Verizon dominated the mobile performance awards in Atlanta for the
second straight testing period, the real story might be the data speed
improvements seen across the metro area. Network upgrades put in place
by the carriers in advance of the recent Super Bowl seem to have had a
continued positive impact on performance. According to a new report from RootMetrics
by IHS Markit, the standard for mobile performance benchmarking, for the
first time ever in the Atlanta area, all four carriers recorded a median
download speed above 30 Mbps.
However, even with impressive speeds recorded across the board, Verizon
continues to show separation from the other carriers. Indeed, the First
Half 2019 Atlanta Metro RootScore Report reveals that Verizon is the
only carrier to provide a median download speed above 40 Mbps, recording
44.2 Mbps in recent testing. At this speed, a subscriber could download
a high-definition TV show in only two minutes. When it comes to testing
in congested areas during high-traffic periods, Verizon also rises to
the occasion to support smartphone users’ data needs, recording
lightning-fast median download and upload speeds of 99.0 Mbps and 52.5
Mbps, respectively.
“Atlanta is showing more promise than ever,” said Francis Sideco, vice
president, technology at IHS Markit. “With all four carriers showcasing
fast download speeds in the metro area – even in the most congested
areas of the city – Atlanta residents can expect strong performance now
with the potential for even better speeds to come as the 5G story
unfolds.”
This is the sixteenth time IHS Markit has tested the mobile networks in
Atlanta 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
Verizon earns the Network Reliability RootScore Award outright for the
fourth report in a row, edging ahead of AT&T in the latest testing.
Thanks in part to a marked jump in median download speed, Verizon also
holds the network speed award outright, which it previously shared with
T-Mobile. Reliability and speed are crucial to a consistently good
mobile experience. The 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 takes the Data Performance RootScore Award outright for the
second report in a row, while recording the fastest median download
speed at 44.2 Mbps. T-Mobile, however, records the fastest median upload
speed at 19.3 Mbps. During outdoor walking tests in the urban core of
Atlanta, Verizon records the fastest median download and upload speeds
at 99.0 Mbps and 52.5 Mbps, respectively. These speeds suggest that
Verizon thrives when it comes to network bandwidth – allowing for top
data speeds even with more users on a network. The data performance
category reflects how well networks perform at downloading and uploading
data and downloading files that approximate loading typical webpages or
apps.
Call and Text Performance
Verizon earns the award for call performance outright for the second
consecutive report, while all four carriers share the Text Performance
RootScore Award. Call performance testing is based on how reliably each
network can place and maintain calls, while text performance testing
measures how reliably and quickly consumers can send and receive text
messages.
Comprehensive Testing
To evaluate the mobile experience in Atlanta, IHS Markit conducted tests
across all hours of the day and night from March 25 through April 6.
Using smartphones purchased off the shelf at carrier stores, tests were
conducted indoors at 241 locations and while driving 4,811 miles. For
details about IHS Markit testing, see the methodology section of the
RootMetrics by IHS Markit website.
About RootMetrics by IHS Markit (www.RootMetrics.com)
RootMetrics by IHS Markit is mobile analytics that measure mobile
network performance and offers insights into the consumer mobile
experience. IHS Markit 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.
About IHS Markit (www.ihsmarkit.com)
IHS Markit (Nasdaq: INFO) is a world leader in critical information,
analytics and solutions for the major industries and markets that drive
economies worldwide. The company delivers next-generation information,
analytics and solutions to customers in business, finance and
government, improving their operational efficiency and providing deep
insights that lead to well-informed, confident decisions. IHS Markit has
more than 50,000 business and government customers, including 80 percent
of the Fortune Global 500 and the world’s leading financial institutions.
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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