Verizon tops RootMetrics' second-half drive test; T-Mobile is strong in top 30 metro markets

You just got to love T-Mobile CEO John Legere. Early last year, after T-Mobile finished last in RootMetrics' mobile network drive test for the first half of 2013, the executive took umbrage at the fact that the data released was outdated. After all, it was early 2014 when the report came out about the first half of 2013. In dismissing the results of RootMetrics' test, he also sent out a tweet saying that the results were slanted.

The results of RootMetrics' second half 2014 drive test are now out and T-Mobile is now more than happy to let some results resonate with consumers. In the top 30 metro markets, T-Mobile finished second to Verizon. AT&T was third (no doubt putting a huge smile on Mr. Legere's face) with Sprint finishing last. In the same top 30 metro markets, T-Mobile was number one in the categories of network speed and text performance. The carrier was number two in data performance.

Overall in all markets, the results show a different story. Verizon remained on top with a score of 93.9. AT&T was second with a tally of 91.7. In third came Sprint with T-Mobile placing fourth (with scores of 86.6 and 84 respectively). In network reliability, it was the same order with Verizon (95.5) edging out AT&T (93.8) for the top spot. Sprint (90.9) took third with T-Mobile (85.4) last. In network speed, once again it was Big Red first with AT&T second. T-Mobile took third here, followed by Sprint.

Verizon saw a big jump during the second half of last year in the number of markets with a median 20Mbps+ data speed. That figure rose from 19 markets in the first half to 40 markets in the second half. AT&T did well with a large majority of markets scoring a median speed in the 10Mbps to 20Mbps range. T-Mobile actually had more markets (41) with a median speed of 20Mbps+ than Verizon, but its call reliability scores held them back. The majority of Sprint's markets were in the lowest 0-6Mbps category (72) and the carrier had no markets with a median speed of 20Mbps+.

According to the report, in the U.S. there are more mobile subscribers (335.7 million) than there are people (317.9 million). Pretty outrageous, huh? We've got a load of charts and graphs for you to look at. Check out how your carrier made out by clicking on the slideshow below!


source: RootMetrics