Verizon Wireless deemed best performing data network, Sprint a distant No. 4
Verizon Wireless continues to be the darling of network performance tests conducted by RootMetrics, with the latest accolades tied to cellular data performance at the nation’s 50 busiest airports.
The report found through the first half of the year that Verizon Wireless was the best or tied for the best performing nationwide operator at 29 airports tested, boosted by “excellent reliability and speed.” RootMetrics found Verizon Wireless was “nearly perfect” in connections, with the testing able to connect to the network more than 97% of the time at 49 of the 50 airports, and it was able to maintain a connection in Web and application testing at least 97% of the time at 46 of the 50 airports.
The carrier also posted the fastest median download and upload speeds of 68.8 megabits per second and 40.4 Mbps at Chicago’s Midway International Airport. RootMetrics did find a few bumps in the road with median download speeds of less than 1 Mbps at a trio of airports: New York’s LaGuardia; Philadelphia International and Reagan International.
“Verizon led the way in our testing and offered fast and reliable performance in the vast majority of airports we visited,” RootMetrics said. “Although Verizon’s reliability was particularly impressive, the bottom bucket of its speed distribution shows room for improvement.”
In addition to topping RootMetrics’ last airport survey for the second half of last year, Verizon Wireless was also recently anointed the best performing carrier across the country for the same time period.
T-Mobile US came out No. 2 in the report with a top score or tied for a top score at 20 airport locations. AT&T Mobility was No. 3 with 13 awards, while Sprint finished a distant No. 4 in not garnering any top ratings.
T-Mobile US garnered its highest single ranking at Sacramento International Airport; its fastest median download speed (42.8 Mbps) at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport; its fastest median upload speed (24 Mbps) at Las Vegas’ McCarran International Airport; a 99.7% connection rate at just two airports; and a 100% staying connected rate at 19 airport locations. Overall, T-Mobile US managed a top spot at three additional airports compared with the second half of last year, however network speeds showed a wide variance.
“T-Mobile delivered solid performance, but still recorded slower-than-ideal speeds in a larger number of airports,” RootMetrics stated. “If speeds can improve at those slower airports, T-Mobile could become an even more attractive option.”
AT&T Mobility posted its best overall performance and fastest median upload speeds (19.4 Mbps) at Indianapolis International Airport; its fastest median download speeds (40.7 Mbps) at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport; managed a 100% connection rate at 15 airports; and a 100% staying connected rate at 17 airports.
RootMetrics noted that while using AT&T Mobility’s network, it was able to connect more than 97% of the time at 47 of 50 locations, compared with just 42 locations in the last survey; and maintained connections more than 97% of the time at 42 locations compared with 38 locations last time. However, network speeds disappointed with the carrier posting median download speeds of less than 5 Mbps at 16 airports.
“AT&T’s performance was a mixed bag, with improved reliability but slow speeds at a number of airports,” RootMetrics noted.
Sprint’s results were actually a step back from the previous RootMetrics testing that had awarded Sprint a top score at one airport location. The carrier this time managed its best overall performance at John Wayne Airport; its fastest median download speed (13.8 Mbps) at Tampa International Airport; fastest media upload speed (9.6 Mbps) at O’Hare International; a 100% connection rate at just four airport locations; and a 100% staying connected rate at just five locations.
“Sprint’s reliability enhancements deserve praise, but the network still has room to improve when considering speed,” RootMetrics concluded.
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